Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Sounds of Africa: Creators Bring the Continent to Life on Spotify

25/05/2022

May 25 marks Africa Day, which recognizes the creation of the African Union and offers a chance to reflect on the progress that has been made across the continent since 1963. To commemorate the occasion, Spotify is celebrating local voices through the new Sounds of Africa campaign.

The continent is home to an incredible array of talented individuals who are sharing their unique creativity, storytelling, and sounds with the world. So from social media to on-platform efforts, this campaign spotlights emerging African talent in music and podcasting.

African creators are doing amazing things in the music and audio content creation space. Moreover, the stories of this crop of creatives are helping others find their passions and their voices, said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify's Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

They're teachers, friends, and companions on people's daily commute. They're ambassadors for the continent, sharing the sounds of Africa. And, at Spotify, we are committed to helping them do just that, Jocelyne added.

Spotify also announced the creation of the Africa Podcast Grant to help highlight voices from the continent. The $100,000 fund is open to 10 creators, and they can be up-and-coming or established. This fund aims to amplify underrepresented stories and perspectives in podcasting.

As a part of Sounds of Africa, Spotify is highlighting six African artists and six African podcasters through a digital-first campaign to drive users to their various Spotify pages. For the Record caught up with each creator to learn more about what Africa Day means to them.

Feyikemi Abudu and Jola Ayeye: I Said What I Said podcast

Africa Day, for us, is a day to celebrate Africans and people of African descent all over the world. It allows us to celebrate our growing cultural impacts on the globe while highlighting our diversity in different elements of art, music, fashion, food, and culture. We should always pay homage to Africans who stand out and who have made an effort to place Africa on the map. It should be a time to celebrate the champs of African creatives, businesses, and people across the continent.

Joan, Kibz, Nyamita, and Owen: The Sandwich Podcast

Africa Day reminds us of the sense of individuality that we have been able to achieve as a continent and celebrates the uniqueness of our African culture. This is also an opportunity for different creators to interact. This brings us unity, which we have always celebrated and will always continue to celebrate each and every day.

Eli Mwenda and Oscar Koome: Mantalk.ke podcast

Africa Day for us is a time of African renaissance, African celebration, and people celebrating a continent that is rich with culture and wildlife.

Taymesan: Tea With Tay podcast

Africa Day is for celebrating Africa's heritage and cultural impact on the world while highlighting our uniqueness and diversity, expressed through music, art, craft, advocacy, and fashion.

It is also very important to recognize outstanding Africans whose efforts have served to place Africa on the global map. The triumphs of African creatives, leaders of industry, and pioneers from across the continent must be celebrated as a reminder of how special we are.

Nicole Engelbrecht: True Crime South Africa podcast

For me, Africa Day is about celebrating the immense pool of talent we have on this continent. Whether it's singing or podcasting, Africans have amazing stories to tell through their art, and I think Africa Day provides us with a platform for more people to hear and celebrate our uniqueness.

Gugulethu Nyatsumba: After School Is After School with Sis G.U podcast

Africa Day is a day where we get to celebrate our continent's rich cultural identity and our many different heritages. To me, it's a day where I get to be that much prouder of my roots, my people, and my continent. I try my best to learn something new about this beautiful environment I live in.

LADIPOE

To be honest, I feel like every day is Africa Day. But I'm grateful that it's now a day that we're using to celebrate the fact that there are 54 countries that make up this continent and that so much can be achieved when we move in one accord. It's really something to celebrate.

I feel like I became a much better writer when I began to tell the stories of my people and myself within my country and within my continent because there's no place like Africa. The stories are a way to connect with the people. So when I sing how far with Lagos on a Monday/traffic is as bad as the news on the front page/judging by my salary/I might as well be unpaid,' trust me, the people who are living where I live understand what I'm talking about.

Prey

As an artist, Africa Day means reflecting on all the influences the continent has given me. There is so much raw talent here, and the range of sounds is crazy. The more I become a student of my art, the more I see how the diversity of the sounds I'm drawn to-everything from jazz to soul, funk, and folk-end up bringing me right back to this continent.

Living in, and listening to, Africa already affects the kinds of rhythms I come up with. When I grew up as a kid, I loved the sound of Nollywood, and the drama of it. The soundtrack literally tells you the whole story because it's so vivid. There's also the fact that there are so many languages here. Every language is its own song, and hearing all Nigeria's languages has definitely influenced my melodies and harmonies-the flow, the inflections, cadences, and the drops.

I try to incorporate sounds from my part of Nigeria specifically, like the drum patterns, chanting vocals, and Pidgin English. My dad is from Okrika in the south of Nigeria, and my Mom is Igbo in the southeast, so I grew up hearing their languages, and
LINK: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-05-25/sounds-of-africa-creators-brin...
See more stories from spotify

Most recent headlines

27/11/2025

Vizrt Launches Viz One 8.1 With AI-Powered Features

LONDON Vizrt has added several AI-driven advanced features offering improved speed, intelligence and accuracy in the newest version of its media asset managemen...

