In February, Spotify debuted DJ in beta. DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well it can choose what to play for you. DJ provides a new and different way for fans and artists to connect. Since its launch, DJ has become the most discussed Spotify feature on social media among users.*
Fans across the US and Canada jumped at the opportunity to hear commentary alongside personalized music recommendations. Then in May, Spotify brought the experience to the UK and Ireland, continuing the excitement about its latest innovation. Now, the moment fans have been waiting for has arrived: Spotify is rolling out DJ in beta to even more countries around the world.
Starting August, Spotify Premium users in select markets** in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as those in Australia and New Zealand, can access DJ in the English version of the app. They just tune in for a chance to hear more about the music they’ve been listening to and to get recommendations for artists they’re bound to love but have yet to discover.
The initial voice model for DJ is based on Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships Xavier “X” Jernigan. Now, listeners in select markets around the world will have the option to hear commentary in English and get recommendations from their personal DJ.
At its core, DJ is all about connection and discovery. DJ’s powerful combination of Spotify’s personalization technology, generative AI in the hands of music experts and a dynamic AI voice makes it possible for listening to feel even more personal, and fans keep coming back for more.
Spotify has found that when DJ listeners hear commentary alongside personal music recommendations, they’re more willing to try something new (or listen to a song they may have otherwise skipped). As Spotify brings DJ to new markets, users tune in even more, with fans spending nearly one-third of their listening time with DJ.***
How to access your DJ
Users tuning in to Spotify Premium in a market where DJ is available can find their personal DJ by simply opening the Spotify mobile app on their iOS/iPhone or Android device. From there, they can head to the Music feed on Home and tap DJ, or find it in the Made for You hub within the Search tab. Then let Spotify do the rest!
DJ will serve a lineup of music picked just for the user alongside short English-language commentary on the songs and artists. If one is not feeling the vibe, they can just hit the DJ button at the bottom right of the screen to be taken to a different genre, artist or mood.
Since DJ is still in beta, Spotify will continue to iterate and innovate to evolve the experience over time. So, stay tuned for more.
*Results based on posts on X (previously Twitter) between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2023, from users with a publicly identifiable location globally.
**Available markets as of August 8, 2023: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.