Tag: Colombia

Las fans están impulsando el boom de las artistas femeninas en Colombia

September 30, 2025

En Colombia, el sonido del éxito de las artistas femeninas es inconfundible, y gran parte de ese impulso viene de las fans mujeres. Según datos de Spotify, el 58% de quienes escuchan a artistas femeninas en el país son mujeres, lo que refleja un ecosistema vibrante donde se apoyan y se elevan entre sí.

Y la tendencia es clara: en los últimos cinco años, las reproducciones de artistas femeninas en Colombia se han multiplicado por cinco, mientras que el catálogo de canciones de mujeres colombianas ha crecido un 36%. El impacto va mucho más allá de las fronteras nacionales. A nivel global, las artistas colombianas han visto crecer sus streams 170 veces en la última década, consolidando su estatus como exportadoras culturales que conquistan audiencias en todo el mundo.

Este crecimiento refleja una industria en transformación. Como señala Mia Nygren, Managing Director para América Latina en Spotify: “La industria ha evolucionado enormemente en la década que Spotify lleva en Latinoamérica, y el papel de las mujeres también ha cambiado. Los números lo reflejan: no solo en streams, también en regalías. Aun así, sabemos que queda mucho por hacer, y por eso seguimos creando espacios e iniciativas para visibilizar y potenciar a las mujeres en la música”.

Empowerment Days: Construyendo comunidad en Bogotá

Para mantener este impulso y atender los retos que persisten, Spotify celebró recientemente la tercera edición de Empowerment Days en Casa Spotify Bogotá. Diseñado por y para mujeres de la industria musical, este evento es un pilar de la iniciativa global EQUAL de Spotify. EQUAL, que apoya a mujeres artistas y creadoras dentro y fuera de la plataforma, ha respaldado a más de 1.200 embajadoras en todo el mundo.

Durante dos días, managers, productoras, artistas y creadoras se reunieron para compartir consejos y reflexionar sobre los desafíos únicos que enfrentan las mujeres en la música. Uno de los momentos destacados fue un panel con Mia, la manager Rebeca León y la cantautora ELENA ROSE, donde se abordaron temas como la educación, la independencia y la importancia de la alfabetización financiera.

Women Fans Are Powering the Rise of Female Artists in Colombia

September 30, 2025

In Colombia, the sound of success for female artists is unmistakable, and much of that success is fueled by female fans. According to Spotify data, 58% of listeners of female artists in the country are women, highlighting a vibrant ecosystem where women are championing and elevating one another.

And the momentum is clear: Over the past five years, streams of female artists in Colombia have increased fivefold, while the catalog of songs by Colombian women has grown by 36%. The impact goes far beyond national borders. Globally, Colombian female artists have seen their streams grow 170 times in the last decade, cementing their status as cultural exports who are captivating audiences worldwide.

This remarkable growth reflects a changing industry. As Mia Nygren, Managing Director for Latin America at Spotify, notes: “The industry has evolved greatly in the decade Spotify has been in Latin America, and women’s roles have shifted as well. The numbers reflect this—not only in streams, but also in royalties. Still, we know there’s much more to be done, and that’s why we continue creating spaces and initiatives to promote and spotlight women in music.”

Empowerment Days: Building community in Bogotá

To fuel this momentum and address ongoing challenges, Spotify recently brought these milestones and conversations to the forefront at the third edition of Empowerment Days at Casa Spotify Bogotá. Designed by and for women in the music industry, the event is a cornerstone of Spotify’s global EQUAL initiative. EQUAL, which champions women artists and creators both on- and off-platform, has supported more than 1,200 ambassadors worldwide.

Across two days, managers, producers, artists, and creators gathered to share advice and reflect on the unique challenges women face in music. A highlight was a panel featuring Mia, manager Rebeca León, and singer-songwriter ELENA ROSE, who discussed topics like education, independence, and the importance of financial literacy.

How a Generation of Latin American and West African Artists Has Come to Speak the Same Language

September 22, 2025

About 50 kilometers southeast of the Colombian city of Cartagena rests the village of San Basilio de Palenque: the cradle of the country’s distinct cumbia music. Founded in the 17th century as a refuge for escaped enslaved people, its very existence is a testament to resilience and cultural preservation. Here, cumbia’s powerful rhythmic heartbeat began with the resonant beats of African drumming traditions using instruments like the tambora, tambor alegre, and llamador. This African influence blended seamlessly with local flute melodies and European harmonies, creating a vibrant musical language that tells the story of its blended heritage.

This shared DNA, forged centuries ago, is the same sonic foundation that fuels today’s modern musical fusions. It’s why the collaborations between a Nigerian Afrobeats star and a reggaeton artist from Colombia feel less like a trend and more like a rhythmic reunion. The music is, in a way, coming full circle, and this isn’t by chance. Rather, there is a deep reciprocal cultural dialogue where Latin American artists are embracing and reimagining Afrobeats’ sounds through their own perspectives. The proof is in the data: In 2025, Afrobeats listenership in Latin America grew by more than 180% year-on-year, signs of a passionate fan base pressing play more often.

