Spotify has unveiled its first ever Songwriters To Watch this year, alongside the Artists To Watch list for 2026.
The streaming giant is spotlighting the emerging artists and the songwriters shaping the sound of the year ahead.
It follows the expansion of songwriting credits on the platform.
“Songwriters to Watch 2026 introduces an inaugural class of standout songwriters and writer-producers working across genres, from Nashville hitmakers and global pop builders to producer-writers pushing sound forward,” said a statement.
The list includes songwriters who have collaborated with Lola Young (Manuka – Conor Dickinson and William Brown), BBC Sound Of 2026 winner Skye Newman (Luis Navidad), Sam Westhoff (Shaboozey and Myles Smith) and Addison Rae (Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser).
"It’s really special to be included alongside writers we’re genuine fans of,” said Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser, credited on Fame Is A Gun by Addison Rae. “Thankful to be part of this and to share this moment with so many talented writers.”
“Everything begins with the songwriting and recognising songwriters is about respecting the craft and people behind the music we love,” said Ikky, who was credited on Symmetry by Ed Sheeran featuring Karan Aujla. “I am so grateful to Spotify for taking the time to acknowledge us because when writers are supported, great music gets heard.”
Artists To Watch 2026 features a global, genre-spanning group of performers gaining momentum on Spotify and beyond, across pop, hip-hop, country, dance, Latin, rock, R&B, and more.
Spotify has curated two dedicated playlists, each featuring one essential track per artist or songwriter.
The full list of artists and tracks can be found below.
PHOTO: Conor Dickinson, Lola Young and William Brown at The Ivors 2025 (Stuart C Wilson/Getty Images)
SONGWRITERS TO WATCH
COUNTRY
Travis Wood
Essential track: I Ain’t Sayin’ by Jordan Davis
Joe Fox
Essential track: Skoal, Chevy, and Browning by Morgan Wallen
INDIE/FOLK
Sam Westhoff
Essential track: Blink Twice by Shaboozey and Myles Smith
HIP-HOP
A.Chic
Essential track: Zen by Jennie
WaterBoutUs
Essential track: So Weit Weg (Molekül) by Souly
POP
Luis Navidad
Essential track: Hairdresser by Skye Newman
Manuka (Will Brown and Conor Dickinson)
Essential track: One Thing by Lola Young
Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser
Essential track: Fame Is A Gun by Addison Rae
PUNJABI
Ikky
Essential track: Symmetry by Ed Sheeran featuring Karan Aujla
R&B
Giift
Essential track: Ballin’ by Kehlani
Ariel Imani
Essential track: Safety by Bjrnck
DANCE
Caitlin Stubbs
Essential track: Saving Up by Dom Dolla
AFROPOP AND AFROFUSION
Tempoe
Essential track: With You by Davido featuring Omah Lay
Saszy
Essential track: YBIL (You Believe in Love) by Qing Madi featuring Kizz Daniel
LATIN
Laura Prias
Essential track: Wapa by Jerry Di
ARTISTS TO WATCH
AFROBEATS
Moliy
Essential track: Shake It To the Max (Fly) (Remix)
CHRISTIAN
Jamie MacDonald
Essential track: Desperate
COUNTRY
Vincent Mason
Essential track: Damned If I Do
Zach John King
Essential track: Happy For You
Laci Kaye Booth
Essential track: Luck Of The Draw
Max McNown
Essential track: Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)
DANCE
Kettama
Essential track: Man With a Second Face
Prospa
Essential track: Love Songs (feat. Kosmo Kint)
Jackie Hollander
Essential track: You Go I Go
HIP-HOP
Hurricane Wisdom
Essential track: Drugs Callin
Pluto
Essential track: Whim Whamiee
Sosocamo
Essential track: Soulless
Ovrkast
Essential track: Small Talk
INDIE/FOLK
Hudson Freeman
Essential track: If You Know Me
Dove Ellis
Essential track: Pale Song
Folk Bitch Trio
Essential track: The Actor
Fcukers
Essential track: Bon Bon
After
Essential track: 300 dreams
Fakemink
Essential track: Makka
LATIN
Young Cister
Essential track: Qloo*
María Isabel
Essential track: Bien Bien
Rusowsky
Essential track: MalibU
Hermanos Espinoza
Essential track: Dios Por Delante
POP
Haute & Freddy
Essential track: Freaks
Baby Nova
Essential track: Too Pretty For Buffalo
Noah Rinker
Essential track: The Pines
Adéla
Essential track: Superscar
Mikayla Geier
Essential track: Piano In The Sky
R&B
Isaia Huron
Essential track: I Chose You
Jai’Len Josey
Essential track: Won’t Force You
Mack Keane
Essential track: Candycrush
JayDon
Essential track: Lullaby
ROCK/ALTERNATIVE
Ecca Vandal
Essential track: Cruising To Self Soothe
Speed
Essential track: Peace
Die Spitz
Essential track: Throw Yourself To The Sword
FOLLOW 
