Gyakie Becomes First African Singer Selected to Spotify’s Equal Music Program
Gyakie Becomes First African Singer Selected To Spotify’s Equal Music Program
Gyakie, a Ghanaian singer of Afrobeats and Afrofusion, has been named the first African artist to be selected for Spotify's inaugural class of EQUAL artists. The 20-year-old singer has gained popularity in Ghana and in Nigeria and Kenya, where her single 'Forever' is a fan favorite and has a remix featuring Omah Lay.
Gyakie expressed her gratitude for being the first African to be selected for the prestigious program, stating that she does not take the honor lightly, saying that it is a significant victory for women across the continent.
“Navigating an industry where women's voices are frequently drowned out, I'm committed to contributing my voice...with volume,” Gyakie said.
Spotify recently announced the launch of its EQUAL hub
Spotify recently announced the launch of its EQUAL hub in honor of International Women's Day. Following this launch, the global leader in all things audio will now expand its global commitment to promoting gender equity in music by launching its new EQUAL Music Program.
The global initiative is unique in its approach to advancing gender equity in music by adapting and expanding the cumulative blueprint of Spotify's successful programs into a cohesive experience – uniting female creators under a single brand. Only 1 in every 5 artists on the charts are female, a stark contrast to how critical women's influence is to Spotify's and the music industry's success today.
Spotify takes the responsibility of eradicating these disparities seriously and believes that the first step toward amplifying the work of all-female creators is to extend critical resources to this community in order to foster opportunity.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify's Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, commented on the initiative, "At a time when we as a society are reexamining equity on so many levels, Spotify is prioritizing its goal of making female faces and voices visible and heard."
Additionally, she stated that the streaming service's goal is to set an example by partnering with African music industry stakeholders to provide the means and platform necessary to elevate the next generation of female musicians to deserving new heights.
The complete Spotify EQUAL Music Program includes EQUAL local playlists, with each playlist reflecting one of the company's 35 markets spread across more than 50 countries. Also, there will be an EQUAL Global Playlist, which will feature music by EQUAL artists worldwide.
The Artists of the Month will be promoted organically and on-platform across Spotify's editorial space.