A deeper dive into Spotify data reveals landmarks of Afrobeats’ journey across Latin America. Since 2020, Argentina and Mexico have witnessed more than 400% growth in Afrobeats streams, while Brazil has seen a 500% surge in the same period. Yet no Latin American nation has been more captivated by the Afrobeats phenomenon than Colombia, where 25 million hours of the genre have been streamed so far in 2025. Here, local trailblazers like Kapo and Beéle stand at the forefront of this homegrown embrace, drawing inspiration from the West African sound and boldly propelling it in fresh directions. Their collaborations with Nigerian hitmakers allow for a vibrant reimagining of these infectious tunes.

The Colombia connection

Beéle has been connected to Afrobeats since he was just 12 years old. Ever since hearing Davido’s 2013 hit “Aye,” he has typically looked to fuse Afrobeats with local sounds like champeta and salsa. By the time he was 16, he’d dropped the viral song “Loco,” which became his first Billboard chart entry, proving this genre-bending approach was resonating with a range of listeners. He later doubled down on this musical blend on his debut album, BORONDO, collaborating with Nigerian producers like London and Daramola. This project peeled back the layers, revealing a profound fusion that would forever reshape Colombia’s musical identity.

Another Colombian artist, Kapo, broke out in 2024 with Afrobeats-inspired tracks like “Ohnana” and “Uwaie,” both of which charted on the Billboard Global 200. “Ohnana” earned him his first Billboard No. 1 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay. Kapo’s creative choices, from his melodic cadences to his production style, are clearly rooted in Afrobeats and reinterpreted through his Latin lens. He exemplifies how this isn’t just a trend being dictated from afar; it’s a creative exchange inspiring a new sound for the streets. In an interview, Kapo says he knew that Afrobeats always had the potential to go off in Latin America. “When I was in Panama with Mr. Saik, we’d talk about how Afrobeats could be the next sound to take over Latin America,” he recalls.

This cross-cultural collaboration is a two-way street. When rising Nigerian star Fido enlisted Kapo for a remix of his breakout single “Awolowo,” it made for one of the earliest collaborations between a rising Afrobeats act and a rising Latin act, showing a genuine artist-to-artist dialogue happening organically between the two regions.

A global language of rhythm

This new generation of artists is also forging cross-continental connections through collaborations that introduce new layers to music from both sides of the Atlantic. Puerto Rico’s Rauw Alejandro crafted a defining moment for the culture with his standout track, “Santana,” featuring Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr and Jamaican producer Rvssian. The song’s success, with over 300 million Spotify streams, earned Ayra Starr the first Latin Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The remix of Omah Lay’s “Soso” with Ozuna married Omah Lay’s raw emotional delivery with Ozuna’s reggaetón smoothness, creating a sonic fusion that mirrored both artists’ interest in introspection.

While Latin America’s rising stars are forging these connections, Nigeria’s Afrobeats pioneers have also heavily influenced this exchange. Nigeria’s Mr Eazi and Colombia’s J Balvin present a perfect case study. An organic, brotherly connection formed in 2018 has since evolved into a full-fledged musical partnership. Their collaboration on “Lento” and “Arcoíris” with Tainy showed how these two genres can seamlessly blend into a global smash hit. “Arcoiris” even earned a Latin Grammy, one of the first major industry acknowledgments of an Afrobeats-Latin record.

In an interview with OkayAfrica, Mr Eazi says he had been “fascinated” with the Latino music scene since 2018. This curiosity drove him to “go open for J Balvin for crowds of 20,000 capacity per show of people that don’t even know me or know anything about Afrobeats.” He adds, “I ended up winning a Latin Grammy and I don’t even speak Spanish.” J Balvin’s work with other established Afrobeats artists like Burna Boy on “Rollercoaster” represents another symbolic crossover between Afrofusion and Colombian reggaetón, showing that the dynamic interplay between African and Latin influences is taking place across many genres. 

These artist-driven partnerships go beyond isolated incidents, making it clear that cross-cultural exchange is a growing phenomenon that’s here to stay.

From discovery to community

So, how are these seemingly distant worlds connecting? The answer lies in the democratization of music. The internet and streaming platforms have leveled the playing field, allowing for grassroots cultural and creative interaction between continents. Listeners are discovering the music on their own terms, and the numbers speak for themselves. The growth of subgenres like Latin Afrobeats, which has increased by more than 6,000% since 2020, showcases the growing overlap between the two fan bases.

Listenership of playlists like Afro-Ritmo, which is dedicated to showcasing Latin-African collaborations, has grown by more than 180% in 2025, indicating the increasing popularity of this new wave of music. As Spotify’s Senior Music Editor for Sub-Saharan Africa, Benewaah Boateng, puts it, “We are just a bridge allowing this cultural exchange to flourish and providing a home for these fresh sounds.”

The story of Afrobeats’ ascension in Latin America goes well beyond catchy beats; it speaks to the reclamation of a historical connection that would be lost to history books if not for a new generation of musicians on both continents. Beyond the undeniable grooves, Afrobeats has become a powerful cultural force, reshaping global narratives about Africa and fostering vital connections within the diaspora. Its expanding resonance in regions like Latin America is a bold declaration of a new cultural language that honors the past, electrifies the present, and is unmistakably defining the sound of the future.

Visit our full Afrobeats 2.0 experience on For the Record to discover more.

