Spotify has announced Afropop sensation Yemi Alade as its EQUAL Africa artist for September.
This accolade was revealed by Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, in a statement released on Friday in Lagos.
Okumu described the Spotify EQUAL Africa program as a platform dedicated to empowering female voices across the continent, highlighting artists who are pushing artistic boundaries. She emphasized that Yemi Alade embodies the type of talent the program aims to support, and praised her as a standout artist in the African music scene.
“Yemi Alade exemplifies the calibre of talent the programme aims to support. Spotify is proud to be associated with Yemi Alade and will continue to use the EQUAL Africa programme to support women in music, amplify their voices, and help to showcase their incredible talents to the global audience,” Okumu stated.
With a career spanning over a decade, Alade has solidified her position as one of Nigeria’s most prominent and influential female artists. Her powerful voice and electrifying performances have earned her a dedicated fanbase both locally and internationally.
Her collaborations with global superstars such as Beyoncé, Angélique Kidjo, and Awilo Longomba have further cemented her status on the world stage, allowing her to represent African music across continents.
Alade described her music as a “perfect blend of high-life pop, R’n’B, and afrobeat,” with influences of jazz and blues. She noted, “I don’t like to be in a box, but I know that my music is a fusion of African sounds, and the core of my music is African rhythm.”
The recognition from Spotify highlights Alade’s significant contributions to the global music landscape and reinforces the platform’s commitment to celebrating and supporting female artists in Africa.
