Spotify recently unveiled its EQUAL hub in celebration of International Women’s Day. On the heels of this launch, the leader in audio streaming will now extend its global commitment to fostering equity for women in music with its new EQUAL Music Program which debuted this week.
The global initiative is uniquely designed to foster gender equity in music by adapting and extending the cumulative blueprint of Spotify’s successful programs into a cohesive experience – supporting female creators under one brand. Only 1 in 5 artists in the charts are women, a stark contrast to how integral women’s influence is to Spotify’s success today and the music industry at large. Spotify takes the responsibility of upending these disparities seriously, and believes the first step towards amplifying the work of all creators identifying as women is to extend critical resources to this community to create opportunity.
Speaking on the initiative, Spotify Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu said: “In a time where we as a society are re-examining equity on so many levels, Spotify is prioritising its goal to make female faces and voices seen and heard. Our goal is to lead by example, joining hands with the African music industry stakeholders with the means and platform to help elevate the next generation of women in the music industry to deserving new heights.”
Spotify’s inaugural class of EQUAL artists kicking off the program includes Ghanaian Afrobeats & Afro-fusion singer Gyakie, who is the first African creator to be selected for the program. The 20-year-old singer who recently released her debut EP ‘Seed’ has not only gained popularity in Ghana but in Nigeria and Kenya where her single ‘Forever’, is a chart-topping fan favorite, with its remix featuring Omah Lay not far behind.
“I am deeply honoured to be the first African woman to partner with Spotify for EQUAL. This is huge for so many women across the continent and the entire globe. I don’t take this lightly at all. Navigating an industry, where the voices of women can easily be drowned out, I’m committed to playing my part…with volume,” says Gyakie on her inclusion in the program.
Other female artists selected for the inaugural class include American rapper Saweetie, Brazillian pop artist DUDA BEAT, British singer-songwriter Griff, Mexico’s Natalia Lafourcade and German singer Zoe Wees – Global Artist of the Month.
The full program includes EQUAL local playlists, where aach playlist will reflect the 35 markets spanning over 50 countries – from Japan to Argentina, from the UK to Ghana. Others are EQUAL Global Playlist; EQUAL Artists of the Month and Artist marketing where aach EQUAL Artist of the Month will be supported with organic and on-platform promotion throughout the Spotify editorial space.
The program will also include Created By Women Playlist; EQUAL Directory re-launch and EQUAL Board – A network of organisations joining forces with Spotify to empower women around the world.
