Tag: UK

Spotify’s Notting Hill Carnival Microsite Returns With Original Writing, Playlists, and Podcasts

August 25, 2021

London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival is a 55-year-old celebration of the United Kingdom’s Caribbean community—one full of parades, food, and, of course, music. For the second year in a row, Spotify is supporting the festivities virtually with the Carnival Sounds 2021 Microsite in collaboration with Notting Hill Carnival. 

This year’s site continues to celebrate everything fans love about Carnival and features brand-new content encompassing written, audio, and musical content from influential Black creators. Fans will once again get the chance to virtually explore the official Notting Hill Carnival sound systems, featuring DJs playing a mixture of dub, reggae, soca, soulful house, and everything in between. King Tubby’s, Carnival’s oldest sound, is back, along with Rampage Sound, one of Carnival’s most coveted spots; the all-female line-up Seduction City Sound; and Martin Jay, the prince of U.K. soca.

Spotify has also worked with some of the U.K.’s most iconic Black creators to help curate a Carnival soundtrack with some of the most popular playlists:

  • The Gold List will incorporate selections from British soul icon Billy Ocean.
  • Reggae on the Irie playlist is in expert hands as Protoje takes over.
  • Afro Bashment gets a West London spin from WSTRN.
  • Who We Be, the U.K.’s biggest hip-hop, Afrobeat, dancehall, and R&B playlist, gets curated by Who We Be TALKS_ hosts Harry Pinero and Henrie.

Plus, brand new this year are exclusive essays on the theme of Carnival from some of the U.K.’s most renowned Black writers and creatives. Look out for writing from:

  • Candice Carty-Williams, writer and author of the Sunday Times bestselling novel Queenie, for which she became the first Black woman to win the “Book of the Year” accolade at the British Book Awards in 2020.
  • James Massiah, celebrated poet, spoken word artist, and musician who has read at the Tate Modern, Southbank Centre, and the Houses of Parliament.
  • Malika Booker, writer, poet, artist, and pioneer of the spoken word movement in the U.K.
  • Eddie Otchere, photographer, educator, and curator whose work recounts the Black British experience in art spaces.
  • Lava La Rue, Ladbroke-Grove-based visual artist, rapper, and founding member of NiNE8 COLLECTIVE.
  • Dawn Hill CBE, former chairman of the Black Cultural Archives, the U.K.’s only national repository of Black history and culture.

And as part of the ongoing celebration and to embrace the visual nature of Carnival, Spotify commissioned a mural by London-based multidisciplinary artist Bokiba in the heart of Notting Hill. The piece captures the movement and sounds of Carnival, as well as incorporating emojis as a nod to the virtual element of this year’s event. As with all of her work, women of color are at the heart, along with bold colors and patterns. The artwork mural features a scannable Spotify code so that passersby can dive straight in and immediately immerse themselves in the sounds and experiences of Carnival from their phones.

RADAR Artist Griff Is Bringing Songwriting and Soul to British Pop and Beyond

June 2, 2021

There’s a new face coming to take the crown of British pop royalty. At least, that’s what critics say about singer-songwriter Griff. She’s the winner of the BRITs 2021 Rising Star Award and one of the newest additions to RADAR, Spotify’s emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent from around the globe. Griff is the first creator to join RADAR with the support of two markets. 

“Griff has an innate sense of herself as an artist—being a multifaceted talent in writing, producing, and performing her own work—paired with an indelible aesthetic that is 100% her own. This has marked her out as one to watch not just in the U.K., but also internationally,” shares Sulinna Ong, Head of Music at Spotify U.K. and Ireland. “It’s just one of many reasons we’ve created a bespoke proposition for her in the U.K. and the U.S., which will entail promoting her in multiple markets simultaneously.”

Back before Griff was receiving awards, selling out tour dates, and seeing her music streamed over 126 million times on Spotify, the 20-year-old was a curious preteen experimenting with beats and melodies on her brother’s audio production software. Her first music releases came while she was still in school, featuring rousing melodies and poignant lyrics about self-love and overcoming anxiety.  She’s since been added to over 287 Spotify editorial playlists and over 1.6 million user-generated playlists on Spotify, with her audience growing at an exponential rate off the back of singles like “Black Hole” and “Good Stuff.”

Drawing inspiration from artists like Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder, Griff’s music is a soulful combination of clever songwriting and crisp harmonies. Griff skillfully juxtaposes honest and insightful lyrics with uplifting beats. 

