
Since 2007, the Way Out West music festival has been a cultural melting pot in Sweden. Located in a large, lush park in Gothenburg, the three-day-long festival celebrates music discovery, sustainability, and diversity, and attracts approximately 50,000 fans each year. At the festival, you can find H jden by Spotify, our live stage nestled among the trees, where you can dance, eat good food, discover new music, or simply sit down and relax.
On August 11, which marked hip-hop's 50th birthday, we decided to celebrate in a big way with our 100 Live showcase. New and upcoming talents-along with some of the most prominent names in Swedish hip-hop history-met at one of the festival's largest stages to perform an epic show that paid tribute to the genre and its cultural impact in Sweden over the past 50 years.
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
Photo Credit: Daniela Spiroska/@danijelska
NEXT
For the Record spoke with one of the editors behind 100, our official playlist for Swedish hip-hop, who gave us the scoop on how the genre has evolved in the country since the '80s.
How would you describe Swedish hip-hop? What are its origins and where does it draw inspiration? The hip-hop scene in Sweden was sparked by the genre's rise in the U.S. It gained popularity in Sweden in the '80s, adopting regional sounds from American artists. In the '90s, and by the '00s, it had established itself commercially.
From the '10s and onward, the scene has been defined by self-reliance, autonomy, and a punk-like ethos. Artists in the Swedish hip-hop scene have always taken a very DIY approach to their art, production, and business. That includes the originators, who had little means and were living their subculture, and the current heavy hitters within the music industry, who still very much maintain autonomy over what they create.
Over the past few years, Swedish hip-hop has exploded commercially and sits at the forefront in terms of youth culture and current trends. It's not only taking cues from American hip-hop but incorporating influences from all over-whether it be European counterparts, or from the sounds of the diasporas hailing from Africa, the Balkans, South America, or the Middle East.
What sets Swedish hip-hop apart from other forms of hip-hop? Sweden is a country of great diversity, and its hip-hop scene is filled with artists who offer a wide range of experiences and perspectives. That means that there is likely some Swedish hip-hop out there that will appeal to you.
The sounds incorporated within the genre have diversified and evolved as well, so even if you don't understand the language, you can still enjoy the melodic qualities of Swedish hip-hop.
What are some rising trends in Swedish hip-hop that fans should keep an eye on? There are quite a few prominent sounds influencing Swedish hip-hop, like Sample Drill, Jersey Club, and Afrobeats, to name a few. However, the most significant thing is the cross-border collaborations between hip-hop artists throughout Europe. They disregard the language barrier, and over the past few months we've seen collaborations between not just Nordic artists, but MCs from Spain, Italy, the U.K., Germany, Greece, Albania-to name a few.
Local scenes across Europe are cultivating their own stars while sharing the quintessential European experience and fostering a cultural exchange with one another.
Want to discover some of the hottest artists who helped Spotify celebrate hip-hop's 50th birthday at Way Out West? Check out 100, our playlist showcasing the latest rap hits coming out of Sweden.
More from Spotify
07/05/2025
Discovering music should feel effortless and fun. That's why Spotify continu...
06/05/2025
In Colombia, music isn't just background noise-it's center stage. It'...
06/05/2025
En Colombia, la m sica no suena de fondo: es el centro del escenario. Es el cora...
06/05/2025
At Spotify, we always seek ways to connect users with their next favorite podcas...
06/05/2025
Since Spotify's 2019 launch in India, the growth of the country's local ...
05/05/2025
As Europe gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Spotify is celebrating the spirit of unity and musical legacy with a new series of Spotify Singles. Fiv...
02/05/2025
Updated May 2: In a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors, Apple...
02/05/2025
Since 2022, Spotify and FC Barcelona have brought the worlds of music and footba...
02/05/2025
With more than 678 million users worldwide tuned in to Spotify, we're at the heart of music and culture. Our unrivaled global community of artists, songwrit...
01/05/2025
After four years of lectures, study sessions, exams, and parties, college senior...
30/04/2025
EA SPORTS FC 25 fans in Australia and Saudi Arabia, get ready to immerse yourselves in the beautiful game like never before. Spotify is excited to announce a n...
30/04/2025
The past year has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Tucker Wetmore. After th...
30/04/2025
Mexico's love for podcasts is no longer a trend-it's a lifestyle. With m...
