Close All Tabs The Spotify Effect, Pt 2: Micro-Genre Madness
Jun 18, 2025
Kieran Press-Reynolds, a music and internet-culture reporter, dives into the fascinating world of Spotify's microgenres. He explains how Spotify invents labels like Goblincore and Bubblegrunge, reshaping music discovery. Independent producer and rapper Quinn shares her rise to fame through the Hyperpop playlist, discussing its mainstream impact. The duo elaborates on the consequences of algorithmic curation, the loss of cultural nuance, and the pressure it places on artists. They also provide insights into navigating beyond algorithmic bubbles in music.
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Breakout By Playlist Placement
- Quinn woke up to Twitter notifications after her photo and music appeared on Spotify's Hyperpop playlist cover.
- That placement launched her visibility and led to others wanting onto the playlist.
Playlists Can Create Genres
- Spotify's playlists can brand and define genres before communities do.
- Quinn says hyperpop became more of a branding tool than an accurate genre label.
Genre Labels Spark Feuds
- Quinn recounts how Spotify-created genre labels sparked competition and feuds among artists.
- She explains playlists forced scenes to compete over ownership of a label they didn't choose.