Spotify announces addition of second new African musician

Spotify, an online music streaming service announced Kofee Bean, an independent Ghanaian singer and songwriter, as its second “Fresh Finds Africa” artist.  

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, announced this in a statement made Friday in Lagos.  

Spotify’s Fresh Finds Africa program started in March with the goal of providing independent artists with resources they needed to increase their fanbase and expose them to new audiences.  

Naa Oyo Titus-Glover, better known as Kofee Bean, was on a quest to establish herself in the African and diasporic alternative music scenes. 

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According to her, she began singing and composing songs and poems at the age of seven before joining a Ghanaian band called Made Africa.

However, it helped her to then formed her own live band, which went on to perform at numerous events.  

Okumu also stated that she had decided to follow her aspirations as a full-time musician, and that she was motivated by the urge to convey tales via her music.

Kofee Bean released her debut tune, “Breathing,” in 2021, featuring rapper Kiddblack, which drew the attention of Spotify’s editors.  

“We are continuously on lookout for promising artistes under different hubs we have at Spotify and we want to showcase and offer them social support”

“Fresh Finds artistes also get one-on-one training on the best practices for using the Spotify platform and in-app”. 

“Globally, the performance of Fresh Finds artistes has been astonishing, since its global launch in 2016″

“Fresh Finds has playedlisted over 25,000 artist, with their average monthly listeners rising by 108% within a month of their songs being put to playlists.”

“This is the type of growth that Fresh Finds Africa artistes like Kofee Bean can expect,” she said. 

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According to Okumu, she got inspiration from legendary female artists such as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Sade, and Aa.  

The singer develops her music by combining aspects from several genres she grew acquainted with, such as Neo-Soul and R&B.  

“I am honor and happy to be perceived in such a manner by Spotify.” 

“Even at the start of my career, and it is absolutely a confidence booster in my voice and craftsmanship”

She also added “as well as for those who appreciate and create this style”.

Fresh Finds Africa is a monthly program that features a new artist chosen by the Spotify music team each month. It is part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment to supporting the African music industry through projects like as EQUAL and Radar.