Tag: women at full volume

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:

Logic1000, EQUAL Artist of the Month, Tells Her Story Through Dance Music

December 21, 2021

Logic1000, aka Berlin-based producer Samantha Poulter, may have taken a winding path to the music industry, but she’s blazed a trail for fellow female artists nonetheless. The Australia native’s tracks have quickly climbed the charts, attracted a global listenership, and resonated with top DJs. Her impact on the industry and advocacy for other women artists have also earned her the title of Spotify’s EQUAL Artist of the Month.

Logic1000 began making waves in 2019, when her self-described “feminine and fun” tunes attracted the interest of influential DJ Four Tet, who quickly began to champion the artist’s tracks. The rest is history. Today, the creator’s rhythmic beats draw a monthly listenership of more than 500,000, and she’s celebrating the recent release of her EP In The Sweetness Of You. Her body of work is inspired by her experiences. The artist shared, “My ears have always been drawn to a particular sound throughout my life, and I think the music I make as Logic1000 is an amalgam of all of that. I want many people to hear my music because it is a true reflection of my taste, and I guess in that sense it is a way of ‘telling my story.’”

The latest chapter in her story includes joining Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program. The program, which recently passed its six-month milestone, takes aim at the gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. The ongoing EQUAL campaign extends resources and generates more opportunities for these artists by creating a global, cohesive, branded experience. Logic1000 will also take her place on the cover of our EQUAL Global playlist, giving her more visibility worldwide.

To get to know this creator, For the Record invited Logic1000 to fill in the blanks on her hopes for equity in music, the emerging artists she’s watching, and her long-standing personal anthem.

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

[Fellow EQUAL artist] Jorja Smith, Summer Walker, Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott, and Mazzy Star. 

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

Try your best to be resilient because the industry can be tough at times for women. Don’t give up if you experience misogyny. Use that as fuel to make bigger and better art. Be loud! Be strong, and be humble with your success. 

One notable moment in my career so far ____.

When I released my first EP, Logic1000, a few years ago. At the time, music was a hobby, and I never in a million years thought it could be a career for me. It was such an amazing moment when Four Tet played a track off that EP to a huge crowd at Coachella. It really did open a lot of doors for me. This just proves the importance of bigger artists supporting those who are smaller and up-and-coming.

My creative process consists of ____.

Listening to the music that inspires me during my downtime. I find that doing this every day makes me motivated to be a great musician. It throws a lot of emotion into my body, and I use that as inspiration to make the music I want to make.

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

To see women and nonbinary people at the top tier of the music industry. I want them to be making the important decisions. I also want to see artists using their power to make sure lineups are diverse. Maybe this could mean artists have gender and racial diversity quotas that need to be fulfilled by festivals in order for them to accept the offer to play.

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

A few up-and-coming women artists I’m excited to watch are Erika de Casier, Molly Lewis, and yunè pinku.

My girl-power anthem right now is ____.

“Jumpin’, Jumpin’” by Destiny’s Child. It has been my anthem since I was 14, so it is a long-standing love.

Turn up the volume on Logic1000 and other women creators and stream Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist below:

Celebrating Six Months of Amplifying Women Creators Worldwide Through EQUAL

September 27, 2021

Six months ago, in celebration of International Women’s Day, Spotify vowed to turn up the volume on women creators through our EQUAL campaign. Currently, only one in five artists on the charts is a woman, according to the Spotify-funded USC Annenberg study on representation of women in the music industry. This knowledge has helped fuel our commitment to extending our resources and generating more impactful opportunities for women artists. Today marks a milestone of six months in our campaign—something to celebrate and acknowledge as we continue to drive equity for women in audio. 

“Being a female artist requires a lot more effort and dedication to get recognition since, unfortunately, social pressures and sexism are still so present in all spheres of society,” Brazilian artist DUDA BEAT, a featured EQUAL creator, told For the Record. “Hence the great importance of this Spotify initiative, which will enable us as women to have equal representation in the music scene. I’m sure EQUAL will be seen as a milestone in the history of the global music industry for bringing more recognition to talented women from all over the world and making their voices heard.” 

To amplify the voices of our creators, we debuted the EQUAL hub, a one-stop destination highlighting the work of women-identifying artists and podcasters. The centralized location isn’t just for artists, however. It also allows Spotify users to tap into the power of listening to shift the status quo.

