Deezer celebrates female musicians on International Women’s Day

In honouring the powerful influence of South African women in music, Deezer South Africa has released the Top 10 list of the country’s most streamed female musicians of 2018.

In South Africa, Shekhinah topped the list followed by Lady Zamar, Lebo Sekgobela, Karen Zoid and Zonke. Deezer also released the top 10 most streamed females globally in 2018 and the top 20 most streamed women globally for the past two years.

“Deezer has officially partnered with the International Women’s Day charity and will transform its homepage to feature exclusive content chosen by female artists across the world,” a statement on behalf of the French company reads. “Female musicians like Rita Ora and Anitta will also take over Deezer’s global flagship playlists, including Popstar, Globetrotter and Pulse. Each artist will provide their personal recommendations to suit the different themes of every flagship playlist.”

Deezer said its music editors around the world had offered their favourite picks.

“In South Africa, you can hear female artists like Shekhinah, Lady Zamar and Sho Madjozi on two dedicated playlists, Women of SA and Women of Africa. Global playlists feature artists including Cardi B and Halsey in Women of R&B and Women of Pop. All of these playlists are available all week long during the takeover.

“Starting from 8 March, Deezer will show its full support for gender equality and promote #BalanceForBetter, the official hashtag of International Women’s Day, by transforming the homepage and all featured content with the International Women’s Day logo and its iconic purple colour.”

Deezer senior artist marketing manager Marie Lallia said: “We believe in creating a better balance in the music industry and want to help promote female artists around the world.

International Women’s Day partnerships director Glenda Slingsby emphasised the importance of recognising women. "Ensuring gender balance and diversity of artists is key,” she said. “As consumers, enjoying an exciting, rich tapestry of sound is only possible if there's difference. Celebrating female artists reminds and reinforces everyone about the strength, power and incredible talent women have to offer, so let's keep forging a #BalanceForBetter."

Below is Deezer's list of most streamed female artists:

Top 10 most streamed South African female artists of 2018

1. Shekhinah
2. Lady Zamar
3. Lebo Sekgobela
4. Karen Zoid
5. Zonke
6. Hlengiwe Mhlaba
7. Karlien van Jaarsveld
8. Ntokozo Mbambo
9. Juanita du Plessis
10. Elizma Theron

Top 10 most streamed females globally of 2018

1. Anitta
2. Dua Lipa
3. Marília Mendonça
4. Sia
5. Ariana Grande
6. Camila Cabello
7. Rihanna
8. Marwa Loud
9. Shakira
10. Demi Lovato

Top 20 most streamed females globally for the last two years

1. Marília Mendonça
2. Anitta
3. Sia
4. Ariana Grande
5. Rihanna
6. Dua Lipa
7. Shakira
8. Camila Cabello
9. Aya Nakamura
10. Nicki Minaj
11. Selena Gomez
12. Beyonce
13. Adele
14. Maiara & Maraisa
15. Lady Gaga
16. Katy Perry
17. Taylor Swift
18. Pink
19. Simone & Simaria
20. Demi Lovato

Listen to Deezer’s playlist of the top 100 streamed females worldwide here.