El Caribe colombiano impulsa el nuevo sonido del país

August 14, 2025

¡Colombia siempre ha sido potencia en innovación musical! Desde la revolución del reggaetón en Medellín, pasando por las escenas indie y rockeras en Bogotá, y el legado salsero de Cali, los artistas del país han moldeado el sonido de la región. Hoy, la mirada se posa sobre la Costa Caribe colombiana, impulsada por una nueva generación de talentos que están reclamando su espacio con orgullo, creatividad y ambición global.

Con ciudades como Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta y Valledupar, el Caribe colombiano es un territorio profundamente cultural. Aquí nacieron joyas como el vallenato—con sus historias y el inconfundible acordeón—y la champeta, ese ritmo afrocolombiano nacido en Cartagena que mezcla influencias africanas con percusiones caribeñas.  Muchos de los artistas actuales comenzaron precisamente en la champeta, un género que sigue marcando el pulso de su música. Sin embargo, sus sonidos están en evolución, y hoy integran elementos del Afrobeats, el reggaetón, el pop y otras propuestas experimentales.

Y ojo con los Afrobeats, porque están prendidos en Colombia. No solo en escuchas, también en producción local. El país se está volviendo referencia en este sonido, sobre todo en la costa Caribe y el Pacífico, mezclando ritmos de casa con beats africanos y creando algo nuevo que viaja más allá del mar. Para que te hagas una idea: en Spotify, las reproducciones de Afrobeats en Colombia crecieron más de un 580% desde 2022. Eso habla de una conexión real entre género, fans y creadores.

Los siete artistas que están encendiendo la Costa

Hamilton

Desde Cartagena, Hamilton lidera la movida de Afrobeats en Colombia. Tiene más de 2 millones de oyentes mensuales en Spotify y suena fino, mezclando beats elegantes con melodías costeñas. Sus temas  “Mi Reina,” “A Poca Luz,” y “Madrid”  suman millones de streams, y sus colabs con  Justin Quiles y Ryan Castro  han llevado su música a otro nivel.

Aria Vega

Barranquilla le dio al mundo a ARIA VEGA, una voz que mezcla pop contemporáneo con raíces colombianas. Su sencillo “Costeñita” (2025) junto a DEKKO, grabado en Casa Spotify Medallo, supera 1.5M de streams. Y “La Última” con Juan Duque y Kapo, ya va en 2.4M.

Luister La Voz

Cartagena también tiene a Luister La Voz  (Luis Carlos Cabeza De Ávila), con un sonido que se siente auténtico y cercano. Parte de champeta, parte de balada romántica, conecta fuerte con el público joven. Temas como  “Otra Cosa (Remix)” y “Espacio” lo han puesto varias veces en el Viral 50 Colombia.

Zaider

Más de una década en la música y Zaider sigue innovando. Empezó en champeta, pero ahora combina su flow costeño con Afrobeats.“Alma” junto a Kapo tiene más de 20M de streams, y trabajar con Goyo y Blessd lo ha llevado a nuevos públicos.

Criss & Ronny

Criss & Ronny son unos gemelos cartageneros pasaron del baile al micrófono, y se nota: su música es puro movimiento. Fusionan champeta y Afrobeats con un estilo pegajoso y listo para la pista. Su hit viral “El Sticker” ya pasó los 12M de reproducciones.

LuisRa

Con tan solo 22 años y directamente desde Valledupar, LuisRa le está dando un refresh al vallenato. Lo mezcla con reggaetón y Afrobeats para conquistar a nuevas generaciones. “Como Así” es su tema más escuchado, con más de 5.5M de streams.

Barboza

Cartagena tiene en Barboza a una de las promesas más frescas del Afrobeats colombiano. “Tus Labios”, junto a Jheral, es su hit más fuerte, y en 2025 sus plays crecieron un 5.000%. Su estilo crudo pero fino está llevando la voz del Caribe a todas partes.

Descubre aún más del sonido de Colombia: dale play a la playlist Made in Colombia en Spotify.

Colombia’s Caribbean Coast Leads a New Music Wave

August 14, 2025

Colombia has long been a powerhouse of musical innovation. From Medellín’s reggaetón revolution to Bogotá’s indie and rock scenes and Cali’s salsa legacy, artists from across the country have helped shape the sound of Latin America. Now, Colombia’s Caribbean coast is stepping into the spotlight, driven by a new generation of artists claiming their space with pride, creativity, and global ambition.

Home to vibrant cities like Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Valledupar, the Colombian Caribbean is rich in culture. The region’s musical contributions include genres like vallenato, a traditional folk style known for its storytelling and distinctive use of the accordion, and champeta, an Afro-Colombian rhythm from Cartagena that blends African influences with Caribbean percussion. Many local artists got their start in champeta, which continues to shape their music. But their sound is evolving, now inflected with Afrobeats, reggaetón, pop, and experimental styles.

Afrobeats, in particular, are gaining momentum in Colombia—in both listening and local production. Colombia is becoming a regional leader in Afrobeats-inspired music, especially in its Pacific and Caribbean regions. Artists are fusing traditional rhythms with Afrobeats, creating new sounds that are reaching audiences far beyond the coast. In fact, streams of Afrobeats in Colombia have surged by more than 580% since 2022 on Spotify, a sign of just how deeply the genre is resonating with fans and creators alike.

Below, we spotlight seven standout artists from the region, each bringing their own style and energy to Colombia’s evolving music scene.

