Tag: Viva Latino

Spotlighting the Artists To Watch in 2024

January 10, 2024

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time to predict which artists will make their mark in 2024. Continuing our annual Artists To Watch campaign, we’ve expanded the list to feature even more artists across many more genres. 

Along with streaming data, we tapped our North American music team and editors of our playlist brands—Viva Latino (Latin), Pop Rising (pop), Hot Country (country), juniper (folk), New Noise (rock), Lorem (indie), R&B Rising (R&B), Most Necessary (hip-hop), and mint (dance)—to help select the 90 rising talents featured below. You can also find all of our picks rounded up in one convenient spot with our brand-new Artists To Watch playlist. 

You’ll find Musica Mexicana crooner Chino Pacas among Viva Latino’s picks, and introspective hitmaker Teddy Swims included in Pop Rising’s selections. Country and folk singer-songwriters MacKenzie Carpenter and Chance Peña made Hot Country and juniper’s cuts, respectively, while all-women rock band The Beaches and moody indie songstress Chappell Roan were tapped by New Noise and Lorem. Meanwhile, South African vocalist Tyla, Texas rapper That Mexican OT, and Greek electronic producer Argy were recognized by R&B Rising, Most Necessary, and mint, respectively. 

Who else should you keep an eye on in 2024? Keep reading for the full list of Artists To Watch. 

Viva Latino’s Artists To Watch

Bellakath
Chino Pacas
Dei V
Estevie
Gonzy
Jasiel Nuñez
Junior Zamora
Saiko
Xavi
Yami Safdie

Hot Country’s Artists To Watch

Anne Wilson
Dylan Gossett
Graham Barham
Lauren Watkins
Mackenzie Carpenter
Matt Schuster
Michael Warren
Owen Riegling
Sam Barber
Wyatt Flores

Pop Rising’s Artists To Watch

Aidan Bissett
Alexander Stewart
bludnymph
Emei
Isabel LaRosa
Matt Hansen
Meg Smith
METTE
SNOW WIFE
Teddy Swims

juniper’s Artists To Watch

Bo Staloch
Chance Peña
hey, nothing
Jack Van Cleaf
Kara Jackson
Mon RovÎa
Paris Paloma
Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners
Searows
Tiny Habits

New Noise’s Artists To Watch

Amira Elfeky
Destroy Boys
Jack Kays
Jhariah
julie
Scowl
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
The Beaches
The Last Dinner Party
ThxSoMch

R&B Rising’s Artists To Watch

Amaria
Bellah
Chxrry22
Elmiene
Jordan Ward
Khamari
Lekan
Leon Thomas
Naomi Sharon
Tyla

mint’s Artists To Watch

Argy
BUNT.
DBN Gogo
HoneyLuv
Knock2
LP Giobbi
Mochakk
Sammy Virji
Shermanology
Uncle Waffles

Lorem’s Artists To Watch

Abby Sage
bar italia
Chappell Roan
Frost Children
Hannah Jadagu
hemlocke springs
Provoker
sign crushes motorist
waterbaby
Wisp

Most Necessary’s Artists To Watch

310babii
41
BabyDrill
BigXthaPlug
Hunxho
Lay Bankz
ODUMODUBLVCK
Skilla Baby
That Mexican OT
Veeze

Press play on our Artists To Watch playlist to discover the sounds of all the artists we’re expecting to make waves in 2024. 

Discover the Creative Process Behind Myke Towers’ New Album, ‘LA VIDA ES UNA’

March 28, 2023

LA VIDA ES UNA cover

As Latin rap’s global influence grows, the release of Myke Towers’ highly anticipated new album, LA VIDA ES UNA, has given fans a reason to rejoice. Following 2021’s Lyke Myke and 2020’s Easy Money Baby, the Puerto Rican rapper’s latest release features Daddy Yankee on the lead single “ULALA (OOH LA LA)” and is gaining traction on some of Spotify’s most-popular playlists, like Viva Latino and Baila Reggaeton.

To celebrate the launch, Myke is pulling back the curtain on his creative process with a behind-the-scenes mini-documentary showing the world how LA VIDA ES UNA was made. 

 

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Produced in partnership with Spotify, The Making of LA VIDA ES UNA is split into three distinct parts, walking fans through the various stages of the artist at work. From writing and recording all the way to mastering, Myke gives fans a deeper, more intimate understanding of how he channels inspiration into irresistible hits and how “la vida es una” is his mantra and way of life. 

 

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“Many people are curious about my creative process, what inspires me, and the methodology behind my songs,” Myke told For the Record. “In general, I don’t like to share too many details, but I wanted to provide my fans with a preview. I want to inspire them to wake up every day with clear intentions, knowing that if they are consistent, they’ll achieve their dreams.”

 

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After seeing The Making of LA VIDA ES UNA, listen to the album behind it. Hit play on LA VIDA ES UNA now.

Spotify’s Artists To Watch Are Primed To Make Moves in 2023

January 31, 2023

It’s always exciting when artists enter the realm of bonafide stardom and bring new sounds and ideas to the music world. And it’s even more exciting to follow along as it happens. That’s why, at the start of each year, we tap our influential playlists to reveal our Artists To Watch. 

