Spotify‘s global music program, GLOW, developed to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, this Pride Month – and all year-round through on and off platform activities – shines a light on queer artists, with South African artist Angie oeh stepping into the spotlight.

Spotify‘s commitment to fostering equity in the audio space saw the global streaming giant launch GLOW in January this year, joining sister programs like EQUAL and Frequency. Turning up the volume on LGBTQIA+ voices, GLOW supports freedom of expression and amplifies under-represented queer voices, stories, and subcultures, especially those under threat. The launch encompassed The GLOW Hub, a dedicated space on Spotify to highlight audio offerings of LGBTQIA+ voices for queer and ally users, and of course, the Glow flagship playlist, which highlights tracks by LGBTQIA+ artists.

This Pride Month, Spotify is taking it up a notch with the Free to Be campaign, that will see GLOW engaging underrepresented queer artists, podcasters, and authors to raise awareness and break down harmful stereotypes, and to shine a light on the influence of LGBTQIA+ communities and subcultures around the world. 

Angie oeh is the only Afrikaans artist part of the campaign, and will cover the GLOW playlist alongside ten other artists. Joining Angie oeh are Brazilian recording artist Urias, Italian pop singer Dana International, Australian multihyphenate GFlip, decorated songwriter Ilsey, The X Factor Sweden‘s Isak Danielson, exceptional performer Marina Summers, DJ and producer Taahliah, with singers-songwriters ZemmoaTrixie Mattel and Victoria Monet completing the list.

Angie oeh embraced and flipped her cultural heritage, redefining what it means to be Afrikaans, female, and a Hip-Hop artist. Known for songs such as Die Lewe is ‘n Lied and Sex in Afrikaans, she is constantly producing new music and unashamedly exploring cultural taboos regarding gender and sexuality with a new track titled ‘Vet Diamante’ on 29th June. 

“There are not as many opportunities at this scale celebrating and recognising queer artists, to be part of one, it’s amazing especially as I am a fairly new artist. I am glad this opportunity comes at a point in my career where I am sort of figuring my place in the industry as a queer artist, I feel seen.”. 

says Angie oeh

“Our commitment to amplify, elevate, and spotlight minorities is of paramount importance. In Sub-Saharan Africa, harsh discriminatory regulations against the LGBTQIA+ community are still a reality in some parts of the region. We are happy to welcome artists who are as brave and talented such as Angie oeh to the program”. 

says Henco Harmse, Spotify’s Afrikaans Specialist Manager, Artist & Label Partnerships in South Africa