In a move to boost gender equality within the music industry, Spotify’s Equal initiative recently hosted a major event in Nairobi aimed at equipping female musicians with vital tools to grow their careers.
The workshop focused on practical training covering how to maximise Spotify for Artists profiles, financial literacy, and preparing for media interviews—key areas that can help artists better manage their brand and income streams.
Since its launch in 2021, Spotify’s Equal program has worked to tackle longstanding disparities faced by women in music. One of its core features is the selection of monthly ambassadors who receive special support, including editorial exposure, social media campaigns, and advertising in major cities around the world.
Jodie Tabisher, Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Southern Africa and the lead of the Equal Africa program, highlighted the benefits of being part of the initiative. “Each month’s ambassador gains editorial backing, communication support, social media boosts, and outdoor advertising,” she said. “This level of visibility often leads to a significant increase in streams for African artists.”
Kenyan musicians such as Njerae, Xenia Manasseh, Fena Gitu, Nikita Kering, and Ssaru have all been featured as Equal ambassadors, gaining wider audiences and professional support.
The Nairobi event also brought together some of Kenya’s most influential music figures, including Njerae, Atemi Oyungu, Amani, Janet Otieno, Miss Kamweru, Ythera, Wangechi, and We Are Nubia, creating an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
While the program addresses current challenges faced by women artists, Tabisher expressed a hopeful vision for the future: “It would be ideal if one day we no longer needed to separate women creators from men or female artists from male artists. True equality would mean everyone simply being recognised for their talent.”
