Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Sarah Oyinkansola known by her stage name, Ayra Starr has emerged as the face of Spotify’s EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global program this May, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning music career.
Ayra who is known for her hitsongs like “Rush,” “Sability,” and “Rhythm & Blues,” Ayra Starr joins fellow Nigerian Tiwa Savage as the only other African artist to be recognized as both Spotify EQUAL Africa and Global artist.
Spotify’s EQUAL program is dedicated to supporting and empowering female artists worldwide, offering them a global platform through curated playlists, content hubs, and strategic partnerships.
Spotify’s Senior Artist and Label Partnerships Manager in Sub-Saharan Africa, Monica Kemoli-Savanne highlighted the platform’s commitment to creating equal opportunities in the music industry.
“Our commitment at Spotify is to support and empower women in the music industry, helping to create a more level playing field,” she said in part.
Furthermore, she emphasized the significance of providing African artists like Ayra Starr the visibility and recognition they deserve on a global scale.
“Seeing artists like Ayra Starr come from the continent to gain global recognition serves as a true testament that Africa is full of talent, all that is needed is a platform. It has been a great journey to witness the growth of female artists who are also inspiring generations to come, which also speaks to our commitment to equally support female artists,” she said.
Also Read: Nigerian Singer Ayra Starr Finds Solace in Christian Hymns During Elevator Mishap
Spotify’s Equal’s Program Success
In 2023 alone, Spotify hosted 15 EQUAL activations, resulting in over 14.8 million artist discoveries and 11,800 editorial playlist additions for EQUAL artists.
Ayra’s February release, “Commas,” has already garnered over 35 million streams on Spotify, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the industry.
Reflecting on her distinctive musical style and selection as Spotify’s EQUAL ambassador, Ayra expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent women in Afrobeats and African music as a whole.
“I am grateful to become a Spotify EQUAL Ambassador. It means so much to me to be able to represent women in Afrobeats and African women in general. There are so many women in music right now and the EQUAL program is doing a great job in highlighting their hard work,” she noted.
Also Read: How Gen Zs Have Caused Increased Music Streams on Spotify
Ayra Star’s Thoughts as Spotify Equal Program Ambassador
She also acknowledged the pivotal role of the EQUAL program in spotlighting the tireless efforts of women across various facets of the music industry, both on and off the stage.
In an exclusive interview, Ayra Starr delved deeper into her music and creative journey, emphasizing the significance of Spotify’s EQUAL program from her perspective.
While reflecting her bold and expressive approach to music, she described her sound as “highly vibrational, eccentric, unique, and beautiful”.
Ayra also revealed that her fans could anticipate new music from her in the near future, including her collaboration with Seyi Vibes on the track “Bad Vibes.”
She characterized the song as not just Afrobeat but an eclectic blend of genres and infectious energy.
“Yes. I have a new single with Seyi Vibes called ‘Bad Vibes’ and I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. It’s amazing and it’s one of those songs that makes you feel good. The best part about it is that it is not just a regular Afrobeat record, it’s like genres intertwined,” she said.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