For the Record chatted with Griff to learn more about the struggles of finding inspiration over the past year and the excitement of the long career that lies ahead of her. 

What are you looking forward to most as Spotify’s latest RADAR artist?

Getting famous! Jokes, I mean, I just feel very excited that more people are going to discover my music and hopefully they’ll like it.

You’ve talked about your Jamaican and Chinese heritage being something that caused you to feel different from your peers while growing up. How is that experience reflected in your music? Nowadays, do your roots impact your music or sound?

My dad played a lot of Black music around the house growing up. So hopefully that sense of soul and emotion that you hear in artists like Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Mary J. Blige still exists in my songs. I think overall, though, having a mixed heritage in a very white area has made me used to being different, and perhaps more confident in trying new things, pushing boundaries, and standing out.

You’ve said that songwriting is your first love, before being an artist. What draws you to that part of the creative process?

I think that 90% of the time, songwriting is the most frustrating thing, and 10% of the time, it’s the most euphoric, satisfactory thing because you feel like you’ve cracked the code. So I think I’m addicted to that feeling of creating something out of nothing and feeling proud of writing something that feels both unique and true to me.

This past year presented many unprecedented challenges. How has it changed the way you approach your music? Did it bring about new types of inspiration?

It was hard to stay inspired, to be honest. Suddenly, I was just staring at the same four white walls every day and didn’t know what I wanted to say or put out into the world. I definitely had to dig a little deeper and find inspiration in new ways. I started listening to a lot of older music, like Whitney, Michael Jackson, and ABBA. I had to really reflect and have a lot of conversations with myself to find lyrical inspiration. I also had to trust that some days I was gonna write really sh*t songs, but the good stuff always comes eventually.

You’re also a part of Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music program, which fosters equity for women in the music industry. What advice do you have for female artists who are just starting out in the business and are working hard to break through?

I would say this: Try your best to know who you want to be and what you want, because if you don’t, other people so easily will. And also, look at what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite or do something different, because that will hopefully make you stand out against the rest.

Earlier this year you won the BRITs Rising Star award, and you recently released a new single. What’s next for you?

I’m excited to release this mixtape, which is coming out on June 18. I feel really proud that most of this mixtape has been written and produced 100% by me in my bedroom, and hopefully that means the songs are intimate and authentic to me. I’m also excited to get back into shows. I’ve never really gotten into the rhythm of touring; I did one show and then COVID-19 hit, so I’m excited to meet all the people who have started listening to my music in the past year.

Listen to Griff’s latest tracks below, and keep an eye out for her mixtape, One Foot in Front of the Other, releasing June 18.

Kayo Chingonyi Decodes ‘Black’ from Dave’s Brit Award-Winning Album ‘PSYCHODRAMA’

May 11, 2021

For the past several years, Spotify Original podcast DISSECT has delved deep into impactful albums, including Frank Ocean’s Blonde, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, Beyoncé’s Lemonade, and more. The show crossed the pond this April and premiered in the U.K. as Decode. The new podcast features the same track-by-track analysis and insightful commentary, but with notable albums coming out of the U.K.—starting with rapper Dave’s Brit and Mercury Award-winning 2019 album PSYCHODRAMA. 

Tune in as Zambian-British author Kayo Chingonyi dives into an in-depth exploration of the lyrical metaphors embedded throughout Dave’s breathtaking debut album. With each song, he unpacks the modern British Black experience as Dave relates it to criminal justice, race, poverty, sexuality, toxic masculinity, and mental health stigma. 

Kayo devotes one episode to “Black” and, in particular, Dave’s performance of the track at the Brit Awards in February 2020. Dave’s live rendition included new, politically charged verses that took the audience by surprise, ignited a conversation about racism in the U.K., and resonated with fans: The track saw an 1,889% increase in streams on Spotify after the performance. 

For the Record asked Kayo to reflect on what makes Decode unique to the UK, as well as the impact of Dave’s salient and raw rendition of “Black.”

Decode is a new podcast, but takes its shape after Spotify’s successful DISSECT show in the U.S. What parts of the podcast are you keeping close to the original model?

DISSECT really honours musical creativity, meeting each album with curiosity and passion. With Decode, we’ve kept that sense of reverence and also that passion, that connection to music as a universal language that can travel to all corners of the world, lodging itself in the hearts and minds of listeners. Both shows ask questions about that magical process of communion between artist, song, and listener.

How are you making it your own? How does your own background as a poet, lyricist, and vocalist shape this?

