Spotify

DBN Gogo is one of six African artists selected for Spotify’s RADAR programme. Image via Twitter @DBNGOGO

Six African stars join Spotify’s global RADAR programme [watch]

DBN Gogo, Ayra Starr and more: Spotify has selected six African musicians as part of their global RADAR programme.

Spotify

DBN Gogo is one of six African artists selected for Spotify’s RADAR programme. Image via Twitter @DBNGOGO

On 10 May, Spotify announced that six African artists have joined RADAR – the streaming giant’s programme which is dedicated to placing emerging artists across the world in the spotlight. 

The batch of artists, which includes amapiano star DBN Gogo, follow in the footsteps of R&B singer Elaine, Focalistic, Nigerian songstress Tems and local rapper Willy Cardiac who joined the programme in 2020 and were exposed to new global fan communities. 

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SPOTIFY’S RADAR AFRICA PROGRAMME 

Since its launch, Spotify’s RADAR has increased artists’ connections with their fans and has driven an increase in streams. As part of the programme, artists will receive editorial, on-platform and off-platform support from Spotify to help broaden their fanbases. 

“It is so important that we continue to identify and find ways to offer developing artists a fair chance at success on and off-platform,” said Spotify’s Head of Music in Africa, Phiona Okumu. 

“We have six outstanding ones from the region to begin with and look forward to sharing in their journey while we provide the resources to elevate them to the next level of their respective careers and hopefully make thousands more Spotify fans around the world.”

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SIX ARTISTS 

1. AYRA STARR (NIGERIA)

Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr was raised between Benin Republic’s beach city, Cotonou and Lagos, Nigeria. The 19-year-old, who has more than 1.2 million monthly listers, is inspired by the real earthiness of Angelique Kidjo and Rihanna’s feisty confidence. 

WATCH HER ‘BEGGIE BEGGIE’ MUSIC VIDEO HERE 

2. BLACK SHERIF (GHANA) 

In his music, Black Sherif blends Ghanaian Highlife with reggae, hip-hop and more. The 20-year-old artist has drawn in an older audience with Ghana’s authentic sound, highlife. Listeners are often amazed by his eerie unorthodox melodies. 

LISTEN TO ‘KWAKU THE TRAVELLER’ HERE 

3. BNXN (NIGERIA)

Lagos-born musician Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN, is an afro-fusion singer-songwriter who took the world by storm under the stage name, Buju. Over the years, he has achieved a monthly listenership on Spotify of three million. 

WATCH THE ‘FOR DAYS’ HERE 

4. BURUKYLYN BOYZ (KENYA)

Burukylyn Boyz is a hip-hop crew fronted by Mr Right and Ajay, who pride themselves on rapping about their real-life experiences. They have accumulated more than 45 000 monthly listeners on Spotify  

WATCH THEIR ‘PREE’ MUSIC VIDEO HERE 

5. DBN GOGO (SOUTH AFRICA) 

DBN Gogo is a DJ and music producer from Durban. Although she spent her childhood years in Pretoria, she also spent part of her life in France, making her fluent in English and French. Unthinkable, disruptive and unexpected are words that describe DBN Gogo. 

LISTEN TO ‘BELLS’ HERE 

6. VICTONY (NIGERIA) 

Anthony Ebule Victoria, popularly known as Victony, is a young rapper and singer-songwriter who dabbles in R&B, Trap and Afropop. The 20-year-old currently has 752 000 monthly listeners on Spotify. 

LISTEN TO ‘ALL POWER’ HERE