Tag: EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

Jamala Kicks Off Spotify EQUAL’s Ukrainian Launch by Sharing Her Unique Blend of Soul, Jazz, Electronica, and Pop With the World

March 10, 2023

This month we were proud to launch our EQUAL program in Ukraine, with singer-songwriter Jamala, our EQUAL Global Ambassador for March, helping kick off the program. 

Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program started in 2021 and aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. Jamala now graces the covers of our EQUAL Global playlist and the newly created EQUAL Україна playlist, which both lead with her song “Take Me To A Place.” 

This isn’t the first time Jamala and her artistry have been front and center. The Ukrainian artist’s numerous accomplishments include the 2022 U.S. Atlantic Council Award for Distinguished Artistic Leadership and the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine. The star was also crowned the winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest for her single “1944,” a deeply personal song inspired by her great-grandmother, who lost a child during the deportation of the Crimean Tatars.

Jamala stands near a protest signJamala began her musical career at a young age, having graduated from the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music with a major in opera singing. While she originally planned to be a classical musician, her 2009 win at the New Wave competition for young singers of pop music set her on a new path. Jamala’s love for experimentation in her sound shines through in her seven studio albums. From her varied use of soul and jazz to electronica and pop, the artist proves she’s a force to be reckoned with and that her music can’t be confined to just one genre.  

Jamala often performs in charity events, concerts, and television shows to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees and children, and for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This summer she’ll be performing live in the United States and Canada for the first time.

“All my life I had to fight for my rights—the right to be myself, the right to create. And now, like thousands of courageous Ukrainian women, I am fighting for the right to live in my own home,” Jamala told For the Record. “Today we inspire each other to be role models of endurance and resilience. That’s why I would like to share the honor of being an EQUAL Ambassador with every Ukrainian woman out there, who, despite rocket attacks and explosions, is fearlessly fighting for the freedom to live in a free country where every Ukrainian woman’s voice is heard on an equal basis.”

For the Record caught up with Jamala to ask her a few questions.

The artists who have most inspired me are… 

Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, and Billie Eilish.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is…

Never give up.

One notable moment in my career so far is… 

Performing with Hozier and Brandi Carlile at the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to U2 back in December.

My creative process… 

Has a sequence. The lyrics inspire the sound.

I’d like to see… 

More gender equality in the music industry and more job opportunities for women at C-suite–level positions. Let’s make the industry more diverse.

A few up-and-coming women artists I’m excited to watch are… 

Sudan Archives, Audrey Nuna, and, with no doubt, the Ukrainian Go_A.

My girl power anthem is… 

“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday.

Listen to Jamala and more inspiring women artists on the EQUAL Global playlist.

Sara James Makes Spotify History as the Youngest EQUAL Global Ambassador of the Month

June 1, 2022

One year ago, 12-year-old Sara James won the Voice Kids Poland competition. She then went on to place second in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Somebody.” Now, at 13, she is Spotify’s youngest EQUAL Ambassador of the Month.

Sara—who is half Polish and half Nigerian—comes from a musical family and began playing piano at six. The vocal powerhouse has also won several other singing competitions in Poland, including the Christmas Carols and Songs Festival and the National Film Song Competition. Now, she’s ready to reach more fans with her music as the first Polish musician to be named EQUAL Global Ambassador of the Month.

“It’s really an honor for me to be the first Polish ambassador of Spotify EQUAL. I’m all about promoting female empowerment, equality, and mutual support for each other,” Sara told For the Record. “We have to deal with so much social pressure every day, and we should really use every opportunity to speak up and embrace our strength. Of course, I’m focusing on my young generation in particular, because I can relate to it the most, but this really affects women from all social and age groups, which makes initiatives like EQUAL so incredibly important!” 

Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. Sara’s song “My Wave” will be featured on the EQUAL Global playlist along with music from other women artists making it big globally.

For the Record sat down with Sara to learn more about her career aspirations and her hopes for the future of music. 

The artists who have most inspired me are ___.  

There are so many it’s really hard to pick! But I’d probably say Beyonce, Rihanna, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and most recently—Rosalía! I love women with strong personalities.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is ___.

Don’t ever let anyone bring you down! People will try to doubt your success, but this should never make you question yourself and your talent. Always be proud of who you are, because the energy you feel within is the energy that people see in you.

