Spotify released its annual review this week with the most streamed artists, songs and podcasts. What did people in the Schwabo region most like to listen to on the streaming platform this year?

Taylor Swift took first place in Germany, followed by Luciano and Ayliva. When it comes to podcasts, “Mixed Hack” is once again at number one, followed by a true crime classic, “Mordlust”.

Representing the region, data from Calw, Freudenstadt, Balingen, Albstadt, Rottweil and Villingen-Schwenningen were analyzed and compared.

A colorful mix of “Top Artists”

The artists heard in the different districts usually remain the same, only the placements vary. As was the case last year, the two pop artists Ayliva and Taylor Swift are in the top 3 in all cities analyzed.

Rap and hip-hop remain extremely popular in the region: artists such as Luciano, Apache 207 and Bonez MC are also in the top 5 this year.

New to the regional rankings are the self-proclaimed “Germany’s first Schlager rapper” Stream and the Berlin rapper Pashanim, known for his hits “Airwaves” and “Sommergewitter”. Tream even placed first in Freudenstadt.

Compared to the previous year, in which RAF Camora dominated in almost every district, this year it was only able to do so in the twin cities Villingen-Schwenningen place in ninth place.

Which songs were the most popular?

The ranking of the most listened to songs includes mainly international names such as Artemas with his hit “I love the way you kiss me” and Benson Boone with “Beautiful Things”. Artemas changed in some cities (Rottweil, Albstadt and Villingen-Schwenningen) in first place with the Mannheim rapper Apache 207 and his song “Wunder” (featuring Ayliva).

The unofficial anthem of this year’s European Football Championship, “Time for something to turn around” – a new interpretation by Berlin rapper $oho Bani of Herbert Grönemeyer’s 2006 World Cup song – was also able to be included Freudenstadt, Balingen, Rottweil, Calw and Villingen-Schwenningen place high in the charts.

Podcast fever in the region

Podcasts have gained a permanent place in people’s everyday lives over the years. They are heard while doing housework, on the way to work or while cooking. There is also a ranking of the most listened to podcasts of the year in the region, which reflects the Germany-wide ranking.

The podcast “Gemischtes Hack” by comedian Felix Lobrecht and presenter Tommi Schmitt is in first place in all cities analyzed. The true crime podcast “Mordlust” with journalists Paulina Krasa and Laura Wohlers also takes second place everywhere.

Third place varies from city to city: sometimes it is “Murder on Ex” (Albstadt and Villingen-Schwenningen) with the journalists Linn Schütze and Leonie Bartsch, sometimes “Hobbylos” (Balingen and Rottweil) by the content creators Julien Bam and Rezo or “Kaulitz Hills – mustard from Hollywood” (Freudenstadt) by the Kaulitz brothers.

A look at the global top lists

Compared to last year: Although Taylor Swift dominated the global charts and once again secured first place as “Global Top Artist”, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd swapped places.

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd is now in second place, pushing Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny into third place. New to the global ranking is Billie Eilish, the American singer has secured fourth place this year.

Spotify

The Swedish audio streaming service launched in 2008. According to the company, listeners can stream over 100 million songs and more than six million podcasts for free on Spotify, manage them in playlists and share them with friends. With 640 million active users, 252 million of whom are paid subscribers, Spotify remains the world’s largest audio streaming subscription service in 2024.