
As hip-hop turns 50, fans around the world are celebrating its golden anniversary. For a genre that started at a block party in the Bronx, this milestone is a testament to the massive impact and influence hip-hop has had in virtually every corner of the globe.
And today on Spotify, hip-hop is thriving, with artists and fans from around the world discovering and connecting with one another. In 2023, nearly a quarter of all streams on Spotify globally are hip-hop music, led by artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Ice Spice, and Metro Boomin.
But it goes further than that . . .
Hip-hop is one of the most-listened-to genres globally on Spotify, and more than 400 million users around the world have streamed hip-hop music in 2023 so far.
RapCaviar ranks as the second most-followed playlist on Spotify.
Around the globe, there are over 53 million user-generated and Spotify-curated playlists on Spotify that mention hip-hop or rap in the title of the playlist, and over 2 billion playlists that contain at least one hip-hop song.
For the past three years, almost half of Spotify's Top 50 most-streamed artists globally have been hip-hop or rap artists.
One of the most distinct aspects of hip-hop culture is its regionality, with the unique sounds coming out of local U.S. scenes like New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami helping one of the most dynamic genres in the world flourish.
That's why we're celebrating these iconic regions with a series of original murals created by Raj Dhunna.
NEXT
In New York, Chief Keef, Pop Smoke, and 808 Melo will be featured as we highlight drill's evolution over the years, while Lil' Kim and Cardi B will appear in a second mural honoring the Big Apple's legendary women rappers. In Atlanta, we're toasting the globalization of trap with T.I. and Arc ngel. In Los Angeles, we're saluting Dr. Dre and Mustard, two titans of the West Coast sound. And in Miami, we're paying homage to the provocative flows of Trina.
NEXT
In Mexico, we're also honoring the country's most influential hip-hop stars with a mural that features over 15 artists, including Akwid, Cartel De Santa, Santa Fe Klan, and Gera MX.
It's interesting that hip-hop has become regional, but also region-less at the same time, said Carl Chery, Creative Director, Head of Urban Music, Spotify. Trap is no longer exclusive to Atlanta. We've heard Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole on trap beats. Drill is no longer exclusive to London, Chicago, and New York; it's a global sound. It's always fascinating to see how fast sounds travel now.
But as hip-hop continues to grow and evolve, it's not just U.S. regions that are setting the agenda. In countries and markets across the world, artists and fans are putting their stamp on the genre as they take inspiration from hip-hop's pioneers and innovators in the U.S. and add their own special flair to the music and culture.
In 2023 to date, the Top 10 markets for hip-hop streams on Spotify are . . .
USA
Mexico
Brazil
Germany
France
UK
Spain
India
Canada
Italy
I think American artists approach music with a much more global mindset now. They're aware that there's an entire world to conquer out there, Carl explained. We're also seeing more artists from global markets having success in the U.S. Central Cee is a great example. We're now in a space where culture can originate in Toronto, London, Paris, or Nigeria and make its way to the U.S.
To better understand the global impact hip-hop has had over the last half-century, For the Record talked to Spotify Editors in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, South Africa, Colombia, and the Philippines. They shared their insights on the defining moments that helped hip-hop blossom in their countries, what makes each region's sound unique, and exciting local artists the world should be looking out for.
Brazil Hip-hop in Brazil basically started in S o Paulo in the mid-'80s, when young people from different neighborhoods were regularly gathering downtown to have fun and share their cultural inspirations from around the world, like in the classic hip-hop film Wild Style. The political and social climate in Brazil at the time-which revolved around the end of the military dictatorship and a lack of job opportunities, among other things-revealed shared vulnerabilities that united these young fans, who were Black and poor for the most part.
What makes Brazilian hip-hop unique: One distinct aspect of Brazilian hip-hop is that it's strongly linked with drums. As a people with a close relationship with African roots, BR rap incorporates other Brazilian genres, rhythmic constructions influenced by samba and African religions learned from samba and African-matrix religions, and rhyme schemes inspired by repente and embolada-local genres from the northeastern part of the country. These rhyme schemes and influences help emphasize much of the genre's message: A vibrant call for social and racial equity.
Artists to look out for: Orochi, Matu , and RADAR pick Veigh.
Mexico Mexico has a wholesome relationship with hip-hop music, not only because of its closeness to the U.S. but also because the street culture and the fight for the community are integral to Mexican identity. From the earliest days of hip-hop, Mexico has been embracing the sound. This started with the comedian Memo Rios when he recorded a Spanish-language parody of The Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight with funny lyrics. Then in the '80s, Mexican pop began to mix with hip-hop in TV top programs, and hip-hop reached the hood when those who had been deported from the U.S. returned to Mexico. But things really took off in the '90s, as rap collectives started to form and DJs began throwing parties all over the country. That was the decade when Me
More from Spotify
08/07/2025
This summer, as the energy builds for one of the biggest moments in women's ...
04/07/2025
The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...
30/06/2025
There's nothing quite like the magic of finding music that feels made just f...
30/06/2025
When it comes to new music, Spotify's team of editors across North America is always on the hunt for songs that make them feel, think, and move. They're...
