Ice Spice Named to Shazam’s 2023 Predictions Playlist of Artists with Potential to Breakthrough

Ice Spice could be headed for a breakthrough

Shazam has unveiled its annual predictions playlist, compiling a 50-track selection of artists, including the 23-year-old half-Dominican American rapper, who have the potential to have a breakthrough year.

Ice SpiceBased on the music discovery app’s predictive data and algorithms and in collaboration with Apple Music’s global editorial team, this year’s selection of artists show early indicators of future growth, including consistent momentum in Shazam activity, as well as discovery trends in more than one country.

Ice Spice, Rosa Linn, Charlieonnafriday, Young Miko and Benson Boone top Shazam’s artists with global breakthrough potential.

“It’s very cool to me that people from all around the world can discover my music through [Shazam],” Rosa Linn told Apple Music per a press release. “They can hear the song, like it, and instantly find out that it’s me who is singing it. I gain fans and listeners and it directly impacts streaming.”

“Shazam has always been so useful for me whenever I needed to find the title of a song playing,” Ice Spice added. “I’m happy that it exists!”

Additionally, for the first time, Shazam is spotlighting artists who are gaining popularity regionally. Nigeria’s Carterefe, France’s Adé, Japan’s natori, Colombia’s KEITYN and Spain’s Munic HB have all made the list due to their budding stardom.

“I believe Shazam is an important gateway for my music to be discovered, especially in this busy lifestyle we live in,” natori, whose “Overdose” was the most-Shazamed debut single within J-Pop over the last year, told Apple Music.

Listen to the Shazam Predictions 2023 playlist exclusively on Apple Music worldwide at apple.co/shazampredictions23.

DannyLux Among Shazam’s Five “Artists to Watch” in 2022

It could be a banner year for DannyLux

At the beginning of each year, Shazam uses its data to predict five artists to watch, and this year the song-identifying app used a combination of its “uniquely predictive data and algorithms,” as well as some selections from its parent company Apple Music’s global editorial team, to pick five “artists to watch” in 2022, including the Mexican-American singer.

DannyLuxDannyLux, whose real name is Daniel Balderrama, is well-known by fans of trio-turned-duo Eslabon Armado. The rising singer is featured on “Jugaste y Sufrí,” which holds the honor of being this year’s most Shazamed Regional Mexican track.

Although it was released at the end of 2020, TikTok embraced the song, helping to rocket songwriter DannyLux to new levels of acclaim.

He’s part of a wave of young artists reinventing corridos for a new generation and only stands to reach more listeners in the coming year.

 

Here are the five selections, and Shazam’s accompanying explanations:

Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr’s rise this year was largely mounted on her breakout track “Bloody Samaritan,” which had its first Shazam in Lagos. It was released as the lead single of the Nigerian singer-songwriter’s debut album 19 & Dangerous, but took on a life of its own as listeners were drawn in by an alluring violin melody that drops into contagious Afropop magic. An undeniable jam, “Bloody Samaritan” was the most Shazamed song by a local female artist in Nigeria this year—an impressive accomplishment considering it came out only in July.

DannyLux
Fans of trio-turned-duo Eslabon Armado probably need no introduction to DannyLux. The rising Mexican American singer is featured on “Jugaste y Sufrí,” which holds the honor of being this year’s most Shazamed regional mexicano track. Though it was released at the end of 2020, TikTok embraced it, helping to rocket songwriter DannyLux to new levels of acclaim. He’s part of a wave of young artists reinventing corridos for a new generation and only stands to reach more listeners in the coming year.

Lyn Lapid
Singer-songwriter Lyn Lapid is no stranger to viral success—her song “Producer Man” helped jump-start her career in 2020. With “In My Mind,” a mellow but soulful anthem for the quiet kids, she struck gold again. It became her most Shazamed song, charting in six countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, and the US. Though this one strikes a slightly different chord from her breakout, it only further highlights the many tools Lapid has in her arsenal, ready to be deployed as she takes on the new year.

Sad Night Dynamite
Mixing up a hypnotic blend of electronica, hip-hop, and Britpop, duo Sad Night Dynamite has a style that’s hard to define but captures the ear no less. Their eponymous debut mixtape, from February, ping-ponged between genres, but it was their latest single “Demon” that seemed to especially resonate. “Demon,” which features South African musician Moonchild Sanelly, is industrial and ominous, earning a spot on the FIFA 22 soundtrack. It also brought the pair their biggest Shazam success, with their all-time daily Shazams peaking soon after its release.