As a writer all that I ever try to do is bring out the latent music in language, in words. As an emcee of Dave’s stripe, that’s a central concern, too. He’s interested not just in what words mean but how that meaning is enacted by their sound. As far as making it my own, I think it’s important to make the connection to Dave’s work as a writer. There’s maybe an inside perspective I can give as someone who has been writing and spitting lyrics since my early teens. I recognise the world Dave describes.

Why is it important for the U.K. to have a version of this show for itself?

The U.K. is a centre of global musical culture. There are many, of course, but I think the U.K.’s role has been downplayed in recent history. Things are starting to shift, and as they do, it’s important to look at musical culture from a global perspective. Black music especially is a global sound. It has always been, because our music travels with us.

What makes PSYCHODRAMA by Dave worthy of “decoding” first?

PSYCHODRAMA is a balance of compositional and lyrical excellence. It’s not just music as entertainment, although you can shock out to it. The album honours the arcane roots of music as a technology, a kind of spiritual communication across distances of culture and space. It’s an album that I think will go on to define our times.

Last week you discussed the track “Black,” which had a moment that stood alone during the Brits last year—it even has its own Genius lyrics page. What did that rendition, at that event, signify?

Adding that verse really showed Dave’s ability to respond to the times and also the way a track like “Black” will, I’m sad to say, always be resonant in a society like ours, built on what it is built on. That was a state of the nation moment at the Brits, an opportunity to step from behind the veil of entertainment that Dave took and ran with. It was the throwing down of a gauntlet—to government, to listeners, to fellow artists.

What conversation are you hoping to spark or continue from the 2020 Brits performance to this podcast episode?

I want to engage people in the layers of history that come together to shape our present moment. There is so much we could be asking questions about and, above all, I think PSYCHODRAMA invites its listeners to keep asking these questions. That’s what I would like people to take from the podcast—this desire to ask.

What album are you looking forward to decoding next?

So many! I’m keen to look at older albums. Look How Long by Loose Ends, Blue Lines by Massive Attack, Timeless by Goldie, or Dummy by Portishead, maybe. In terms of recent albums, Burial’s Untrue made me shed tears the first time I listened to it so it’s high on my list.

Ahead of the 2021 Brits, tune in to the “Black” episode of Decode below.

How Who We Be, Altar, and Our Generation Are Propelling UK and Irish Artists to the Top

February 8, 2021

Spotify’s editorial playlists are full of musical collections that fans won’t find anywhere else. Some of these playlists follow moods, while others contain songs curated for a specific genre—many of these playlists highlight emerging artists and help them connect their music with new audiences.

In the UK and Ireland, three flagship playlists are particularly influential. Listeners can find the UK’s biggest rap, grime, R&B, Afrobeat, and dancehall hits on Who We Be. Altar is the destination for the best electronic dance music. And for those looking to experience new and emerging genreless sounds, the Our Generation playlist contains some of the most exciting emerging acts on the UK and Irish scenes.

In 2020, many fans discovered new artists through these lists, and the proof is in the numbers. Read on to learn about some of the standout artists who saw success on these playlists last year. 

Who We Be

The Who We Be playlist has grown significantly since its launch in 2016, and it now has over half a million fiercely loyal and engaged followers. One of the playlist’s biggest breakthroughs in 2020 was Central Cee. The West London rapper commanded more than 200,000 streams from the Who We Be playlist alone, and he saw almost instant success with his single “Day In The Life.” Since he joined the Who We Be Community, the artist’s followers on Spotify have grown by almost 359%.

S1mba is another rapper who made waves last year with his debut single, “Rover (feat. DTG),” which peaked at number two in the UK Top 40 in April. The Zimbabwean-born Londoner is the 15th-most-streamed artist overall on the playlist, and since “Rover” was released, he has seen a 16,435% rise in listens.

After being featured on Who We Be, Tiana Blake’s “Cut Ties” became the best-performing traditional R&B track from a British artist on the playlist. The track went on to make waves in other global Spotify playlists, such as Chilled R&B, and saw a 159% rise in streams.

Altar

Dance and Electronic music isn’t going anywhere. If you need proof, look no further than the Altar playlist, which saw a 193% increase in listens in 2020. One of the biggest artist breakthroughs of 2020 was award-winning producer Fred Gibson, who released tracks under his alias, Fred again... The artist’s unique sound blends raw vocal samples with club-ready euphoria and has been a hit with the Altar audience; they’ve made him one of the top 20 most-streamed artists on the playlist last year.