29/04/2025
Idag rapporterar vi f r det f rsta kvartalet 2025, och vi inleder ret starkt med ett resultat som vertr ffar f rv ntningarna inom v ra nyckeltal. Vi levererad...
29/04/2025
Today, we announced our first quarter 2025 earnings, starting the year off strong by outperforming across key metrics, including the highest Q1 Subscriber net a...
29/04/2025
April is Arab Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the vibrant creators from acro...
28/04/2025
Podcasts have become a cornerstone of the Spotify experience, evolving from a ni...
28/04/2025
Each April, runners and walkers of all stripes gather together in Lower Manhattan for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum 5K. This race remembers those killed on Septemb...
24/04/2025
Playlists have always been at the heart of the Spotify experience. Since AI Playlist in beta launched last year, Premium users have used it to create millions o...
24/04/2025
From the California desert and Chicago's Grant Park to New York City's Flushing Meadows Corona Park and beyond, music festivals this spring and summer w...
24/04/2025
The sounds of Asia are as diverse and vibrant as the continent itself. From the lively beats of Indonesian pop to the gritty rhymes of Pinoy hip-hop, the region...
22/04/2025
Music has the power to connect us to one another and to the world around us. Spotify is once again teaming up with the Museum for the United Nations - UN Live...
22/04/2025
Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all g...
22/04/2025
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22. On Spotify, listeners can explore a world of stories about our planet in our...
15/04/2025
In March this year, Spotify unveiled its annual Loud & Clear report, a transpare...
15/04/2025
As the world's most popular audio-streaming subscription service, Spotify is...
14/04/2025
On Monday, April 14, Blue Origin's NS-31 mission lifted off from Launch Site...
14/04/2025
Whether it's having first access to tickets, being a part of once-in-a-lifet...
11/04/2025
Since entering the audiobooks space in 2022, Spotify has positively impacted the industry, paying out hundreds of millions of dollars to rights holders on an an...
11/04/2025
Latin America's love for scripted audio is about to get a thrilling new chap...
08/04/2025
As part of the first-of-its kind partnership between Spotify and FC Barcelona, w...
03/04/2025
Spotify Advertising hit a new high note today as we unveiled how we're makin...
03/04/2025
The next stage of Spotify Advertising has arrived. Today, during our Spotify Advance event in New York City, we unveiled a host of updates that make it easier f...
03/04/2025
Some of the biggest names in marketing, advertising, publishing, traditional and social media, and the creative worlds gathered yesterday at Chelsea Factory in ...
01/04/2025
USHER's London takeover is in full swing. After kicking off his sold-out run of shows at the O2 Arena to rave reviews, the R&B icon joined forces with Spoti...
27/03/2025
Since announcing the Spotify Partner Program last fall, we've heard from cre...
26/03/2025
nda sedan Spotify grundades har vi arbetat h rt f r att ka betalningsviljan f r...
26/03/2025
Spotify's RADAR program spotlights rising talent from around the world, and in Spain, it's been making waves since 2020. Five years in, RADAR Spain has ...
20/03/2025
Spotify listeners love discovering new artists and songs, but they also love fin...
18/03/2025
Looking for inspiration this Women's History Month? Discover the stories of trailblazing women with audiobooks on Spotify. Our Women's History Month aud...
18/03/2025
From morning commutes to late-night listening sessions, Spotify is the essential daily companion for millions of listeners globally. Podcasts, in particular, ha...
14/03/2025
Time flies when you're having fun and we can confidently say that Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and Spotify's Head of Talk Strategy, is having not...
13/03/2025
Spotify took center stage at the London Book Fair this week, reaffirming our commitment to the audiobook market and showcasing our impact on the publishing indu...
13/03/2025
At Spotify, we work every day to lift up new voices, giving creators the opportunity to live off their art. Through Spotify Audiobooks, our in-house publishing ...
12/03/2025
O Spotify acaba de lan ar o relat rio Loud & Clear deste ano, uma vis o transpar...
12/03/2025
Spotify acaba de presentar el informe Loud & Clear de este a o, una mirada trans...
12/03/2025
Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience thi...
12/03/2025
Spotify has just unveiled this year's Loud & Clear report, a transparent loo...
11/03/2025
Salsa is making a comeback, captivating new listeners with its infectious energy...
11/03/2025
For many people, music can serve as a reflection of their roots and upbringing. ...