Entertainment

Spotify Announces Latest Inductees to its RADAR Programme for African Artists

Written by maxfmeditor3 on May 5, 2023

A Look at How Artists Use Their Personal Experiences to Inspire Their Work

Spotify has announced the latest inductees to its RADAR programme for African artists. The programme is dedicated to driving the discovery of emerging artists across the world, helping rising talent at all stages of their development and strengthening their connection to audiences. This year, the all-female lineup consists of Tyla, Bloody Civilian, Ria Sean, Xenial, and Baaba J. The artists represent a wide range of styles, from the ambient sounds of West Africa to the masterful Amapiano of South African townships, R&B, alternative, and the creative Afropop that has been taking the world by storm. These African artists joining the Spotify RADAR programme represent the very best that the continent has to offer.

Since launching in 2020, Spotify’s RADAR programme has continued to support artists on their paths to superstardom. Last year’s alumni Ayra Starr, DBN Gogo, Black Sherif, Victony, BNXN, and Buruklyn Boyz were all exposed to new fan communities as a result of the programme. They represent a commitment to pushing boundaries and forging new paths in their careers.

The Spotify RADAR Programme

The Spotify RADAR programme was launched in 2020 with the aim of discovering and promoting emerging artists from around the world. The programme has quickly become a platform for promoting and supporting artists at all stages of their careers, from up-and-coming talent to established acts who are looking to reach new audiences. The African artists who have been selected for this year’s programme represent the very best that the continent has to offer, and they have been chosen for their unique talents and abilities.

Through the RADAR programme, Spotify aims to help artists connect with audiences and build their fan base. This is achieved through a range of activities and initiatives, including the creation of bespoke marketing campaigns, the development of artist-specific playlists, and the provision of exclusive content. The programme also provides financial and logistical support to help artists create and distribute their music, as well as access to industry experts and other resources that can help them to achieve their goals.

Bloody Civilian (Nigeria)

Bloody Civilian is a genre-defying singer-songwriter and producer from Abuja, Nigeria. Inspired by her African heritage and a wide range of musical influences, Civilian’s sound is a fusion of alt-R&B and other genres. She began studying music production at the age of 12 and has since self-produced her debut single, ‘How To Kill A Man’. Bloody is driven by a desire to empower and elevate African art and history through her music.

Ria Sean (Nigeria)

Ria Sean is a rising Nigerian singer-songwriter who combines Afro-fusion, pop, and R&B into her music. With a distinctive and versatile voice, she has collaborated with artists like Leriq, Moelogo, and Adekunle Gold. Her 2020 hit single ‘Lemonade’ gained international attention, and she went on to release her debut EP ‘Fluid’ featuring productions from Saszy, Dunnie, and Grammy-nominated producer TMXO. Her sophomore project ‘Love Station’ features collaborations with Ayra Starr and French-act Yseult. Ria Sean is a rising star to watch in the R&B scene.

Baaba J (Ghana)

Baaba J is a 22-year-old Ghanaian singer and songwriter with a passion for music and film. Her alternative afro music blends indigenous high life, pop, rap, and soul, with a unique sound that has won the hearts of many. Baaba J’s debut EP, ‘Lumumba St.’, released in December 2020, was the major launchpad for her career. She draws inspiration from her childhood experiences, growing up in a big family in Ghana’s harbour city Tema. Her music speaks to meaningful matters such as culture, love, and identity, and she is on a mission to show the world that Africans, especially African women, have what it takes to take the world by storm with their unique, multi-faceted music.

Xenia Manasseh (Kenya)

Xenia Manasseh is a Kenyan singer-songwriter with a captivating voice that brings a refreshing and pure sound to the music scene. Her debut EP ‘Fallin’ Apart, released in 2019, quickly soared to number one on the Kenyan’s R&B/Soul charts and reached an impressive #2 across all genres. Xenia’s talent extends beyond her own music, as she has songwriting credits on notable tracks like Teyana Taylor’s ‘Wrong B*tch’ and ‘Shoot it Up’ ft Big Sean, as well as Vanjess’s ‘Surrender’ from the album ‘Homegrown.’ She has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Sauti Sol, Mr Eazi, Tay Iwar, and has contributed background vocals on

Tyla (South Africa)

Tyla’s music is a fresh take on pop and R&B, blending South African Amapiano and innovative production. Her emotionally-rich songs started at a young age and have led to international success with hits like ‘Getting Late’. Her new singles, ‘Been Thinking’ and ‘To Last’, showcase her versatility and push her artistry forward. Tyla was determined to unlock what had always been inside her. ‘Getting Late’ was the breakthrough, and her late 2021 song ‘Overdue’ featuring DJ Lag and Kooldrink soundtracked the second-season trailer of Netflix’s South African teen drama Blood & Water, but ‘Been Thinking’ and ‘To Last’ show that she is continuing to grow and evolve as an artist.

For the artists selected for the RADAR programme, this is a huge opportunity to reach a wider audience and build their careers. The support and exposure provided by Spotify can help them to gain new fans, build their reputation, and ultimately achieve success in the music industry. The African artists who have been selected for this year’s programme are all incredibly talented and have the potential to make a significant impact on the global music scene.