TSHA was the third-most-streamed UK female on the playlist in 2020. She saw an increase in year-on-year streams of 134%. TSHA’s single “Change” with Gabrielle Aplin, which was recorded at a Spotify Song Writing Camp in 2019, became one of the top-100-streamed tracks from Altar in 2020. 

In May, one of Europe’s most exciting DJs and producers, India Jordan, launched their genre-defining EP For You. Two of the tracks, “For You” and “I’m Waiting,” were featured on the Altar playlist, and over the course of the year, their streams increased by 388%. India was also one of Spotify’s RADAR first listen artists in 2020.

Our Generation

Genreless playlists are growing in popularity around the world, and the case is no different for Our Generation. The playlist, which surfaces the new wave of artists emerging across the UK and Irish musical landscape, saw an 18% increase in streams in 2020. With playlist takeovers from some of the most exciting breakthrough artists on the scene, including beabadoobee, Thomas Headon, and Biig Piig, the home of genre-defying artists has driven huge discovery for fans this year.

Our Generation played an influential role in elevating many artists, including rising star Holly Humberstone, who has grown her audience to over 2 million monthly listeners since her first release, “Deep End,” was added to the playlist in early 2020. 

Other acts that saw great first-time success include Tayo Sound, who was busking on the streets of Reading less than a year before making it onto the cover of the Our Generation playlist in May 2020. His hits “Cold Feet” and “Heartbreaker” were two of the most-streamed tracks on the playlist in 2020, and overall his streams soared by more than 1,000% in the last six months. 

Kamal, an 18-year-old London alternative R&B star, secured the second-most-streamed track on Our Generation with “homebody” after he was featured on his first Spotify playlist cover art in early 2020. Since then, the artist has seen an 84% growth in listens.

With a new year comes more new music. Follow these playlists to discover the latest finds when it comes to emerging artists and hit tracks.

Meet beabadoobee, Thomas Headon, and Biig Piig, the New Wave of Artists Taking Over Spotify’s Community-First ‘Our Generation’ Playlist

November 19, 2020

Press “play” on Spotify’s Our Generation playlist and you’ll find your headphones or speakers filled with the sounds of rising artists from a variety of different backgrounds, identities, and musical styles. Since 2019, Our Generation has surfaced the new wave of artists emerging across the British and Irish musical landscape to young, engaged music fans whose tastes aren’t restricted by genre. Now, the curated playlist is getting a makeover, getting rebranded with a new look and guest takeovers from the most exciting acts of the next-gen music scene.

Last week, 21-year-old indie singer-songwriter Thomas Headon selected the tracks he loves alongside his friends in the music community. Starting today, November 19, tune in with Irish breakout singer and rapper Biig Piig. Finally, on November 26 hear from alternative rock musician and RADAR artist beabadoobee. Each will create a truly unique listening experience complete with playlist videos and track selections from multiple artists within the scene.

“We’re excited to have these three amazing artists collaborate with Our Generation as we continue to expand Spotify’s support for emerging talent,” says Sulinna Ong, Head of Music for UK and Ireland at Spotify. “We launched Our Generation in 2019 after we identified a gap for a unique offering of genre-fluid, new music for a digitally native audience. With our latest campaign, we are taking it one step further by expanding and enriching the Our Generation brand and offering fans the chance to further explore diverse and culturally influential artists to uncover their new undiscovered favorites via recommendations from some of the playlist’s most popular artists. Our ambition is to build a truly engaged community for Our Generation, making it the go-to hub for Gen Z music lovers to discover their new favorite artists.”

To mark the campaign, Spotify has teamed up with DIY, the leading independent music publication in the UK, to give music lovers the chance to take a deep dive into the inspiration behind each artist’s takeover. Through in-depth interviews, Thomas, Biig Piig, and beabadoobee each reveal the tracks and creators that make them tick. 

The revamped playlist will continue to serve as a destination for listeners to find an artist with a unique sound in a new visual world, including unique playlist cover art created by Australian illustrator and creative Eliza Williams (@doolittleillustrations). The colorful hand-drawn illustrations encapsulate the escapism that the audience can achieve through the music.


Ready to dive in? Stream the newly revamped Our Generation playlist below.

Spotify’s Virtual Notting Hill Carnival Microsite Amplifies Black Creators Like Never Before

August 19, 2020

London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival is a 54-year-old celebration of the United Kingdom’s Caribbean community, and it’s often filled with parades, food, and, of course, music. Due to this year’s social distancing recommendations, the Carnival’s in-person events are on hold, but the art and culture of the U.K.’s Black creative community can be heard just as loudly as Notting Hill Carnival goes online. As an official partner for Notting Hill Carnival 2020, Spotify is excited to share our dedicated Carnival microsite, with a full virtual musical lineup, playlist takeovers, art experiences, and more.

That’s right: The party isn’t stopping; it’s just moving from the streets into your home. Our new microsite is filled with playlist takeovers from big names, and it gives fans a chance to explore over 40 of the official Notting Hill Carnival sound systems and on-the-road DJs who spin dub, reggae, soca, soulful house and everything in between. Plus, we’ll be featuring an exclusive portrait and film gallery from renowned photographer Ekua King, podcast episodes covering Carnival’s rich history and a look forward, and ways to tune into live events throughout the weekend.

“Notting Hill Carnival is such an important celebration of Caribbean heritage for communities in London and beyond—enriched in tradition and activism and lived through music and dance,” says Sulinna Ong, Head of Music at Spotify U.K. and Ireland. “While it can’t take place in its usual way, it’s key that the celebration continue—in homes, living rooms and gardens—especially given the current climate.”

Learn how you can celebrate Carnival through some of Spotify’s microsite features.

Playlist takeovers

We’ve worked with some of the U.K.’s leading Black creators in music, film, and entertainment to help guide fans through some of our most popular playlists, which will be dedicated to Notting Hill Carnival for the long weekend event. Fans can enjoy:

  • Lockdown success story No Signal’s take on Who We Be, the U.K.’s biggest hip-hop, Afrobeat, dancehall and R&B playlist
  • The legendary Marleys, who will help fans jam along to One Love
  • Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s compilation of tunes for Throwback Thursday
  • Everything from reggae legends to the new school as Koffee introduces our Irie playlist
  • Spice, the Jamaican dancehall artist and star of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’s Dancehall Queen takeover

Notting Hill Carnival sound systems

Our microsite also gives fans the chance to explore over 40 of the official Notting Hill Carnival sound systems (aka large DJ booths) and on-the-road DJs. Check in with King Tubby’s, Carnival’s oldest sound; Rampage Sound, one of Carnival’s most coveted spots, the prince of U.K. soca, Martin Jay; and even Carnival’s only all-female sound system, Seduction City Sound.

“Last year I celebrated 25 years of being the only female sound system in Carnival,” says Lady Banton of Seduction City Sound. “I’m a woman and a Black woman, and I’m proud to be a Black woman. I’m also a child of the Windrush generation, so we never forget. I thought, ‘What a relief I am here again.’”

Exclusive photo and film gallery from Ekua King

Just as the in-person Carnival has music and art to boot, so will the microsite, thanks to exclusive work from Ekua King. The renowned London-based photographer of Jamaican heritage who shoots for the likes of i-D, Paper, and Vogue, has created an exclusive photo and film gallery on the site. Check out her stunning portraiture of the over 40 sound systems and on-the-road DJs, whose stories come to life through her shots.

Spotify Supports Underrepresented Podcasters With ‘Sound Up,’ Now in the US, UK and Ireland, Germany, Australia, Sweden, and Brazil

June 1, 2020

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own podcast, this is your chance. Spotify’s Sound Up program, now in its third year, is designed to uplift and amplify the voices of aspiring podcasters from underrepresented backgrounds through education, workshops, and support. Applications for Spotify’s Sound Up 2020 program are now available in the US, with applications for other countries rolling out soon.

Through the workshop, participants will learn the ins and outs of developing and producing their very own podcasts. We’ve seen a huge interest in the program, with 20,000+ applications submitted over the past three years. Ultimately, 60 people have completed the program throughout the UK, Australia, the US, and Germany. Ten of those graduates have since launched their own shows, and three now have Spotify Original podcasts on the platform. To celebrate our graduates’ success, we’ve put several of their podcasts all in one place.

This year’s program, however, will look a little different. Due to the challenges of gathering during this unprecedented time, Sound Up will be divided into two phases. First up is a virtual four-week course that will take place later this year. To ensure everyone has equal access to technology, we’ll be providing computers, WiFi access, and podcast recording equipment to participants. Then, those who demonstrate a particular knack for podcasting will be invited to a future in-person training where they will further develop their ideas.

