Tag: discover

USC Basketball Star Juju Watkins on Fashion, Film, Friendship Bracelets, and More

March 18, 2024

Listeners turn to Spotify to connect with their favorites—from artists and albums to audiobooks and podcasts. At the same time, playlists like Discover Weekly and Daylist, curated recommendations like Fresh Finds, and new features like Smart Shuffle and Jam are helping users find new favorites. In fact, nearly 2 billion music discoveries happen on Spotify every single day.

When creators share playlists, products, and personalities, they open up whole new worlds for their fans and followers. That’s why For the Record’s ongoing Discovery Monday series connects with content creators about their recent finds, whether it’s new music, podcasts, TV, food, beauty, technology, or fashion.

This month, we’re talking to college basketball star Juju Watkins. Just a freshman at the University of Southern California, Juju is already one of the most talented and high-profile players in the country. The guard has been in the public spotlight since she was a top-rated high school recruit and has attracted a massive social media following along the way. This level of popularity has turned Juju’s home games into one of LA’s hottest tickets, and it’s not uncommon to see multiple celebs in attendance on any given night. While Juju is expected to jump to the pros after college, she’s also an aspiring entrepreneur whose interests include fashion and travel.

For the Record sat down with Juju to chat about her experience as a college athlete, her life off the court, and her favorite songs, artists, and playlists on Spotify.

What new things have you discovered that you’re enjoying right now?

Lately, I’ve been fully immersed in basketball and the season. I have focused on giving my all to the game and supporting my team.

You’ve built a huge following on Instagram and count many pro athletes and musicians as fans. Are there any memorable moments you’ve had with them?

It’s been cool connecting with other pro athletes and with musicians. I’ve received friendship bracelets—it’s a small gesture, but memorable. 

What’s been the biggest difference between high school and college on or off the court? 

Managing my time and energy effectively has been crucial in transitioning from high school to college and balancing class and basketball. On the court, the biggest difference lies in the heightened level of experience, basketball IQ, and physicality. It has taught me the importance of continuous growth and adapting to new challenges.

When you’re not playing ball, what are your other pursuits?

I enjoy indulging in a few hobbies. Fashion is one of my passions, so I like shopping and expanding my style. I also like to watch movies, whether catching a film at the theater or watching one at home. Movies are a great way for me to unwind and relax off the court.

Who’s a recently discovered artist or what’s a new genre that you’ve been listening to? 

Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Ambré, but I enjoy exploring different genres, so I’m always open to discovering new artists.

What do you like to listen to when you’re working out or before a game?

I love to listen to Brent Faiyaz and Mali Nicole—who also happens to be my sister—for that extra motivation and personal connection to the music.

On Spotify, there are so many ways to discover—through playlists like Discover Weekly, features like our AI DJ, or tools like Smart Shuffle. Do you have a favorite?

The Smart Shuffle feature on Spotify is neat. I love New Music Fridays to stay updated on the latest drops, and artist radios are excellent ways to stumble upon unexpected gems.

Our specialty playlists like Niche Mixes and daylist help you discover based on your listening preferences. Which appeals to your specific music taste?

I’m into playlists like Lowkey and DND, but my absolute favorite is JuJu Watkins Taste—I curated it myself, so you should take a listen!

Keep up with Juju on and off the court by following her on Instagram.

Nick Viall Dishes on Relationships, His Podcast, and How He Discovers New Music on Spotify

February 12, 2024

We love helping listeners discover new music on Spotify, and when it comes to features that guide them toward their next favorite songs or artists, personalization tops the list. With Spotify playlists like Discover Weekly and daylist; playlist-enhancing features like Smart Shuffle and Jam; and curated, AI-powered experiences like DJ; nearly 2 billion music discoveries happen on Spotify daily.

But it’s not just fans who love discovery. Creators around the world are constantly sharing their favorite playlists, products, and people with their followers, which in turn helps fans fall in love with the next best thing. And in For the Record’s ongoing Discovery Monday series, we connect with creators to pick their brains about recent finds, from new music to podcasts and beyond.

This month, we’re talking to author, podcaster, and former Bachelor star Nick Viall. Nick’s time in the spotlight started when he was a contestant on the love-driven reality television show The Bachelorette and continued when he was subsequently chosen to be the star of The Bachelor’s 21st season.

