Italian and Spanish Music Thrive on Spotify, Surpassing $100M

Italian-language music has made a significant mark on Spotify by joining the exclusive ‘ $100M+ club.’ Spotify’s Loud & Clear initiative recently revealed data for Italy and Spain in 2024. The data showed remarkable growth in music consumption and artists’ earnings, particularly in Italy. Italian artists’ royalties on Spotify surged by 20% in 2024, reaching nearly EUR €150 million or around USD $162 million.

An interesting trend emerged as Italian-language music gained global popularity, entering the elite group of languages generating over $100 million in royalties annually on Spotify. This achievement places Italian alongside English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in the prestigious club. The growth in Italian music royalties reflects the evolving landscape of the music industry, showcasing the increasing influence of streaming platforms like Spotify.

According to Spotify, around 50% of the royalties earned by Italian artists originated from listeners outside Italy. The global royalties earned on Italian music witnessed a 23% year-on-year increase. Notably, Spotify users in the US created 130 million playlists featuring Italian artists, surpassing the number in Italy itself. Federica Tremolada, Spotify’s General Manager Europe, highlighted how streaming has facilitated artists’ success globally, emphasizing the cultural and financial growth within the music industry.

Italy’s recorded music market has experienced remarkable growth, with revenues climbing by 8.5% in 2024 to reach €461.2 million ($499.1 million). Music streaming subscriptions accounted for 44.1% of this figure, underlining the increasing dominance of streaming platforms in the music industry. Indie artists and labels played a significant role in Italian music royalties, contributing to about 40% of the total earnings in 2024.

In Spain, the music market also showed positive growth, albeit at a slightly slower pace compared to Italy. Spanish artists on Spotify saw a notable 11% year-on-year increase in royalties, totaling €137 million ($148 million). Over 50% of these royalties came from listeners outside Spain, reflecting the global appeal of Spanish-language music. The rise of Spanish music globally underscores the importance of streaming platforms in propelling local talent to international success.

Spotify’s data highlighted the significant contribution of indie artists and labels in the Spanish music market, with about 60% of royalties generated by Spanish artists coming from independent sources. The platform noted a doubling in the number of artists earning above various financial thresholds since 2019, indicating a positive trend in artist earnings and recognition.

Melanie Parejo, Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe at Spotify, emphasized the sustainable career opportunities that streaming offers to artists in Spain. The success of Spanish artists in generating income beyond borders underscores the transformative impact of streaming on the music industry. Spotify’s data revealed that approximately 850 million playlists on the platform feature Spanish artists, indicating their widespread appeal among listeners.

Both Italy and Spain have witnessed a significant increase in the number of artists surpassing various earnings thresholds, showcasing the growing opportunities for musicians in the digital age. The evolution of the music industry towards a more inclusive and borderless landscape highlights the pivotal role of streaming platforms in connecting artists with global audiences and driving cultural exchange.