Eminem and Rihanna have emerged as the most popular artists among music fans in Malaysia, according to a recent Spotify survey.

The data for the most searched artists by Spotify users spans the first month since the service launched in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Most importantly, the data gives Spotify invaluable insights into music trends in the new markets, and thereon expand its library of content for the region accordingly.

The full list for Malaysia’s top male and female artists, as well as band searches from 16 April to 17 May 2013 is as follows:

Most Searched Male Artist:

  1. Eminem
  2. Daft Punk
  3. Coldplay
  4. Jay Chou
  5. Pitbull
  6. Justin Bieber

Most Searched Female Artist:

  1. Rihanna
  2. Taylor Swift
  3. P!nk
  4. Adele

Most Searched Band:

  1. Muse
  2. One Direction
  3. Maroon 5

While the data contributes to Spotify’s expansion blueprint in Malaysia, it also amplifies music’s inherent sociability, through one key finding – that Spotify fans across Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are riding the same wavelength with a common love for Daft Punk and Taylor Swift. Both artists’ songs are not only widely searched, but streamed and shared in all three countries, said Spotify.

Another interesting observation from the data is the locality of Spotify users in Malaysia, who are mainly from Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam.

Steve Savoca, Head of Content at Spotify, says: “Spotify has only been in Malaysia for just over a month, but we’re already seeing what music rocks your world. This kind of local insight is also invaluable to artists and we’ve already heard examples of artists rearranging their gig set lists based on their songs’ popularity on Spotify.”

The digital music service recently introduced Spotify Charts, which showcases the most listened to (the Spotify 50) and most viral (the Social 50) tracks in every country on a weekly basis, which promotes stronger engagement between talents and fans.

“Spotify will continue to introduce new features that are localised for each market, so that our users are better acquainted with the music trends in their own country,” adds Savoca.

Leave a Reply