Alvin M. Keeling 
Streaming platform Spotify celebrates its first anniversary in the Caribbean and has released some interesting data over the past 12 months.
Dancehall is well represented in the results, which also reveal that Jamaicans enjoy reggae fusion, lovers’ rock and old school dancehall. Veterans and world-renowned artists also feature on the lists, including Grammy-winning performer Sean Paul, critically acclaimed Masicka, reggae legend Bob Marley, eclectic performer Spice and renaissance artist reggae Chronixx.
In total, over 370,000 playlists have been created by users, and the words Jamaicans tend to name their playlists are “dancehall”, “vibe”, “love” and “gospel”. Over the past year, most games have taken place on January 28, 2022.
The data reveals that Alkaline, Vybz Kartel, Masicka and Skillibeng are among the most played artists, both globally and locally. Skeng’s Gvnman offset and Country Hype and Intent’s Yahoo Boyz also made it to the most-played song lists.
Skeng, who has three tracks on the list of the most listened to local songs in Jamaica, is one of the new artists who have gained a lot of traction since the launch of Spotify. Her growing popularity is surging alongside female artists like Shenseea, who, along with her peers, are represented in Spotify’s Dancehall Queen playlist.
Most Played Local Artists
1. Alkaline
2. Vybz Kartel
3. Masicka
4. Skillibeng
5. Intent
6. Pop can
7. Skeng
8. Dexta Daps
9. Chronic Law
10. Squashes
Most Played Local Songs
1. Gvnman offset – Skeng
2. Yahoo Boyz – Hype Campaign, Intent
3. Protocol – Skeng, Tommy Lee Sparta
4. Alkaline – Hostage
5. Ride deep – 10Tik
6. street credit – Skeng
7. crocodile teeth – Skillibeng
8. Get off Deh – Spice (with Shaggy and Sean Paul)
9. ocean wave – Alkaline
ten. I wish – Masicka
Most Performed Jamaican Artists Outside of Jamaica
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers
2. Sean Paul
3. Rvssien
4. Pop can
5. IMO
6. Vybz Kartel
7. Damien Marley
8. Beenie Man
9. Charly Noir
10. Chronoxx
Most Performed Female Artists in Jamaica
1. Shenseea
2. Kingdom of Jada
3. Spice
4. Coffee
5. Alicia Spence
6. Lila Ike
7. Stalk Ashley
8. Average