With this list, we’re amplifying the next wave of music stars who we predict will make an impact in 2023. As we considered this year’s Artists To Watch, we were guided by four main playlists: 

  • RapCaviar’s Most Necessary, our playlist for the next generation of voices in hip-hop 
  • Viva Latino, our flagship playlist for today’s top Latin hits
  • Hot Country, our flagship country playlist
  • Are & Be’s R&B Rising, our newest playlist for emerging artists

“Spotify has always been a place for music discovery and artist growth, and our Artists To Watch lists allow us to showcase up-and-coming talent with serious momentum behind them,” said Sulinna Ong, Global Head of Editorial. “We use our fan-favorite editorial playlists, including Hot Country, Viva Latino, Most Necessary, and for the first time, R&B Rising, to tap into existing listener bases. In return, artists are introduced to listeners who will love their sound.”

The end result is 40 artists—10 from each list— representing each playlist that should be on your radar in the coming year. Keep reading for our full list of picks.

Most Necessary’s Artists To Watch

Our picks from Most Necessary, who hail from Atlanta, Brooklyn, London, and beyond, are ready to impact hip-hop culture and make their mark in the music industry. 

GloRilla
Rising to prominence following her Grammy-nominated 2022 song “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” GloRilla has gone on to record chart-topping collaborations with Cardi B and Latto.  

Finesse2tymes
Revered for his thunderous voice and motivational lyrics, this Memphis rapper recently collaborated with Gucci Mane, Lil Baby, and others on his debut mixtape 90 Days. 

SleazyWorld Go
SleazyWorld Go went viral in 2022 with his track “Sleazy Flow” and later collaborated on an official remix with Lil Baby; he’s also collaborated with Migos’ Offset. 

Central Cee
Known for his upbeat and melodic approach to UK drill, this British rapper and songwriter topped the UK album charts with his first two mixtapes, Wild West and 23. 

Destroy Lonely
The No Stylist rapper resonates with fans for the dynamic and eclectic beats featured in his music.

Ice Spice
This Brooklyn drill artist seized the rap world’s attention in 2022 with her viral, chart-topping track “Munch (Feelin’ U).”

Babyface Ray
After collaborating with Big Sean and Hit-Boy on his 2021 single “It Ain’t My Fault,” the Detroit native released his album Face in 2022, featuring collaborations with Pusha T, Wiz Khalifa, and more. 

Saucy Santana
This makeup artist turned rapper commanded the spotlight when his tracks “Walk” and “Here We Go” went viral in 2021. Notable collaborations include the remix of his song “Material Girl” with the “Queen of Pop” Madonna, hip-hop duo City Girls, and Latto. 

2Rare
This Philly rapper stands out for his 2022 collaboration “Q-Pid” with Lil Durk, and later appeared on NLE Choppa’s “Do It Again.” 

Real Boston Richey
Catching the ear of listeners with his Michigan-style hip-hop production, he’s recently collaborated with Future and Lil Durk. 

Viva Latino’s Artists To Watch

With a selection of artists representing a wide range of styles and countries, Viva Latino’s picks are ready to go worldwide in 2023.

Emilia
Finding fame with hits such as “Recalienta” and “No Soy Yo” featuring Darell, this Argentine artist continues to generate buzz. Her first album, Tú crees en mí?, debuted at No. 4 on Spotify’s Top Albums Global chart.

Ivan Cornejo
A California native and one of the most promising voices in the sad sierreño scene, Ivan caught the attention of the music world with his debut album Alma Vacía, and is a pivotal figure in exporting Música Mexicana out of the U.S. 

Chris Lebron
This rising Dominican artist already has a few notable collaborations under his belt, most notably teaming up with Romeo Santos on his popular track “SIRI.”

Kevin Kaarl
His most recent album, Paris Texas, debuted at #5 on the Top Albums Global Chart which experiments with traditional folk, rock, and lush dream-pop and. In addition to being an Artist To Watch in 2023, the Mexican singer was also part of our RADAR Class of 2022.

Paopao
A Latin Grammy award-winning artist known for her mix of reggaeton and alternative pop, this Puerto Rico native released the all-female EP hembrismo in 2022.

YOVNGCHIMI
A rising star from Puerto Rico, this Latin trap artist is best known for his debut single “Glizzy’s Walk.” He has numerous collaborations with prominent artists in the Latin trap scene, including Arcangel, Anuel AA, and Ozuna.

Villano Antillano
One of the leading figures of the queer movement within the urban genre in Puerto Rico, Villano was most recently selected as an ambassador for RADAR US, Spotify’s global program for emerging artists.

Young Miko
This Puerto Rican artist burst onto the scene in 2021 with the release of her first single, “105 Freestyle.” Her debut EP Trap Kitty and US Tour solidified her as a Spotify RADAR US artist. 

3AM
A duo made up of Venezuelan brothers Richard and Christian Bermúdez, 3AM started their musical career after leaving their home country and settling in Boston. They are best known for their songs “Por Ti” and “Vuela.” 

Fuerza Regida
Trailblazers of the urban corrido movement, this California group is making waves for a new generation of Mexican Music artists.

