In an industry where everyone is competing to be heard, getting featured by a big Spotify playlist can really set you apart from other aspiring artists. If you’re a Hip-Hop or Rap artist, this guide is dedicated to helping you understand the subtle art of Spotify playlist submission, and how to approach independent curators to help promote your music to their followers.
Rap and Hip-Hop have vastly outgrown their underground roots as they’ve now become chart-topping genres across the globe. According to stats compiled by MRC Data and Billboard at the beginning of 2021, over 30% of all on-demand US audio streams in 2020 were recorded by Hip-Hop and R&B artists. That is a huge chunk of the US market. That’s more than Rock and Pop put together — last year Rock claimed 16.3% of audio streams in the US market, and Pop totaled 13.1%.
The Rap and Hip-Hop playlists with the biggest reach are mostly curated by Spotify: playlists like Rap Caviar, Alternative Hip-Hip, and Hip-Hop Central. The only way to submit your music to these playlists is via Spotify for Artists — but there is another way to reach the masses. Smaller independent playlist editors are paving the way for DIY artists to get exposure.
Spotify Playlist Curators
Well-known music bloggers, influencers, artists, magazines, record labels, and music fans around the world curate their own playlists on Spotify. The follower numbers might not be as sky-high as Spotify’s own playlists, but some curators are getting hundreds of thousands of followers. That’s a lot of people waiting to hear your music.
So, how do you submit to independent Spotify playlists and get them to feature your song? It's easier than you might think. There are plenty of opportunities for unsigned and independent artists to get free exposure on curators’ playlists. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly email, a DM, or a follow on social media.
To help you get started, we've put together a list of the top Hip-Hop and Rap Spotify playlist curators you can submit your music to. Whether you make Trap, Club, Lofi Hip-Hop, or anything in between, you’ll find a curator to fit your needs.
Submit Your Music To Spotify Hip-Hop Playlist Curators
Daily Rap Facts - Playlist “Rap Bops”
Starstorm Playlists - Playlists “Hip-Hop Hits”
High Road Publicity - Playlist: "Drip Hop"
Top Lister - Playlist: "Top Rap"
Rap Nation - Playlist: "Rap Nation No Label"
Place in Sound - Playlist: "Rap & Hip Hop"
SLAPPERS - Playlist: “Gym Hip Hop”
iMusician - Playlist "Rap Caviar" & "Worldwide Rap"
If a curator offers you a place on their playlist in exchange for money, please be aware that this goes against Spotify’s music promotion guidelines. Spotify does not allow people to sell a playlist or account or offer compensation to influence any content included in their account or playlist. Spotify routinely removes any user-generated playlists that break any of these rules. In the long run, it’s not worth it.