27/11/2025

Prime Video Debuts AI-Powered Video Recaps

Prime Video has launched AI-powered video season recaps in a beta version for select English-language Prime Original series in the U.S., a move Amazon is callin...

27/11/2025

Sky unveils first look image from high-stakes action thriller Prisoner, coming 2026

Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle star in the gripping six-part Sky Original from Acad...

27/11/2025

Sky Arts Reveals the Nations Greatest Basslines and Queen Reign Supreme

Thursday 27 November 2025 Sky Arts Reveals the Nation's Greatest Basslines - and Queen Reign Supreme The UK's most iconic basslines have been revealed...

27/11/2025

Stranger Things 5': Prepare for One Last Adventure With Our Final Season Coverage Guide

Back to All News Stranger Things 5': Prepare for One Last Adventure With O...

27/11/2025

Elastic Compute for a Sustainable Media Industry

The media industry has a paradox at its core. It's an industry built on light, color and imagination, yet behind the scenes, it's powered by one of the ...

27/11/2025

Arqiva Achieves Five-Star GRESB Rating

Rating reflects rating progress across areas including policies, diversity & inclusion, health & safety and Net Zero leadership Winchester, UK, 27 November 202...

27/11/2025

Retail Media Audits Explained: What Networks Need to Know

What are the industry standards for Retail Media? Kathryn explains that certification is based on the IAB Europe Retail Media Measurement Standards and the IAB ...

27/11/2025

Katie Taylor, Rachael Blackmore and Arthur Gourounlian among the guests on this week's Late Late Show

World champion boxer and Irish sporting icon Katie Taylor will be in studio this...

27/11/2025

Tonight on RT Prime Time, serious child protection concerns emerge over online gaming platform, Roblox

Roblox, one of the world's most popular online gaming platforms for primary ...

27/11/2025

The Ultimate Black Friday Deal Is Here

Black Friday is leveling up. Get ready to score one of the biggest deals of the season - 50% off the first three months of a new GeForce NOW Ultimate membership...

26/11/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Prime Video EP Mike Muriano Previews Massive Black Friday Slate Featuring NFL, NBA, and Golf

SVG Sit-Down: Prime Video EP Mike Muriano Previews Massive Black Friday Slate Fe...

26/11/2025

Inside the Archives: Winter Is in the Air and in Our Festival Films

A cinematic snow sculpture at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. Photo by Randall Michelson...

26/11/2025

10 Book Podcasts You Can't Miss

Book podcasts are booming. On Spotify, you'll find everything from celebrity book clubs to deep dives with bestselling authors. And in markets where audiobo...

26/11/2025

JioStar and Nielsen Unveil Breakthrough Cross-Screen MeasurementStudy, Redefining Advertising Effectiveness in Live Sports

Mumbai, November 24, 2025: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, JioStar, in collab...

26/11/2025

ITN Deploys IP-Based Production Control Room

LONDON Factual content producer ITN Productions has launched a new low-latency IP gallery for news bulletins....

26/11/2025

YouTube TV, TelevisaUnivision End Lengthy Blackout

MIAMI TelevisaUnivision said it struck a new multiyear distribution agreement with YouTube TV that includes distribution of TelevisaUnivision's U.S. network...

26/11/2025

OpenDrives Bridges the Gap Between IT and Creatives with...

OpenDrives, Inc., a leader in software-defined data storage and data services, today announced the launch of the Atlas Corporate Creative Solution. This new Atl...

26/11/2025

Disguise to Showcase Future of Event Visuals at LDI 2025

Disguise, the industry-leading company powering the world's biggest live performances, is partnering with pioneering LED wall manufacturer DVS to give atten...

26/11/2025

HighField AI Expands Global Channel Partner Network to Ac...

HighField AI, the pioneer in agentic and multimodal automation for broadcast and media production, today announced the expansion of its global channel partner n...

26/11/2025

Mono Streaming selects PlayBox Neo to manage English Prem...

As high-stakes Premier League fixtures approach and additional premium content launches, with MONO positioning themselves to dominate Thailand's sports stre...

26/11/2025

Bell Centre arena in Montreal elevates fan experience wit...

Hosting a wide variety of events from high-intensity NHL games to complex live music concerts and major entertainment productions, Montreal's 21,000 capacit...

26/11/2025

Vizrt launches AI-powered advances for speed and accuracy...

Vizrt, the leader in live production technology revolutionizing viewer engagement and experience, releases AI-driven advances focusing on speed, intelligence, a...

26/11/2025

ITN Launches Low-Latency IP Control Room Powered by Teche...

ITN Productions, an award-winning factual content producer, today launched a new low-latency IP gallery for news bulletins. Responsible for delivering a leading...

