Spanish music has once again made history on the world's largest streaming platform. Judeline, from Cádiz, along with Karol G and Rusowsky, has managed to place 'BbY WOW' at the top of Spotify's global chart, an achievement no other female artist from Spain had reached until now. The track, included on the Colombian singer's latest album, has climbed the charts relentlessly to become the most streamed song on the planet.
This milestone not only recognizes Judeline's talent but also solidifies the new Spanish music scene on the international stage. The song, which blends alternative pop, dancehall, and urban music, has surpassed 50 million streams in just a few weeks, and its rise has been entirely organic, without a music video or specific launch campaign.
A meteoric rise in the charts
The song entered Spotify's global chart in mid-August and, in just 16 days, climbed from 189th to the top spot. On August 28, 'BbY WOW' became the most streamed song of the day worldwide, with over 3,3 million plays in a single day, narrowly surpassing Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj's 'Beauty and a Beat'. This is Karol G's second global number one , but the first for Judeline and Rusowsky, who thus debut at the top of the platform.
The song has also topped Apple Music's global chart in 16 markets simultaneously, including Spain, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile, and has reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. Its success has been driven by word of mouth , without an official music video or a specific launch campaign, demonstrating the power of music when it connects with an audience.
The context: other Spaniards at the top
Until now, only two Spanish male artists had reached number 1 on Spotify's global charts: Quevedo in July 2022 with his collaboration with Bizarrap, 'Bzrp Music Sessions, vol. 52', and Íñigo Quintero in October 2023 with his solo track 'Si no estás'. Judeline thus becomes the first Spanish woman to achieve this milestone , a significant step forward for female representation in the music industry.
Other artists like Rosalía and Aitana had come close, with songs like 'Despechá' and 'Superestrella', but none had managed to reach the top. Judeline's achievement opens the door for more Spanish artists to aspire to the top in the competitive global streaming market.
The reaction and impact of the issue
The artist from Cádiz reacted humorously to the news on her social media, joking that she was "stuck" and didn't understand anything. In a recent interview, she thanked Karol G for including her on her album 'No me arrepiento de querer tanto' (I Don't Regret Loving So Much), an album that saw her song with Rusowsky reach the top of the charts.
The album, released almost as a surprise on August 7th, includes collaborations with giants like Drake and Bruno Mars, but it's precisely the song with the Spanish artists that has had the greatest impact. Judeline, who had already won the Music Academy Award for Best Alternative New Artist , has amassed over 500 million streams on Spotify, and this new hit further solidifies her international career.
Furthermore, the singer had already performed for King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Spain's accession to the European Communities, where she performed her song 'Chica de cristal' (Glass Girl). Her versatility and ability to connect with diverse audiences make her one of the most promising artists on the new Spanish music scene.
This number 1 hit for 'BbY WOW' is not only a personal triumph for Judeline, but also a reflection of the golden age Spanish music is experiencing internationally. The combination of talent, authenticity, and support among artists has shown that the path to the top is possible, and that Spanish women have already earned their place in Spotify's history.