How has Spotify RADAR helped aritsts over five years?
Spotify RADAR has boosted the careers of 1,000 artists, but what has been the impact?
Back in 2020, Spotify had a clear objective; to spotlight the next wave of global music talent for all the world to see. This vision became RADAR. Not to be confused with the personalised Release Radar playlist, RADAR is a programme designed to support emerging artists with tools, exposure, and opportunities to grow.
Five years later, Spotify has revealed that RADAR has now supported more than 1,000 artists. Not only is Spotify the biggest digital music streaming platform in the world, it’s also one of the most important platforms for rising talent.
What exactly has the impact of RADAR been on these 1,000 artists’ careers? RADAR has pushed streaming figures into the billions, aided international tours, propelled tracks into the Billboard charts, garnered award nominations, and helped sell out headline shows. Both performers and songwriters have felt the positive effects of RADAR on their burgeoning music careers.
What are RADAR’s results?
RADAR’s reach is vast. Available in all 183 countries where Spotify operates, it connects artists to local audiences while also helping them break into international markets. Each region tailors its support to reflect culture and trends, making the programme as diverse as the music it champions.
Spotify shared some impressive figures highlighting the significant impact of RADAR:
- More than 338 billion collective streams generated by RADAR artists.
- Over 6.5 billion discoveries sparked among listeners.
- Songs added to 1.5 million Spotify editorial playlists.
- Placement in 1.1 billion user-generated playlists worldwide.
Successful RADAR artists
Peso Pluma joined RADAR US in 2023 and quickly saw his listeners surge by over 50%, making him the most-streamed RADAR artist to date.
K-Pop group aespa, who debuted with Black Mamba in 2020, experienced explosive growth with a 1,433% jump in listeners during their first month, and now count more than 10 million monthly fans.
Indie-pop singer Rachel Chinouriri has also flourished, rising from 1.4 million to 4.3 million monthly listeners, earning BRIT nominations, and selling out US shows.
Australian band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers boosted their audience by over 200% through RADAR, later winning an ARIA Award and touring with Pearl Jam. As they put it: “Being a RADAR artist brought us to so many new audiences. We’ve been able to go to America, go overseas, and seeing our faces on playlist covers is crazy—really incredible.”
Other notable names who’ve passed through RADAR include Central Cee, Wet Leg, The Kid LAROI, Tems, and LE SSERAFIM – artists now known around the globe.
Support for songwriters too
It’s not just performers reaping the benefits of this spotlighting programme. RADAR has also turned its focus to those behind the music. Since 2022, dedicated campaigns have highlighted emerging songwriters in over a dozen markets. Talents like Ines Dunn, Alessandro La Cava, and Mbryo have all been featured, while LA-based producer uv killin em has been spotlighted for work with Drake and Sleepy Hallow.
TikTok has also been shining a well-deserved light on songwriters recently, having launched a set of new ‘TikTok Songwriter Features‘.
What’s next for RADAR?
Five years of RADAR tells a story of growth, discovery, and opportunity. What began as a way to highlight new voices has become a global platform, helping more than 1,000 artists and songwriters connect with listeners in meaningful ways.
As Spotify puts it, RADAR is a bet on the future. With billions of streams already behind it and new artists joining all the time, the programme is set to keep creating chances for fresh talent to be heard.