STAYC
In April, K-pop girl group STAYC released an effervescent ball of bubblegum pop titled “ASAP.” And every day since then, the single has remained on the South Korean Shazam chart. Pulled from the group’s second single album STAYDOM, “ASAP” has powered their rise as they continue to hone their Technicolor melodies and natural pop proficiency.

Check out a playlist with even more predictions here.

 

Rachel Zegler to Star in the “Shazam” Sequel, “Shazam: Fury of the Gods”

Rachel Zegler’s latest project is Gods will…

The 19-year-old Colombian American actress, who will soon star as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming West Side Story, has joined the cast of Shazam: Fury of the Gods, the sequel to New Line and DC Comics’ 2019 film Shazam! starring Zachary Levi as the kid-at-heart superhero who is bestowed with the powers of six gods.

Rachel Zegler

The sequel will hail from the same filmmaking team behind the first installment, with David F. Sandberg directing from a screenplay by Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan.

It will continue the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!” is struck by the Living Lightning of the gods and transformed into his adult superhero alter ego, Shazam.

Zegler will star opposite Ansel Elgort and Rita Moreno when West Side Story is released in December.

Karol G’s “Tusa,” Featuring Nicki Minaj Named the Most “Shazamed” Latin Track of 2020

Karol G is having a Shazam-azing year…

Shazam has announced its most “Shazamed” songs in 2020 by genre, with the 29-year-old Colombian singer leading the Latin pack.

Karol G

Karol G’s chart-topping single “Tusa,” featuring Nicki Minaj is the most Shazamed single in the Latin category.

Here’s a look at the genre leaders of 2020:

Pop: Dance Monkey – Tones And I
Dance: Roses (Imanbek Remix) – SAINt JHN
R&B/Soul: Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
Alternative : Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
Hip-Hop/Rap: death bed (feat. beabadoobee) [coffee for your head] – Powfu
Latin: Tusa – KAROL G & Nicki Minaj

The genre leaders list caps off a strong year for Shazam, which increased its reach due in part to a deeper integration into Apple’s iPhones and iPads in iOS 14 that allows users to identify songs from their device’s control center. The service revamped its iOS app earlier this week to increase the focus on music discovery, improving the layout and making its charts available on the search page.

Jaume Collet-Serra In Talks to Direct “Black Adam”

 Jaume Collet-Serra may have found the Adam’s apple of his eye…

The 45-year-old Spanish film director and producer is in negotiations to direct Black AdamWarner Bros. and New Line’s spinoff of their DC Comics hit Shazam!

 Jaume Collet-Serra

Adam Sztykielwrote the latest draft of the film, which will star Dwayne Johnson

Collet-Serra and Johnson just finished collaborating on Disney’s Jungle Cruise, so they look to be sailing off together again on another tentpole project.

Collet-Serra’s past credits include the Liam Neesonthrillers Non-StopRun All Nightand The Commuter

He also helmed the Blake Livelyfilm The Shallows.

Black Adam is Shazam’s arch-nemesis and a complex antihero with a rich history of his own. Johnson was to play the character in the first movie before in the parties decided he warranted his own pic, and he came aboard in January 2017.

Shazam! was a hit when it bowed in April, grossing $362.7 million worldwide, with a sequel already in the works.

Cardi B: Apple Music’s Most-Streamed Latina Artist of All Time

She hasn’t been in the music industry for long, but Cardi Bhas certainly made her mark…

In celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8), Apple Music has revealed its list of the most-streamed female artists of all time, with the 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation earning a spot in the Top 10.

Cardi B

Cardi B, the highest-ranking Latina on the list, comes in at No. 6, behind Ariana GrandeTaylor SwiftRihannaBeyoncéand Nicki Minaj.

Other Latinas making the list include Demi Lovato(No. 13), Selena Gomez(No. 14), Camila Cabello(No. 17) and Mariah Carey(No. 20). 

Meanwhile, the “I Like It” rapper tops the list of the Most Shazam’d Women of the Past Year, coming in ahead of Sia, Dua Lipa and Nicki Minaj.

Lovato comes in at No. 5 on the Shazam-related list, while Cabello comes in at No. 10. Gomez at No. 11 and Becky Gat No. 17.

“Apple Music will be highlighting visionary women in music around the world throughout the month of March with artist curated playlists and female-driven programming (100+ Apple Music playlists featuring 3000+ tracks spotlighting single and multiple female artists),” the company said in a press release.

