Kenyan R&B sensation, Xenia Manasseh, has been named as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa ambassador for the month of February, taking over from January’s ambassador, Yemi Alade.
With a debut EP “Fallin’ Apart” released in 2019 and a growing portfolio of writing credits and collaborations with other artists like Teyana Taylor, Sauti Sol, and Burna Boy, Xenia is quickly establishing herself as a force in the music industry.
“Growing up I listened to African artists from all over thanks to my family’s love for music. The list is endless but to name a few we have the likes of Nameless, Nazizi, Khadja Nin, Brenda Fassie, Lady Jaydee, Youssou N’dour, Mzee Ngala, Oliver Mtukudzi… writing it down makes me realise how I’ve been exposed to all kinds of music my entire life.”
Xenia is honored to be a part of the EQUAL program, which she sees as an important platform for promoting inclusivity and diversity in a male-dominated industry.
“I didn’t realise making music was a part of my purpose until around 2019. After spending six months in Atlanta writing music almost every day, it became clearer and clearer. My why is because it is my purest form of self-expression. Our gifts are given to us for free and I believe the most important thing we can do is to lean into that wholeheartedly,” she said.
She views music as her purest form of self-expression and credits her family’s love for great music for her passion for the art form.
According to Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Xenia Manasseh is a rising star with a bright future ahead of her.
“Manasseh is a rising star – and not just in her home country. The EQUAL programme looks to support talent just like hers and give women the tools and the platforms to grow their audiences and advance their careers in the music industry,” Said Okumu.
The EQUAL program aims to support talented women like Xenia, providing them with the tools and platforms to grow their audiences and advance their careers in the music industry. Xenia joins other Kenyan artists such as Nikita Kering’, Muthoni The Drummer Queen, and Sylvia Ssaru, who have previously served as EQUAL ambassadors.