Hot Country’s Artists To Watch

Our picks from Hot Country bring a fresh and unique sound to the world, and these artists are primed to make their mark on the country music scene this year. 

Avery Anna
Having opened for acts like Josh Turner and Martina McBride, the Nashville singer-songwriter is best known for her 2022 single “Narcissist,” featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.

Dylan Marlowe
Popping up on the scene with his viral cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” he’s continued to make waves with his catchy breakup track “Goodbye Gets Around.”

Ella Langley
The “Country Boy’s Dream Girl” singer is known for her unique blend of country and rock. 

ERNEST
Known for “Flower Shops,” his hit collaboration with Morgan Wallen, this country singer got his start writing music for fellow artists including Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, and Chris Lane. As a performer, he has also collaborated with Diplo. 

49 Winchester
This Virginia-based country group is known for its distinct brand of tear-in-your-beer alt country, sticky-barroom floor rock-n-roll, and high-octane Appalachian folk. 

Jackson Dean
Jackson Dean embodies the old-school, lyric-driven, outlaw style of country, and his hit song “Don’t Come Lookin’’ was recently featured in the series Yellowstone.

Josh Ross
Topping the charts with his singles “First Taste of Gone” and “On a Different Night,” this Canadian singer-songwriter was nominated as a “Rising Star” at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards. 

Megan Moroney
The Georgia native made her debut in 2022 with her EP Pistol Made of Roses, and has since built on that momentum with the release of her viral hit “Tenessee Orange.”

Restless Road
This Nashville-based country music band first attracted fans with their song “Take Me Home,” a collaboration with Kane Brown that was inspired by John Denver’s iconic track “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” They went on to reach new heights in 2022 with their hit single “Growing Old With You,” which they performed on Season 26 of the television series The Bachelor.  

Tanner Adell
Bringing a fresh new vibe to country music, Tanner’s catchy and dance-worthy singles “Country Girl Commandments” and “Honky Tonky Heartbreak” have continued to generate buzz.

R&B Rising’s Artists To Watch

To cap things off, R&B Rising also revealed its first-ever roster of emerging stars who are primed to make waves in R&B music this year. 

CoCo Jones
Working in TV and film since she was a tween, and most recently starring as Hilary Banks in Bel-Air, Coco has moved into the R&B spotlight with a soulful sound and honest, powerful storytelling. In 2022, she made her major label debut with her EP, What I Didn’t Tell You, and was featured on Babyface’s “Simple.”

FLO
This British girl group took the world by storm in 2022 with their breakthrough single “Cardboard Box.” They closed out the year winning the 2023 Rising Star Award and BBC’s Sound of 2023 poll. 

Alex Vaughn
Alex first disrupted the industry in early 2022 with the release of Voice Notes, an honest and raw EP constructed entirely by using the voice notes app on her phone. She followed up the project with her debut album The Hurtbook. 

DESTIN CONRAD
A native of Florida, Destin first found internet fame on the social media app Vine thanks to his lush, intimate earworms. That same sound, infused with a gentle touch, can be heard on his latest EP, Satin. 

Fana Hues
Known for her vulnerable voice and woozy vocals, she’s featured on Tyler, The Creator’s Call Me if You Get Lost and released her latest album, flora + fana, in 2022.

LAYA
This dynamic NYC native has made waves by taking ’90s R&B and giving it a current, authentic spin, like she did with her breakout hit “Sailor Moon.”

Q
With a powerful falsetto and a stripped-back, emotionally complex sound, this alternative R&B artist went viral with his track “Take Me Where Your Heart Is” and has continued to win fans with his most recent release, “Today.” 

RAAHiiM
The Toronto artist first hit the R&B scene in 2020 with his EP ii Knew Better. Known for his multidimensional vocals and sultry production, he has since collaborated with Shantel May and Rory. 

JVCK JAMES
After initially gaining recognition for his viral internet videos, this East London artist’s star has continued to grow thanks to his ‘90s R&B-inspired tunes and 2021 standout single “No Drama.”

Dylan Sinclair
This Candian singer-songwriter earned immediate acclaim for his debut album Proverb, which was nominated for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards.

Looking to discover more of the hottest emerging artists who are ready to step into the spotlight? Stream our RADAR US playlist now.

 

Spotify Predicts the Latin Grammys Nominees Who Could Win Big in 2022

November 15, 2022

On Thursday night, the Latin Grammys will make its return to Las Vegas to celebrate the artists and industry professionals who make Latin Music the global sensation it is today. With more than 50% of Spotify listeners streaming at least one Latin song per month—amounting to approximately 215 million users globally—this annual awards show features many of the most-streamed artists on the platform.

Leading the pack of nominees is Spotify’s most-streamed artist of 2020 and 2021, Bad Bunny, who has earned 10 Latin Grammy nominations on the back of his blockbuster album Un Verano Sin Ti. Rauw Alejandro and ROSALÍA have each been nominated in eight categories this year, and Christina Aguilera, Jorge Drexler, and Tainy follow closely with seven nominations each.  

When it comes to the big four awards—Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year—the competition is fierce. Any of the nominees could take home the coveted gilded gramophone. But we have a few predictions for who will nab the top awards this year. 

