
Across music, podcasts, and audiobooks, Spotify listeners are turning toward French-language content. In fact, more than 100 million users worldwide listened to at least one piece of audio content in French between August 2023 and July 2024. This phenomenon is driven by the richness and diversity of said content, as well as Spotify's efforts to boost the export of French-speaking music and podcasts through programs like RADAR.
When it comes to music, the French touch had already conquered the world in the '90s, thanks to the success of several French artists on the international scene. But today, in addition to francophone songs performed by artists from France, hitmakers from Quebec, Belgium, and Algeria also have the world dancing.
To date, 39 million Spotify users have added at least one track sung in French to a personal playlist. And since 2019, French-language music streams have surged by 94%, indicating that the sounds and rhythms created by artists from French-speaking countries are appealing to an ever-growing audience.
In the span of 12 months, more than 83 million hours of French-language music resonated in more than 180 countries on Spotify. This represents an average of 50 minutes of music listening per month by non-French-speaking audiences-and when French-language podcasts and audiobooks are added to the mix, that average monthly consumption reaches four hours.
Let's take a closer look at how francophone music is transcending language barriers on Spotify.
Spotify's most-streamed French-language songs globally
Je te laisserai des mots - Patrick Watson
Derni re danse - Indila
Alors on danse - Stromae
Casanova - Gazo and Soolking
B cane A COLORS SHOW - Yam
Spotify's most-streamed French-speaking artists by region North America
Les Cowboys Fringants
Patrick Watson
Stromae
Souldia
Indila
South Africa, Middle East, and Asia
Tayc
Ninho
Gazo
Dadju
Soolking
Asia Pacific
Indila
Patrick Watson
Aya Nakamura
GIMS
Stromae
Europe
Jul
Gazo
Werenoi
Ninho
PLK
Latin America
Stromae
Patrick Watson
Videoclub
Indila
Ad le Castillon
For the Record sat down with Jeremy Erlich, Vice President, Head of Music Content at Spotify, to learn more about the rise of French-language content on our platform.
Tell us more about the francophone music scene and its runaway success. French-language music has always been the stuff of dreams the world over, but physical constraints have not always made it easy for certain artists to export their music and meet their audiences in the four corners of the globe. Spotify has played a key role over the last few years in the rise and export of French-speaking artists from many countries. Our editorial teams on different continents regularly exchange information on emerging and more established talent that might appeal to our users, enabling these artists to be integrated into local playlists outside French-speaking markets. This gives them visibility and allows them to be heard and discovered by other audiences.
Also, it's a credit to French-speaking artists and the power of this music that these artists feature their peers from all over the world-like Dua Lipa and Ang le with Fever, or Aya Nakamura and Stormzy with Plus Jamais, or more recently, Aya Nakamura and Ayra Starr with Hyp . And then sometimes we have an artist like Yseult, who found herself at the top of our world charts for several weeks with Alibi, a track in collaboration with other international artists. She's the first French female artist to enter the Billboard 200 in more than 30 years, the last being Jane Birkin! She's one of my latest favorites, and I invite you to discover her just-released album, MENTAL.
Is there one continent or region that appreciates francophone music the most on Spotify? That's what's so striking-all regions of the world are embracing the richness and diversity of the French-language music scene. What we notice is that from one place to another, we don't necessarily find the same sounds or the same artists resonating with audiences. In Latin America, electro-pop or indie music in French are particularly popular with our users, embodied by artists like Stromae, Patrick Watson, or Ad le Castillon. If we look at Asia Pacific, users gravitate toward artists like Aya Nakamura or GIMS, who are more into R&B, pop, or French variety. But there really are people embracing the French language everywhere, and that's something we've been noticing for several years now. There's been a sharp rise in the number of French-language music listeners on Spotify, which goes hand in hand with our development in many markets, and the language barrier is no longer an issue.
What's on your personal playlist? Which French-speaking artists have impressed you in recent years? It's a long list! Like our users, I have quite varied and eclectic tastes. I'll never tire of the Fonky Family, a group from Marseilles who played a key role in the explosion of the Marseilles hip-hop scene. I'm proud that we support and partner with Les Flammes-the first music awards ceremony dedicated to rap and popular culture in France-and I was delighted to see Le Rat Luciano, one of the members of the Fonky Family, win the Flamme Eternelle last year, which was well deserved.
Belgian artists, meanwhile, are omnipresent in my playlists. Ang le never ceases to surprise and reinvent herself, including with the latest version of Nightcall with Phoenix and Kavinsky, following that incredible performance at the closing ceremony of the summer games. Stromae is another avant-garde artist with undeniable talent who has conquered the world. His festival performance in Palm Desert two years ago thrilled the entire audience, just like Daft Punk in their day, or Gesaffelstein.
Serge Gainsbourg's
More from Spotify
28/08/2025
Corridos have been a cornerstone of M sica Mexicana for generations, telling stories rooted in everyday life. Now, a new chapter is taking shape: motivational c...
28/08/2025
Los corridos han sido un pilar de la M sica Mexicana durante generaciones, contando historias enraizadas en la vida cotidiana. Ahora, un nuevo cap tulo est tom...
28/08/2025
Earlier this month, we promised our Verano Forever party would bring the heat, a...
27/08/2025
As summer days stretch out, long and languorous, listeners across the Northern H...
27/08/2025
It's the waning days of summer, and for anyone trying to squeeze in one more road trip before the leaves begin to turn, Spotify is here with a collection of...
26/08/2025
Spotify's Fan Life is back-and this time, the spotlight shines even brighter...
26/08/2025
Recommendations have always been at the heart of the Spotify experience. Friends...
25/08/2025
As summer winds down and backpacks come out, Gen Z isn't just heading back to class, they're shaping the soundtrack for a whole new season.
