Spotify, global online music streaming platform, has announced South African singer, Siobhan King, popularly called “Sio” as Spotify Equal Africa artiste for the month of August.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Okumu said that Sio had joined other remarkable African women making waves in music.
She said that Spotify was proud to announce that Sio had been selected to join the EQUAL Africa programme, aimed at spotlighting female artists across the continent.
According to her, through EQUAL, a cross-section of female artistes in Africa were given the tools needed to advance their careers and close the gender gap in the music industry.
She said artistes featured on Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme were exposed to a global listenership, and were also provided with off-platform support and tools to bolster their careers.
“Sio is a breath of fresh air and a welcome addition to the EQUAL programme.
“Sio’s effortless contribution to several genres has put her in a class of great contemporary African artists actively creating on the continent today.
“It is our hope that other young women creators see this as proof that their talents can and will be recognised and supported,” she said.
Okumu noted that the 31-year-old Sio was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, a storyteller through music, poems, performance space, design, and interpretation.
She said Sio’s adaptable voice and distinct ability to switch between musical styles such as Dance, Deep House, and Electro distinguished her as a spectacular artiste in a new era of music.
According to her, the genre-fluid and award-winning multi-hyphenate told deep, dark, difficult and sweet stories through many mediums.
She said Sio grew up listening to artistes like Sade, Boyz II Men, Kenny G, The Bee Gees, and South Africa’s own, Brenda Fassie.
“Her music is inspired by these artistes, and is influenced by her life experiences, literature and the world around her,” she said.
Sio, reflecting on her career and the difficulties she had faced as a female singer breaking the mould, she said, “As a female artiste, it is difficult to carve your own path in a world where that it has already been dictated to you.
“To be nonconforming and true to yourself is an act of rebellion. I have learned that that is the only way to navigate the male-dominated world, especially the music world – to be a woman as defined by me.
“I have taken it upon myself to challenge the ways women are marginalised in the music industry.
“That is why I am honoured to be an Ambassador of EQUAL, I am excited about the spotlight it gives me and my music, as well as the many doors and opportunities it will afford me.”
Sio has made hits with a slew of acclaimed producers including Charles Webster, Ralf Gum, Jullian Gomes, Fka Mash and Dwson, to name a few.
Affectionately dubbed the ‘career builder’ by fellow long-time collaborator, Kid Fonque, her collaborations have catapulted many musical names.
Her voice and words are highly sought after in House, Electronic, Alternative and Soul music circles.
To tune into Sio’s unique Electro sound, listeners can stream her tracks featured on the EQUAL AFRICA and EQUAL GLOBAL playlists. (NAN)
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