Record of the Year

Often confused with Song of the Year, Record of the Year honors the performing artist on the song as well as the producers, sound engineer, master engineer, and sound mixers. Among those nominated, Spotify data suggests that it’s going to be a close call between Bad Bunny’s “Ojitos Lindos,” KAROL G’s “PROVENZA,” and Anitta’s “Envolver,” all of which have generated millions of streams.

Album of the Year

It’s been a big year for both ROSALÍA and Bad Bunny, who are two of the hottest Latin artists of this generation and our favorites to take home this major achievement.

ROSALÍA’s album MOTOMAMI has been loved by fans across the world, but especially in cities like Mexico City, Santiago, and Madrid. With its futuristic visuals and catchy, genre-bending sounds, fans couldn’t get enough of her music (and even showed their support by getting “tattooed” at our album release event in March).

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti has held the top spot on Spotify’s USA Chart for over 20 weeks. And the artist known as “El Conejo Malo” stayed true to his Puerto Rican roots, tapping a mix of rising and legendary acts from his home country to feature on his fifth album. This also marks Bad Bunny’s fourth nomination in this category. 

Song of the Year 

If Spotify streams are any indication, the winner for Song of the Year will come down to two widely loved tracks: KAROL G’s “PROVENZA” and Camilo’s “Indigo.” 

In 2021, KAROL G was Spotify’s most-streamed female artist globally. She currently sits among the top 50 most-streamed artists with more than 37 million monthly listeners. Inspired by the Provenza neighborhood in her hometown of Medellin, “PROVENZA” is nominated in multiple categories this year.

Also hailing from Medellin, Camilo is one of the most influential Latin artists, with five Latin Grammys to his name. And when it’s all said and done, it’s possible “Indigo”—a track about the birth of his daughter that also features his wife Evaluna Montaner—will earn him a sixth award. 

Best New Artist

With 10 nominees in the running, this category is packed with talent. But looking at our data, we think there are three artists in particular who could take home this award. 

Yahritza y Su Esencia have experienced a meteoric rise in 2022. Based out of Washington’s Yakima Valley, their unique brand of Mexican music has attracted nearly 4 million monthly Spotify listeners. 

Pol Granch also had a breakthrough 2022, reaching 6 million monthly listeners made up of fans from Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

Silvana Estrada is the young Mexican singer-songwriter who was among the first artists featured on Spotify’s RADAR playlist when it launched in 2020. Her signature voice and emotional lyrics take listeners through feelings of love lost and found, sadness, and anguish.

RADAR artists continue to make an impact

Since the launch of our RADAR program in 2020, more than 50 Latin artists have been featured across our playlists. And over the last 12 months, these artists have collectively generated more than 2.5 billion streams and attracted more than 25 million followers.

But even more impressive, a number of Latin artists featured on RADAR have worked on some of the biggest tracks of the year, and their contributions are being recognized at the Latin Grammys. 

In addition to her nod for Best New Artist, Silvana Estrada’s album Marchita is up for Best Singer-Songwriter album award.

Ovy On The Drums, who was first featured on RADAR Andinos in 2020, is also nominated across several categories as a producer and songwriter. This includes Record of the Year (KAROL G’s “PROVENZA” and Sebastian Yatra’s “DHARMA”), Song of the Year (“PROVENZA”), and Best Urban Song (“DHARMA” and Becky G and KAROL G’s “MAMIII”).

And rounding out this list are Maria Becerra—whose album Animal is nominated for Best Urban Music Album—and Trueno—whose song “Dance Crip” is nominated for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song. 

Along with these four artists, there are eight other RADAR artists who have been nominated for Latin Grammys in previous years: GIULIA BE, Lasso, Boza, Humbe, Covi Quintana, Los Dos Carnales, Nathy Peluso, and LOUTA.

The party kicks off at Casa Spotify

Given that Latin music streams on Spotify have grown more than 1,000% over the last seven years, November 17 is sure to be a big night. And that’s why we’re also hosting our Casa Spotify experience in Las Vegas.

Open today and tomorrow, Casa Spotify celebrates the achievements of the nominees and those who have pushed Latin music forward. It will also serve as an oasis for invited guests to network and collaborate, with a private room for listening sessions and meetings, a content capture studio, and additional photo-worthy areas throughout the space.

We’ll be sharing more from Casa Spotify as the week unfolds, so stay tuned and check back for the latest happenings. 

Looking for more of the hottest tracks from top Latin artists? Press play on our flagship playlist, Viva Latino:

 

Spotify and ROSALÍA Invite Fans To Experience the Art of ‘MOTOMAMI’ With Temporary Tattoos

March 18, 2022

Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, ROSALÍA has become a worldwide phenomenon, racking up 3.4 billion streams thanks to singles like “MALAMENTE.” And she’s continued to gain momentum along the way, landing on playlists like Today’s Top Hits and Viva Latino. Her sound—an infectious mix of flamenco, urbano, and pop—has also earned her 22 million monthly listeners around the globe. That number includes not only fans in her native Spain, but also in Mexico, the United States, Argentina, France, and Italy, among other markets.