Meet the artists redefining Colombia’s Caribbean sound

Hamilton

Cartagena’s Hamilton is at the forefront of Colombian Afrobeats. With more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he blends sleek Afrobeats production with melodies rooted in his hometown. Tracks like “Mi Reina,” “A Poca Luz,” and “Madrid” have racked up millions of streams, while collaborations with artists like Justin Quiles and Ryan Castro have expanded his reach.

Aria Vega

Barranquilla’s ARIA VEGA brings a fresh perspective to urban music, merging contemporary pop with her Colombian roots. Her 2025 single “Costeñita,” a collaboration with DEKKO, was created at Casa Spotify Medallo and has topped 1.5 million streams. Another standout, “La Última” with Juan Duque and Kapo, has reached 2.4 million streams.

Luister La Voz

Cartagena’s Luister La Voz (Luis Carlos Cabeza De Ávila) is known for his heartfelt vocals and a strong coastal identity. Drawing on champeta and romantic melodies, he’s struck a chord with younger listeners. With hits like “Otra Cosa (Remix)” and “Espacio,” his appearances on Colombia’s Viral 50 chart highlight his impact.

Zaider

With more than a decade in music, Zaider is one of the most recognizable voices of the Colombian Caribbean. He started in champeta and now blends Afrobeats into his sound, bringing a distinct coastal style to his tracks. His hit “Alma” with Kapo has been streamed more than 20 million times, and collaborations with artists like Goyo and Blessd have helped him reach new audiences.

Criss & Ronny

Twins from Cartagena, Criss & Ronny first broke onto the scene as dancers—a physicality that comes through in their music. Their fusion of champeta and Afrobeats is made for the dance floor: bold, rhythmic, and catchy. Their viral hit “El Sticker” has amassed more than 12 million streams, and their fanbase continues to grow.

LuisRa

Valledupar’s LuisRa is breathing new life into the classic genre of vallenato. By blending his city’s storytelling traditions with reggaetón and Afrobeats, he’s reaching new generations of listeners. His top track, “Como Así,” has surpassed 5.5 million streams.

Barboza

Cartagena’s Barboza is a fast-rising star in Colombian Afrobeats. “Tus Labios,” his collaboration with Jheral, is his most-streamed track, and in 2025, his plays jumped by more than 5,000%. With a raw-yet-refined style, Barboza is helping bring the Colombian Caribbean’s newest voices to a global audience.

To discover even more of Colombia’s sound, press play on Spotify’s Made in Colombia playlist.

La nueva apuesta de Spotify para destacar la música local en Colombia: ‘Súbele a Eso’

May 5, 2025

En Colombia, la música no suena de fondo: es el centro del escenario. Es el corazón de cada fiesta, la energía que atraviesa barrios, generaciones y regiones. Y si algo ha dejado claro la última década del streaming, es que Colombia no solo exporta talento: lo celebra con orgullo en casa.

Ahora, Spotify lanza ‘Súbele a Eso’, una nueva iniciativa para amplificar y elevar la conexión entre los colombianos y su vibrante identidad cultural. Spotify recorrió las calles de Bogotá, Cali y Cartagena para documentar cómo y dónde se vive realmente la música: en las esquinas y dentro de los hogares, sin filtros.

 

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Desde su entrada al mercado en 2013, Spotify se ha movido el ritmo de Colombia, siendo testigo, de primera mano, del increíble crecimiento de la música local. Hoy, Colombia abraza con fuerza sus propios sonidos, subiendo el volumen, literalmente, a sus artistas locales más que el 60% de los países del mundo.

Esto resalta una transformación notable en los últimos años. En 2020, sólo 3 de cada 10 canciones en el Top 50 de Colombia eran de artistas locales. Desde entonces, el tiempo que los colombianos pasan escuchando talento nacional se ha disparado casi un 600%. Actualmente, más de la mitad del Top 50 (56%) está dominado por voces colombianas, demostrando el talento y la diversidad de la escena musical del país.

“Durante los últimos 10 años, hemos sido testigos de cómo el streaming no solo ha abierto más oportunidades para artistas locales, sino que también se ha convertido en la herramienta perfecta para construir comunidades de fans más fuertes y duraderas,” afirmó Manuela Echeverry, Líder de relacionamiento con Artistas y Sellos para la Región Andina en Spotify. “Hay más de 700 millones de playlists creadas por usuarios en Spotify que incluyen nuestra música en toda su diversidad. Hoy, estamos más convencidos que nunca de que esa es nuestra bandera: la variedad de sonidos y voces que existen en Colombia.”

Los sonidos de Colombia: vallenato, música popular y Afrobeats

Géneros como el vallenato y la música popular están sonando con fuerza entre los jóvenes colombianos, quienes están redescubriendo a íconos como Los Diablitos y Binomio de Oro. Los streams locales de vallenato han incrementado un 50% en Spotify en comparación con el año pasado, mientras que artistas como Luis Alfonso y Nico Hernández están conquistando el corazón de las audiencias jóvenes en la escena de la música popular.

El afrobeat colombiano también se está abriendo paso, con un crecimiento del 186% en los streams locales en Spotify, en comparación con el año pasado y artistas como Beéle y Kapo lideran los charts nacionales. “Imagínate”, la colaboración de Kapo con Danny Ocean, ha permanecido más de 20 semanas en los charts, mientras que Beéle ha dominado los primeros puestos del Top 50 colombiano.

