Tag: Xavier “X” Jernigan

Spotify Expands DJ to Now Be Available in 50 Markets Around the World. Here’s How To Find It

August 8, 2023

In February, Spotify debuted DJ in beta. DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well it can choose what to play for you. DJ provides a new and different way for fans and artists to connect. Since launch, DJ has become the most discussed Spotify feature on social media among users.*   

Fans across the U.S. and Canada jumped at the opportunity to hear commentary alongside personalized music recommendations. Then, in May, we brought the experience to the U.K. and Ireland, continuing the excitement about our latest innovation. Now, the moment fans have been waiting for has arrived: We’re rolling out DJ in beta to even more countries around the world.  

 

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Starting today, Spotify Premium users in select markets** in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as those in Australia and New Zealand, can access DJ in the English version of the app. Tune in for a chance to hear more about the music you’ve been listening to and to get recommendations for artists you’re bound to love but have yet to discover. 

The initial voice model for DJ is based on Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. Now, listeners in select markets around the world will have the option to hear commentary in English and get recommendations from their personal DJ. 

At its core, DJ is all about connection and discovery. DJ’s powerful combination of our personalization technology, generative AI in the hands of our music experts, and a dynamic AI voice makes it possible for listening to feel even more personal, and fans keep coming back for more.

We’ve found that when DJ listeners hear commentary alongside personal music recommendations, they’re more willing to try something new (or listen to a song they may have otherwise skipped). And as we bring DJ to new markets, we’re seeing users tune in even more, with fans spending nearly one-third of their listening time with DJ.***

How To Access Your DJ

As long as you’re using Spotify Premium in a market where DJ is available, you can find your personal DJ by simply opening the Spotify mobile app on your iOS/iPhone or Android device. From there, head to the Music feed on Home and tap DJ, or find it in the Made for You hub within the Search tab. Then let Spotify do the rest!

DJ will serve up a lineup of music picked just for you, alongside short English-language commentary on the songs and artists. And if you’re not feeling the vibe, just hit the DJ button at the bottom right of the screen to be taken to a different genre, artist, or mood.

Since DJ is still in beta, we’ll continue to iterate and innovate to evolve the experience over time, so stay tuned for more.

 

*Results based on posts on X (previously Twitter) between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2023, from users with a publicly identifiable location globally.

**Available markets as of August 8, 2023: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 

***Results based on eligible DJ users (Premium users in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Ireland on mobile) and collected from July 19, 2023, to July 25, 2023. 

Foo Fighters, Florence + The Machine, A$AP Rocky, Jack Harlow, Trevor Noah, Alex Cooper, Issa Rae, Emma Chamberlain, and More To Join Spotify Beach at Cannes Lions

June 12, 2023

Next week, Spotify is returning to the South of France for the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, where we’ll transform Spotify Beach into a hub of activity dawn ’til dusk as we celebrate a new way to play. And we’re bringing along some big-name friends to join in the fun.

Our special opening-night soiree will feature an intimate performance by Grammy Award-winning artist H.E.R., as well as a DJ set from the unparalleled Collyer Twins. 

We’ll be hosting daytime masterclasses and nighttime events beginning Monday, June 19, and continuing through Thursday, June 22, emphasizing our focus on creativity, connection, and innovation. Attendees can look forward to sessions featuring Spotify leaders and guests including Alex Cooper, Issa Rae, Emma Chamberlain, and world-renowned football player Cesc Fàbregas. Author and comedian Trevor Noah will join Spotify CEO and Cofounder Daniel Ek for a conversation on the future of storytelling. Throughout the day, catch DJ Toyin spinning sets.

Then, as night falls on Tuesday, Florence + The Machine and Jack Harlow will take to the stage accompanied by DJs will.i.am and Uncle Waffles. Wednesday is primed for world-class performances from Foo Fighters and A$AP Rocky, and a DJ set from Disclosure. And our house DJ Taylah Elaine will brighten the beach with music throughout it all.  

Spotify Beach itself will feature several interactive experiences, like daily sound bath meditations, an immersive Songs of Summer soundscape, an FC Barcelona play zone, a “Sonic Sips” coffee-and-juice bar, a custom sunglasses gifting station, and much more.  

Read on for a full list of the sessions on the ground, then check back next week here on For the Record for the full takeaway from our novel masterclasses. 