Today, ROSALÍA delivers her latest album, MOTOMAMI, notable as her most personal and confessional album yet. With hit singles such as “LA FAMA” (featuring The Weeknd) and “SAOKO” on the album, its title represents the contrasting sounds of the record that highlight two types of energy: moto and mami. 

To illustrate the dual moods of MOTOMAMI, Spotify and ROSALÍA have teamed up to create a bespoke film that visualizes the singer’s different sides through the creative use of temporary tattoos. As “SAOKO” plays, for example, a blacklight shines on a non-tattooed ROSALÍA, revealing the brightly colored temporary ink.

Giving fans the chance to get in on the fun, Spotify is also creating a two-day immersive experience March 25 and 26. Fans have the chance to meet up at a tattoo parlor in Mexico City, get the same temporary tattoos ROSALÍA wears in the film, listen to MOTOMAMI, and enjoy exclusive visuals created for the album.

 

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In addition to the film and in-person event, fans around the world might also notice ROSALÍA popping up on billboards in Times Square, downtown Los Angeles, Mexico City, Argentina, Spain, and Italy.

Spotify has loved ROSALÍA from the very start, and now that MOTOMAMI is here, we can’t wait to bring this unique experience to her fans.

KAROL G, Myke Towers, and Mau y Ricky Join to Help Refresh Spotify’s Flagship Latin Music Playlist, Viva Latino

November 16, 2021

From high-energy reggaetón to soulful pop, today’s Latin music is diverse, catchy, and impossible to pin down. Its beats and sounds pull from influences across the globe as Latinx creators continue to push the genre to new heights. And it resonates with Spotify listeners, who, in 2020 alone, streamed nearly 11 billion hours of Latin music worldwide. 

Capturing and amplifying the vibrant scene is Spotify’s flagship Latin music playlist, Viva Latino. Since its launch in 2014, the playlist has been a staple that houses the genre’s most exciting new tracks. As a result, over the last seven years, the catchy collection has grown to 11.3 million followers, making it the third-most-followed playlist on Spotify globally and the biggest Latin music playlist on the platform. The playlist’s rise mirrored a platform-wide trend: Latin music consumption grew by 1,680% during the same period.

Spotify is celebrating the evolution and impactful playlist—and the many artists and fans who have grown alongside it—throughout November. We kicked off a playlist campaign featuring a refreshed tagline, Elevando Nuestra Música, or “Elevating Our Music,” alongside an updated look. Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City residents will notice the playlist highlighted across each city, and listeners around the world will find even more videos and updates online. That includes a campaign video featuring three of Latin music’s biggest stars: artists KAROL G, Myke Towers, and Mau y Ricky, who joined forces to show Viva Latino’s accompanying role in everything from commuting to working out. Spotify also partnered with Latinx TikTok content creators Sofia Bella, Alexia Del Valle, and Jayla Milan, who shared their unique perspectives on what the playlist, the artists, and the songs mean to them.

Viva Latino was created around the wants and needs of Latin music fans who, based on Spotify data, discover 46% more music than the average listener. Since then, the global playlist has kept fans engaged with a blend of today’s top songs and the trending hits of tomorrow. And now, for many listeners, these tracks have become a soundtrack for everyday life.

The playlist has had a major impact on Latinx creators, too. That’s because Viva Latino features not only the biggest names in the Latin Music scene, but those just launching their music careers, too. It’s given many emerging artists a boost as engaged listeners propel their favorite Spanish-language songs to the Global Top 100 and Top 50 charts.

KAROL G, Myke Towers, and Mau y Ricky have each experienced the playlist’s impact firsthand. Rounding out the campaign, all three reflected on their first song to be featured on Viva Latino and the doors that opened for them in Spotify Clips, exclusive video clips on the platform.

“Latin music has become an indispensable part of pop culture, and we’re excited to see Viva Latino play a big role in that evolution,” shared Antonio Vázquez, Head of U.S. Latin Editorial at Spotify. “We’re celebrating the artists and fans who make this the ultimate destination for Latin hits by unveiling a sophisticated new look for the playlist that steers away from stereotypical cultural symbols, as well as introducing an inclusive tagline, Elevando Nuestra Música, a mission that pushes and motivates us to take our music to the global stage.”

Seven years after its debut, Viva Latino remains as essential as ever. As creators and fans look to the future, we’re excited that this is just the beginning.

Step into the future and elevate your day with the refreshed Viva Latino playlist now.

How Spotify Spotlights Breaking Latin Talent

February 4, 2020

In the past year, Spotify’s ¡Viva Latino! playlist highlighted nine rising artists in its original video series Radar Latino and helped bring their success to new heights. As the flagship playlist for the biggest hits in Latin music, ¡Viva Latino! closely followed this crop of artists, who were poised to become the next hitmakers on the list, amplifying them for fans with in-depth video profiles.

Representing a wealth of different styles and countries, these artists enjoyed an average 49% increase in streams after being featured. They found their own measures of success, earning cosigns with Shakira and reaching other career milestones.

