Tanzania: Zuchu named Spotify EQUAL Africa artist for May 

The EQUAL Africa programme aims to strengthen gender equality in music by showcasing talented African women making waves in the industry and providing a platform to celebrate them.

Currently signed to Diamond Platnumz’s WCB Wasafi record label, Zuchu is the daughter of legendary taarab musician Khadija Kopa, with whom she sang ‘Mauzauza’.

Zuchu first entered the music scene in 2015 through a karaoke-themed talent search competition in Lagos, Nigeria. Her hit song ‘Cheche’ featuring Diamond Platnumz then propelled her into the limelight in 2020. The following year, she released the hit track ‘Sukari’, which has amassed more than two million Spotify listeners.

“In addition to exposing me to the musical power that can come from the female experience, these women have also helped me realise that we can overcome the setbacks that are part and parcel of working in the male-dominated world of Afrobeats,” Zuchu said, recalling all the female musicians who inspired her on her journey.

“Being part of the EQUAL programme is a big thing for me and it helps encourage other female musicians to persevere and shatter systematic gender restrictions in the realm of music.”

Zuchu’s single ‘Mwambieni’, released earlier this year, has been featured on Spotify’s EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global playlists.

"We are thrilled to have Zuchu join the EQUAL Programme. She is evidently one of the most talented artists from Tanzania, and this is a well-deserved accolade for her,” Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said, adding that the platform is committed to spotlighting female artists in Africa with the hope that the EQUAL Africa initiative will inspires upcoming female artists in the music industry.