As 2024 draws to a close and Wrapped is finally released, Spotify has shared its insights into the year’s defining music trends. Spotify’s year-end wrap-up has become a tradition for music lovers, offering an inside look at the rhythms and melodies that defined the past twelve months. In 2024, the streaming platform spotlighted a wide array of trends, from country’s expanding reach to Afro house’s global takeover, reflecting a year rich in musical evolution.
Afro House Finds a Global Stage
One of the shifts this year was the rise of Afro house. The genre, once rooted in Lagos street parties, has found its way into dance clubs worldwide. Adam Port, Stryv, and Malachiii’s “Move” became a summer anthem, racking up over 370 million streams and showcasing Afro house’s ability to merge rhythmic complexity with pop sensibilities.
“It’s also been really exciting to see how Afro house has captivated audiences worldwide,” said Astrid Storm, Spotify’s Senior Project Manager of Global Editorial in a blog post. “As a genre, Afro house is hitting the mainstream alongside Afrobeats and Amapiano, which are still resonating globally. Our dance editors are doing a brilliant job showcasing this trend in playlists like Umami, Tantra, and Afro House Pulse.”
Country’s Broadening Appeal
Country music continued its steady climb, blending traditional sounds with modern narratives. Beyoncé and Post Malone’s albums in the genre brought it new listeners, while breakout tracks like Dasha’s “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’”) and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” showed country’s ability to innovate without losing its roots. Shaboozey’s track, in particular, is on pace to hit a billion streams within eight months!
“Country seemed to further extend its dominance and reach in 2024,” noted John Stein, Spotify’s Head of North American Editorial. “The sonic reach of the genre continues to impress on a global level.”
Emerging Sounds: Sexy Drill, Fantasy Indie & The Influence of Gen Z
Sexy drill also made waves in 2024, propelled by artists like Ice Spice, Bay Swag, and Cash Cobain. Their playful take on drill music opened doors for international artists, with Don Toliver’s “ATTITUDE” and Jordan Adetunji’s “KEHLANI” introducing the genre to new audiences. Spotify even made the Sexy Drill playlist, as "both a celebration and reflection of the growth in this sound."
Fantasy indie, meanwhile, became a favourite among Gen Z listeners. Defined by lush storytelling and theatrical flair, the genre draws inspiration from the likes of Björk and Kate Bush while carving its own identity. Acts like Yaelokre and The Last Dinner Party infused baroque elements and mythic narratives into their music, captivating younger audiences with a taste for escapism.
Techno had its moment, too. Not exactly an emerging genre, though, hard techno has truly had its moment in the dance scene this year, according to Spotify. Artists like Sara Landry exemplify the genre's pulse-pounding appeal.
Alternative country, folk, and Americana-inspired artists have continued to gain traction as well, featured on Homegrown playlist, which has become a hub for the genre’s thriving community.
Social Media Viral Tracks Influx Has Declined in 2024
While TikTok and Instagram remain influential, Spotify’s team noticed a shift toward deeper listening and fan-driven discovery. Charli XCX’s “BRAT Summer,” for example, saw fans driving streams for multiple tracks across her album, moving beyond the era of one-off viral hits.
“We’re not seeing the massive influx of viral tracks as we have in past years. What we are seeing is more dedicated fandoms emerge and create virality,” Stein said. “In general, we’re seeing more depth of listening for artists and genres than the flash-in-the-pan moments of the past few years.”
Speaking of 2025 trends, the Spotify team is sure the next year will be even more sonically diverse than 2024. "I think we’ll continue to see more and more new subgenres emerge. 2024 was probably the most sonically diverse year for popular music in history, and I don’t see that changing in 2025," Stein says in the Spotify blog post. "To make a more specific prediction, it feels like a ripe moment for confessional, theater-kid, pop-rock-inspired artists to emerge—imagine if Gavin Degraw and Lady Gaga had a baby, and they were addicted to their phone. Benson Boone, [the animated musical series] Hazbin Hotel, and Olivia Rodrigo are all clues for Gen Z preferences, from my perspective."
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