Puerto Rican urban pop singer Darell, the first artist showcased with a Radar Latino feature on ¡Viva Latino! in 2019, made his major-label debut in February with the low-slung thumper “Caliente,” a team-up with hugely successful countryman Farruko. Laying claim to a slow, hypnotic flow, he released a stack of notable singles in 2019, including the supple headline cut “No Vuelvas Más” (“Don’t Come Back Anymore”).

In March, soulful New York/Chilean singer Paloma Mami saw her delicate urban ballad “Fingías” launch with a Radar Latino profile and song placement on the ¡Viva Latino! playlist, leading to her biggest spike for single-day streams to date. The single went gold on the Latin pop chart, and Paloma quickly followed it with the C. Tangana collaboration “No Te Debí Besar” and the sultry summons “Mami” (anchored by the English vocal hook “I like it when you call me mami”). Despite only singing professionally since June 2018, she’s now one of the hottest female artists in Latin music, and her plays increased by more than 100% in the week after that playlist appearance.

Commanding more than 20 million monthly listeners, Panamanian reggaeton singer Sech had a banner year that kicked into high gear after his Radar Latino feature in ¡Viva Latino!, which highlighted the release of his debut EP, Sueños. He went on to perform at Spotify’s ¡Viva Latino! Live in Miami and enjoy one of the biggest hits of the summer in “Otro Trago” (“Another Drink”), which hit number one in multiple countries and achieved diamond sales. The former producer and lyricist for other artists hails from Panama City, where his father is a well-known local pastor. Thanks to “Otro Trago” and its remix, Sech is still riding the wave of his explosive Latin music success story. He told For The Record, “[Being featured on ¡Viva Latino!] is something I’m very proud of, as there are thousands of artists that could’ve gotten it, and it’s truly an honor to be one of them.”

After being featured in ¡Viva Latino!, Argentinian rapper/singer Cazzu saw her streams increase more than 200%. She has amassed more than 20 million streams for her infectious yet emotional single “Visto a las 00:00,” which debuted on the playlist in June along with her Radar Latino video profile. Cazzu also released her second album, Error 93, to great acclaim in June. She’s one of the most distinctive artists from the Radar Latino class of 2019, earning a cult following for her alternative style and embrace of trap’s chilled-out swagger; “Mucha Data” especially showcases her purring, coolheaded vocals over ultra-skeletal production.

A Puerto Rican singer and multi-instrumentalist who aims to unite music and dance at the level Michael Jackson did, Rauw Alejandro released his silky, slinky single “Detective” alongside his feature in ¡Viva Latino!. Arriving hot on the heels of his debut EP, Trap Cake, Vol.1, that romantic highlight provided a serious boost for the artist, with his audience now topping 15 million monthly listeners. Almost as passionate about soccer as he is about music, the prolific collaborator kicked off 2020 with a guest spot on Jay Menez’s intricate Latin trap cut “Solo.”

After his breakthrough single “Soltera” appeared on ¡Viva Latino!, teenage Puerto Rican artist Lunay released his debut album in late 2019. He was profiled on the playlist in August with that song’s remix, featuring Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny; it topped the pop charts in Spain. Influenced by Puerto Rico’s native La Plento music, Lunay mingles those proud roots with up-to-the-minute reggaeton and Latin trap. The melodious, charismatic singer is also a tireless collaborator, having achieved back-to-back gold sales via recent team-ups with Zion & Lennox (“Llégale”), Myke Towers (“La Cama”), and Anuel AA and Ozuna (“Aventura”).

 

A winner of X Factor in his native Colombia, Camilo is an affable, versatile Latin pop singer as well as a successful songwriter for such artists as Becky G, Natti Natasha, Juanes, and Leslie Grace. After his poignant 2018 turn on Mau y Ricky’s “Desconocidos,” the deeply spiritual artist (who begins every day with a meditative ritual that he calls “airplane mode”) was showcased in a Radar Latino profile on ¡Viva Latino! in tandem with his mainstream breakthrough “Tutu.” The track has since topped the charts in seven countries and earned a remix costarring none other than Shakira.

There’s also Puerto Rico’s Guaynaa. A former horse jockey who grew up listening to music with his troubadour grandfather, Guaynaa was still splitting his time between horse racing and music when French superstar DJ Snake shared his breakthrough track “Rebota” on social media. The unexpected boost encouraged the rapper and reggaeton singer to devote himself fully to music. Since then he has been profiled by Billboard and collaborated with Mala Rodriguez (“Dame Bien”), Mon Laferte (“Plata Ta Ta”), and Yandel (“Full Moon”), always showing off his cool, confident flow and pop sensibilities.

¡Viva Latino! capped the year by spotlighting Mariah, a Miami singer with Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage who grew up listening to reggaeton (and yes, was named after Mariah Carey). Her breakthrough came with last year’s swaggering reggaeton earworm “Perreito,” which made it onto Spotify’s Viral 50 chart in 16 countries. Produced by Nely El Arma Secreta, the track has since been remixed with guest spots from Darell and Arcangel. Mariah quickly followed it up with “Una Noche Más,” a more traditional track that shows off her softer side, and teamed up with fellow Radar Latino selection Guaynaa on the just-released “Taxi.” “I never thought I would be on this level,” said Mariah to For The Record. “And now I wake up and I’m traveling the world. It’s a great honor to have been featured as one of Spotify’s Radar Latino artists. I’ll never forget it.”

