Selected as October’s Spotify EQUAL Arabia Ambassador, the Lebanese superstar celebrates the influence of women shaping music across the Arab world

Rashad Iskandrni


November 03, 2026 — Spotify has named Elissa as its EQUAL Arabia Ambassador for October, spotlighting an artist whose voice has become a defining part of contemporary Arabic pop. To mark the recognition, Elissa was featured on the cover of Spotify’s “EQUAL Arabia” playlist and appeared on Spotify’s iconic Times Square billboard in New York City on October 29, bringing one of the region’s most recognisable voices to a global stage.

Launched globally in 2021, Spotify EQUAL is dedicated to amplifying and empowering women artists around the world. Through EQUAL Arabia, the programme celebrates the talent, creativity, and cultural impact of women artists across the Arab world, connecting their music with listeners regionally and globally.

Known as the “Queen of Emotions,” Elissa has made emotional storytelling central to her music, with a signature style rooted in romance, heartbreak and personal expression. Moving between Lebanese and Egyptian dialects, her songs have connected with listeners across the Arab world for decades. Since releasing her debut album Baddy Doub in 1998, she has built a catalogue of acclaimed albums, including Aayshalak and Bastanak, alongside hits such as “Faker” and “Min Awel Dekika.” Her international recognition also includes a World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist in 2005, following the success of her album Ahla Dounya.



Elissa’s enduring appeal is reflected in her Spotify listenership, with Gen Z listeners accounting for over 50% of her audience over the past month. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Indonesia, and Germany rank among her top markets, highlighting how her music continues to resonate across generations and geographical borders.

Her music continues to find new audiences, with her songs added to more than four million user-generated playlists on Spotify in the past year. Looking ahead, Elissa is set to release her new album, Elissar, on November 5. Blending nostalgia with authenticity and personal evolution, the album will revisit the emotional storytelling that has defined her career, tracing a journey through heartbreak and emerging stronger on the other side.

“I have always believed that music has the power to give women a voice, inspire change, and break boundaries,” said Elissa. “Throughout my career, I have strived to use my voice not only through my music, but also to empower women to believe in themselves, embrace their individuality, and never be afraid to dream beyond limits. I hope my journey continues to inspire the next generation of female artists to make their voices heard and shape the future of the industry. Thank you to Spotify EQUAL for championing women in music and for being part of this journey toward a more inclusive and empowering industry.”

“Artists like Elissa prove that music never stands still. It evolves with every generation. Her songs continue to find new meaning, connect with younger audiences, and become part of people’s lives years after they were first released,” said Sarah Zaki, Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Egypt. “Through EQUAL Arabia, we want to help create more space for women’s voices and stories, and make sure they continue to be heard by the next generation of listeners. Celebrating Elissa is an opportunity to recognise not only her contributions to Arabic music, but also how her music continues to resonate across generations.”

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

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