Simi, a singer-songwriter from Nigeria, has been named the Spotify Equal Africa music program ambassador for July by the world's largest streaming service.
This news was made on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, and it comes after the June release of her most recent album, "To Be Honest (TBH)".
Simi is a member of the Equal Africa Programme, which seeks to highlight and amplify the voices of brilliant African female musicians making waves in the music industry, along with other Nigerian artists Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Asa, and FAVE.
She also succeeds Tiwa Savage as the only other African musician to be designated as an Equal Global and Equal Africa artist.
Simi Bolatito Ogunleye, a musician, sound engineer, and actress from Nigeria, began her musical career as a church choir member. Simi began her musical career as a gospel singer and in 2008, she released her first studio album, "Ogaju," before deciding to pursue Afro-pop.
READ ALSO: Simi Releases New Album ‘To Be Honest’
After the track "TIFF" was released in 2014 and was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies in 2015, she gained attention from the general public. Since then, she has received multiple honors, published three solo albums, and one album in collaboration.
Speaking in the announcement, Simi talks about the rigors of forging a path in a male dominated industry “Striving and thriving as a woman in a male dominated industry has taken years of practice to master,”
she says. “You go from being scared of it, to being intimidated by it, to being brave enough for it and then finally, to conquering it.
I've 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 is welcomed by Spotify to the Equal program, which aims to promote gender equality and offer a venue to recognize significant female musicians.
She joins a group of accomplished African women who are shaping culture and shattering stereotypes in the music business.
“We are proud to welcome Simi to the EQUAL programme, and we’re so excited to see where her talent continues to take her from strength to strength,” says Spotify’s Head of Music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.
