Nigerian Celebrities
Ayra Starr doubles up as Spotify EQUAL Africa and Global Artist for Ma
![Ayra Starr](https://news365.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ayra-Starr-scaled.jpeg)
Spotify’s EQUAL program supports female artists, giving them a global platform through playlists, content hubs, and partnerships. Nigerian Afrobeats artist Ayra Starr, known for her hits such as Rush, Sability and Rhythm & Blues, and more, takes the spotlight for Spotify’s EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global program this May. She joins fellow Nigerian Tiwa Savage, who is the only other African artist to be both the Spotify EQUAL Africa and Global artist.
Monica Kemoli-Savanne, Spotify’s Senior Artist & Label Partnerships Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa says, “Our commitment at Spotify is to support and empower women in the music industry, helping to create a more level playing field. Seeing artists like Ayra Starr come from the continent to gain global recognition serves as a true testament that Africa is full of talent, all that is needed is a platform. It has been a great journey to witness the growth of female artists who are also inspiring generations to come, which also speaks to our commitment to equally support female artists.”
Spotify hosted 15 EQUAL activations and over 14.8 million artist discoveries stemmed from EQUAL playlists, and EQUAL artists received 11,800 editorial playlist adds, all in 2023, further demonstrating the program’s impact and reach.
Ayra Starr whose February release Commas already has over 35 million streams on Spotify, spoke on her expressive musical style that has helped her craft a niche in the music industry, and what it means to her being selected as Spotify’s EQUAL artist.
“I am grateful to become a Spotify EQUAL Ambassador. It means so much to me to be able to represent women in Afrobeats and African women in general. There are so many women in music right now and the EQUAL program is doing a great job in highlighting their hard work.”
Ayra Starr to delve deeper into her music and creative journey:
How is the Spotify EQUAL program significant, from your perspective?
There are so many women in music today, behind the scenes, in front of the camera, musicians, sound engineers, all these women working hard and Spotify EQUAL is doing a great job in highlighting all their hard work.
What does this mean to you as a person, being Spotify’s EQUAL artist for the month both from an African and Global perspective?
It means everything to me because I am a girl and I have to support my gender and level the playing field.
To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?
I would describe my sound as highly vibrational, eccentric, unique, and beautiful.
Are we expecting any music from you anytime soon?
Yes. I have a new single with Seyi Vibes called ‘Bad Vibes’ and I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. It’s amazing and it’s one of those songs that makes you feel good. The best part about it is that it is not just a regular Afrobeat record, it’s like genres intertwined.
Check out Ayra Starr single Commas on the EQUAL Africa and Global playlists.
Nigerian Celebrities
My dad said he had vision I’d end up as gospel singer’ – Davido
![](https://news365.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Davido.jpg)
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, AKA Davido, has revealed a vision his dad, Deji Adeleke, told him he had about him. The ‘OBO’ crooner stated that his dad told him that he had a vision that he would end his music career up as a gospel singer. Davido disclosed this during a chat with some guests at his wedding on Tuesday.
In the morning, daddy would say, ‘Davido, I had a vision about you.’ I said, ‘What vision?’ He said, ‘I had a vision that you ended your music as a gospel singer’,” he said. Davido’s wedding at the Eko Hotel and Suites attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including his uncle, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his Lagos and Abia State counterparts, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Alex Otti.
Others are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, and the Ooni of Ife, HRH Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Also in attendance were Don Jazzy, Ini Edo, PSquare, Zlatan Ibile, Patoranking, Obi Cubana, Seyi Tinubu, Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Osimhen, Pocolee, and the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
Source: Dailpost
In other news – I lost opportunities over my support for Palestine – Kehlani
American singer-songwriter Kehlani Ashley Parrish, popularly known as “Kehlani,” has opened up about losing opportunities and deals due to her support for Palestine. The singer revealed this in an interview with ‘Breakfast Club’ released in the early hours of Tuesday. I have experienced a lot of pushback,” Kehlani said.
I’ve experienced a lot of loss. I’ve experienced a lot of things that were promised and set up for this rollout and album to happen, supposed to be a lot of ‘firsts. Read more
Nigerian Celebrities
Why I’m yet to marry – Don Jazzy speaks out
![Don Jazzy speaks out](https://news365.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Don-Jazzy-speaks-out.jpeg)
Music mogul Don Jazzy has recently opened up about why he remains unmarried despite his success and popularity. The Nigerian producer and entrepreneur, known for founding Mavin Records and launching the careers of numerous artists, shared his thoughts on why he hasn’t taken the plunge into marriage just yet.
Don Jazzy explained that his demanding career has played a significant role in his decision to stay single. His dedication to building his music empire has left little time for personal relationships, and he admitted that he has often prioritized work over his love life. The music industry, with its relentless pace and constant demands, has made it challenging for him to focus on settling down.
The producer also mentioned that his high standards and desire for a meaningful connection have made him cautious about entering into marriage. He believes that marriage is a serious commitment that requires time, effort, and the right partner, and he doesn’t want to rush into it until he’s certain he’s found someone who aligns with his values and lifestyle.
Despite his single status, Don Jazzy remains optimistic about the future, expressing that he is open to the idea of marriage when the time is right. For now, he continues to focus on his career and personal growth, with the belief that everything will fall into place when it’s meant to.
In other news – I lost opportunities over my support for Palestine – Kehlani
American singer-songwriter Kehlani Ashley Parrish, popularly known as “Kehlani,” has opened up about losing opportunities and deals due to her support for Palestine.
The singer revealed this in an interview with ‘Breakfast Club’ released in the early hours of Tuesday. I have experienced a lot of pushback,” Kehlani said. Read more
Nigeria Breaking News
Shallipopi announces break from smoking
![Shallipopi](https://news365.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Shallipopi.webp)
Nigerian singer, Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has announced that he is currently on “break” from smoking. The ‘Pluto Presido’ crooner announced this while sharing a video from his vocation via Snapchat recently. He advised his fellow smokers to abstain from the habit sometimes.
He said, “No be everytime you go dey smoke igbo, sometimes take a break. I am on break now. I am feeling good. Nigerian celebrities, including Tonto Dikeh, Don Jazzy, Terry G, Faze, Dr Sid and Kizz Daniel have announced quitting smoking in the past.
However, some of them later made a U-turn, with Terry G and Kizz Daniel confirming on their respective social media pages that they have returned to the habit.
Source: Dailypost
In other news – My man pays me allowance – Mercy Eke
Reality TV star Mercy Eke has revealed that she gets paid for being in a relationship. Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Love Is A Game’, she said: “My guy [partner] pays me an allowance.
But it’s not that I mandated him to do that. I have about six domestic workers. So the allowance is just to assist me to pay my staff. Read more
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