And to further support emerging artists across 35 markets, we unveiled our EQUAL Music Program. Through the program, Spotify introduced to listeners around the world 35 EQUAL local playlists, which span 50+ countries, as well as a “best-of” flagship EQUAL Global playlist. The playlists are housed on platform in the EQUAL hub and spotlight local women artists on the rise in 35 markets. Plus, each month, the hub features a rotating Artist of the Month takeover, alongside a refreshed tracklist. We kicked off the program by highlighting 35 inaugural EQUAL creators, including LUNA, Somi, Meryl, and DUDA BEAT, and we have since featured 175 EQUAL Artists of the Month.

Now, we’re taking a look at the results of the EQUAL campaign so far—and renewing our commitment to amplify and celebrate the voices of women creators around the world.

 

It’s clear our EQUAL artists and local playlists have already struck a chord with listeners worldwide. In the first month of joining the program, fans added EQUAL artists to more than 600 different playlists 1,500 times. And after six months, EQUAL playlists have surpassed 29 million streams across 177 markets. 

Plus, since the campaign launched, For the Record has had the chance to speak with Artists of the Month Jorja Smith, Lido Pimienta, and more on their hopes for the future of the music industry. The program has ultimately helped foster a deeper connection between fans and noteworthy women artists and generate new opportunities for visibility.

“Sometimes people ask me about the best, most breakthrough moment of my career,” reflected LUNA. “I’m just at the beginning of my journey, but one event was really important and spectacular. In April 2021 I became a part of Spotify’s EQUAL campaign as the first Polish artist and ambassador supporting women’s rights in the music industry. And as a result, I’ve been featured on a billboard in Times Square! It was just unbelievable! It made me feel like anything is possible.”

We’re proud to support the voices of women creators worldwide, and we’re excited to raise the volume even higher. The work toward an equitable future has only just begun.  

Keep exercising your power to listen, and stream our EQUAL Global playlist now:

EQUAL Artist of the Month Jorja Smith Shares Her Advice for Women Creators

June 7, 2021

Award-winning R&B artist Jorja Smith has made a name for herself in today’s music scene thanks to her soulful jazz-tinged sound and heartfelt lyrics. The British singer-songwriter takes inspiration from her life, penning songs that document her journey to self-discovery and self-confidence. Her work inspires her more than 2 million followers, and she is this month’s featured artist in Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program.

The program, which launched in April earlier this year, takes aim at the gender disparity in the music industry by amplifying the work of women creators. It’s part of Spotify’s new campaign, EQUAL, to demonstrate our commitment to fostering equity for women in audio and celebrating their global contributions. To do so, we’re extending resources and generating more opportunities for these artists by creating a global, cohesive, branded experience with EQUAL.

We’re turning up the volume on women artists like Jorja. And, as the global artist of the month, she will be featured on the cover of our EQUAL Global playlist, giving her more visibility around the globe.

In addition to the relatable, resonant themes in her music, Jorja was also selected to join EQUAL because of her efforts to uplift emerging women artists in her work. The song “Bussdown” from the singer’s recent EP features U.K. rapper Shaybo and is a powerful collaboration between two women at the forefront of international music culture. 

To get to know the R&B star, For the Record asked Jorja to fill in the blanks and share her advice for other women using their voices to change the industry.

The artists who have most inspired me are ____.

Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Mos Def, Damien Marley, Alicia Keys, Adele . . . I can just keep going because I’m newly inspired by old classics that I hadn’t discovered when I was younger.

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

It’s always easier said than done, but just be you because you’re you and you cannot be anyone else. Don’t watch others and think “why aren’t I where they are, I’m not as good,” or out of spite or jealousy. Only watch others to be inspired and motivated, because that’s what we should do as women—want to inspire and uplift each other to be the best versions of ourselves.

One notable moment in my career so far ____.

Moving into my house, putting up my plaques, and sitting back like, “Wow, you did that.”

My creative process consists of ____.

Just getting lost with whatever I start singing or freestyling. Once I start singing, I record because usually I just speak my mind and the lyrics flow. Other times I get melodies down but can’t figure out what to say. I think it’s because what I was trying to say hadn’t happened yet.

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

More women everywhere. On set, in studio producing, front of house, head of music, publishing companies, and record labels. The list goes on and on. I’m so used to a mixed and balanced team, I sometimes forget that the industry is very male-dominated—until I get on a set and remember.

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

Shaybo. She can flow on any beat, and I’m just captured by her love, her realness, and the way she captures how I feel in her bars.

My girl-power anthem right now is ____.

“Wildfires” by SAULT because it makes me feel strong.

Keep celebrating Jorja and other women artists on Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist below: