Spotify has Named Simi as Spotify EQUAL Africa artiste

Spotify has named Nigerian singer and songwriter, Simi Ogunleye, popularly known as “Simi”, as the Spotify EQUAL Africa music programme ambassador for July.

This was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday in Lagos by Phiona Okumu, head of music for Spotify in sub-Saharan Africa.

Okumu stated that Simi joined other Nigerian musicians like Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Asa, and FAVE to be a part of EQUAL Africa, a project that seeks to highlight and amplify the voices of great African female musicians making waves in the music industry.

She added that Simi had succeeded Tiwa Savage as the second African musician to be designated as an EQUAL worldwide and EQUAL Africa artist.

“Spotify welcomes Simi to the EQUAL programme which aims to foster gender equality and provide a platform to celebrate influential female artists.

“She joins a list of talented African women who are driving the culture and breaking through barriers in the music industry.

“We are proud to welcome Simi to the EQUAL programme, and we are so excited to see where her talent continues to take her from strength to strength,” she said.

“Simi came onto the public’s radar in 2014 after the release of the single, “TIFF”, which was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies in 2015.

“Her 2016 single, “Jamb Question”, was a massive hit, topping music charts for weeks. In 2020, Simi garnered even more buzz in the industry after she released her famous song, ‘Duduke’, which celebrated the birth of her daughter.

“Duduke was one of the most played songs of the year in Nigeria, a further testament to Simi’s musical prowess,” she said.