But that’s not the only new thing in store. Sound Up is also making its grand debut in two countries—Brazil and Sweden—in an effort to bring Sound Up to even more individuals. In Sweden, the program is aimed at women and non-binary people who may experience racism because of their skin color, culture, language, religion, or ethnicity. Applications in Brazil, will be open to young people of color from the Periferias, or outskirts of big cities.

Twenty applicants from each participating country will be chosen to take part in the four-week online program. During that time, they’ll start their podcasting journeys, honing their skills in  storytelling, designing a podcast, editing audio, and learning the business of the medium. At the very end, participants will leave with the tools they need to create a trailer for their show.

This year’s U.S. session will be facilitated by longtime collaborator and Sound Up veteran, Rekha Murthy. She will be joined by co-facilitator Maria Murriel of the production house Pizza Shark.

Thinking about applying but don’t have podcasting experience? Not to worry. To be a part of the program, you don’t need any prior podcasting experience, just something unique to say and a desire to use podcasts to say it. (Plus, you must be a resident of the country where you’re applying and self-identify as a member of the community being served in that country.)

U.S. residents can now apply for this year’s Sound Up here. Those in Sweden, Germany, and Brazil can apply later this month, and applications for the U.K. and Ireland will be available in August. The program will be offered to women and non-binary people of color in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, and Sweden; young people of color from the Periferias in Brazil; and members of the LGBQTI community in Germany. We can’t wait to hear what these new podcasters have to share.

Applications are now available for residents in the US . Interested applicants in other countries should stay tuned for more updates.

Spotify Kids Is Now Available in the U.S., Canada, and France

March 31, 2020

Last year, we helped bring families together with Spotify Kids—our stand-alone app in beta  designed specifically for kids ages three and older. The app, which has been exclusive to Spotify Premium Family subscribers in select countries, was developed with safety and privacy in mind. It’s an ad-free experience where young listeners can explore sing-alongs, soundtracks, and stories on their own or with their families. Now, at a time when so many kids are home from school, we’re bringing the experience to even more people as the app rolls out in the U.S., Canada, and France—and we hope parents there will find it useful as well.

This comes off our initial launch of Spotify Kids in beta in Ireland, followed by Sweden, Denmark, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. With more than 125 playlists, Spotify Kids makes it easy for families to listen to their favorite songs and stories while also discovering new ones. Everything on Spotify Kids has been hand selected by our editors, so you can be sure that the content is both kid friendly and—most importantly—fun!

 

We’re constantly working on ways to make the Kids experience even better, and we had the opportunity to take into consideration the ideas and feedback from parents who have already used the app with their kids. So here’s what’s new and launching soon on the app:

More to love

  • In the U.S. and Canada, there are now more than 8,000 songs available in the Kids app—that’s 30% more than when we first launched. And because variety is the spice of life, every day we’re adding more songs in all markets. We’ve also added more audiobooks and stories to the library, including Disney Music Group Stories, fairytales, classics, and short stories. 

Bedtime is even better

  • Parents told us that they love using Kids around bedtime, so we’ve added more lullabies, calming music and sounds, and bedtime stories to help lull your little ones to sleep. Sweet dreams!

A more customized experience

  • Parenting is personal. That’s why we’re working on giving parents more control over what kids can (and can’t) listen to and new features that will allow parents to further customize the experience. In addition, half of the content you’ll find in Kids is based on what’s popular in the country you live in.

Even more educational content

  • There has always been a focus on educational musical content for kids on the app, including a playlist hub called Learning that features songs that teach kids about counting, the ABC’s, science, and more. Recently, we also added a new global playlist with songs to help kids learn general hygiene best practices, like how to wash their hands and cough and sneeze properly into their elbows. This playlist features the newly released song from Pinkfong, “Wash Your Hands with Baby Shark.” Plus, relevant educational content on the app will continue to grow.

We even have some new offerings specifically for our U.S. users. Here are some of the unique features U.S. families can expect:

Diverse content

  • The U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, and the music our listeners stream reflects that. So in addition to all the core favorites you’d expect, the U.S. Kids app also includes Spanish-language, country, Christian, Motown, and soul dance party playlists.

Pop culture crazy

  • Just like the main Spotify app, Kids taps into the big cultural moments listeners love. For example, we know that movies and music go hand in hand, which is why you’ll find the Trolls World Tour playlist and an official Frozen playlist featured in the app.

