Hungarian artists outperform global stars on Spotify in their home market
Recent research has shown that local artists are a bigger hit than the likes of Sabrina Carpenter in Hungary.
Hungarian artists have made a major impact on Spotify in 2024, outperforming global superstars in their home country. Research from the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) shows that only five of the top 20 most-streamed artists on Spotify in Hungary were from outside the country. This trend aligns with broader European patterns, where local musicians are increasingly dominating domestic charts, often outperforming international acts, as seen in domestic artists dominating EU charts.
Azahriah was a standout performer, placing three tracks in Spotify’s Hungarian top 20. His collaboration with DESH and Young Fly, Pannonia, became the most-streamed song of 2024 on both Spotify and YouTube in Hungary, receiving over 35 million plays across the platforms.
Other Hungarian artists also achieved significant success. DESH’s solo track reached 305 million views on YouTube, while Azahriah’s solo work garnered 277 million views. These figures show the strong connection between Hungarian audiences and their domestic artists.
International artists had a more modest presence. Billie Eilish was the most-streamed foreign performer on Spotify in Hungary, with 11.5 million plays, while Artemas’ I Like the Way You Kiss Me was streamed more than 7 million times.
Music Ally points out that the NMHH study also highlighted differences between online streaming and radio play. “While radio stations try to follow changing musical tastes and strive to play popular hits, they often do not broadcast certain pieces of music, no matter how popular they are online, due to obscene lyrics or the different tastes of their own target audience,” it noted. For example, Azahriah’s tracks, streamed 61 million times online, were played only 16,000 times across 144 radio stations, ranking him 24th on the radio chart.
The 2024 charts reveal a clear shift in listening habits, with Hungarian artists not only capturing local attention but reshaping the musical landscape at home. Their success underscores the power of cultural connection, showing that audiences are drawn to music that speaks to their own experiences, language, and identity – sometimes over global trends or international stars.