As 2020 builds steam, fans around the world can check out more of the year’s rising Latin artists on Spotify’s Radar Latino playlist.

Spotify Flagship Playlist ¡Viva Latino! Hits 10 Million Followers

July 26, 2019

It’s been growing five times faster than any other playlist in Spotify’s top 1000. It’s propelled numerous Spanish-language songs to the Global Top 100 and Top 50 charts. And now, ¡Viva Latino!, our flagship Latin music playlist, has hit a remarkable 10 million followers. 

Spotify users from all over the world are tuning into ¡Viva Latino! to hear the hits from the hottest Latin artists – whether it’s the latest global anthems by Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Ozuna, or Nicky Jam, the soulful sounds of Karol G, the sultry hits of Becky G, or Rosalia’s reinvention of flamenco, to name just a few. ¡Viva Latino! is loaded with songs that grab your attention, fill your day with music, and secure a place in your heart.

The growth of the third-most-followed playlist reflects the incredible movement within Latin music over the past few years. Since 2014, Latin artists have seen a staggering 250% increase in representation across the Global Top 100. Plus, in the past two years alone on Spotify, we’ve seen an average 33% year-over-year increase in streams of Latin music.  

We’re excited about this 10-million-follower milestone—thanks in large part to you, the listeners and fans. The artists who made the playlist great are thankful and excited too. Check out the video below for best wishes from Daddy Yankee, Anitta, Wisin & Yandel, and more. We are 10,000,000 strong.

If you’re as excited about this milestone as we are, come celebrate with us in Miami at the second ¡Viva Latino! Live concert, featuring Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam, Rosalia, Sebastian Yatra, and Sech. Get tickets on Ticketmaster. 

¡Viva Latino! Live Miami Adds Rosalía, Sebastian Yatra, and Sech to Lineup

July 16, 2019

On June 10 we announced that renowned hitmakers Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam would be headlining the next installment in our ¡Viva Latino! Live series in the vibrant metropolis of Miami. Today that lineup is growing to include some of the hottest rising stars in the business: Rosalía, Sebastián Yatra, and Sech. Each artist brings their own growing momentum to the show, touting a combined 53.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

  • Rosalía has catapulted to stardom since being featured as an emerging artist just a year ago on ¡Viva Latino! The artist, who recently became the Spanish singer with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, gained widespread acclaim for her debut album and Coachella set this spring. Her collab with J Balvin, “Con Altura,” is now #41 on the Global 50.
  • Sebastián Yatra is one of the most formidable stars to rise in recent years. Since his breakout song “Tracionera” in 2016, he’s released two albums, including this year’s pop-leaning FANTASÍA. The album’s lead single, “Un Año,” reached the Global Top 50 in March. Most recently, he featured the Jonas Brothers singing in Spanish on “Runaway.”
  • Sech is this year’s biggest success story; the Panamanian artist was featured as an emerging artist to watch on ¡Viva Latino! in April with the release of “Otro Trago,” which reached #4—and is currently at #10—on the Global 50.

 This year’s lineup is a testament to the ever-growing power of Latin music. Bad Bunny’s surprise collab album with J Balvin, Oasis, debuted in three of our Top charts within the first 24 hours after release, and his track “Callaita” is #9 on the Global Top 50. These victories, coupled with Nicky Jam’s massive #1 global anthem, “X,” mark the show as one fans won’t want to miss.

 There’s no doubt that Latin artists will continue to grow within the Global Top 100. In fact, we’ve seen a staggering 250% increase in the number of Latin artists appearing in the Global Top 100 since 2014. In the last two years alone, we’ve seen an average 33% year-over-year increase in streams of Latin music.

 With ¡Viva Latino! on the precipice of reaching 10 million monthly followers—growing at a rate five times quicker than any other playlist in Spotify’s Top 1,000 Playlists—there is no better time to bring the music to life with a live show.

 ¡Viva Latino! Live Miami takes over American Airlines Arena on August 30, 2019, and tickets are now available on Ticketmaster.com.

 For the latest info, updates, and behind-the-scenes looks, be sure to follow @VivaLatino on Instagram and @SpotifyLatino on Twitter!

Anitta and Spotify Light Up Miami with Festa Kisses Fan Experience

June 21, 2019

Touting more than 16.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Anitta is a force to be reckoned with in Latin music.

On June 18 in the heart of Miami’s booming Wynwood district, Spotify and Anitta came together for Festa Kisses, a one-night extravaganza that gave Anitta’s biggest fans the opportunity to glam up and get down like the Brazilian queen. Featuring an intimate surprise performance, fans were given the chance to customize their own Anitta look with everything from make-up to wigs to props and more.

“Spotify and I shared a vision to create an empowering experience that brought the spirit of transformation and self-love to life for fans,” said Anitta. “The result was Festa Kisses. I hope fans came out and saw how amazing they are as they looked in the mirror. My styles are just a little nudge of inspiration, and I’m grateful that Spotify gave me the opportunity to host this amazing event.”