Here are the complete lists:

Apple Music’s most-streamed female artists of all time:

1. Ariana Grande
2. Taylor Swift
3. Rihanna
4. Beyoncé
5. Nicki Minaj
6. Cardi B
7. Adele
8. Sia
9. Lady Gaga
10. Halsey
11. Lana Del Rey
12. SZA
13. Demi Lovato
14. Selena Gomez
15. Katy Perry
16. P!nk
17. Camila Cabello
18. Mariah Carey
19. Ella Mai
20. Billie Eilish

Most Shazam’d women of the past year:

1. Cardi B
2. Sia (including LSD)
3. Dua Lipa
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Demi Lovato
6. Halsey
7. Rihanna
8. Anne-Marie
9. Ariana Grande
10. Camila Cabello
11. Selena Gomez
12. Bebe Rexha
13. Beyoncé (including The Carters)
14. Lady Gaga
15. Jess Glynne
16. Rita Ora
17. Becky G
18. P!nk
19. Katy Perry
20. Taylor Swift 

Demi Lovato & Clean Bandit’s “Solo” the Most Shazamed Song of the Year

Demi Lovato is the queen of identification…

More people Shazamed Clean Bandit and the 26-year-old part-Mexican American​’s single “Solo” than any other song this year, according to year-end data from the music-identifying company, Shazam.

Demi Lovato

Nicky Jam and J Balvins “X” and Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa‘s “One Kiss” followed in the second and third rankings, respectively.

Meanwhile, Cardi B has two singled in the Top 10. The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar’s collaboration with Maroon 5, “Girls Like You,” comes in at No. 7. Her chart-topping single “I Like It,” featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny comes in at No. 10.

Artist discovery on the platform was up 13.2 percent this year from last, with more than 2 million artists Shazamed in 2018.

J Balvin was the second most Shazamed artist of the year, behind Drake.

Top 10 Most Shazamed Songs

1. “Solo”, Clean Bandit Feat. Demi Lovato​
2. “X”, Nicky Jam & J Balvin
3. “One Kiss”, Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
4. “In My Mind”, Dynoro & Gigi D’Agostino
5. “Perfect”, Ed Sheeran
6. “Leave A Light On”, Tom Walker
7. “Girls Like You”, Maroon 5 Feat. Cardi B
8. “Friends”, Marshmello & Anne-Marie
9. “Flames”, David Guetta & Sia
10. “I Like It”, Cardi B & Bad Bunny & J Balvin

Most Shazamed Songs by Genre
Pop: “Perfect”, Ed Sheeran
Hip-Hop: “I Like It”, Cardi B & Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Rock/Alternative: “Feel It Still”, Portugal. The Man
Dance: “Solo”, Clean Bandit Feat. Demi Lovato
Country: “You Make It Easy”, Jason Aldean
R&B/Soul: “Love Lies”, Khalid & Normani
Latino: “X”, Nicky Jam & J Balvin
K-Pop: “FAKE LOVE”, BTS

Sparked by Its Use in iPhone 7 Ad, Sandoval’s “La Virgen de la Macarena” Gains New Audience

Arturo Sandoval is expannding his audience…

The 67-year-old Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer’s bullfighting song, “La Virgen de la Macarena,” continues its olé-worthy run on Billboard’s Latin Digital Songs chart.

Arturo Sandoval

Sparked by the 2003 track’s use an iPhone 7 ad, it currently ranks No. 2 on the chart, right behind right behind Shakira and Maluma’s hit “Chantaje.”

The Apple spot, “Dive,” was shot in Barcelona and features a virile man of a certain age who bears a winking resemblance to Pablo Picasso, who continued to seduce young muses in his senior years.

The week before the Apple ad debuted in early November, Sandoval’s “La Virgin de la Macarena” sold 5 downloads. In the commercial’s first week, the track sold 1,362 downloads.

The song had 35,000 Shazam tags in November, and a total of 6,000 downloads sold and 83,000 streams.

“La Virgen de la Macarena,” also known popularly as “the bullfighting song,” is a classic paso doble, a rousing piece of sonic bravura synonymous with the bullring. Written by Spanish composers Bernardo Bautista and Antonio Ortiz, it has been covered by artists including Paco de Lucia, Trio Los Panchos, Maynard Ferguson and Canadian Brass, but was first widely popularized through a recording of the piece by Mexican trumpeter Rafael Mendez.