In recent years, Nick has expanded his platform beyond the reality TV realm with his podcast The Viall Files, on which he discusses dating, love, and romance. From “Ask Nick” segments to famous guest interviews, the show gives fans a chance to hear Nick’s—and others’—perspective as he tackles everything from friendship, relationships, and the situationships in between.

For the Record sat down with Nick to chat about his love of podcasting, what he discovers from his followers, and his latest favorite Spotify finds.

What have you been up to lately? What new things have you discovered that you’re enjoying right now?

Recently I’ve been focused on expansion. Everything about my life right now is expanding—my family, my team, my network. And so I’ve discovered the excitement and the hard work that comes with trying to grow the world around you. I truly love what I do and I feel very blessed to do it with the people and the team that I have.

One way you connect with fans is on The Viall Files. What does the podcast format allow you to do that other mediums don’t?

We work really hard to deliver quality, entertaining content and especially with the interviews that we get to do. A podcast, with it being of the long format that it is, it really gives you an opportunity to expand, and my goal is to have my audience feel like they’re sitting in the room with me. 

And whether it’s interviewing or having our callers call in for our “Ask Nick” episodes to share their relationship stories and struggles, we get a chance to offer advice through the mistakes that we’ve made in the past. It’s all very rewarding and a lot of fun. I feel very lucky that I get to do what I do.

Your podcast covers all things dating and love. What is your favorite topic or segment that you cover on the show?

The relationship and dating space is always going to be a favorite of mine. I’ve always been really interested in social dynamics. Going back to school and becoming a therapist is a goal that I’ve stated that I want to do for the last chapter of my professional career, whenever that is… 

And really, when it comes to that space, everything about our show aims to help people value themselves a little bit more than they sometimes do. And we try to steer people to just make good decisions for themselves. We don’t try to yuck anyone’s yum or criticize anyone for whatever type of lifestyle they want, and we’re just here to help them process the good and the bad in a more honest way because we don’t have anything personally invested in their outcome.

How would you say your experience on The Bachelor helped equip you to talk romance and share advice with your listeners?

Being a part of The Bachelor franchise certainly gives you an incredibly intense version of falling in love, dating, disappointment, and rejection. You also have to understand if your ego is driving your decisions or if you’re actually making decisions that are really sound for your heart. I think going through that experience further taught me how to handle my emotions. And I want to try to pass that knowledge along to the people I talk to to help them with their own relationship struggles.

When you’re on the hunt for inspiration or to discover something new, what tools or resources do you use? 

I will definitely use my show from time to time to put something out there: “Hey, this is what’s going on, would love some feedback.” Google is always really great. And friends for sure. That’s how I definitely like getting referrals and references from people and mentors. Personal connections with people is probably my favorite way to learn. And for music, quite honestly, Spotify is where I discover all my music. Music and podcasts.

Any recent discoveries you’ve been listening to?

SZA is someone I’ve really enjoyed for a while now. And I’m obviously a big Taylor Swift fan. And sometimes I like looking for interesting, dramatic music that we can use for our show. I’ll use Spotify to discover random music soundtracks and things like that. I got into the country genre recently, so Zach Bryan is someone I’m a big fan of. 

What about podcasts?

In addition to being a pop culture and relationship fan, I’m a big football fan—and specifically I like to discover new niche Packers podcasts on Spotify. I listen to them all. I can’t get enough of nerdy football analytics talk, so that’s what I do in my car and what I listen to when I want to unwind and decompress.

What’s your favorite way to discover new music or podcasts on Spotify?

I like to use Discover Weekly. I don’t consider myself a very knowledgeable music person, especially compared to some people. So I really rely on Spotify’s searches and various playlists to help me discover and find new music that I like or podcasts that I enjoy. That feature is great.

 

Discover more about Nick and his take on love and relationships on his podcast, The Viall Files.

Spotify’s Release Radar Personalized Playlist Celebrates Five Years and 16 Billion Streams

September 8, 2021

Five years ago, Fridays got a whole lot better with the launch of Release Radar. The personalized playlist delivers each listener a weekly roundup of new music from the artists they love at the end of the week—and has quickly become a fan favorite in the process. Since its launch in 2016, Spotify users across the globe have streamed from the playlist more than 16 billion times.

Release Radar has become a top-three personalized playlist for listeners around the world, with 18- to 29-year-olds making up more than 50% of the playlist’s audience. It can be found under “Discover New Music” within the “Made For You” hub. In honor of the playlist’s fifth anniversary, we’re sharing a selection of songs and artists that listeners had on their radars.