Spotify Amplifies Colombia’s Booming Local Music Scene With ‘Súbele a Eso’ Initiative

May 5, 2025

In Colombia, music isn’t just background noise—it’s center stage. It’s the heart of every party, the energy that flows through neighborhoods, generations, and regions. And if there’s one thing the past decade of streaming has made clear, it’s that Colombia doesn’t just export talent—it proudly celebrates it at home.

Now Spotify is launching “Súbele a Eso” (“Turn That Up”), a new initiative to amplify the growing connection between Colombians and their vibrant cultural identity. Spotify took to the streets of Bogotá, Cali, and Cartagena to document where and how music is truly lived—on street corners and inside homes, raw and unfiltered.

 

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Since entering the market in 2013, Spotify has been moving to Colombia’s rhythm, witnessing firsthand the incredible growth of local music. Today, Colombia turns up the volume on its local artists—literally—more than 60% of countries around the world.

This underscores a remarkable transformation in recent years. In 2020, only 3 of every 10 songs in Colombia’s Top 50 chart were by Colombian artists. Since then, the time Colombians spend listening to local artists has skyrocketed by nearly 600%. Currently, more than half of the Top 50 chart (56%) features local artists, showcasing the incredible talent and diversity of the country’s music scene.

“For the past 10 years, we’ve witnessed how streaming has not only opened more opportunities for local artists, but has also become the perfect tool for building stronger, more lasting fan communities,” said Manuela Echeverry, Artist & Label Partnerships Lead for the Andean Region at Spotify. “There are more than 700 million user-created playlists on Spotify that include our music in all its diversity. Today, we’re more certain than ever that this is our flag: the variety of sounds and voices that exist in Colombia.”

The sounds of Colombia: Vallenato, música popular, and Afrobeats

Genres like vallenato and música popular are resonating strongly with young listeners in Colombia who are rediscovering icons like Los Diablitos and Binomio de Oro. Local vallenato streams have increased by 50% on Spotify compared to last year, while artists like Luis Alfonso and Nico Hernández are capturing the hearts of younger audiences in the música popular scene.

Colombian Afrobeats are also breaking through, with a 186% increase in local streams on Spotify compared to last year. Artists like Beéle and Kapo are leading the national charts, with Kapo’s collaboration with Danny Ocean, “Imagínate,” charting for more than 20 weeks and Beéle topping Colombia’s Top 50.

Spotify Celebrates Women in Music: A Global Spotlight on Talent and Achievement

March 7, 2025

Spotify is dedicated to amplifying and celebrating the incredible contributions of all artists and creators worldwide. As part of that commitment, on March 6 we teamed up with Billboard to host the first-ever Women in Music Executive Honoree Reception, an intimate gathering in Los Angeles.

The evening served as a pre-celebration for the magazine’s annual Women in Music event on March 29, which recognizes top artists, creators, producers, and executives for their contributions to the industry.

Meet the Newest Stars of Colombian Pop Music

August 13, 2024

With its diverse sounds, music from Colombia has connected with a range of audiences from all around the world—and Colombian pop is no exception. This genre has seen rapid growth over the past five years, with streams doubling in Colombia and increasing by over 250% globally. On Spotify, it’s the second-most-listened-to genre from the country, surpassed only by reggaetón.

The world is familiar with the talents of Colombian stars Shakira, Sebastián Yatra, and Morat, and now there’s a new wave of artists revolutionizing Colombian pop with their unique sounds, heartfelt performances, and catchy lyrics. With the help of Spotify, these artists have been connecting with fans both locally and globally.

As this genre continues its rise, we’ve notably seen female voices taking center stage. Here are a few that should be added to your queue:

Ela Taubert

Hailing from Bogotá, Ela Taubert has rocketed to stardom with her emotive pop and personal lyrics. She has over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and her hit “¿Cómo Pasó?” has surpassed 78 million streams, ranking it third among the top 30 most-listened-to Colombian songs abroad so far in 2024. Other popular tracks include “¿Y Si Eras Tú?” (over 15 million streams) and “Crecer” (over 11 million streams). More than a million playlists feature at least one of her songs!

Most of Ela’s streams come from Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Chile, but she is also gaining traction in countries like Egypt, India, Austria, Australia, and Ireland.

Laura Pérez

Another Bogotá native making her mark in pop is Laura Pérez. A singer and guitarist, Laura released her first EP, Retazos, in 2020 and has been unstoppable since, amassing over 125,000 monthly listeners. “Buenos días” is her most-streamed song, with over 3 million plays, followed by “Vuela,” with over 1 million streams, and “La Luna y Tú,” with over 790,000 streams on Spotify.

Over the past year, her melodies have seen a notable increase in streams in countries like Nicaragua, Canada, the U.K., Japan, and the Netherlands.

Jules

With a background in musical theater, Jules combines her vocal talent with a unique and distinctive narrative in her music. This year, she released MELODRAMÁTICA, her first solo album, which blends pop, R&B, orchestral arrangements, and ambient sounds.

Jules has over 39,000 monthly listeners on the platform, and her most popular songs on Spotify include “ENCONTRARME,” with over 931,000 streams; “CUMPLEAÑOS (ira),” with over 688,000 streams; and “AUTOSABOTAJE (avaricia),” with 262,000 streams.

