They’re bold, they’re on top of their game and they want to be heard. This month, Spotify is celebrating both International Women’s Day on the 8th March and Women’s History Month by honouring the strong female voices on Spotify, across music and podcasts, that define this generation.
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Ariana Grande – who has more than 56 million monthly listeners and yet another hit album with “thank u, next” – tops our list of the most-streamed female artists globally from 1 January – 1 March 2019. The powerhouse singer is followed by breakout sensation and “bury a friend” singer Billie Eilish, with global superstar Lady Gaga coming in third.
As the popularity of podcasts grows on Spotify so has the demand for female-led content, across topics from true crime to current affairs to female empowerment. My Favorite Murder, a comedic true crime series from comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, is Spotify’s most popular female-fronted podcast globally, based on hours streamed from the top of the year. Crime Junkie, hosted by self-described, well, “crime junkie” Amy Flowers comes in second, and the paranormal-focused And That’s Why We Drink hosted by Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz rounds out the top three.
For more all-female podcasts, including the Spotify-original Dope Labs, check out Amplify: Women, (you’ll find it under Browse/ Genres & Moods/ WHM) a hub for all the ladies we love to listen to. You’ll also find female-only playlists like Women of Pop, Women of Hip-Hop and Women of R&B.
The Hub also introduces three new playlists dedicated to female African artists in support of gender equality during Women’s History Month. Phenomenal Women is a pan-African, multi-genre playlist dedicated to fierce, African, female musicians and features the likes of Sho Madjozi and Lady Zamar. This Is Zonke is dedicated to the afro-soul singer Zonke Dikana and her body of work, which spans her 16-year solo career. And the This Is Kelly Khumalo playlist celebrates the multi-talented Kelly Khumalo and her musical journey through some of South Africa’s favourite genres, including afro-pop, RnB, house and gospel.
Here are Spotify’s top female movers and shakers:
The 20 most-streamed female artists in the world (based on streams from 1 January-1 March 2019):
- Ariana Grande
- Billie Eilish
- Lady Gaga
- Halsey
- Dua Lipa
- Taylor Swift
- Rihanna
- Cardi B
- Selena Gomez
- Nicki Minaj
- Sia
- Bebe Rexha
- Karol G
- Camila Cabello
- Anne-Marie
- Becky G
- Beyoncé
- Demi Lovato
- Miley Cyrus
- Adele
Image Courtesy: instagram.com/shomadjozi