Nigerian Celebrities
Ayra Starr doubles up as Spotify EQUAL Africa and Global Artist for Ma
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.
A civil society organisation, The Osun Masterminds, TOM, has urged President Bola Tinubu to end the floatation of the Naira and revert to a Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, guided pricing that will be devoid of corruption and the sharp practices that characterised the apex bank under Godwin Emefiele. TOM also demanded a return of subsidy on petrol until a time in the future, when proper structures have been put in place to manage the consequences of total deregulation.
These demands formed part of the address of TOM’s September State of the State address on Saturday.Delivering these demands, the Executive Director of TOM, Prof Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli added that the Federal Government should “put more resources into strategic subsidies for common Nigerians instead of sharing more money to the States, which end up financing the reckless lifestyle of many of the Governors”.
The group held that before the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, the government was expected to follow up with several proactive measures that will keep the possible implications in check.
“Part of the implications that we foresaw, was rising costs of commodities, due to rising costs of transportation, occasioned by rising costs of petrol. We expected that policies that would counteract these fall-outs would hastily be implemented, to protect Nigerians from the hardship we experience today.
“To make matters worse, the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, also decided to float the Naira, leaving it to the whims and caprices of market manipulators, speculators, and hawks. While a market-driven pricing of the Naira would be ideal, the peculiarities of our character as Nigerians, soon negated whatever possible good outcomes we could get.
“The Foreign Exchange rate dealt a huge blow on the common man, because Nigeria has remained as export dependent as it always was before the floating of the Naira.
“In fact, we dare say that Nigeria’s export dependence has worsened when we compare a 2.4% annual population growth, with a meagre 1.8% Agriculture value growth. This would simply mean that our numbers are increasing faster than our capacity to feed ourselves. This is a reality we are sure the Federal Government is aware of.
“Another fact that underscores the direct effect of the Foreign Exchange rate on the average Nigerian, is our heavy dependence on the warring states of Russia and Ukraine, for two major agricultural value chain inputs, that is Fertilizer, and Wheat.
“So, while we continue to depend more on the rest of the world to feed us, foreign exchange rates spiraled out of control with currency depreciation increasing import costs, while transportation costs locally, completed the pummeling of Nigerians and our economy,” the group added.
Source: Dailypost
Famous Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has expressed comfort with public perceptions about him. The actor in a recent Instagram post on his page, noted that he will not compromise his principles, even if it means being misunderstood.
Jim Iyke explained that his decision to stand by his values has helped him shape his career. I have grown extremely comfortable being the villain in some people’s stories. Many times, the lines between wrong and right blur in these narratives. I am happy as always to dispense with my side of it. My recourse is to distance myself from the grandstanding and theatrics.
“Sometimes, I am quick to build a wall before compromising my ideologies and principles. It is what forged who I am. It’s what inspires what I am to become.
“One thing is certain: you must trust people to be who they are. The moon will turn red before I’m who I am not. I am light to many. Others, I am what their insecurities amplify. I’m hated for it. I’m loved for it.”
Source: Dailypost
In other news –
Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed the craziest rumour he has seen online about himself. The ‘Calm Down’ hitmaker said being tagged “a devil worshiper” was the craziest rumour ever peddled against him.
Rema featured in a recent episode of the ‘Kids Take Over’ podcast.The host asked: “What’s the most crazy, untrue thing that you’ve seen online about you. Read more
Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed the craziest rumour he has seen online about himself. The ‘Calm Down’ hitmaker said being tagged “a devil worshiper” was the craziest rumour ever peddled against him.
Rema featured in a recent episode of the ‘Kids Take Over’ podcast.The host asked: “What’s the most crazy, untrue thing that you’ve seen online about you?”
Rema replied: “They say worship the devil [laughs]. It’s crazy. I didn’t respond to it because it is not important. It’s a waste of time.”
The singer explained that the symbols he used in expressing his art were Edo culture and not satanic.
Rema also spoke about working with Canadian superstar, Drake in 2020 for his song ‘Mention Me’ which got leaked.
“I’m happy to work with a legend like Drake. I feel like we are going to make a very huge song if we take our time to build something very strong,” he said.
Source: dailypost
In other news – Traders blame high cost of food items in Nigeria on insecurity
Traders in Ose Okwodu Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have blamed the rising cost of food items in Nigeria on the insecurity bedeviling the country.
The traders stated this through their market leaders on Thursday when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) visited the market for a survey on the cause of the rising cost of food items in the country. Read more