Tag: music genre

Cumbia Takes Center Stage as Spotify Celebrates Argentina’s Most-Listened-To Genre

November 5, 2025

Cumbia has long been woven into daily life in Argentina, and its popularity on Spotify continues to grow. The genre now stands as the country’s most-streamed sound, with Buenos Aires leading the world in cumbia listening.

Since 2020, local cumbia streams have surged by 237%, outpacing other popular Latin genres like reggaetón (+79%) and bachata (+155%). In 2023, cumbia grew another 73%, led by Ke Personajes becoming the first cumbia act to top the country’s most-streamed artist list. The momentum continued in 2024 with an additional 15% increase.

Today, 7 out of 10 Spotify users in Buenos Aires listen to cumbia. Midday is the genre’s peak listening time, often providing the backdrop for the city’s signature “asadito cumbiero,” an informal barbecue gathering with friends and family. Streams also spike in December, when cumbia becomes the soundtrack to Argentina’s holiday season.

A sound that keeps evolving

Cumbia’s journey in Argentina is a story of reinvention. In the 1980s and ’90s, tropical and santafesina styles flourished with Los Palmeras, Grupo Sombras, Los Charros, Antonio Ríos, and Gilda.

The 2000s saw the rise of cumbia villera (Pablo Lescano’s Flor De Piedra, Damas Gratis, Los Pibes Chorros, Mala Fama, Yerba Brava) and a melodic wave from Karina, El Polaco, and Grupo Play.

The 2010s and beyond brought viral dances, cumbia turra, and today’s Cumbia 420 and genre crossovers—think L-Gante, La Joaqui, DJ Tao, and Cazzu blending cumbia with trap and reggaetón.

Today’s cumbia soundtrack

Cumbia now dominates both playlists and charts. In 2025, some of the most-streamed cumbia tracks in Argentina include:

    1. “Amor de Vago” by La T y La M and Malandro
    2. “Piel” by Ke Personajes and Tiago PZK
    3. “Conmigo Te Gustó” by Pinky SD, Un Poco de Ruido, and Uriel Lozano
    4. “Perdonarte, ¿Para Qué?” by Emilia and Los Ángeles Azules
    5. “Un Besito Más” by Diel Paris and Salastkbron

Celebrating at Casa Spotify

To mark cumbia’s rise as Argentina’s most-listened-to genre, Spotify hosted three events at Casa Spotify in Buenos Aires:

Check out photos from the events below, and stream Damas Gratis’ live session on Spotify.

Salsa’s Rhythmic Revival: A New Generation Discovers the Genre’s Timeless Appeal

March 11, 2025

Salsa is making a comeback, captivating new listeners with its infectious energy and compelling narratives. Spotify data underscores this trend, revealing a global surge in salsa streams of more than 140% over the past five years, with U.S. consumption nearly doubling.

What’s driving the resurgence? Look no further than Gen Z. Listeners aged 18 to 24 are now the second-largest demographic streaming salsa worldwide, demonstrating a clear embrace of its unique sound.

While mainstream stars like Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro have introduced salsa to wider audiences, artists like Christian Alicea, Luis Figueroa, Moa Rivera, Luis Vázquez, and Jonathan Moly are taking the music in new directions. They’re blending tradition with modern sounds, keeping salsa fresh and exciting.

Of course, the classics endure. Tracks like “Lloraras” by Dimensión Latina and Oscar D’León and “Ven Devórame Otra Vez” by Lalo Rodríguez continue to resonate with listeners, consistently ranking among the top-streamed salsa songs.

Salsa’s growing footprint

The genre’s rising popularity is evident across the U.S. In 2024, several cities experienced remarkable growth in salsa consumption on Spotify, including:

    • Reno, NV (124%)
    • Virginia Beach, VA (123%)
    • Midland, TX (114%)
    • Columbia, SC (102%)
    • Baltimore, MD (101%)

Top tracks and shared favorites

Here’s a glimpse into what listeners are currently enjoying on Spotify:

Most-streamed salsa songs (past year, globally)

    1. “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” by Bad Bunny
    2. “Lloraras” by Dimensión Latina and Oscar D’León
    3. “Una Vida Pasada” by Camilo and Carin Leon
    4. “Virgen” by Adolescent’s Orquesta
    5. “Tu Con El” by Frankie Ruiz

Most-shared salsa songs (past year, globally)

    1. “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” by Bad Bunny
    2. “Tú Con Él” by Rauw Alejandro
    3. “Oh Que Sera” by Willie Colón
    4. “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony
    5. “Virgen” by Adolescent’s Orquesta

Take a dip into Spotify’s Salsa Nation playlist to discover the diverse sounds the genre has to offer, from classic anthems to contemporary hits.