One notable moment in my career so far is ___.

I don’t think I can really pick one, because every single big moment has led me to another one. That’s what makes them all EQUAL! (You see what I did there?)

My creative process consists of ___.

At the beginning, I mainly just try to organize my thoughts and bring them together. I have so many ideas coming to me at once when I’m starting to create, so sometimes it’s really hard to choose the direction I want to go in. But once I’m on the right track, I’m unstoppable!

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ___. 

Tolerance and mutual support—it’s as simple as that. I think we wouldn’t have to deal with as many issues if people were more respectful and supportive toward each other. So that’s definitely what I’d like to see more of—not only in the music industry, but in this world in general.

An up-and-coming woman artist I’m excited to watch is ___.

Zalia—she’s from Poland too! She’s such a wonderful, talented, beautiful lady. The fact that she puts everything that she has in her heart into her music is an inspiring thing to watch. What a queen. 

My girl-power anthem is ___.

“Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce!

Discover more women artists climbing the charts with our EQUAL Global playlist.

ARIETE Shares Her Vision for the Music Industry as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

April 19, 2022

In Italian, the word “ariete” means ram, which is the symbol for Aries, the first constellation in the zodiac. It is also Roman singer-songwriter Arianna Del Giaccio’s astrological sun sign and the inspiration behind her emblematic stage name. 

ARIETE first entered the music scene via her social media channels, using her strong voice to garner steady attention during long days at home early on in the pandemic. As her popularity grew, she released a certified-platinum single, “L’Ultima Notte,” and two EPs and was selected to be part of Spotify’s global emerging artist program, RADAR. Then, in February 2022, ARIETE released her first full-length album, SPECCHIO. The record’s dreamy sounds and hammering drumbeats reflect both the quiet calm of a young woman producing music in her bedroom and the bubbling stardom of an artist ready to break through. 

This month, ARIETE is the face of Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program, which aims to combat gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. As part of ARIETE’s involvement, her song “CICATRICI,” featuring Madame, can be found on Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist along with music from other women artists making it big globally.

For the Record spoke with ARIETE to learn more about her thoughts on fostering equality in the music industry and the motto that moves her forward. 

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

Definitely Clairo, PinkPantheress, and all the artists of the new generation who are trying to keep pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is ____.

Never consider yourself “different” or on a lower level from your male colleagues. Art is art in every form of its deep creation.

One notable moment in my career so far is ____.

The first live shows I played last summer, which sold out. I had begun to release my music during the pandemic, and to be able to see the people [who came to the shows] from the stage and to share their emotions was a unique feeling that I’ll never forget.

My creative process consists of ____.

I don’t have a proper creative process. I take my inspirations from the simple things that color my everyday life and the people I love. Everything can be a source of inspiration for me and my music; I just sit down at the piano or pick up my guitar and everything goes by.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ____.

I think the gender gap is definitely an issue in modern music and society. I found it deeply concerning that in the 21st century, we’re still speaking about inequality between genders or genders themselves. We have to normalize this concept with all the cultural weapons we have, but I’m sure that eventually the next generations will treat this issue not as an issue but as the normal topic it should be.

One up-and-coming woman artist I’m excited to watch is ____.

PinkPantheress got me hyped, so I’m looking forward to seeing her as soon as possible!

My girl-power motto right now is ____.

Just kick a**. You’re great as you are, no matter what they say.

Ready to sing along to the world’s most powerful up-and-coming voices? Stream Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist now.

Manizha Shares Her Vision for Gender Equity in the Music Industry as EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

January 24, 2022

Singer-songwriter Manizha is a strong proponent of using her voice for change. Her up-tempo, Tajik- and folk-inspired beats and eclectic art-pop aesthetic have been the defining characteristics of her music for almost a decade. But Manizha really got people talking during the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 when she seized the opportunity to champion the causes she is most passionate about—including preventing LGBTQUIA+ discrimination and domestic abuse. Her song “RUSSIAN WOMAN,” a girl-power anthem about the transformation of women’s roles in Russia, landed her ninth place in the competition.

Earlier this month, she became the face of Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist and joined the EQUAL Global Music Program, which aims to combat gender inequality in the music industry. As part of the program, Manizha also recorded her newest single, “Now or Never”—a cover of  the traditional folk song “See-Line Woman,” popularized by Nina Simone—through the Spotify Singles program. The song is Russia’s first Spotify Singles release and will be available on January 28.

