Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Indian Spotify Royalties Rise as Telugu Music Surges in 2025
Spotify said Indian artists earned 29% more money from its streams in 2025.
Telugu music grew the fastest, with royalties rising by more than 120%.
Music in Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil also grew.
People around the world streamed Indian artists nearly 335 billion times.
Many listeners discovered Indian artists for the first time.
Independent songs competed more closely with music from Bollywood films.
Indian music appeared in 112 million playlists made by users worldwide.
More than 40% of the royalties came from listeners outside India.
This shows that Indian music is reaching more languages, countries and listeners.
Royalties earned by Indian artists on Spotify increased 29% year-on-year in 2025.
Telugu music recorded the largest royalty increase, rising more than 120%, while other major languages also grew.
Indian artists generated nearly 335 billion global streams, totaling more than 20 billion listening hours.
Independent Indian music expanded its presence, with half of Spotify India’s year-end top 10 featuring non-film releases.
More than 40% of royalties earned by Indian artists came from listeners outside India.
- Who
- Indian artists, Spotify, listeners worldwide and regional-language music communities were involved; Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary attended the Loud & Clear India event.
- What
- Spotify reported a 29% increase in royalties for Indian artists in 2025, with Telugu royalties rising more than 120%.
- When
- The figures cover 2025; Spotify released the report in New Delhi on September 1, 2026, and the article was published September 3, 2026.
- Where
- The report concerns Spotify listening in India and around the world, with the release event held in New Delhi.
- Why
- Royalties and listening increased as regional-language, independent and Indian artist-first music reached more listeners through streaming and discovery tools.
- Overall royalty growth
- Royalties generated by Indian artists increased 29% year-on-year in 2025.
- Top language growth
- Telugu royalties rose more than 120%.
- Global streams
- Indian artists recorded nearly 335 billion Spotify streams in 2025.
- Listening time
- The streams represented more than 20 billion listening hours.
- New artist discovery
- Listeners played previously unheard Indian artists 12.8 billion times, up 14% year-on-year.
- International royalties
- More than 40% of Indian artists’ Spotify royalties came from outside India.
- User playlists
- Indian artists appeared in 112 million user-created Spotify playlists worldwide.