Spotify Expands to Six More Countries Around the World

In February, we announced a sweeping global expansion to introduce Spotify to more than a billion people around the world. So over the subsequent months, we launched in more than 80 new markets and added 36 languages to our platform. Today, we're furthering that commitment by launching in six more markets: Iraq, Libya, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

By making both our Free and Premium services available in Iraq, Libya, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Spotify users in those markets will now be able to listen to the global and local artists they have come to love-and explore new ones. What's more, local artists will receive an opportunity to reach new audiences both at home and abroad.

Spotify is committed to being available to users and creators regardless of where they live. By adding these six markets to our global ecosystem, we're better able to introduce the music and sounds of more people, places, and cultures to listeners around the world.

Venezuela in particular has a unique sound that's as diverse as the country's landscape. Venezuelan music is a melting pot of sounds and rhythms that are derived from the many different people who immigrated into the country throughout the 20th century and paved the path for a diverse and rich musical identity.

Venezuela has exported many recognizable names, like Ricardo Montaner, who has been representing and leading the culture globally for many decades; duo Chino & Nacho, who helped open the door to a new generation of artists internationally; and Danny Ocean, whose hit Me Reh so has more than a billion streams on Spotify.

Already, Venezuelan artists Tayko and Irepelusa have been featured in our RADAR Andinos program-and with Spotify's launch in their home country, their opportunities to grow their fan bases expand even further.

For the sounds of Venezuela, check out:

Made In Venezuela - Contemporary and catalog content from Venezuelan artists for the world

Flow Venezuela - Urban releases from frontline Venezuelan artists

Llano Adentro - Music from the Venezuelan and Colombian plains

Iraq, too, has a unique sound to share with the world. Iraqi music, also known as the Music of Mesopotamia, has historic roots in ancient traditions. However, it has also continued to evolve through the eras-from the creation of the oldest guitar in the world and the invention of the lute, to the addition of a fifth string to the rhythms and the various Iraqi maqams. Iraqi music includes contemporary music styles such as pop, rock, soul, and urban contemporary, and has proven to be an important part of the country's culture.

Iraq has exported many recognizable names, including Kadim Al Sahir, who has been dubbed the Caesar of Arabic songs and Iraq's ambassador to the world for many decades; Majid Al Mohandis, who was awarded the title of the Engineer of the Arabic song because of his success in the Arab world; and Saif Nabeel and Aseel Hameem, who brought a new generation onto the stage.

Get to know the hits of Iraq in , find new Iraqi songs on , or fall in love with Iraqi Romance songs. And start streaming some of the other musicians from the region, including Saif Amer, Rahma Riad, and Mahmoud Al Turky.

We're so excited for even more artists and fans to now be able to connect-no matter where they're listening from.

LINK:	https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-11-17/spotify-expands-to-six-more-co...
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