A few hot tracks:

Some popular artists:

And now, for the first time, Release Radar is joining the ranks of Discover Weekly and On Repeat as the third personalized playlist available for advertising sponsorship. This opportunity allows brands to align with a playlist that sits at the intersection of innovation and culture. It updates every week with music from the last six days, which means listeners are treated to new songs that suit their individual tastes, and advertisers can offer fresh perspectives, services, and products.

Leading the way is Disney+, our first U.S. launch partner. The company will use Release Radar to promote their Billie Eilish concert film Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles, which premiered on September 3. Learn more about the opportunity at Ads.Spotify.com.

Stay ahead of the curve and check out the latest tunes on your personalized weekly Release Radar in the Made For You hub. And don’t forget to check again on Friday (and next Friday and the one after that), when you’ll have a new batch of specially curated songs.

4 Tips to Make the Most of Your 2021 Wrapped

January 12, 2021

Every December, Spotify unveils your yearly Wrapped, a personalized in-app experience that celebrates the music and podcasts you’ve streamed the most that year. It’s something our listeners look forward to all year long. The results are always a surprise—and more so in some ways than others. Last month, when you opened your 2020 Wrapped, did you notice that your kids’ obsession with Elsa took over your Wrapped cards? Or maybe those many hours of listening to soothing audio while you slept skewed your Wrapped results. 

If that was the case, check out the four tips below to better ensure your 2021 Wrapped is a true representation of you. After all, it’s less than 11 months away.

1. Remove the audio you fall asleep to with private listening mode

If you’re streaming a lot of music or sounds to help you sleep, it may not be the most accurate representation of your listening habits. So go “incognito” with Spotify’s Private Listening mode. Private Sessions allow you to enjoy whatever it is you’re listening to discreetly—meaning it won’t show up in your Friend Activity. It also won’t influence your personalized music recommendations, like Discover Weekly or Release Radar, or be counted toward your Wrapped roundup. 

Simply turn on private listening mode on your mobile device by tapping “Home,” and then heading to “Settings.” From there, under “Social,” switch on “Private Session.” To end the Private Session, simply repeat the steps.

2. Give your children their own musical experience—and preserve your own—with Spotify Kids

If your top song slots in Wrapped went to the latest Disney ballads and nursery rhymes, know that you’re not alone. Parents give up a lot for their kids, and a Wrapped experience exclusive to their listening habits is no exception. Luckily, thanks to the Spotify Kids app, which is exclusive to Spotify Premium Family plan subscribers, children can now enjoy listening to their favorite tunes via a playground of sound that’s separate from their parents’ listening experience. The app is designed specifically for kids, and the content is handpicked by a team of editors. All you need to do is subscribe to the Premium Family plan and then Download the Spotify Kids app to give your kids a music experience of their very own (and reclaim your streaming stats). If your family is looking for songs to get groovin’ to, check out this roundup of the top songs played on Spotify Kids in 2020.

3. Discover more artists, podcasts, and genres with audio for everyone and everything

There’s a world of audio content on Spotify within your reach. So if you’re looking for something new, try the search bar on for size. You can browse playlists—whether Spotify created or user generated—for any activity or mood. These custom creations might speak to you in the moment, as well as help you expand your musical repertoire. In next year’s Wrapped, you might not only see a shift in your top artists, but also in your genres, like exchanging “indie rock” and “pop” for the uniquely specific genres like “permanent wave” and “escape room.” Or, if you’re looking to explore a different type of audio, tap “Podcasts” to browse shows by genre (like true crime or sports), by podcast playlists, or even by podcast charts. 

4. Access Wrapped year-round

Wrapped happens once a year—but it doesn’t disappear come January. Access your 2020 Wrapped year-round by heading to the “Search” section of the app and scrolling through “Browse all.” From there, you’ll be able to replay your 2020 Wrapped experience, as well as stream your personalized playlists, such as Your Top Songs 2020, Missed Hits, and On Record. Plus, keep scrolling to find the rest of the top tracks, artists, and podcasts of the year.

For more Wrapped behind the scenes, check out our Spotify: Discover This podcast.

Get to Your Favorites Faster with Spotify’s New Home Screen

March 9, 2020

They say there’s no place like home, and we couldn’t agree more. So, we’ve updated Spotify’s mobile and tablet Home screens to be your ultimate go-to location to access content you love, as well as discover something new.

