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Ayra Starr becomes Spotify EQUAL Africa global artiste for May

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Spotify, an online streaming platform, says Nigerian Afrobeats artiste, Ayra Starr, is its global EQUAL Africa artiste for May.

Monica Kemoli-Savanne, Spotify’s Senior Artiste and Label Partnerships Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Kemoli-Savanne said Spotify’s EQUAL programme supports female artistes, giving them a global platform through playlists, content hubs and partnerships.

According to her, the artiste is known for her hits such as Rush, Sability as well as Rhythm and Blues among others.

She noted that Ayra Starr was joining fellow Nigerian, Tiwa Savage, who was the only other artiste to the Spotify EQUAL Africa and global artiste.

“Ayra Starr takes the spotlight for Spotify’s EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global programme this May.

“Our commitment at Spotify is to support and empower women in the music industry, helping to create a more level playing field.

“Seeing artistes like Ayra Starr come from the continent to gain global recognition serves as a true testament that Africa is full of talent, all that is needed is a platform.

“It has been a great journey to witness the growth of female artistes who are also inspiring generations to come, which also speaks to our commitment to equally support female artistes,” she said.

Kemoli-Savanne said that Spotify hosted 15 EQUAL activations and over 14.8 million artiste discoveries stemmed from its playlists.

She said EQUAL artistes received 11,800 editorial playlist adds, all in 2023, further demonstrating the programmes impact and reach.

Ayra Starr whose February release, Commas, already has over 35 million streams on Spotify, spoke on her expressive musical style.

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She said that it had helped her carve a niche in the music industry.

“I am grateful to become a Spotify EQUAL Ambassador.

“It means so much to me to be able to represent women in Afrobeats and African women in general.

“It means everything to me because I am a girl and I have to support my gender and level the playing field.

“There are so many women in music right now and the EQUAL programme is doing a great job in highlighting their hard work.”

Ayra Starr described her sound as highly vibrational, eccentric, unique and beautiful.

Revealing her new musical project, Ayra Starr said: “I have a new single with Seyi Vibes called ‘Bad Vibes’ and I can’t wait for my fans to hear it.

“It is amazing and it is one of those songs that makes you feel good. The best part about it is that it is not just a regular Afrobeat record, it is like genres intertwined.” (NAN)

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Why I Don’t Support Disrespectful Wives—Nollywood Star

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Funke Akindele, the Nigerian filmmaker, says despite being a feminist, she does not encourage women being disrespectful to their husbands.

A feminist is someone who advocates the political, economic, and social equality of women.

In a video addressing skit maker Kamo State and his wife, the filmmaker said she rejects the notion that women are the “weaker sex,” emphasising that they are “strong and bold”.

She urged men to treat women “specially” and not confine them to traditional roles of being in the kitchen.

She further stressed the importance of women’s economic power, advising them to secure financial independence to support their husbands.

“I’m a feminist but I do not support a woman disrespecting her husband. Do what is right,” she said.

“I believe that we are not the weaker sex or vessel. Men are suppose to treat us specially and respect us. Men should not also feel that a woman belongs to the kitchen and can be talked to anyhow.

“We women are strong, and bold. Also, our economic power is important that is why we should make sure we have the power and protect it so we can support our husbands.”

Akindele and producer Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ Bello tied the knot in London in 2016 and welcomed a set of twin boys in 2018.

But in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced his separation from Akindele, citing “irreconcilable differences”.

The singer claimed he tried to address the situation but the matter is now “beyond repair.”

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Ayra Starr leads Spotify’s 2025 impact list

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Spotify has announced Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, known as Ayra Starr, as the leading artiste in its Global Impact List for 2025.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, shared the news in a statement on Tuesday.

Okumu revealed Ayra Starr’s dominance on Spotify’s Global Impact List, leading 30 Nigerian songs and connecting with audiences worldwide.

The top 10 list includes Ayra Starr, Rauw Alejandro, and Rvssian’s “Santa”; Tems’s “Love MeJeJe”; Burna Boy, Coldplay, Elyanna, Little Simz, and TINI’s “WE PRAY”; and more.

Other songs featured are Ayra Starr and Giveon’s “Last Heartbreak Song”; 21Savage, Burna Boy, and Metro Boomin’s “Justlike Me”; Tems and Tyla’s “No.1”; and others.

Okumu highlighted Nigerian artistes breaking boundaries, saying Spotify is proud to amplify their global reach.

She explained that Nigerian music’s influence has gone global, with Ayra Starr leading the charge in Spotify’s 2025 Global Impact List.

The list showcases 30 Nigerian songs with the strongest international connections this year, reflecting Nigeria’s growing global influence.

Okumu called Ayra Starr a chart-topping force, reshaping the global music scene with her international success.

Ayra’s hits top Nigerian charts, with her music becoming global anthems that resonate worldwide.

“As a Spotify RADAR and EQUAL alumna, Ayra Starr was Nigeria’s most-streamed female artiste in 2024,” Okumu said.

While only two of her tracks, “Last Heartbreak Song” and “Bad Vibes”, are on the Global Impact List, Ayra’s collaborations like “Santa” highlight her wide-reaching influence.

The success of “Santa”, featuring Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, showcases Ayra’s ability to connect across diverse markets.

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Ayra Starr’s six entries on the list, including “Commas”, “GOOD FEELiNGS”, and “Hypé”, show her versatility and global appeal.

Her album The Year I Turned 21 was one of the top 10 most-streamed albums of the year, cementing her global presence.

Okumu emphasised the power of collaboration in amplifying Nigerian music’s global impact, noting 22 of the 30 songs are collaborations.

She explained that collaborations are essential for Nigerian artistes aiming for international success, with 19 involving artistes from other countries.

Songs like “Santa”, “WE PRAY (TINI Version)”, and “Another Vibe” demonstrate the power of such cross-continental partnerships. (NAN)

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Portable: I’m A Madman In Ogun Psychiatric Hospital

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Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has declared that he is a madman who is undergoing treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

Portable said this while appealing to Nigerians and the Ogun State Government on Tuesday after being declared wanted by the state police command.
The zazoo-zeh crooner was reportedly involved in a fight with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office: TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi. They conducted an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State.
The town planners claimed they encountered an elderly man, later identified as Portable’s father, at Odogwu Bar in the area.
Upon identifying themselves and requesting the approved building plan, the father informed them that his son was unavailable.
However, moments later, Portable, armed with a firearm and other weapons, led a gang of nine thugs in a violent attack on the unarmed officials.
The police claimed, “The enforcement officers sustained various bodily injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which subsequently escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action.
“Nine accomplices were arrested, but Portable fled the scene and has since gone into hiding.”
However, reacting to the declaration, Portable, in multiple rants, took to his Instagram on Tuesday to appeal to Nigerians and the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging that he was set up because he was wearing a vest with the face of Senator Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi.
The singer also noted that he was a madman and had a card at Aro Hospital, where he usually received treatment.
He said, “I fear government. I am a federal government liability. Then I’m a madman; I have medications that I usually take. You can confirm from Aro Hospital. I have a card that certifies me as one of their patients.
“I am from Abeokuta, and they take care of me there. I am not a thief; I help people around me without looking at their backgrounds.”

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