Because two heads are better…

  • We’re working alongside children’s brands like Disney Music Group, KIDZ BOP, and Nickelodeon to create totally unique Spotify Kids content and experiences. Stay tuned: we think you’ll like what you hear.

 

The Spotify Kids app is available exclusively for Spotify Premium Family subscribers at no additional charge and can be downloaded on iOS or Android devices. New Premium subscribers are also eligible for one month free of Premium Family—just visit spotify.com/family.

Spotify’s New London HQ Opens Doors with Performances from Dermot Kennedy and Joy Crookes

February 17, 2020

In the spectacular Adelphi Building, just off the Strand in the very heart of London, is Spotify’s newest expansion: a state-of-the-art HQ for the U.K. and Ireland. The office, with its new work spaces, production studios, and listening rooms specifically dedicated to artists, podcasters and creators, also houses our R&D team in the U.K., marking our first major tech center outside of the U.S. and Sweden. This expansion is a great example of our ongoing growth and investment in content and talent—so last night, we invited U.K. and Irish media to a housewarming in the new space to celebrate. 

Our open house gave U.K. and Irish media the chance to get to know us a little better, see where we work, and check out the spaces we have created to energize and inspire all the creative minds who come through our doors. At the event, we introduced our current U.K. and Ireland leads, our new Head of Comms in the U.K. and Ireland, and our Global Head of Comms, in addition to offering office tours of the new production studios, listening rooms, green rooms, Artists Lounge, and more. Our leads shared how the new office space puts us in the best place to continue growing Spotify’s leadership position as the most popular audio-streaming platform.

 

Sound Up UK Is Back to Help Bring Female Podcasters of Color to the Mic

December 11, 2019

Despite the popularity of podcasts like 2 Dope Queens, women of color remain vastly underrepresented in the podosphere. That’s why Spotify created Sound Up, an accelerator program dedicated to lifting up and amplifying the voices of women of color in podcasting in the U.S. and U.K., First Nations women in Australia, and LGBTTIQ+ individuals in Germany. 

This year, the second for the program, Spotify’s Sound Up U.K. program was hosted in Manchester to help grow podcasting beyond the London hub. Over the span of four days, 10 hand-selected individuals participated in intensive workshops, delving into the writing, recording, and business aspects of the craft. The week-long program was led by longtime facilitators Rekha Murthy, Graham Griffith, and Christina Moore. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to learn from podcasting veterans—and at the end of the week, four were awarded a £10,000 grant to make their podcast idea a reality. 

While every participant grew as a podcaster, four ideas particularly wowed the judges. This year’s grant recipients were (drumroll please!): Tosin Mustapha, Clara Monroy, Esther Robertson, and Shade Nathaniel-Ayodele.  

We caught up with several of the Sound Up U.K. participants to hear about their experiences. Here’s what they had to say.

Viv May 

“Don’t doubt yourself. I’m a D.J., a songwriter, and now a podcaster thanks to everything I’ve learned at Sound Up.”

Shade Nathaniel-Ayodele  

“Starting with this seed of an idea and having it flourish into this bouquet of flowers—it’s been amazing. And the women that I’ve talked to, and the support we have for one another, it’s phenomenal.” 

Esther Robertson

“I’m lucky to be a part of a group of amazing women of color, it’s like we’ve grown up together.  I feel really empowered. You’ve got 10 strong women wanting the same goal.”

Lorraine Okuefuna 

“I was talking to a lot of the other women and I really do feel like my life has changed from this week. I’ve had so much confidence building and technical building—it’s honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Emma Sayers 

“Being around such a good group of people where we all got to share ideas and collaborate, as well as all of the things that have been thrown at us and all the help and advice that we received, it just feels really empowering.”

Adilah Hameed

“Every single one of us in this program has a passion for our subject and that’s why we all want to make it. It’s not about anything else, it’s purely because we love the subject that we want to discuss it. My biggest piece of advice is to have a passion for your idea.”

Clara Monroy

“For me, the biggest takeaway is that a lot of the barriers that I saw before the program were in my head. Sound Up has really helped me understand that it’s doable, it’s possible.  And there is so much that can be done, that needs to be done, there are so many voices that are not being heard.”

Amber Mehmood

“I feel so inspired by listening to everyone else’s stories—everyone did amazing.  It’s incredible just listening to how far we’ve come from the start of the week to the end of the week.”

Tosin Mustapha

“The highlight for me was the session with Renay Richardson. As a fan of hers, it was great to get her feedback on different ways of giving a new perspective.”