Starting today, when audio lovers open up their Spotify mobiles or tablet apps, they’ll be greeted with a refreshed user interface that allows them to quickly jump back into familiar content. Simply tap to access the podcast you stream each morning, the playlist you always tune into during your workout, or the album you’ve been playing on repeat all week. It’s a dedicated space at the top of Home to quickly and easily access your familiar music and podcasts.

As you may notice throughout your day, the screen and content change along with your schedule, welcoming you with a “Good morning” and transitioning into “Good afternoon,” and even “Good evening” as daylight wanes.

Beneath these six recommendations is a space where you’ll find your top podcasts, “made for you” playlists, recommendations for new discoveries based on your listening, and more. All in, the new Spotify Home does the hard work for you, making it easier than ever to find something to listen to—whether a long-time favorite or brand-new discovery.

Get to know the new Spotify Home with the video below.

What’s New This Week in Spotify Podcasts

February 28, 2020

Welcome to This Week in Podcasts, where we share what’s new in the podcast world. Here you’ll find a roundup of series debuts, can’t-miss episodes, and so much more—all available to stream on Spotify. Whether you fancy yourself a content connoisseur or an audio amateur, you’re sure to discover something worth listening to. Keep scrolling to check out the latest and greatest in podcasts this week—including Alien’s Like Us with Rhys Darby, Podcasts Under 20min, and Certified Buckets.

Spotify’s Biggest Playlist, Today’s Top Hits, Celebrates 25 Million Followers

December 16, 2019

It’s been streamed more than 20 billion times. Over 70 featured artists have received 100+ million plays. And now, Spotify’s biggest playlist, Today’s Top Hits, can add “over 25 million followers” to its name. To put this in perspective: If Today’s Top Hits was an artist, it would be the third most streamed of all time (after Drake and Ed Sheeran).

Since 2014, Spotify’s team of curators have analyzed our streaming data, as well as music culture and trends, to populate the playlist. Each week, it features updated songs from artists around the world. Today’s Top Hits spans a variety of genres — from pop and Latin, to hip-hop and indie — giving listeners an opportunity to enjoy the music they already know and love, while also discovering new tracks.

Today’s Top Hits not only reflects the music culture of the zeitgeist, but also shapes it.  The playlist has helped kickstart the careers of many artists, including: Arizona Zervas, Tones and I, and Ant Saunders, whose respective singles “Roxanne,” “Dance Monkey,” and “Yellow Hearts,” have been some of the most recent staples. More than just serving as a platform of discovery for emerging talent, Today’s Top Hits has also amplified songs by established artists such as Post Malone, Selena Gomez, Khalid, Halsey, The Chainsmokers, and Camila Cabello.

We couldn’t be more excited about this incredible milestone—thanks to the 25 million fans and followers for listening. A few other people wanted to say thank you . . . (shout-out to Niall Horan, Julia Michaels, Lewis Capaldi, Marshmello, and Lauv).

See for yourself what Today’s Top Hits is all about.

Your Daily Podcasts Playlist Makes Finding Your Next Favorite Show Easier Than Ever

November 19, 2019

You’ve just binged your favorite podcast and you’re finally caught up. But now you have to wait an entire week until the next episode. Now what? With so many great podcasts on Spotify, it can be hard to know what to listen to next. Thanks to our latest personalized playlist, it’s now easier than ever. 

Spotify transformed music discovery with playlists like Discover Weekly and Daily Mix. Now we’ve created Your Daily Podcasts—our first daily personalized podcast playlist that gives users an easy way to discover new shows while also keeping up with old favorites. If you’ve listened to at least four podcasts in the past 90 days, you’ll find the playlist in the “Your Top Podcasts” shelf on Home or in the “Made For You” hub on browse.

Here’s how Your Daily Podcasts works:

  1. Spotify’s algorithms analyze your podcast behavior—like recent streams and follows.
  2. Then, based on your listening history and the podcast type, we’ll recommend the next best episodes for you.
  3. That might be the next sequential episode in a podcast you’re already listening to (think Dog Tales and How’s Work with Esther Perel), a recent stand-alone evergreen episode in another show (maybe Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls 1 Keith or Certified Buckets), or a timely episode from a daily updating podcast (like Horoscope Today or The Journal).  
  4. Don’t worry—no spoilers here! If you’ve never listened to a story-driven sequential show we think you’d like, you’ll get the trailer or pilot episode first—to see if it catches your eye (er, ear).

Free and Premium users in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can check out their Your Daily Podcasts playlist, now available on Spotify.