Her songs are included in over 37,000 playlists worldwide, from Colombia and Peru to Italy and Uruguay.

Lina Sanabria

Colombian singer-songwriter Lina Sanabria has captivated over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with her emotive music and personal lyrics. Over the past year, her popularity has grown in countries such as El Salvador, Italy, Nicaragua, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.

On Spotify, Lina’s music is featured on more than 21,000 user-created playlists, and her most-streamed songs include “Hasta Cuando” with Simon Savi (over 578,000 streams); “por la herida” in collaboration with Analu Dada (over 398,000 streams); and “Cobarde” with Jota E (over 370,000 streams).

Antonia Jones

This young artist began her musical career recording covers and has since evolved her style, blending organic and acoustic pop sounds with her own lyrics.

Songs like “Sexto Sentido,” with over 500,000 streams; “Pago Yo,” with over 160,000 streams; and “Aventurera,” with over 80,000 streams, are her most popular tracks on Spotify. This year, she released her self-titled album Antonia Jones, which includes songs like “19y33” and “Pedazos,” each of which has surpassed 80,000 and 19,000 streams, respectively.

Antonia has almost 9,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, primarily from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and the United States.

Find more music from the country’s top artists on the Pop Colombia playlist:

 

Conoce a las nuevas estrellas de la música pop colombiana

August 13, 2024

Con sus diversos sonidos, la música de Colombia ha logrado conectar con una amplia gama de audiencias de todo el mundo, y el pop colombiano no es una excepción. Este género ha experimentado un crecimiento rápido en los últimos cinco años, duplicando sus reproducciones en Colombia y aumentando en más de un 250% a nivel mundial. En Spotify, es el segundo género más escuchado del país, superado sólo por el reggaetón.

El mundo está familiarizado con los talentos de estrellas colombianas como Shakira, Sebastián Yatra y Morat y ahora hay una nueva ola de artistas que están revolucionando el pop colombiano con sus sonidos únicos, presentaciones emotivas y letras pegajosas. Con la ayuda de Spotify, estos artistas han conectado con fanáticos tanto a nivel local como global.

A medida que este género sigue en ascenso, hemos notado especialmente la presencia de voces femeninas que están tomándose el foco del escenario. Aquí te contamos de algunas que deberías agregar a tu playlist:

Ela Taubert

Desde Bogotá, Ela Taubert se ha catapultado al estrellato con su pop emotivo y letras personales. Con más de 3 millones de oyentes mensuales en Spotify y su éxito “¿Cómo Pasó?”, ha superado los 78 millones de streams, ubicándose en el tercer lugar entre las 30 canciones colombianas más escuchadas en el exterior en lo que va del 2024. Otras canciones populares son “¿Y Si Eras Tú?” (+15 millones de streams) y “Crecer” (+11 millones de streams). ¡Más de un millón de playlists tienen al menos una canción de la artista!

México, Perú, Colombia y Chile son los países con más streams, pero también está presentando crecimientos en lugares tan lejanos como Egipto, India, Austria, Australia e Irlanda.

Laura Pérez

Laura Pérez es otra bogotana que está dejando su huella en el pop. Cantante y guitarrista, Laura lanzó su primer EP ‘Retazos’ en 2020 y no ha parado desde entonces, acumulando más de 125,000 oyentes mensuales en total. “Buenos días” es su canción más escuchada con más de 3 millones de streams, seguida por “Vuela”, con más de 1 millón de reproducciones, y por “La Luna y Tú” que acumula más de 790,000 streams en la plataforma.  

En el último año, sus melodías han experimentado aumentos en países como Nicaragua, Canadá, Reino Unido, Japón y Países Bajos. 

Jules

Con una formación en teatro musical, Jules fusiona su talento vocal con una narrativa única y distintiva en su música. Este año lanzó ‘MELODRAMÁTICA,’ su primer álbum como solista, que combina pop, R&B, arreglos orquestales y sonidos ambientales. 

Jules tiene más de 39,000 oyentes mensuales en la plataforma y sus canciones más populares en Spotify incluyen “ENCONTRARME”, que supera las 931,000 reproducciones;  “CUMPLEAÑOS (ira)”, que registra más de 688,000 reproducciones y  “AUTOSABOTAJE (avaricia)” que alcanza los 262,000 streams. 

Sus canciones están incluidas en más de 37 mil playlists alrededor del mundo, desde Colombia y Perú hasta Italia y Uruguay.

Lina Sanabria 

La cantautora colombiana Lina Sanabria ha conquistado a más de 50,000 oyentes mensuales en  Spotify con su música emotiva y letras personales. En el último año, su popularidad ha crecido en países como El Salvador, Italia, Nicaragua, Colombia y República Dominicana.

En Spotify, la música de Lina aparece en más de 21,000 listas de reproducción creadas por los usuarios, y entre sus canciones más escuchadas se encuentran “Hasta Cuando” con Simon Savi (más de 578,000 reproducciones); “por la herida” en colaboración con Analu Dada, (más de 398,000 reproducciones), y “Cobarde” con Jota E (más de 370,000 reproducciones). 

Antonia Jones

Esta joven artista que inició su carrera musical grabando covers ha evolucionado en su estilo mezclando sonidos orgánicos y acústicos, propios del pop, pero imprimiendo su estilo con sus propias letras.

