Nigeria: FAVE joins Spotify’s Equal programme

The announcement follows FAVE’s addition to Apple Music’s Africa Rising programme in January. He popularity has been growing since the release of her breakthrough hit single ‘Baby Riddim’ in September via emPawa Africa.

Equal Africa forms part of Spotify’s Equal Hub, which is designed to foster equity for women in music globally. Launched in April 2021, the programme has featured a growing list of African artists including Ayra Starr, Aṣa, Gyakie, Somi, DBN Gogo and Soraia Ramos.

FAVE will be featured on Spotify’s Times Square billboard in New York, with her track ‘Obsessed’ leading the Equal Africa playlist. The song has also been added to the Equal Global playlist.

“Our aim with the Equal Music Programme is to shine a light on remarkable young women in Africa who are finding their feet through music,” Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said. “We remain committed to levelling the playing field for female creators by giving emerging and established artists equal opportunities on our platform. FAVE exudes character and confidence and we are proud to showcase her.”

FAVE said: “It’s easy to come across, or even be directly involved in, a conversation on the subject of female artists and the widely believed stereotype that women cannot give their 100% to music because there are other things that occupy their time, based on societal norms. Stereotypes like this already influence how people in the industry view women. On a broader scale, you almost get the vibe that people think the success of a female artist can only be short lived. Of course, defects like this are not general but they do exist. Male domination, I believe, is something that can only be filtered away by our outstanding success as women in our fields of excellence and talent. I’m honoured to be part of the Equal programme with women who plan to change the world.

“We will continue to seek, recognise and amplify the female voices we have in the African music space so that the next generation of female artists can believe and have many influences to look up to,” emPawa Africa co-founder and head of label services Ikenna Nwagboso added.

FAVE began her professional music career in 2019 with the release of ‘M.O.M.M.S’. Other releases from the singer include ‘DAL’ and ‘N.B.U (Nobody But You)’. She also appears on two tracks off rapper Olamide’s ninth studio album UY Scuti. FAVE’s debut EP Riddim 5 comprises five tracks that meld Afropop, Caribbean and neo-R&B influences.