For Back to...
25/08/2025
When we launched Jam, the idea was simple: Music is better when it's shared. Since then, listeners around the world have been queuing up tracks, enjoying th...
22/08/2025
The wait is over: Stray Kids return with their fourth full-length album, KARMA. ...
22/08/2025
With their new album, hickey, out now, Aussie indie darlings Royel Otis decided ...
21/08/2025
Spotify and amra, the world's first and only global digital licensing collection society, have entered into a direct multi-territorial, multi-year licensing...
21/08/2025
Spotify is making it easier than ever to connect with your friends on Instagram ...
21/08/2025
From enemies-to-lovers banter to star-crossed soulmates battling curses, romanta...
20/08/2025
There's still plenty of summer left to soak up-and time to catch its hottest flicks. This year, blockbuster season is alive with remakes, superhero sagas, a...
19/08/2025
Spotify users around the world have soundtracked their everyday moments by creating nearly 9 billion playlists. Now, Premium users can take their creativity to ...
19/08/2025
Los usuarios de Spotify en todo el mundo han creado casi 9 mil millones de playl...
15/08/2025
On an otherwise ordinary Wednesday afternoon at one of New York City's most iconic museums, Spotify treated visitors to an extraordinary surprise. As patron...
15/08/2025
At 12:12 AM on August 12, Times Square lit up with something new: a bright-orang...
14/08/2025
Colombia siempre ha sido potencia en innovaci n musical! Desde la revoluci n del reggaet n en Medell n, pasando por las escenas indie y rockeras en Bogot , y el...
14/08/2025
Colombia has long been a powerhouse of musical innovation. From Medell n's reggaet n revolution to Bogot 's indie and rock scenes and Cali's salsa l...
14/08/2025
As the mercury rises and the days stretch long, Spotify has been turning up the vibrant sounds of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean with our Ver...
13/08/2025
Spotify and Kobalt, the world's largest independent music publisher, have entered into a direct, multiyear licensing agreement designed to deliver greater f...
13/08/2025
A vibrant blend of pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and rock, K-Pop is more than just a genre in Mexico-it's a way of life. With more than 14 million K-Pop fa...
13/08/2025
Con una mezcla vibrante de pop, hip-hop, R&B, electr nica y rock, el K-Pop en M xico no es solo un g nero: es una forma de vida. Con m s de 14 millones de fans ...
13/08/2025
In the wake of the devastating July floods in Texas Hill Country-which experienc...
12/08/2025
Whether you're curating a playlist for your dorm, promoting an artist at a live show, or simply sharing your favorite album with friends, Spotify Codes make...
05/08/2025
Since we announced our global partnership with FC Barcelona in 2022, we've been finding new ways to unite the worlds of music and football-amplifying artist...
04/08/2025
At Spotify, we're committed to delivering a world-class, personalized experience for every user. To continue to innovate on our product offerings and featur...
04/08/2025
En Spotify, estamos comprometidos a ofrecer una experiencia personalizada y de primer nivel para cada usuario. Para seguir innovando en nuestras funciones y pro...
04/08/2025
No Spotify, temos o compromisso de oferecer uma experi ncia personalizada e de alto n vel para cada usu rio. Para continuar inovando em nossos produtos e recurs...
01/08/2025
Over the past six weeks, Spotify's been in the vibrant city of Durban in the...
31/07/2025
Next month, Spotify teams up with Live Nation Urban for an exciting new live mus...
30/07/2025
At Spotify, we're always working to enhance your listening experience and connect you more deeply with the artists and music you love. That means helping yo...
29/07/2025
Today, we announced our second quarter 2025 earnings, fueled by standout subscriber and MAU growth. In the first half of 2025, subscriber net additions grew mor...
29/07/2025
Idag rapporterar vi resultatet f r andra kvartalet 2025, med stark tillv xt av antalet prenumeranter och m natliga aktiva anv ndare. Under f rsta halv ret kade...
28/07/2025
Summer is here, and whether you're road-tripping, relaxing poolside, or hosting friends for a backyard barbecue, the right soundtrack can make every moment ...
28/07/2025
In 2021, Spotify launched Amplifika in Brazil as a dedicated program to foster t...
28/07/2025
Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new story, whether you're on the move or just looking for an escape. With Spotify Premium, eligible listeners in s...
25/07/2025
Southeast Asia's music scene is one of the most culturally diverse and it's not just growing, it's exploding. Here, listeners actively champion home...
25/07/2025
Just in time for the release of Happy Gilmore 2, Netflix is turning to Spotify t...
23/07/2025
The days are longer, the nights are warmer, and the soundtrack of summer keeps evolving. Back in May, Spotify's global editors kicked off the season with ou...
23/07/2025
To celebrate the release of KAROL G's acclaimed new album, Tropicoqueta, Spo...
23/07/2025
In June, Spotify and Miley Cyrus tangoed in Paris during an unforgettable evenin...
22/07/2025
After legendary blink-182 drummer and producer Travis Barker survived a horrific, life-threatening plane crash in 2008, his doctors told him he may never walk o...
22/07/2025
In Southeast Asia, music isn't just a backdrop, it's a force that pulses through generations, communities, and cultures. It's the sound of late-nigh...
17/07/2025
Spotify's goal with audiobooks is to help grow the publishing industry and create the best possible experience for booklovers, which is why we're launch...
16/07/2025
Spotify's podcast editorial team is always on the hunt for shows and episodes that spark conversation, push boundaries, and keep us coming back for more. As...
15/07/2025
Spotify une fuerzas con DiDi, la app l der en servicios de movilidad, delivery y...
11/07/2025
If you've ever wondered what might be playing in Clark Kent's headphones...