The fiercest African women making waves: Spotify playlist welcomes a new member

This month, the EQUAL Africa initiative of Spotify is highlighting a young talent. Nikita Kering, a multi-award-winning singer and songwriter from Kenya, is included among the prominent female musicians from the continent who embody fierceness, compassion, and confidence. She has all of this in abundance, having started her impressive career at the age of 20.

“As a young woman, making music has always been more than just vibes. It’s been a blessing. However, having to always keep the third eye open has been a big challenge. Like any other male-dominated field, it’s hard to know if my talent and expertise will be enough to get me to the top,” says Nikita.

“I’m so happy that platforms like EQUAL create a safe space where we can share our experiences as women and find ways in which this space can be safe for us all,” she adds.

There is more to Nikita Kering’ than meets the eye. Here are five interesting things you need to know about her:

1.    Nikita first started performing when she was only three years old

2.   As an R&B act, she has won several awards, including ‘Best RnB and Soul Artist’ and ‘Best Female Artist East Africa’ at the 2021 All Africa Music Awards. This was after scooping ‘Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa’ and ‘Revelation of the African Continent’ at the 2019 edition of the awards

3.   Her biggest single, Ex, was one of the most streamed songs in Kenya on Spotify in 2021

4.   In 2020, she was the youngest performer at the annual Women in Music concert series in Nairobi. The following year, she released her debut EPA Side of Me to rave reviews

5.   She writes her own music 

The Spotify EQUAL Africa Programme seeks to provide female artists with the support and resources to grow their craft and reach worldwide audiences through multiple playlists. The beneficiaries also receive off-platform guidance and tools to help take their music careers to even greater heights.

“As a company known for being at the forefront of empowering artists since it was founded, Spotify is proud to have the talented Nikita Kering’ join the EQUAL Africa family as the artist for November. We are looking forward to working with her to help build on her growing fan base,” says Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.

For her soon-to-be-released EP titled The Other Side, Nikita Kering’ hopes to break the silence on mental health struggles. Check out the tracks Last Name and Ex by Nikita Kering’ on the EQUAL Africa playlist.