27/06/2025
K-Pop remains one of the biggest genres globally, and many fans just can't get enough of it. That's why Spotify has launched a new series of K-Pop perf...
25/06/2025
Last week, content creators from all over the world flocked to Anaheim for VidCon 2025, one of the largest creator conferences in the U.S. As an official sponso...
24/06/2025
Last week, Spotify returned to the Croisette for our 11th year at the Cannes Lio...
20/06/2025
In just a few days, the pilgrimage to Worthy Farm begins. Glastonbury, the legen...
19/06/2025
On Wednesday, Spotify and Miley Cyrus tangoed in Paris during an unforgettable e...
18/06/2025
Since popping up in 2020, RADAR Italia has not only supported emerging artists but also reflected the cultural and musical richness of Italy. Over the past five...
17/06/2025
In South Africa, the rebirth and resurgence of the vibrant folk genre Maskandi has captured the attention of music fans, becoming the country's fastest-grow...
16/06/2025
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is officially underway for...
16/06/2025
On Spotify, francophone content continues to cross borders at an unprecedented rate. In 2024 alone, more than 123 million listeners worldwide streamed audio con...
13/06/2025
Photo credit: Atsushi Nishijima
If you're a true lover of rom-coms, chances...
12/06/2025
In 2018, Spotify launched Heart & Soul, a mental health initiative developed to ...
11/06/2025
When a music fan creates a playlist on Spotify, it's not just for listening-...
11/06/2025
Hur s krar vi Europas konkurrenskraft i en tid av snabb teknikutveckling? Och hur rustar vi samh llet f r framtidens kompetensbehov inom AI, tech och kultur? Un...
11/06/2025
Spotify and ENHYPEN are inviting fans to step inside the world of DESIRE : UNLEA...
10/06/2025
A new generation of artists is redefining Morocco's pop music scene, blending their deep-rooted heritage with contemporary influences to create sounds that ...
10/06/2025
Since Audiobooks in Premium launched on Spotify in 2023, we've seen strong g...
09/06/2025
It was Thursday night in New York City and The Box was buzzing with excitement. The edgy nightclub, known for its lavish theatrics, provided the perfect backdro...
06/06/2025
Spotify is dedicated to lifting up the voices and contributions of all artists, creators, and authors. This Pride Month and beyond, we're also taking a mome...
06/06/2025
Spotify is heading back to France for the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and this year we'll showcase how Spotify is more alive t...
05/06/2025
Whether she's in the studio, on a tour bus, or traveling the world, there...
05/06/2025
Spotify and United are teaming up to deliver an even more entertaining in-flight...
05/06/2025
On Wednesday, Spotify brought together Mexico's vibrant podcast community fo...
05/06/2025
Last month, Spotify brought Travis Scott to Barcelona to play his first-ever show in the city and celebrate the release of his Spotify x Cactus Jack x Bar a jer...
04/06/2025
Today, Spotify launches its Loud & Clear report-our annual deep dive into the economics of music streaming-in Canada, and with it, a powerful story of how Canad...
29/05/2025
Japan's music scene is entering an exciting new chapter. Long known for its ...
28/05/2025
Spotify is all about bringing you closer to the voices and stories you love. Tha...
28/05/2025
A ind stria musical do Brasil est passando por uma transforma o hist rica - e o Spotify segue iluminando esse caminho. A vers o mais recente do relat rio Loud...
28/05/2025
Brazil's music industry is in the midst of a historic transformation-and Spotify continues to help illuminate the path. Our most recent Loud & Clear report,...
28/05/2025
Spotify's commitment to transparency and artist empowerment continues to res...
21/05/2025
When CMA Fest springs to life in Nashville each year, Spotify House is always one of the top destinations-and 2025 was no different. For the sixth year, Spotify...
21/05/2025
Marking a first, Spotify has launched the Upcoming Releases hub-a destination so...
20/05/2025
Throughout the month of May, Spotify is celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by amplifying the many artists, creators, and authors who share th...
20/05/2025
It's officially summer on Spotify and, once again, our team of best-in-class...
19/05/2025
For the past decade, Spotify's Fresh Finds playlists have served as a launchpad for emerging independent artists, helping them break through and connect wit...
17/05/2025
Globally, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists, creators, and authors contin...
16/05/2025
As Beyonc s COWBOY CARTER Tour sparks excitement around the world, Spotify is helping the BeyHive get concert-ready with a limited-edition collection of playli...
14/05/2025
Spotify and FC Barcelona's partnership saw its sixth jersey takeover this we...
14/05/2025
At Spotify, we believe that our incredible bandmates (that's what we call our team) are the driving force behind our success. Longtime Spotifier Anna Lundst...
13/05/2025
Spotify aims to bring compelling audiobooks to as many consumers as possible, and we're eager to give fans even more options as they discover their next gre...
13/05/2025
People all over the world love DJ. At the gym, at home, whenever and wherever you want a deeper experience with great music, DJ is the answer. In fact, DJ liste...
09/05/2025
As excitement builds for the annual Eurovision Song Contest, Spotify data offers...
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
Updated May 16, 2025: We always aim to provide the best Spotify experience, and ...
06/05/2025
Since Spotify's 2019 launch in India, the growth of the country's local ...