– I don’t know what they are saying, but I like it!

In February, Bad Bunny took to one of the most important stages of his career so far: The Superbowl. Exactly a week after he won Album of the Year at the Grammys for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, the first all-Spanish language record to do so. 

This wasn’t just positive for Bad Bunny and Latin music, it signified a rising global trend. Spotify previously reported 16 different languages in the ‘Global Top 50’ in 2025, doubling 2020’s number. 

Johannes Kråkenes (22), a fan of hip hop, particularly in Norwegian, claims the balance of Norwegian (his native language), English, and other languages to be approximately 50 percent Norwegian music,40 percent English and 10 percent other languages. 

He admits being a fan of Norwegian music, especially within the younger generation, isn’t always the norm. 

– Younger people often prefer international music, says Kråkenes. 

Whilst Kråkenes himself listens to music in languages he cannot understand, he admits it becomes harder to connect with when the meaning is lost through a lack of translation. 

– At the same time, it may actually be easier to connect with a wider audience because of the loosening of the rules of language, he says. 

For Kråkenes, whilst admitting you can lose a lot of meaning, understanding language in music seems to be less important than it once was. 

Recommendation: Trang Fødsel - a Norwegian pop band formed right here in Bergen in 1992!

Emotional attachments shaping listening habits 

Clara Niemann (21) shares similar sentiments, it’s generally a 50/50 split with English and her native German when it comes to her playlist. Niemann explains how much of this is down to genre gaps. 

Niemann explains how she listens to certain genres almost exclusively in English. 

– There is not a lot of good German rock, which propably explains this listening habit, she says. 

Niemann also noted that outside of German and English she listens to Romanian music. 

– I lived in Romania for one year, so it is an emotional thing, she explains. 

Despite not understanding lyrics to their full capacity, Niemann suggests the music carries a weight that random international hits may not. Niemann also noted a systemic issue of accessibility. 

– I have almost never recommend anything other than German or English, says Niemann.

Whilst music from almost every language is accessible and at our fingertips, it is rarely discoverable. The responsibility seems to be on the listener to expand their own taste outside their native tongue. 

Recommendation: Bilderbuch - an Austrian band who previously supported The Rolling Stones in Vienna in 2022!

Generational differences

Alba Vela (20), whose playlist is dominated by techno, discusses a generational difference in listening habits. 

– Younger people are more open to international music, says Vela. 

Vela says that older generations in her native Spain often stick to Spanish simply because they do not speak English. 

– The younger generation seem to be more willing to expand their discography because they find it is easier to connect with music from around the globe, in a way the older generation struggles to. 

Vela also notes the surge in popularity for Latin music globally and across genres, referencing Spain where there has been a significant rise in new rappers and “trappers”, something that was previously uncommon. 

When questioned on why music resonates with listeners despite an obvious language barrier, Vela notes the importance of tune. 

– Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, they can be very catchy, says Vela. The tune in this case acts as a gateway to a wider variety of music, moving beyond that of the listener's native tongue. 

Recommendation: Yeico x Toni: A Spanish trap duo formed in Madrid 

It is clear the rules of both music and language are loosening, especially when the two are combined. Students may not always understand the words, but they are finally learning to listen to the culture behind the tune.