Sweden's long been the home of musical greatness. Living in arguably the streaming capital of the world, how are Swedes listening to the audio content they love so much?
When Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad sang words of resistance, love and heartbreak in 1975 perhaps the most emblematic pop tune of all time was born. Mamma Mia ushered in a musical group that would forever be synonymous with the catchy power of pop and the country that gave rise to their success.
But far from dwelling on the success of the past, be it through technology or songwriting today Sweden is continuing to dominate the music industry. As the home of both piracy and streaming, Sweden is unique in its musical rootedness. For such a small country, Sweden is punching far above its weight. But how are Swedes consuming music? What genres of music are rising in popularity?
Today Sweden’s music legacy lives on. Artists like Avici have dominated international charts and music writers such as Max Martin have created some of the world’s great hits for the likes of Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. Within Sweden itself, hip-hop artists have been fostering a loyal following and demonstrating the talent and subversive appeal of a generation of Swedish youth.