Through events like Festa Kisses, Spotify is helping to further connect artists and fans. Because, no matter how loud the beat of the music, the heartbeats of the fans are just as strong.

Check out shots from the night below:

¡Viva Latino! Live Miami Assembles Stellar Line-up with Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam and Others

June 10, 2019

There’s no denying that Latin music—replete with infectious hooks and hip-swaying rhythm to spare—has claimed a spot among the most popular genres in the U.S., Spotify’s ¡Viva Latino! Playlist, which shares Latin anthems like Bad Bunny’s “MIA (feat. Drake)” that have topped more than half a billion streams each, is en route to surpass 10 million followers on Spotify, making it the third most followed playlist on the platform.

Music has a unique quality. It possesses the power to inspire and connect us with the creators and artists who move our souls. In the spirit of that connective power, last year we introduced our ¡Viva Latino! Live series in Chicago. On August 30th, with renowned hitmakers Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam as headliners, Spotify is taking the series to the cultural epicenter of the Latinx community – Miami.

Like “el ritmo” that defines the genre, we don’t see Latin music’s popularity waning any time soon. Latin artists continue to grow within the Global Top 100, seeing a staggering 250% increase in representation since 2014. In the last two years alone, we’ve seen an average 33% year over year increase in streams of Latin music. In fact, ¡Viva Latino! is growing at a rate 5 times quicker than any other playlist in Spotify’s Top 1000 Playlists.

“When Spotify approached me to be part of the first Viva Latino live last year I was truly honored,” says Bad Bunny. “To once again be a part of this mega experience is truly incredible. This year we are going to be on a whole other level.”

¡Viva Latino! Live Miami takes over American Airlines Arena on August 30, 2019. This installment in the series also marks the first time one of our live shows will offer ¡Viva Latino! superfans access to pre-sale tickets through www.VivaLatinoLive.com. A group of superfans in the Miami-area will be given early access to secure their spots. So, if you’re local and a fan of the show’s artist line-up, be on the lookout for an email from Spotify to see if you’re one of the lucky few! Then, don’t forget to head over to the ¡Viva Latino! playlist to get yourself hyped for the show.

Tickets will be available on Ticketmaster.com with presale beginning Tuesday, June 11 at 10:00 am ET. General sale will begin on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 10:00 am ET.

Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks, so be sure to follow @VivaLatino on Instagram and @SpotifyLatino on Twitter for the latest developments.

Spotify Kicks Off ¡Viva Latino! Live Concert Series in Chicago with Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Becky G, Jowell & Randy and Natti Natasha

June 26, 2018

The Latin music takeover didn’t start with “Despacito,” and it won’t end with it either. A surge of interest in Latin music led to the launch of our 2014 ¡Viva Latino! playlist. Four years later, we’re taking ¡Viva Latino! to the next level: Live.

“¡Viva Latino! Live” turns the playlist into a show-stopping live concert series featuring the hottest artists making a name for Latin music across the globe. Spotify teamed up with Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN), a US-based multicultural concert producer and event marketing agency, to elevate the stories and voices behind the playlist and bring them to life on stage.

“Since launching our ¡Viva Latino! playlist in 2014, we’ve witnessed the Latin music culture grow beyond even our wildest hopes and expectations,” says Rocio Guerrero, Head of Global Cultures, Shows & Editorial at Spotify. “The decision to take this playlist on the road is a true testament to the impact Latin music is having around the world right now. This is a really exciting moment for Spotify and Latin music fans everywhere—and we can’t wait to have some fun.”

The tour will kick off at Chicago’s Allstate Arena on Thursday, August 23, when hitmakers Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Becky G, Jowell & Randy, and Natti Natasha take the stage and share their love for Latin movement across the globe. Additional cities for the tour along with performers will be announced at a later date.

“When we launched the first-ever vertical video on the ¡Viva Latino! playlist with ‘Vuelve,’ we knew the impact of ¡Viva Latino! playlist around the world—not only for our music, but for our culture. I’m excited to again be part of the history and kick off the first-ever ‘¡Viva Latino! Live’ Concert,” said Latin urban music legend Daddy Yankee.

“I am excited to be joining Spotify to kick off their first-ever ‘¡Viva Latino! Live’ concert series alongside some of the biggest artists in Latin music,” says reggaetón singer Bad Bunny. “This live platform allows artists to truly express ourselves and bring once-in-a-lifetime engaging experiences to our fans. It’s not solely about the music—it’s about the culture, creativity, and contributing to the movement that connects us all together. Latino Gang!”

“These are exciting times in Latin entertainment, and we are proud to partner with such a dynamic music-centric company as Spotify to produce ‘¡Viva Latino! Live,’ which brings together some of the biggest names in Latin entertainment for one night,” says Henry Cardenas, Chief Executive Officer, CMN. “This partnership and initiative demonstrates Spotify’s commitment to Latin culture, and the artists that influence it, in a way that brings true engaging live experiences to the hearts of music fans around the world.”

Tickets will be available on Ticketmaster.com here for presale beginning Wednesday, June 27 at 10am cst. General public onsale will begin on Friday, June 29 at 10am cst.

Stay tuned for additional dates, artists and venues for “¡Viva Latino! Live.”