Influential Ghanaian Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, Bozoma Saint John has opened up about her musical tastes, naming Kwesi Arthur, Stormzy, Gyakie, Amaarae, and Wizkid featuring Tems as her top 5 artists.
Taking her turn on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Starr FM, Bozoma, known for her impactful career in the tech and entertainment industry, expressed her admiration for Kwesi Arthur’s song ‘Celebrate’ featuring Teni. The Ghanaian singer and songwriter is gaining international recognition for his unique blend of Afrobeat and hip-hop. Kwesi Arthur’s soulful voice and compelling lyrics have resonated with audiences across the globe and are acknowledged by personalities like Bozoma.
Bozoma also picked Stormzy’s ‘Own It’, the British grime artist, who has long been a prominent figure in the music scene. Bozoma praised his powerful and socially conscious lyrics, highlighting Stormzy’s impact on the UK and global music landscape.
She added Gyakie as part of her top five, the breakout star from Ghana, has captured Bozoma’s attention with her enchanting vocals and Afro-fusion sound. She commended Gyakie for her ability to blend traditional Ghanaian music elements with contemporary styles, creating a fresh and appealing musical experience.
Amaarae, a Ghanaian-American singer, songwriter, and producer, impressed Bozoma with her genre-defying approach. Known for her eclectic blend of Afrobeat, alté, and R&B, Amaarae’s music resonates with those seeking a unique and innovative sound. She applauds her for pushing the boundaries and breaking stereotypes in the music industry.
Lastly, Bozoma Saint John expressed her admiration for Nigerian artists Wizkid and Tems’ collaboration on the hit song “Essence.” The track, which has become a global anthem, showcases the seamless blend of Wizkid’s Afrobeat vibes and Tems’ soulful vocals. Bozoma commended the duo for creating a masterpiece that transcends cultural boundaries and resonates with listeners worldwide.
Bozoma’s top 5 artists reflect her appreciation for the talent that transcends borders, bringing diverse voices and perspectives to the forefront of the global music scene. Her choices emphasize the power of music to unite people and showcase the richness of talent emerging from the African music landscape.
According to her, these songs and many other good tunes from Africa need to be celebrated and supported by Africans and Africans around the globe “We have to be intentional about this.”
About Bozoma Saint John
Bozoma Saint John is an American-Ghanaian philanthropist, top-tier marketing trailblazer, and accomplished businessperson. She was born to Ghanaian parents, Rev. Dr Appianda Arthur and Aba Arthur, in Middletown, Connecticut in the United States. She graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in English and African-American studies.
After college, she worked at the advertising agencies Arnold Worldwide and Spike Lee’s Spike DDB. She also worked at the fashion brand Ashley Stewart, where she was vice president of marketing.
She later became a senior marketing manager of PepsiCo and spurred music festival-based marketing as head of music and entertainment marketing. She remained with the company for almost a decade before joining Beats Music in 2014, when Jimmy Iovine of Beats recruited her.
Beats was purchased shortly thereafter by Apple, and she became the head of global consumer marketing for iTunes and Apple Music.
Then in June 2017, she became chief brand officer at Uber. In June 2018, she left Uber to join Endeavor as chief marketing officer.
Netflix named her its new chief marketing officer on June 30, 2020, making her the third CMO for the company in 2019–2020. She was the first Black C-level executive at Netflix. She replaced Jackie Lee-Joe, who left the company for personal reasons. Saint John started the new role in August 2020 and departed in March 2022.
Her glittering career also snowballed into philanthropic efforts like Pencils of Promise Global Ambassador to Ghana and serving on the boards of Girls Who Code and Vital Voices.
In May last year, she was inducted into the American Marketing Association Marketing Hall of Fame.