Monday, June 19

Building a brand is more than meets the eye…and ear 

Owning your craft takes dedication, consistency, and commitment—something Spotify’s Taj Alavi, VP, Global Head of Marketing; Loewe’s CMO Charlie Smith; and Anything Goes creator Emma Chamberlain all know well. The trio will share their approaches to what they create; their style around partnerships and projects, brand building, and brand positioning; and how to engage the next generation of streamers.

Top hits and goal-scoring kicks: fandom, football, and media 

We’re hosting a conversation between football legend Cesc Fàbregas, award-winning football Freestyler Pola Gomez, Samsung Europe CMO Benjamin Braun, and Bradford Ross, Coca-Cola’s VP Global Sports and Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships. They’ll dive into the obsessive fan culture surrounding sports and how brands tap into fandoms of all kinds. 

Tuesday, June 20

The cutting edge of creativity and storytelling 

Join Daniel Ek and Trevor Noah at Spotify Beach as they discuss the future of storytelling and the art of navigating different mediums to forge a deeper connection with worldwide audiences. They’ll offer insights on how creators can tell stories in more meaningful ways and effectively leverage new technologies in the ever-evolving media landscape.

The art of the interview 

You don’t need to be an investigative reporter by trade to benefit from learning how to conduct a masterful interview. Things get meta as Spotify’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Dustee Jenkins, sits down with Alex Cooper, Creator, Host, and Executive Producer of Call Her Daddy, to discuss the art of the interview. Learn how to craft the right questions, disarm your subject, and get straight to the heart of the matter.

Wednesday, June 21

Connecting to the sound of culture 

Spotify’s Global Head of Artist Partnerships, Joe Hadley; Tye Comer, Creative Development and Founder of Spotify’s Outside Voice program; and Erin Styles, Global Head of Ads Business Communications & PR, will spotlight producer-actress-writer Issa Rae; SVP of Marketing at Frito-Lay North America, Tina Mahal; and WACL President Rania Robinson. They’ll discuss the importance of culture-shaping programs that support and amplify diverse voices. This comes as part of Spotfiy’s continued commitment to empowering creators and inspiring our audience to elevate underrepresented communities in their own work.

DJ Mixer

Turn it up with Spotify’s very own Xavier “X” Jernigan, Head of Cultural Partnerships and the voice of AI DJ. We’re rolling up the carpet for an afternoon mixer complete with games, cocktails, mingling, and—maybe—a surprise or two. 

So bookmark For the Record, follow @SpotifyNews and @SpotifyAds on social media, and stay tuned for much more as we discover a new way to play.

Behind the Scenes of Spotify’s New AI DJ

March 8, 2023

Your very own DJ from Spotify

Since launching Spotify’s brand-new AI DJ in beta a few weeks back, Premium listeners across the U.S. and Canada have had the chance to experience our personalization capabilities in a whole new way. We’ve already seen so much love for DJ—both on-platform and across social media—and we’re not even out to 100% of users yet. On days when users tune in, fans spend 25% of their listening time with DJ, and they keep coming back for more, with more than half of first-time listeners coming back to listen to DJ the very next day.* 

 

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Today at Stream On, Spotify Co-President and Chief R&D Officer Gustav Söderström and Spotify Head of Cultural Partnerships Xavier “X” Jernigan, whose voice is the first model for DJ, got the chance to highlight the new feature even further. With DJ, we’re reimagining how listeners hear and discover the music they love as the tool transforms Spotify from a music tool into a living, breathing, interactive music experience. 

What went into building DJ? For the Record connected with some of the minds behind the new feature, including VP of Personalization Ziad Sultan, Head of Product Design for Personalization Emily Galloway, Product Director Zeena Qureshi, and Head of Global Hits J.J. Italiano, to better understand the synergy between the humans and technology that brought DJ to life. 

Spotify boasts years of expertise in personalization. How did we leverage this to create DJ?

Ziad Sultan: Personalization is at the heart of what we do. When we ask our listeners what they like most about Spotify, more than 81% cite our personalization. That’s because we have a bit of a secret sauce: We combine state-of-the-art technology with human passion and expertise.

