Bad Bunny has been the most streamed artist on Spotify since 2020, and in 2022, 15 of the 50 top songs for the year were in Spanish, but when will songs in other languages start reaching the top of the charts? Surely not all of Bad Bunny’s listeners understand everything he says, considering the majority of Spotify users are from Europe and the United States, so why not listen to music in languages other than English and Spanish? In fact, it could even encourage you to start learning that language, encourage cultural appreciation or help you study. 

Listening to music in another language is such a useful resource for improving grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation in the respective language. According to a survey performed by the streaming service, Deezer,  74% of Americans report that listening to music in a foreign language has taught them new words and 88% of Americans believe listening to music is helpful in learning a new language. 

But listening to foreign music doesn’t just help with language learning, it also encourages a listener’s interaction with other cultures and humanizes people of those cultures in a country where difference is often looked down upon. Susana Zarasky, a collaborator in the Deezer study, said “we have a drive to learn more about the culture behind our favorite tracks and you’re more likely to want to learn if you’re interested… Music offers invaluable insight into a foreign lifestyle and culture.”

Listening to music in a foreign language, rather than English, may also be helpful for students to focus on their studies because they’re not distracted by understanding the lyrics. Steven Smith, a cognitive neuroscientist at the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University recommended, “if you want to listen to music while you study, try to listen to something that does not have words, or if it does have words, hopefully, it’ll be in a language that you don’t understand at all, otherwise that’s going to distract from the stuff you’re trying to study.”

All that said, here are some songs in Portuguese by Brazilian artists that will bless your ears as you study for your finals and may even become your Spring Break soundtrack.

Disclaimer: I do not speak Portuguese, but have been listening to Brazilian rap, funk, reggae and electronic music for the past few months and want to encourage others to enjoy the beauty of the language and their music.

Playlist:

Felina – WIU, MC Ryan SP

É Só Um Lance Lero Lero – DJ Dozarbi, DJ Arana

Casei Com a Putaria – Mc Paiva ZS, MC Ryan SP

Controle Sem Pilha – MC Menor Hr, Bellagi, DJ Escobar

Sereia – Orochi, MC Ryan SP, Oruam

Evoque Prata – MC Menor HR, MC Menor SG, DJ Escobar

Horas Iguais – WIU, Oruam

Luz do Luar – Mc Tato, DJ Ak beats

X1 – MC Cabelinho, Dallas

Coração Bandido – Tillmann

Reggae – Aka Rasta, Sabrina Lopes

Não Vou Assumir – DJ Lucas de Paula, DJ LG Prod, Mc Rkostta

Balmain – Mc Daniel, Passos

Imprevisto – Yago Oproprio, Rô Rosa, Skeeter Beats

Doce Veneno – Mc Paiva ZS, Love Funk, Kotim

Lovezinho – Treyce

Zona De Perigo – Leo Santana

Coração de Gelo – WIU

Né Segredo – MC Cabelinho, Victor WAO, Bairro 13

Baile no Morro – MC Tairon, Mc Vitin Da Igrejinha, DJ Win

Listen to these songs here.