Assala Nasri Takes Center Stage With Times Square Billboard As Spotify’s EQUAL Arabia Ambassador For August

Underlining its continued efforts to spotlight regional women talents from across the Arab world, Spotify, the world’s most popular audio platform, has named Assala Nasri (better known as Assala) as the EQUAL Arabia artist for August. The global music program, first launched in the region in 2022, celebrates the diverse and vibrant contributions of women creators by highlighting their latest releases and encouraging fans to discover them.

Born in Damascus, Syria, Assala grew up in a musically inclined family, which nurtured her early passion for music. The highly acclaimed singer is renowned for her powerful voice and versatility in performing in various Arabic dialects, including Syrian, Egyptian, Khaleeji, Lebanese, and Moroccan Arabic, solidifying her appeal to a wide audience of listeners across the Arab world . Her career took off in 1991 with the release of her debut album “Law Terafo”, which featured the hit song “Ya Sabrah Yana,” quickly establishing her as a significant presence in the Arab music scene.

To amplify her latest album release, Thumma Ana, Assala was chosen as Spotify’s EQUAL Arabia Ambassador. The album, which features ten tracks including the hit single “Ensan,” continues to highlight the singer’s talent in blending various Arabic musical styles that resonate with a broad audience from around the world. Since the start of the month, Spotify has extended extensive support to Assala by featuring her on the cover of the EQUAL Arabia playlist as well as the global EQUAL playlist, along with various other editorial placements and digital media promotions. The campaign culminated with Assala’s image being displayed on Spotify’s Times Square billboard in New York City for the first time.

As an EQUAL Arabia Ambassador, Assala’s influence extends beyond her legacy as a trailblazer in the world of music. She said, “Having my billboard in Times Square is an incredible milestone that fills me with joy. Thank you, Spotify, for this opportunity.”

“Assala’s powerful voice and exceptional ability to connect with fans across the Arab world through her diverse musical styles make her the perfect fit for our EQUAL Arabia program,” said Nada Elmeri, Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for the Gulf region at Spotify. “This initiative is about spotlighting extraordinary women creators and amplifying their contributions both regionally and globally. Assala has been an incredible role model for many women artists, and her voice and story will continue to touch and inspire fans for many years to come.”

To explore the sounds of the region’s most inspiring women artists, listeners can head to EQUAL Arabia on Spotify.