The four ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games have proven the power and influence of French music throughout the world. From Aya Nakamura to Yseult via Phoenix, Gojira, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kavinsky, Kungs, Rahim Redcar and even Zaho from Sagazan, as well as the much-discussed absence of Daft Punk, all shone and saw their listening figures explode around the world. The opportunity for Spotify, a few weeks after the end of the global event, to take stock of the most popular French-speaking artists in streaming in the world. Positive point: these are more and more popular! Thus, rap stars Jul, Ninho, PLK and Gazo are very popular in Europe, while Aya Nakamura and Gims are more popular in Asian territories. The rock group Les Cowboys Fringants, Stromae or Indila appeal to North Americans. As for the Videoclub duo and its singer Adèle Castillon, now solo, they are making a splash in Latin America. Between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024, more than 100 million Spotify users listened to at least one music in French, which represents a sixth of all subscribers. That’s a jump of 94% in five years!
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Stromae and Indila outclassed!
And the top 5 most listened to French-speaking songs on Spotify, over the space of a year, therefore reserves its share of surprises. Stronger than Aya Nakamura or Céline Dion, absent from the ranking, the big winner is called… Patrick Watson! Little known in France, this 44-year-old Quebec artist is a hit with his song “Je t’êlai des mots”, which has more than 937 million plays on Spotify. A crazy plebiscite that we owe to TikTok, where the melancholy ballad has become ultra viral (450,000 pieces of content created) since its use by Justin Bieber in a video. The Canadian thus allows himself to outclass Indila and Stromae who complete the podium. The discreet French singer obtains the silver medal with the enormous hit “Dernière danse” while the Belgian maestro follows with “Danse on danse”. Big names in rap close the top 5: Soolking and Gazo are fourth with the festive “Casanova”, and the revelation Yamê, crowned at the Victoires de la Musique, arrives fifth with “Bécane”.
For Bruno Crolot, the international music director at Spotify, these “ exceptional talents » French speakers have been able to shine throughout the world without foreign listeners needing to understand the language of Molière: “ It’s much less significant than in the past “. In addition, streaming and new technologies make it easier to discover artists from all over the world. For his part, Antoine Monin, general manager of Spotify in Western Europe, ensures that beyond French artists, “ Quebec, Belgian and Algerian interpreters also contribute to this dynamic “. It should also be noted that French-speaking podcasts are popular since they have seen their listenings explode by 2,687%: “Legend”, by Guillaume Pley is at the top of the podium, followed by “Criminal Chronicles”, proving the public’s attraction for “true crimes”. Finally, the “InnerFrench” podcast completes the top 3, allowing users to learn the French language. How to combine business with pleasure!
The five most listened to French-speaking songs on Spotify
1. Patrick Watson – “I’ll Leave You Words”
2. Indila – “Last Dance”
3. Stromae – “So we dance”
4. Soolking et Gazo – “Casanova”
5. Yamé – “Becane”
The most listened to French-speaking artists by region
North America: Les Cowboys Fringants, Patrick Watson, Stromae, Souldia, Indila
South Africa, Middle East and Asia: Tayc, Ninho, Gazo, Dadju, Soolking
Asia-Pacific: Indila, Patrick Watson, Aya Nakamura, GIMS, Stromae
Europe : Jul, Gazo, Werenoi, Ninho, PLK
Latin America: Stromae, Patrick Watson, Videoclub, Indila, Adèle Castillon
