@Spotify Equal Music Program Welcomes Nigerian Rising Superstar @ayrastarr

Spotify celebrates Ayra Starr, the newest artist to join the EQUAL Music Programme as the  EQUAL Africa artist of the month.

To foster gender equality in music and provide a platform to highlight influential female creators, Spotify welcomes Ayra as she joins the list of fierce African women making waves in music.

This announcement comes off the back of Ayra’s popularity and fame since the release of her smash hit  Bloody Samaritan, from the album ‘’19 and Dangerous’ - Arya’s debut studio album. “19 and Dangerous” features chart-topping singles that have catapulted the musician to the global stage; and the super-talented and vibrant fashion killer is one of Nigeria’s most promising new voices who exudes confidence in her songs - joining Gen Z artists who are pioneering the kind of sound that younger audiences are leaning towards.

“Our aim with the Equal programme is to create a space on the platform that allows us to solely amplify the work of female creators”, says Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu. “Ayra represents the rise of new-age female artists whose creativity and determination breaks barriers between genres, and she possesses the boldness and swagger that we’re used to seeing from pop artists, but hers has an edge that feels symbolic of the listening habits of Gen Zers.  This is what we aim to continue to amplify through Equal.”

The 19-year-old singer is a burgeoning Nigerian Afro-Pop and R&B singer whose charismatic music style is daring and dauntless- impacting and empowering people, especially those that are not added to the equation.

‘’It feels good to be a part of the generation that is changing the narrative and being appreciated for the quota we are contributing to society irrespective of the sector and age. I’m grateful to Spotify Equal for this feature that shines the light on women in a male-dominated industry. It makes me feel seen, and I’m sure it's done so for everyone who has been featured before me”, says Ayra Starr. 

As the latest artist to join the EQUAL Music Programme, Ayra Starr will also feature on Spotify’s Times Square billboard in New York and her breakout hit Bloody Samaritan will lead the EQUAL Africa playlist and feature on the EQUAL Global playlist.