Manizha was born in Tajikistan and lived there until the height of the Tajikistani Civil War in 1994, when she fled to Moscow and began studying music and participating in children’s singing competitions. In 2016, she began recording music as a solo artist, and in 2020, she was announced as a Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Manizha speaks out regularly against unattainable beauty standards for women, and at a recent concert, she removed her makeup and handed out wipes to audience members who wanted to follow her lead. 

Fans may spot Manizha on a billboard in Times Square, New York, this month, but in the meantime, we got to ask her about her career highlights, musical inspirations, and vision for the future of women in music. 

     

The artists who have most inspired me are _____.

Björk, Nina Simone, and Tanita Tikaram.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is _____ .

Before doing what you’re told, think first, and then say, “Hell no, I’m keeping it the way I want it!”

One notable moment in my career so far is _____.

My first big solo show in Moscow!

My creative process consists of _____.

Finding new ways to be more honest in music.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is _____.

Not following the stereotypes of beauty, maintaining your own individuality, and not conforming to the majority or whomever.

A few up-and-coming women artists I’m excited to watch are _____.

Ama Lou, Celeste, and Tierra Whack.

My girl-power anthem is _____.

“Got to Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn.

Want to turn up the volume? Listen to new music from Manizha and other women music artists from around the world on our EQUAL Global playlist. 

Italy’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month, Annalisa, Speaks Out on Her Country’s Music Gender Gap

January 6, 2022

As Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month, Italian singer-songwriter Annalisa is ready to support, inspire, and empower fellow female artists in Italy and around the world. In fact, the popular performer recently joined a panel at Milano Music Week 2021 where she discussed the importance of closing the gender gap in Italy’s music scene.

The panel—which included music industry leaders such as Federica Tremolada, Managing Director Southern & Eastern Europe at Spotify—addressed a recent report presented by Spotify Italy that assessed the country’s gender disparities. Spotify’s research found that women represent only 14% of the total artists on Italy’s official music charts, and for every four male artists there is just one female artist. “There is still a lot to do in the music industry,” said Annalisa. “The work of a woman artist is difficult and laborious. But the more we talk about these issues, the more progress we make for the future.”

Enzo Mazza, Federica Tremolada, Annalisa, Dario Giovannini, and Francesca Delogu at Milano Music Week

Annalisa’s work and leadership have helped earn her a spot in Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program, an ongoing effort to combat the gender disparity in the music industry globally. The EQUAL campaign extends resources to and generates more opportunities for women artists by creating a global, cohesive, branded experience.

One promising insight from the study is that in the last four years the gender gap has begun to narrow among artists under 30 thanks to streaming. This change is helping fuel Annalisa. “The new generations are showing that gender differences in the music industry are decreasing, but there is still a long way to go,” shared the pop star. “My goal is aimed, above all, at that generation.”

Annalisa at Milano Music Week

“I would like to remind all the EQUAL artists that they are part of a story, and what they are doing today will be essential and relevant for everyone who follows in their footsteps,” she added.

For the Record invited the decorated performer to fill in the blanks on the artists who inspire her and her hopes for the future of the music industry.

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

Definitely Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and Halsey, but also many great women in the international music scene like Björk and Joni Mitchell.

One piece of advice I’d give other women artists is ____.

I think that the most important thing in the musical industry is the way you nurture your talent. You have to study, listen to other artists, and absorb every kind of inspiration you need to focus your own particular style.

One notable moment in my career so far is ____.

The moment when I wrote one of my most important songs “Il mondo prima di te”—I suddenly felt like it could be a big step forward in my career.

My creative process consists of ____.

I try to share things that I can only explain through music. Sometimes words are not enough, and music is the element that makes a story complete.

One way I’d like to see greater gender equity in the music industry is ____.

To see the end of judgments on a person’s physical appearance.

One up-and-coming woman artist I’m excited to watch is ____.

I’m excited about the rise of Olivia Rodrigo. I like her so much, and I’m curious to see what she can do in the future.

My girl-power anthem right now is ____.

“Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.

Stream Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist below to keep amplifying Annalisa and female musicians worldwide: