Brazilian Funk and K-Pop Redefine Global Music Streaming Trends
Music streaming trends are shifting as non-English genres gain global traction. Spotify's latest data shows a surge in popularity for Latin trap, K-pop, and Brazilian funk. These genres are not only dominating charts but also generating millions in royalties for artists and platforms alike.
Brazilian funk emerged as the fastest-growing genre on Spotify last year, with its audience expanding by 36%. Since 2020, the genre has spread rapidly through TikTok and streaming, seeing a 500% increase in streams by 2025. Artists like MC Fioti and Anitta have driven its success, pushing Brazilian funk into markets across Europe, the US, and Africa. Portugal and Angola, in particular, have embraced the genre, with local adaptations frequently topping charts.
Latin trap also saw significant growth, rising by 29% in popularity on Spotify. Meanwhile, K-pop experienced a 31% increase, reinforcing its global appeal. Bad Bunny, performing exclusively in Spanish, became the world's most-streamed artist, highlighting the dominance of non-English music. The diversity of languages in popular music is also expanding. Last year, Spotify's global top 50 featured songs in 16 different languages—more than double the number from 2020. Rosalía's latest album, *Lux*, showcased this trend further, with tracks sung in 14 different dialects. Together, these genres generated over $100 million in royalties for Spotify in the past year alone.
The rise of Brazilian funk, Latin trap, and K-pop reflects a broader shift in global music consumption. Non-English genres are now a major force on streaming platforms, attracting millions of listeners and driving substantial revenue. With artists like Bad Bunny and Rosalía leading the way, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