26/11/2025

Ikegami Maintains Initiative in Broadcast Systems Develop...

Ikegami reports ongoing advances throughout 2025 in developing and delivering coordinated television production solutions that maximize quality, versatility and...

26/11/2025

Fubo, NBCUniversal Trade Barbs in Carriage Dispute

Following the Nov. 21 blackout of NBCUniversal channels on Fubo, the two sides have traded barbs about their inability to reach a new carriage deal....

26/11/2025

Global Sports Rights Spending to Top $78 Billion in 2030

LONDON As TV sports rights become increasingly important for both broadcasters and streamers, Ampere Analysis predicts global investment in the genre will surpa...

26/11/2025

Vubiquity Earns AWS Media & Entertainment Competency Status

LOS ANGELES Vubiquity said it has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Media & Entertainment Competency as part of the AWS Partner Network (APN). This designa...

26/11/2025

Comcast Pays $1.5 Million to Settle FCC Data Breach Probe

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau said it has entered into a consent decree with Comcast calling for the cable company t...

26/11/2025

Berklee Named to the Hollywood Reporters Top Music Schools List

Berklee Named to the Hollywood Reporters Top Music Schools List The publication highlights the college's screen scoring program, industry partnerships, and ...

26/11/2025

Animated Series Love Through a Prism' Casts New Light on Romance Between Aristocrat and Exchange Student in London

Back to All News Animated Series Love Through a Prism' Casts New Light on ...

26/11/2025

NALIP Unveils Fifth Cohort of Director Incubator

Back to All News NALIP Unveils Fifth Cohort of Director Incubator Social Impact 26 November 2025 United States Link copied to clipboard The National Assoc...

26/11/2025

YouView Achieves Greenly Gold Certification for Sustainability

YouView Achieves Greenly Gold Certification for SustainabilityNov 26, 2025 YouView is proud to announce a Gold Certification award from Greenly for our perform...

26/11/2025

Netflix Deepens Partnership with Taiwan's 62nd Golden Horse Film Festival, Launches New Talent and Storytelling Initiatives

Back to All News Netflix Deepens Partnership with Taiwan's 62nd Golden Hors...

25/11/2025

Tracy Bonareri Onchoke: Winner, Young Journalist Award 2025

Tracy Bonareri Onchoke, an investigative journalist from Kenya is the winner of the Thomson Foundation's Young Journalist Award 2025. The 26-year-old-sele...

25/11/2025

SVG All-Stars: Blayke Scheer, Senior Director, Creative Content, YES Network

SVG All-Stars: Blayke Scheer, Senior Director, Creative Content, YES NetworkThe Indiana alum has turned storytelling into an artform for more than two decadesBy...

25/11/2025

Op-Ed: With FCC's C-Band Auction on the Horizon, Broadcasters Need Proven, Cost-Effective Alternatives

Op-Ed: With FCC's C-Band Auction on the Horizon, Broadcasters Need Proven, C...

25/11/2025

Analysis: Is Baller League Really the Future of Sport?

Analysis: Is Baller League really the future of sport? By Callum McCarthy, Editor-at-Large Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 10:10 Print This Story With KSI on...

25/11/2025

Platinum Whitepaper: The Growth of Broadcast in the World of Major Large Scale Events with SOS Global

Platinum Whitepaper: The Growth of Broadcast in the World of Major Large Scale E...

25/11/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: SVG Women's Sports Workshop

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: SVG Women's Sports WorkshopBy Samantha Gabay Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 10:27 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story Highlig...

25/11/2025

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CacheFly's Matt Levine on the Evolving Role of the CDN and Prioritizing Throughput

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CacheFly's Matt Levine on the Evolving Role of th...

25/11/2025

Peacock's EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast Levels Up on Thanksgiving With SkyCam as the Primary Angle and More Madden Elements

Peacock's EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast Levels Up on Thanksgiving With SkyCam as...

25/11/2025

Sauna Is an Intimate Exploration of Queer Love and Identity

Mathias Broe attends the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Sauna at Library Center Theatre. (Photo by Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Fes...

25/11/2025

5 Reasons to Try Spotify Premium This Holiday Season

The best playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks bring a little extra magic to your daily routine. With new features and offerings, Spotify Premium delivers even mo...

25/11/2025

New Study Reveals Australians Love Discovering New Music

Comprehensive new research confirms what we already knew: Australian music fans love the quality, quantity, and access they have to new and local music on strea...

25/11/2025

Why Use a SIM Card With The SNYPER-5G

Applicable Products Objectives The purpose of this application note is to give a brief background on 5G (NR) wireless communication an explain the reason a SN...

25/11/2025

Lionsgate and Nielsen expand partnership to deliver first-ever combined FAST channel and digital network measurement

Nielsen will now measure both Lionsgate's FAST channel MovieSphere and Movie...