Ayra Starr Joins Spotify’s EQUAL Initiative for Gender Equality in Music

Written by: Kay Rico

This marks the second occasion Ayra Starr has participated in the artist development initiative aimed at promoting gender equality in music, following her initial inclusion in the EQUAL Africa program in November 2021. Now, she joins fellow Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage as the only other African artist to be recognized as both an EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global artist.

As the newest EQUAL act, Ayra Starr, who is signed to Mavin Records under the leadership of Don Jazzy, will reap the benefits of Spotify’s global platform, including exposure through playlists, content hubs, and partnerships.

Expressing gratitude for becoming a Spotify EQUAL ambassador, the singer emphasized the significance of representing women in Afrobeats and African women in general. She praised Spotify EQUAL for spotlighting the hard work of women in various music-related roles.

Monica Kemoli-Savanne, Spotify’s senior artist and label partnerships manager for sub-Saharan Africa, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting and empowering women in the music industry. She noted Ayra Starr’s global recognition as a testament to Africa’s abundant talent and Spotify’s role in providing a platform for artists.

Ayra Starr

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Ayra Starr, a Grammy-nominated artist known for hits like “Bloody Samaritan,” “Sability,” and “Rush,” as well as her recent singles “Commas” and “Bad Vibes” featuring Seyi Vibes, has amassed over 35 million streams on Spotify. Her debut EP and album, released in 2021, have garnered widespread acclaim.

In exciting news, Ayra Starr announced the upcoming release of her new album, “The Year I Turned 21,” scheduled for the end of the month.

What Nigerian Artists Including Ayra Starr Are Earning

In addition, Spotify disclosed that Nigerian artists earned over ₦25 billion (approximately $17 million) in streaming royalties in 2023, marking a remarkable 2,500% increase since 2017. The report also highlighted the significant presence of Nigerian artists on Spotify’s daily top 50 chart, demonstrating their growing popularity among listeners.

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