The Virgen de la Macarena of the song is a statue of the Virgin Mary that resides in the cathedral in Seville, Spain. La Macarena has historically been closely associated with matadors and bullfighting. In 1920, the Virgen was dressed all in black to mourn the famous bullfighter Joselito, who died after being gored in the ring.

Sandoval’s version of “La Virgen de la Macarena” was included on his 2003 album Trumpet Evolution, an homage to great jazz trumpet players that also includes the Chet Baker classic “My Funny Valentine” and “’Round Midnight.” The album was released by Emilio Estefan’s Crescent Moon label.

“La Virgen De La Macarena” had its biggest week in the time frame ending November 24, when the song sold 2,200 downloads, a 96 percent increase from the week prior. It was streamed 23,000 times, an 84 percent increase from the week before.

The latest chart (for week of January 21) marks the track’s peak at no. 2 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart, with 3,013 downloads.

The “Dive” ad currently has over 4 1/2 million views on YouTube, and thanks to Apple, new fans of “La Virgen de la Macarena” who may have never been anywhere near a bullring have discovered its brassy, dramatic appeal.

“I’m playing this song right before I do anything!” wrote one customer in the comments on the song’s Amazon Music page.

Gomez Participating in Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke and a Song Campaign

Selena Gomez is ready to share a Coke and a smile…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress, a self-confessed Coca-Cola fan, has joined the company’s new Share a Coke and a Song campaign.

Selena Gomez

“When you have somebody call you and it’s something that you’re obsessed with and they want to put your work [on it]? … That is so crazy. I was stoked,” Gomez says. “So yeah, [it was a] no-brainer for me. And I can’t wait. My nana is freaking out. She already requested all of the bottles to put all over the house.”

Lyrics from two of Gomez’s songs — “Love You Like a Love Song” and “Me & the Rhythm” — will be featured on packages of Coca-Cola products nationwide throughout the summer. The two tracks are among the 70-plus tunes that are part of the campaign.

Gomez says the brand is “iconic” and that she’s participating in the campaign because of a real love for Coca-Cola. “I try to be an authentic as possible with everything I do, so nothing is forced.”

Shazam has also teamed with Coca-Cola so consumers of the Share a Coke and a Song products can have a deeper interactive experience with the song and its performer.

“You actually can grab a Coke bottle and you put up the screen onto your Shazam app and then it comes up what the actual song is, which I think is insane,” says Gomez. “And then you can lip-sync and create these cool videos.” Those videos can then be tricked out with filters and add-ons, and shared on social media.

The Share a Coke and a Song promotion launched in April, and, in addition to lyrics from Gomez’s songs, features other memorable lyrics like “We Are the Champions,” “Put a little love in your heart,” “Always on my mind” and “Lean on me.”

 

Blacc to Perform at This Year’s Playboy Jazz Festival

Aloe Blacc is a playboy

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter has been selected as one of the headliners for the 37th annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Aloe Blacc

Taking place June 13-14, the two-day lineup includes appearances by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ledisi and Terence Blanchard.

Blacc, who has the most Shazamed song of all time, will perform on Saturday, June 13.

Other Latino/a artists/acts include Ozomatli and the Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Band.

In addition, the slate includes Jason Moran‘s Fats Waller Dance Party, Snarky Puppy and Blue Note 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View featuring Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland and Ambrose Akinmusire. The legacy of late jazz icon Gerald Wilson will be saluted by the Celebrating Gerald Wilson Orchestra under the direction of Wilson’s son Anthony.

Returning for a third consecutive year as host is comedian/actor George Lopez.

Additional information about the 2015 Playboy Jazz Festival is available at HollywoodBowl.com/PlayboyJazz.

Here’s the complete schedule:

PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015
Saturday, June 13, 3-11 p.m.

Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and the Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble
Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Band with special invited guests Ronnie Cuber, Alfredo De La Fe, Donald Harrison, Joe Locke
Aloe Blacc
Tower of Power
Jason Moran’s Fats Waller Dance Party
Celebrating Gerald Wilson Orchestra under the direction of Anthony Wilson
Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio
Morgan James
A Sacred Steel Love Supreme:  The Campbell Brothers Present “A Love Supreme”
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Pat Bass

Sunday, June 14, 3-10:30 p.m.
Ledisi
Terence Blanchard E-Collective
Ozomatli
The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band under the direction of John Lee
Snarky Puppy
King Sunny Ade and his African Beats
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Blue Note 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View featuring Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland and Ambrose Akinmusire
The Jones Family Singers
The LAUSD/Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Big Band under the direction of Tony White and J.B. Dyas