Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi Ogunleye, popularly known as Simi, has been selected as Spotify EQUAL Africa music programme ambassador for July.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

“Spotify welcomes Simi to the EQUAL programme, which aims to foster gender equality and provide a platform to celebrate influential female artistes,” Okumu said.

This announcement followed the release of her latest album TBH (To Be Honest)’ in June.

Okumu said Simi joined other Nigerian artistes like Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Asa, and FAVE to be part of EQUAL Africa, which aims to spotlight and amplify the voices of talented African female artists making waves in the music scene.

“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.

Reacting, Simi said, “Striving and thriving as a woman in a male-dominated industry has taken years of practice to master. You go from being scared of it, to being intimidated by it, to being brave enough for it and then finally, to conquering it.”

The singer added, “I have almost always had to do way more than my male peers to prove myself, but because of my love for music, I have been relentless and proud to do this work. I certainly hope, with all my heart, that the women who continue to come after me find it easier to shine in the way they deserve.”

Simi will be featured on the EQUAL Africa and the EQUAL Global playlists.

(NAN)