Drake, Jung Kook, and Nigerian Music: What New York City Is Listening to This Summer

Key Facts

Most-streamed track in NYC: Drake's 'Janice STFU'
Non-New York creators of 'New York Summer' playlists: 75%
Top city streaming 'New York Summer' playlists: Montreal
Knicks championship date: June 14
Stream increase for 'Empire State of Mind' during parade: 400%

Background

New York City has been at the center of cultural conversation this summer, from the Knicks' championship win to JÄY-Z's return to performance at Yankee Stadium. The FADER reached out to Spotify to understand what music has been soundtracking the city's festivities.

As of July 2026, Drake's 'Janice STFU' has been the most-streamed track across all five NYC boroughs this summer on Spotify, according to the platform. The data also reveals distinct listening habits in each borough, reflecting the city's diversity.

Current Situation

Of the nearly 74K 'New York Summer' playlists on Spotify, 75% were created by non-New York listeners. Montreal has streamed these playlists more than any other city this summer, followed by Amsterdam, Bogotá, Hamburg, and Toronto.

Following the Knicks' championship victory on June 14, streams of Knicks anthems surged. 'Blue and Orange Everything' by Skyzoo saw a +35,000% increase, 'Go NY Go (2012 Anniversary)' by Jesse Itzler +29,000%, 'New York' by Fat Joe, Ja Rule & Jadakiss +4,000%, 'Theme From New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra +1,500%, and 'Empire State of Mind' by JAŸ-Z & Alicia Keys +615%.

During the celebratory Knicks parade on June 18, there was a 400% increase in streams of 'Empire State of Mind' by JAŸ-Z & Alicia Keys on Spotify in New York.

Stream Increases for Knicks Anthems After Championship
Song	Artist	Increase vs. average
Blue and Orange Everything	Skyzoo	+35,000%
Go NY Go (2012 Anniversary)	Jesse Itzler	+29,000%
New York	Fat Joe, Ja Rule & Jadakiss	+4,000%
Theme From New York, New York	Frank Sinatra	+1,500%
Empire State of Mind	JAŸ-Z & Alicia Keys	+615%

Data from Spotify as reported by The FADER.

Impacts

The data shows that tracks distinctly popular in New York City are notably new and global, including K-pop, dembow, pure pop, House, and music from Slayyyyter, as well as Drake. This reflects the city's diverse musical tastes and global influences.

Borough-specific trends highlight cultural demographics: The Bronx's listening is dominated by Latin music and hip-hop, Brooklyn loves K-pop and R&B, Manhattan is dominated by Nigerian Afrobeat, Queens shows a strong K-pop presence, and Staten Island leans toward pop and 2010s throwbacks.

Future Outlook

Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.

If current trends continue, K-pop and Afrobeat may continue to grow in popularity across the city, potentially influencing national charts. The success of 'New York Summer' playlists among non-New Yorkers suggests that the city's musical identity could have a lasting impact on global listening habits.

However, these trends could shift with new releases or cultural events. If the Knicks' success inspires more anthems, similar streaming spikes may occur. Conversely, if the novelty fades, listening habits might return to more typical patterns.

The data provides a snapshot of a moment in time; future summers may bring different artists and genres to the forefront, depending on global music trends and local events.

Source: thefader.com

AMRIT EXPLAINER