Spotify announces initiatives to amplify Cape Verdean music

Key among the developments is the addition of Soraia Ramos to Spotify’s Equal programme, which aims to promote female artists around the world. This programme functions under the streaming platform’s Equal Hub to extend the company’s global goal of fostering gender parity in the music industry.

Ramos joins the programme alongside Ghana’s Gyakie and American jazz singer of Rwandan and Ugandan descent Somi. The Cape Verdean will benefit from Equal playlists, which reflect 35 markets in about 50 countries, and the Equal Global playlist, which features music from Equal artists around the world.

“Music has always been part of our cultural identity and I am proud and humbled to be able to represent Cape Verde,” Ramos said. “The greatest characteristics of Cape Verdeans are their strength, courage and enthusiasm, which is passed down in generations but also represented in my music.”

Spotify has also launched a marketing drive for Julinho KSD’s latest album Sabi na Sabura, which the company says is central to its outdoor and online marketing campaign in the Portuguese cities of Porto and Lisbon. The project received platinum status on Spotify during its first week after it was released. Julinho KSD has been lauded for mixing genres and jumping between languages like Creole, Portuguese and English.

“On the day that the album came out, I heard the songs from the cars that were passing by on the streets. It was the most instant feedback that I’ve had, and when they told me that Spotify had made a proposal, I didn’t believe it. I was really happy and I believe it was a great support exporting my art as much as possible. From the styles and culture to Creole, I take Cape Verde with me to show the world,” Julinho KSD said.

Spotify says it is also highlighting hip hop tuga, a popular local genre, via dedicated playlists. Hip hop tuga is currently on of the most popular genres in Cape Verde, with Julinho KSD one of many artists dominating the sound.