Check out Dope Labs, one of the podcasts from Sound Up U.S. grant recipient, Titi Shodiya. 

4 New Partnerships Bringing Spotify Premium Across the Globe

November 21, 2019

248 million users. 79 markets. One incredible Premium experience. Our goal is to make sure Spotify Premium is available wherever our listeners are. That’s why we’re always teaming up with new partners to enable more users to discover Spotify Premium and enjoy the music and podcasts they love. Just in time for the holidays, today we’re sharing four new ways our fans around the world can enjoy Spotify Premium—and get even more out of it.

“These partnerships will make it even easier for users to experience Spotify Premium and access music and podcasts anytime and on any device,” says Marc Hazan, VP of Premium Partnerships. “We’re committed to working with world-class partners to provide users with innovative offers and the best experience and value.”

Ready to learn more? Here are four new ways users around the globe can access Spotify Premium:*

U.S. and U.K. Users: Stay in the Game with Xbox and Spotify

Gamers know that it’s often the music that makes the experience what it is. So as part of a special holiday campaign, we’re deepening our partnership with Xbox by offering eligible U.S. and U.K. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members a free six-month trial of Spotify Premium. That’s right— you can stay in the game while playing Spotify in the background, as well as control playback with Spotify Connect. Get all the details on this time-limited offer by visiting Xbox. 

French users: Enjoy Spotify en français with Bouygues Telecom

Spotify + Bouygues Telecom on one bill = c’est magique. In France, Spotify and Bouygues Telecom are offering a free six-month trial of Spotify Premium for customers on Bouygues Telecom broadband and eligible mobile plans. And Bouygues Telecom customers on mobile tariffs >1 GB data allowance can add Spotify Premium to their existing mobile plan while paying one convenient bill. Bouygues Telecom’s 4G service covers 99% of the French population and was named the number one operator in rural areas by Arcep, the French telecoms regulator, in 2018, so you know you’re in good hands.

Brazilian users: Get technical with service app Magalu Conecta

Our offer in Brazil is in partnership with Magazine Luiza (“Magalu”), one of the country’s top retailers, and their service app Magalu Conecta. The Magalu Conecta app provides services and benefits including technical support, cloud storage, phone protection and free exclusive Wi-Fi hotspots. As part of our partnership, we’re offering Magalu Conecta customers a free four-month trial of Spotify Premium. 

Australian users: Listen through one of Australia’s largest mobile networks, Vodafone

In Australia, we’re once again joining forces with Vodafone to offer our users there even more value. Eligible Vodafone customers can now receive a free 30-day trial of Spotify Premium when Spotify Premium is added to their existing mobile plan—and pay one convenient bill.

No matter where you are or what you’re listening to, get it on-demand and on-the-go with Spotify Premium. Click here to learn about how to give the gift of Spotify and other holiday offers available through Spotify Premium.

*Trials are subject to Spotify trial eligibility

Your Daily Podcasts Playlist Makes Finding Your Next Favorite Show Easier Than Ever

November 19, 2019

You’ve just binged your favorite podcast and you’re finally caught up. But now you have to wait an entire week until the next episode. Now what? With so many great podcasts on Spotify, it can be hard to know what to listen to next. Thanks to our latest personalized playlist, it’s now easier than ever. 

Spotify transformed music discovery with playlists like Discover Weekly and Daily Mix. Now we’ve created Your Daily Podcasts—our first daily personalized podcast playlist that gives users an easy way to discover new shows while also keeping up with old favorites. If you’ve listened to at least four podcasts in the past 90 days, you’ll find the playlist in the “Your Top Podcasts” shelf on Home or in the “Made For You” hub on browse.

Here’s how Your Daily Podcasts works:

  1. Spotify’s algorithms analyze your podcast behavior—like recent streams and follows.
  2. Then, based on your listening history and the podcast type, we’ll recommend the next best episodes for you.
  3. That might be the next sequential episode in a podcast you’re already listening to (think Dog Tales and How’s Work with Esther Perel), a recent stand-alone evergreen episode in another show (maybe Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls 1 Keith or Certified Buckets), or a timely episode from a daily updating podcast (like Horoscope Today or The Journal).  
  4. Don’t worry—no spoilers here! If you’ve never listened to a story-driven sequential show we think you’d like, you’ll get the trailer or pilot episode first—to see if it catches your eye (er, ear).

Free and Premium users in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can check out their Your Daily Podcasts playlist, now available on Spotify.