We applied that same recipe to DJ. The result is a delightful music-listening experience that is deeply personalized to each individual listener, yet at a scale that the world has not really seen. Never before has listening felt so completely personal to each and every user. And it’s made possible by a powerful combination of three things: Spotify’s personalization technology, generative AI in the hands of the world’s best music curators, and a stunningly realistic AI voice that brings it all to life. 

Can you tell us more about how you designed the experience? 

Emily Galloway: DJ is an entirely new way to listen, and a brand-new format, so there wasn’t a formula to follow when we were making decisions. We had to answer some core experiential questions like: “How do we take you on a journey with both familiar and unfamiliar music?” “How do we evoke feelings of nostalgia?” and “What does it mean to give context to music listening?” But most importantly was, “How might we help fans and creators form a deeper, more meaningful connection?” I’m really proud of where we’ve landed—making personalization and AI more human than ever.

We know listeners are excited as well—they feel something different. We continue to see connection and discovery as the main themes of DJ. We found that when listeners hear commentary alongside personal music recommendations, they’re more willing to try something new, to listen to a song they may have otherwise skipped. For Spotify, that brings us closer to our goal of deepening artist and fan connections.  

Why did you decide to use a human-like AI powered voice for this experience?

Zeena Qureshi: We know that human voice helps people form connections, and the same is true when it comes to DJ. We found that having the voice sound human is key for users to foster a deeper connection with DJ, as human voice provides familiarity and instant context. By incorporating voice traits such as pacing, projection, emotion, and emphasis, it results in a DJ that’s emotional and highly realistic. 

Last year, Spotify acquired Sonantic and its unique patented algorithms, making all this possible. Sonantic is now Spotify’s dynamic AI voice platform that creates compelling, nuanced, and stunningly realistic voices from text. 

How does DJ leverage the expertise of our music editors? 

J.J. Italiano: DJ is built from human editorial expertise married with cutting-edge technology—that is Spotify’s superpower. The editorial team, which consists of hundreds of experts across the globe who know music and culture inside and out, can now harness this power to help tell artists’ stories and better contextualize their songs. To help arm DJ with knowledge and expertise, we created a Writers’ Room with music experts, culture experts, data curators, scriptwriters, and generative AI. Adding in this context gives the listener a deeper connection and experience when hearing an artist or song—and I’m very excited to bring it to listeners!

Ziad Sultan: Putting generative AI technology in the hands of our music experts allows them to scale their expertise like never before. Taking a Writers’ Room approach allows us to ensure that the commentary is accurate, relevant, and enriching to the product experience. We’re very excited about this approach that builds on our years of experience combining human expertise with world-class technology. That’s how DJ is able to deepen the connection between fans and their favorite artists, as well as help them discover new ones.

Ready to dive in? Learn where to find your DJ in your own Spotify app. 

*Results are based on eligible users (Premium users in the U.S. and Canada on mobile) and collected from February 22 to March 1.

VidCon 2022: Spotify and SZA Give Gen Z Fans and Creators an Unforgettable Experience

June 27, 2022

Last week, more than 75,000 people came together for VidCon 2022, one of the largest creator and consumer conferences in the U.S. Over the span of four days, Gen Z stars, industry leaders, and fans enjoyed talks, meet and greets, games, and live music performances. As an official sponsor, Spotify was there to make sure fans had an incredible experience. 

Spotify had something for everyone: Creators gained wisdom from Spotify leaders like Jessica Angeles, Senior Partner Manager at Anchor, and Tracy Rivas, Creator Partner Manager, who explained why they should be including Spotify in their video content strategy. Fans, meanwhile, could receive an audio tarot reading based on their mood and music tastes, have their audio aura captured in a photo (which correlated with collaborative, aura-specific playlists), and collect exclusive Spotify swag. 

 

Our New Frequency Studio, Scholarships, and More—Here’s What’s Happening on Spotify Throughout Black History Month

February 1, 2022

Last May, when Spotify launched Frequency—our global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform—we did so with a mission to create a space that represents the wide spectrum of Black artistry. Since then, listeners have tuned into Frequency music playlists like Ripple Effect and House Party and learned from the Heard You podcast playlist.

We’re committed to celebrating and uplifting Black culture, creativity, and community year-round, with special emphasis on the month of February in honor of Black History Month. This year, we want to celebrate the multidimensionality of Black listeners, artists, and creators, truly encompassing the breadth of Black creativity—so we’ve created a space to bring that to life.  

