{"id":106776,"date":"2026-01-13T10:47:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=106776"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:47:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:47:55","slug":"songwriters-to-watch-2026-spotify","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/songwriters-to-watch-2026-spotify\/","title":{"rendered":"Songwriters to Watch 2026 according to Spotify"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As we kick off another year, Spotify’s music team has, again, shared its top picks for Songwriters to Watch 2026.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spotify\u2019s editorial teams have revealed their Songwriters to Watch for 2026<\/a>, shining a light on the songwriters and writer-producers that they believe have the ability and talent to define the sounds of the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having spent hours and days sifting through potential candidates, keeping an eye on who wrote recent breakout hits and where they went next, Spotify’s music team have assembled their group for the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacqueline Ankner, Head of Songwriter & Publisher Partnerships at Spotify, champions these creators, saying, “Songwriters are the architects of the songs we fall in love with, and too often their stories stay behind the scenes.” She added, “With Songwriters to Watch 2026, we are spotlighting the creators shaping culture across genres, from Nashville hitmakers to global pop builders and producer-writers pushing sound forward. Our goal is to help these writers reach new audiences, deepen industry recognition, and celebrate the craft at the heart of every great song.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help listeners discover these writers, Spotify has selected two essential tracks from each songwriter or writing team. These songs highlight their recent work and creative style, and they have all been brought together in Spotify\u2019s Songwriters to Watch 2026 playlist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are Spotify\u2019s Songwriters to Watch 2026, as shared in Spotify’s announcement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travis Wood<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cI Ain\u2019t Sayin\u2019<\/a>\u201d by Jordan Davis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Fox<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cSkoal, Chevy, and Browning<\/a>\u201d by Morgan Wallen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam Westhoff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cBlink Twice<\/a>\u201d by\u00a0Shaboozey<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Myles Smith<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hip-hop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A.Chic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cZEN<\/a>\u201d by JENNIE<\/a>

WATERBOUTUS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cMaske weg<\/a>\u201d by Souly<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Luis Navidad<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cHairdresser<\/a>\u201d by Skye Newman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MANUKA (Will Brown and Conor Dickinson)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cOne Thing<\/a>\u201d by Lola Young<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elvira Anderfj\u00e4rd and Luka Kloser<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cFame Is A Gun<\/a>\u201d by Addison Rae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really special to be included alongside writers we\u2019re genuine fans of,\u201d said Elvira Anderfj\u00e4rd and Luka Kloser. Thankful to be part of this and to share this moment with so many talented writers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Punjabi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IKKY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cSymmetry<\/a>\u201d by Ed Sheeran<\/a> featuring Karan Aujla<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEVERYTHING begins with the songwriting and recognizing songwriters is about respecting the craft and people behind the music we love,\u201d said Ikky. \u201cI am so grateful to Spotify for taking the time to acknowledge us because when writers are supported, great music gets heard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R&B<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GIIFT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cBallin\u2019<\/a>\u201d by Kehlani<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ariel Imani<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cSafety<\/a>\u201d by BJRNCK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Caitlin Stubbs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cSaving Up<\/a>\u201d by Dom Dolla<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afropop and Afrofusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tempoe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cWith You<\/a>\u201d by Davido<\/a> featuring Omah Lay<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saszy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cYBIL (You Believe in Love)<\/a>\u201d by Qing Madi<\/a> featuring Kizz Daniel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Laura Prias<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential track: \u201cWapa<\/a>\u201d by\u00a0Jerry Di<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n