Spotify Unveils the Artists & Songwriters to Watch in 2026

For the first time in its history, Spotify is pulling back the curtain on the creators behind the hits. Alongside its annual Artists to Watch list, the streaming giant has launched the inaugural Songwriters to Watch 2026, spotlighting the writer-producers and architects responsible for the sounds of the upcoming year.

This expansion follows Spotify’s recent push to increase the visibility of songwriting credits on the platform. “Songwriters are the architects of the songs we fall in love with, and too often their stories stay behind the scenes,” said Jacqueline Ankner, Head of Songwriter & Publisher Partnerships at Spotify.

Meet the Inaugural Songwriters Class

The 2026 list features hitmakers who have already made waves collaborating with global superstars:

Pop Powerhouses: Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser, the duo behind Addison Rae’s Fame Is A Gun, were named as key pop builders to watch.
Punjabi Innovation: Ikky, credited on Ed Sheeran’s Symmetry (featuring Karan Aujla), was recognized for pushing the boundaries of global sound. “Everything begins with the songwriting,” Ikky noted. “Recognizing songwriters is about respecting the craft.”
Nashville Hitmakers: Travis Wood (Jordan Davis) and Joe Fox (Morgan Wallen) represent the next generation of country songwriting dominance.
The Indie Edge: Sam Westhoff, the writer behind Shaboozey and Myles Smith’s Blink Twice, rounds out the indie/folk highlights.

Artists To Watch: The 2026 Global Wave

The performer-focused side of the list remains as diverse as ever, highlighting 35 artists across every major genre. Standouts for the year include:

Afrobeats: Moliy, whose track Shake It To the Max (Fly) (Remix) is gaining massive international momentum.
Dance/Electronic: Irish standout KETTAMA and the UK’s Prospa are tipped to lead the electronic resurgence.
Pop: Skye Newman, the BBC Sound Of 2026 winner, is identified as a major breakthrough candidate with her track Hairdresser.
Rock: Hardcore act Speed and the genre-bending Ecca Vandal are representing the rising tide of Australian rock.

Why This Matters

By pairing performers with the writers who craft their hits, Spotify is shifting the industry’s focus toward the “collaborative nature” of modern music. To celebrate the launch, the platform has released two dedicated playlists—Songwriters to Watch 2026 and Artists to Watch 2026—each featuring essential tracks curated by Spotify’s global editorial teams.