Programs and Opportunities IRL

Introducing: Frequency Presents The Free Studio. We’re building upon Spotify’s existing investment in Black artists and creators by opening a short-term creator studio to host a number of diverse artists and creators. The space will consist of recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more. It will provide a physical space to foster creativity from rising artists whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture. We’ll be releasing more details, including the chosen creators, soon. In the meantime, check out the Frequency Hub on Spotify for newly refreshed playlists. 

Beyond The Free Studio, we’re also continuing our commitments from prior years. In spring of 2021, we reaffirmed our commitment to combating racial inequity with a focus on organizations dedicated to inspiring, connecting, and elevating the next generation of Black voices and creators. Two of these partners are the 4A’s Foundation and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). Our new scholarships with each organization help young Black creatives at various stages in their artistic journeys access education and career opportunities. 

Listen—and join in—on cultural conversations

We’re also ensuring that listeners can find Black History Month–specific content on the platform. Look out for new podcasts and special episodes from the following shows:

  • Today, we’re announcing Abolition X, hosted by Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo, and Richie Reseda. This conversation isn’t just about getting rid of police and prisons. It’s about replacing revenge-based thinking in every part of our lives. In each episode, incarcerated people, artists, and organizers address how abolition intersects with different parts of Black culture. Tune in when it launches February 15 and catch a trailer below.
  • A new season of NO SKIPS with Jinx and Shea debuts February 3 with a new episode on Madlib’s Madvillainy.
  • Spotify Original podcast Dope Labs will host special episodes this month on the Winter Olympics and HBCUs featuring Spotify’s Xavier “X” Jernigan. 
  • Co.Lab is a Spotify for Artists event series where industry experts and fellow artists offer their perspectives on the topics affecting working artists today. A product of Co.Lab, Co.Lab Sessions is a podcast that makes conversations from the event series and distills them into quick-hit episodes complete with top-notch tips and advice from various guests. Our Frequency ambassadors (Monique Blake, Archie Davis, Eve Fairley-Chickwe, and Tommy Brown) participated last year and their podcast episodes will be released Friday, February 11. 

Spotify Greenroom is also a new, entertaining, and educational resource for listeners looking to listen and learn this Black History Month. 

Spotify Original Greenroom show The Grapevine Live is hosted by Ashley Akunna and Donovan Thompson. It’s dedicated to driving the conversation around Black culture, the Black perspective, and current events. This month, Ashley and Donovan will dedicate The Grapevine Live’s episodes to various aspects of the Black experience and Black history with episodes focused on: 

  • “Killing the Stigma of HIV in the Black Community” – February 3
  • “Black Fashion: In Remembrance of Andre Leon Talley” – February 10
  • “The Murder of Lauren Smith Fields” – February 17
  • “To Be Young, Gifted and Black – A Celebration of Us” – February 24  

Tune in to these on Thursdays at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.

Plus, check out some other Black voices on Spotify Greenroom, including:

  • Most Necessary Live – Hosted by Brian “B.Dot” Miller – Tuesdays at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
  • Money Moves – Hosted by Lauren Simmons – Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

Finally, Spotify Canada will highlight Black artists in underrepresented spaces by featuring creators such as Julian Taylor, Fefe Dobson, Kaytranada, and WondaGurl on the cover of various playlists across a variety of genres. 

This Black History Month, learn from new podcasts like Abolition X. Get a sneak peak with the trailer below.

Say Hello to the Hosts of ‘The Get Up,’ Spotify’s New Daily Morning Show

October 22, 2020

First thing in the morning, you might crave great wake-up tunes. Or, maybe you like to get the day started with the latest news. Whatever your ritual, Spotify is combining these two options in The Get Up, a new weekday morning show that’s the best of both worlds.

The Get Up is here to keep you up-to-date with the latest in pop culture, news, entertainment, and music, thanks to our three hosts—Kat Lazo, Speedy Morman, and Xavier “X” Jernigan—who each have something unique to offer listeners and each other. Plus, between segments will be music that’s personalized just for you, so you know there will always be something to enjoy.

Get to know The Get Up hosts who will help you start your day with fresh takes and fresh tunes.

Why are you excited for The Get Up?

