Nigeria: Aṣa joins Spotify’s Equal Music programme

The ‘Be My Man’ singer joins fellow influential African female musicians including Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Somi (Rwanda/Uganda/US), Gyakie (Ghana) and Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde).

Equal Music is an initiative that seeks to cultivate gender equality in music and support female artists and podcast creators. The announcement comes ahead of Aṣa’s forthcoming album V and after the release of her single ‘Mayana’, which is featured on the Equal Music playlist.

“I’m honoured to be the Spotify Equal Music ambassador of the month,” Aṣa said. “It’s great to be part of something like this – a movement that’s new yet has always been. It’s beautiful when we are celebrated and recognised for contributions to music and art over the years. In the lead-up to the release of my album V, this is awesome.”

Spotify head of music for sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu said: “Through the Equal Music programme, we continue to amplify the work of women creators by offering our resources and creating opportunities for these artists. We’re proud to showcase Aṣa, who is well known and loved for her boundless ability to create her own world through music, with timeless vocals and themes that capture the emotions of a generation.”

Popularly known for her hit single ‘Jailer’, Aṣa is a pioneer of left-of-centre Afro-fusion and is a huge inspiration to alternative and contemporary African artists, both on the continent and in the diaspora. Her music is best defined as a timeless classic, with a charismatic, daring and evolutionary style. Her compositions fuse indie pop, soul, R&B, jazz and Afrobeats.