Canciones como “Sexto Sentido” que registra más de 500,000 reproducciones; “Pago Yo” con más de 160,000 streams y “Aventurera” con más de 80,000 reproducciones, son las más escuchadas en Spotify. Este año lanzó su álbum homónimo ‘Antonia Jones’ que incluye canciones como “19y33”, y “Pedazos” que superan las 80,000 y las 19,000 reproducciones, respectivamente. 

Antonia tiene casi 9,000 oyentes mensuales, principalmente de Colombia, México, Perú, Ecuador y Estados Unidos. 

Encuentra más música de los mejores artistas del país en la playlist Pop Colombia:

 

J Balvin Travels Back to His Beginnings With New Album ‘Rayo’

August 9, 2024

Colombian hitmaker J Balvin has captivated the world with his music for more than a decade. Fans from Latin America to Europe can’t get enough of “The Boy From Medellín” and his high-energy, infectious beats. In fact, every second, 140 J Balvin songs are streamed on Spotify, and his songs have been added to more than 240 million user-created playlists.

The star is not just one of the biggest names in urban music; he’s the second-most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify—ever. His top hits include “LA CANCIÓN” with Bad Bunny, “I Like It” with Bad Bunny and Cardi B, and “Mi Gente” with Willy William, each having racked up well over 1 billion streams.

Now the reggaetón pioneer is back with a new album, Rayo, that drops today. J Balvin is well-known for his collaborations, and the album’s first single, “Polvo de tu vida,” features Puerto Rican singer Chencho Corleone. Since its release in June, the track has garnered more than 16 million streams. And just to give a taste of where those listeners are, Bogotá takes the spot as the city with the most streams, followed by Madrid, Barcelona, Santiago de Chile, and Mexico City.

A follow-up single, “Gaga,” finds him collaborating with Spanish artist SAIKO. It, too, is rapidly finding listeners, with more than 7 million streams since its July release, and has surged in listens in Spain, Mexico, and the United States.

For the Record caught up with J Balvin to learn more about the inspiration for his latest project, whom he wants to collaborate with in the future, and what other Colombian genres he enjoys listening to.

Tell us about Rayo.

Rayo is about returning to my essence. Rayo is the name of my first car, a car that my father went through a lot of effort to buy me. I used to drive my school friends around and charge them a monthly fee as the driver. 

That car allowed me to take my music to different neighborhoods, clubs, and schools. I sold CDs on the street and at events like “Sonido sobre Ruedas” [Sound on Wheels], where everyone shows up with their sound systems and cars. I even sold clothes from the trunk of Rayo.

Rayo played a big role in the reggaetón history of Medellín because it took me to so many places that, nowadays, have been hugely impacted by the reggaetón scene. So, Rayo, the album, brings a lot of nostalgia, because it’s about returning to my essence, to who I was when I made music with no pretensions, without thinking about numbers or streams, but just enjoying it like a little kid.

Which artists inspire you?

Daddy Yankee is the reason I decided to enter the world of reggaetón. But I have many inspirations: Craig David, Kurt Cobain, James Hetfield from Metallica, and Ed Sheeran, who is a great friend of mine. 

Every era has artists who make a huge impact with different moments. These are some of them, but there are hundreds more.

What other genres of Colombian music do you listen to?

I really love Colombian salsa, especially the salsa from Cali and Medellín. I’m also fascinated by vallenato music, like that from Silvestre Dangond. I love what Andrés Cepeda does—same with Fonseca. And I really enjoy the rock music from Juanes, who is from my hometown. El Rock De Mi Pueblo from Carlos Vives is also an album I like a lot. I think Colombia has a lot of incredible music. Of course, there’s also native music like cumbia and joropo. While that music may be less commercial, their flavor and groove is carried in the rhythm of the music from the country.

You’re known for your collaborations. Which artists, songwriters, or producers would you like to collaborate with from the new urban music scene in Colombia?

So many have emerged. Right now, there’s Kapo with his Afrobeat song “Ohnana,” Esteban Rojas from Cali, who I really like, and Philip Ariaz from Medellín, who is amazing. Nath from Medallo is also very good. Pirlo from Cali is also fantastic, and El H from the coast is great, too. There are so many artists. But with all of them, I know that if the opportunity arises, we can work together and enjoy the connection we have.

How has Spotify supported you and your music?

Spotify has contributed a lot to my career. The platform helped me reach a truly global audience. Since becoming the most-streamed artist worldwide a couple of years ago, it has really shown me how great Spotify is for helping artists get discovered, and how listeners can explore different cultures from other countries through their Top 50 lists. 

How do you like to discover new music on Spotify?

Thousands of songs are released every day. I like to focus on the Top 50 lists—not just in Latin countries, which is typically the core or base where our music plays, but I’m also very interested in what’s being listened to in places like Nigeria, Japan, Sweden, Netherlands, Lithuania, and Poland. It helps broaden my perspective and makes me think about other genres and languages that I didn’t know before.

Go back to the beginning with J Balvin and his new album, Rayo, available now.

J Balvin Regresa A Sus Comienzos Con Su Nuevo Álbum ‘Rayo’

August 9, 2024

El aclamado colombiano J Balvin ha conquistado al mundo con su música durante más de una década. Fans desde Latinoamérica hasta Europa están cautivados por la energía del  “El Niño de Medellín” y sus ritmos contagiosos. De hecho, cada segundo, 140 canciones de J Balvin son reproducidas en Spotify, y sus temas se encuentran en más de 240 millones de playlists creadas por los usuarios.

