Nigeria: Preyé is new Spotify Fresh Finds Africa artist

Launched in March 2022, Fresh Finds Africa is a monthly initiative supporting emerging independent artists by allowing them access to new audiences. It adds to other artist development efforts by the streaming company created to support the African music scene, including RADAR and EQUAL programmes.As the new Fresh Finds artist, Preyé will benefit from tools and initiatives geared toward growing her career. She will also be featured on the programme’s eponymous playlist.

“I still celebrate every single playlist addition, so being highlighted as Spotify’s Fresh Finds artist of the month truly feels amazing,” Preyé said. “I’m excited by the opportunity to share my music and story with new listeners, especially all my fellow R&B lovers.”

The singer joins fellow Nigerians Magixx and Ladé, as well as Ghana’s Kofee Bean, all of whom have been selected for the monthly programme.

Born Preyé Itams in Lagos, the musician was inspired by her father’s music library, which included traditional, jazz and soul records, with acts like Jill Scott, Enya, Brenda Fassie and Lauryn Hill, among others, featuring prominently.

She released ‘Mortia’, her first song in 2015, introducing herself as an exciting voice in Nigeria’s alté circuit. She is also behind 2018’s ‘Space’, featuring Tay Iwar & Santi, as well as ‘Peace Of Mind’ and ‘Red Wine’.

In June, Billboard listed her single ‘Malibu’ among its Top R&B finds. She was also recently selected as one of six artists for Spotify’s Africa Month global campaign, called Spotify Sounds of Africa, alongside Ladipoe, Zoë Modiga, Nomfundo Moh, Chris Kaiga, and Nikita Kering.

Her debut EP Don’t Look Down arrived earlier this month.