Kat: I’m excited for folks to get to know me and my cohosts, because the dynamic we have is so genuine. We’re bringing the same energy we have in our personal group chat to the mic. I’ve never had brothers before, and I imagine this is what it’d be like if I had an older and younger brother. And I tend to be the rebellious middle child. 

I’m also excited for listeners to experience having tailored music to listen to during The Get Up. That’s something new that I’ve never heard of before and allows folks to feel intimate with the  morning show. 

Speedy: Spotify is truly bringing a unique listening experience to the world with The Get Up. It’s a style that’s fresh and provides a fun alternative to the current audio landscape. Nowhere else do you get a morning talk show with personalized music catered to you. The fresh format, coupled with the camaraderie between Xavier, Kat, and myself, makes for a truly fun, informative, and entertaining adventure. 

X: I’m excited to help people get up in the morning and ease into their day with a smile. We want you in on the conversations we will have around the news and pop culture stories you need to know, and you’ll get to know me, Kat, and Speedy in a special way. 

I’m also hyped about the fact that our show incorporates the latest tech that brings together our conversations with your personalized music—curated for each listener of The Get Up by the top music editors in the world. I know because I’ve worked side by side with them for the last four years. The Get Up is the best of both worlds: a fun and interesting convo that informs plus great music based on what you already listen to!

Go Behind the Scenes With Our New Podcast, ‘Spotify: For the Record’

August 13, 2020

For the past two years, For the Record has shared big Spotify moments with you. Now, we’re taking listeners even deeper behind the scenes with our new podcast, Spotify: For the Record. This new series features interviews with Spotify employees and industry experts as we dive into major moments in music, podcasting and tech. We’ve already seen that what’s happening in the world is reflected on Spotify; with this podcast, we take that one step further as we discuss cultural events, listening trends, the tech behind our platform, and more.

Our first three episodes are already live. In the latest one, we talked to Katy Perry, as well as Ariel Rechtshaid, Wesley Bunch, and Ben Jaffe, to see how they’re staying connected to their fans and their music during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Learn more about our episodes below.

Artists & Creativity During COVID-19 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, artists, producers, and venue owners are looking for—and finding—creative solutions to stay connected with fans. Katy Perry gives us a peek behind the curtain on how she adapted to deliver her new album, Smile, while producer Ariel Rechtshaid reveals what happens when the recording studio is silent. Wesley Bunch, lead singer of the Philadelphia-based indie band, Suburban Living, shares the impact of not being on the road. And we hear from Ben Jaffe, who runs Preservation Hall in New Orleans, on his mission to save the venue and support his fellow jazz musicians.

Podcasts: The Medium of the Moment

Podcasting is fast becoming the medium of the moment, with more than 1.5 million shows now on Spotify—half of which launched this year alone. Household names such as Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and now Michelle Obama are attracting millions of new fans to the already booming podcasting world. Spotify’s commitment to all things audio is driving financial results too. In this episode, hear from CEO Daniel Ek and CFO Paul Vogel as they outline the key roles podcasting is playing in the company’s strategy. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/12CG1dcTe0QUu1lcbj2Uyf?si=6PbjHacBRiuXgT50byHXsQ

Supporting the Black Community

In this episode, we discuss how cultural moments are often reflected in the music we listen to, zeroing in on the racial justice movement of today. Cohosted by Xavier “X” Jernigan, Head of Cultural Partnerships at Spotify, and Shanon Cook, Spotify’s Culture and Trends Expert, we’ll hear from members of the Spotify team including Safiya Lambie-Knight, Artist & Label Partnerships Lead, Dawn Ostroff, Chief Content Officer, and Cherise Bernard, Senior Recruiter and Head of Spotify’s employee resource group BLK. In this episode, we discuss what we’ve seen on our platform and what Spotify is doing to elevate Black voices and support the Black community, both inside and outside our walls. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2j7oFO9YqMEPelug3KTrx3?si=xKCGJiYOSWCuq9SgXX9hsg

Be sure to follow the show so you’re in the loop when new episodes drop. And check out The Spotify News Hub for additional podcasts and playlists showcasing our news and views.

 

The “Podcasts: The Medium of the Moment” and “Supporting the Black Community” episodes are no longer available as of November 2021, however you can get more great stories and news delivered audibly by following our podcasts, Spotify: For the Record, Spotify: Mic Check, and Spotify: Discover This.