No solo es uno de los nombres más influyentes en la música urbana, sino que también ocupa el segundo lugar como el artista latino más escuchado en Spotify de todos los tiempos. Sus grandes éxitos incluyen “LA CANCIÓN” con Bad Bunny,  “I Like It” con Bad Bunny y Cardi B, y  “Mi Gente” con Willy William, cada uno con más de mil millones de reproducciones.

Ahora, el pionero del reggaetón regresa con su nuevo álbum Rayo, que se estrena hoy. J Balvin es bien conocido por sus colaboraciones estelares, y el primer sencillo del álbum,  “Polvo de tu vida”, lo hace junto al puertorriqueño Chencho Corleone. Desde su lanzamiento en junio, la canción ha acumulado más de 16 millones de reproducciones. Y para dar una idea de dónde provienen esos oyentes, Bogotá es la ciudad con más streams, seguida por Madrid, Barcelona, Santiago de Chile y Ciudad de México.

El segundo sencillo, “Gaga”, es una colaboración con el artista español SAIKO. Este tema también está cosechando éxito rápidamente, con más de siete millones de reproducciones desde su lanzamiento en julio, y ha visto un aumento notable en escuchas en España, México y Estados Unidos.

For the Record habló con J Balvin para descubrir más sobre la inspiración detrás de su último proyecto, con quién le gustaría colaborar en el futuro y qué otros géneros colombianos disfruta escuchar.

Cuéntanos sobre Rayo.

Rayo trata de volver a mi esencia. Rayo es el nombre de mi primer carro, un carro que mi padre compró con mucho esfuerzo para mí. Solía llevar a mis amigos del colegio y les cobraba una tarifa mensual como conductor.

Ese carro me permitió llevar mi música a diferentes barrios, clubes y escuelas. Vendía CDs en la calle y en eventos como “Sonido sobre Ruedas”, donde todos llegaban con sus sistemas de sonido y sus carros. Incluso llegué a vender ropa desde la parte de atrás de Rayo.

Rayo tuvo un papel importante en la historia del reggaetón en Medellín, porque me llevó a muchos lugares que hoy en día han sido profundamente impactados por la escena del reggaetón. Así que, Rayo, el álbum, trae mucha nostalgia, porque se trata de regresar a mi esencia, a quien era cuando hacía música sin pretensiones, sin pensar en números o reproducciones, sino simplemente disfrutando como un niño.

¿Qué artistas te inspiran?

Daddy Yankee es la razón por la que decidí entrar en el mundo del reggaetón. Pero tengo muchas otras inspiraciones: Craig David, Kurt Cobain, James Hetfield de  Metallica y  Ed Sheeran, que es un gran amigo mío.

Cada época tiene artistas que dejan una gran huella en diferentes momentos. Estos son algunos de ellos, pero hay muchos más.

¿Qué otros géneros de música colombiana escuchas?

Me encanta la Salsa Colombiana, especialmente la de Cali y Medellín. También me fascina la música vallenata, como la de Silvestre Dangond. Admiro mucho lo que hace Andrés Cepeda, al igual que Fonseca. Disfruto mucho del rock de Juanes, que es de mi ciudad natal. “El Rock De Mi Pueblo” de Carlos Vives también es un álbum que me gusta mucho. Creo que Colombia tiene una música increíble. Por supuesto, también está la música tradicional como la cumbia y el joropo. Aunque esa música puede ser menos comercial, su sabor y ritmo están muy presentes en la música del país.

Eres conocido por tus colaboraciones. ¿Con qué artistas, compositores o productores de la nueva escena de música urbana en Colombia te gustaría colaborar?

Han surgido muchos talentos. En este momento, está Kapo con su canción Afrobeat “Ohnana”, Esteban Rojas de Cali, que me gusta mucho, y Philip Ariaz de Medellín, que es increíble. Nath de Medallo también es muy buena. Pirlo de Cali es fantástico, y  El H de la costa también es genial. Hay tantos artistas. Pero con todos ellos, sé que si surge la oportunidad, podríamos trabajar juntos y disfrutar de la conexión que tenemos.

¿Cómo te ha apoyado Spotify a ti y a tu música?

Spotify ha sido fundamental para mi carrera. La plataforma me ha ayudado a llegar a una audiencia realmente global. Desde que me convertí en el artista más escuchado a nivel mundial hace un par de años, realmente he visto lo valioso que es Spotify para ayudar a los artistas a ser descubiertos, y cómo los oyentes pueden explorar diferentes culturas de otros países a través de sus listas Top 50.

¿Cómo te gusta descubrir nueva música en Spotify?

Cada día se lanzan miles de canciones. Me gusta concentrarme en las listas Top 50, no solo en los países latinos, que suelen ser el núcleo donde se reproduce nuestra música, sino que también me interesa mucho lo que se escucha en lugares como Nigeria, Japón, Suecia, Países Bajos, Lituania y Polonia. Esto me ayuda a ampliar mi perspectiva y a pensar en otros géneros y lenguajes que quizá no conocía antes.

Regresa a los inicios con J Balvin y su nuevo álbum Rayo, disponible ahora.