Burna Boy has once again secured the coveted title of the most streamed African artist in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on Spotify, marking his second consecutive year at the top. This achievement was revealed in Spotify Wrapped 2023, an annual comprehensive analysis of user listening habits on the platform, encompassing both music and podcasts.
Notably, Davido’s “Timeless” album has emerged as a leader in streaming, contributing to Nigeria’s prominent presence in the region’s music landscape. Rising artist Asake has also made a significant impact, securing two albums on the top streamed list. A groundbreaking moment occurred with Rema’s “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, becoming the first track led by an African artist to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.
The dominance of Nigerian artists is further underscored by the inclusion of Asake, Davido, and Omah Lay in the top ten list, as revealed by Spotify Wrapped 2023. Ayra Starr, the most streamed female artist in SSA, narrowly missed the top ten, claiming the 11th spot.
In terms of individual tracks, “Asiwaju” by Ruger claimed the title of the most popular track in the region, closely followed by Ayra Starr’s “Rush.” Noteworthy contributions from other Nigerian artists include Asake’s “Lonely At The Top,” securing the position of the most streamed track in Nigeria for the year.
The South African representation in this landscape comes from Tyler ICU with “Mnike,” featuring DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, and Tyron Dee. Additionally, Libianca’s “People,” released almost a year ago, earned the eighth spot in the rankings.
This accomplishment holds particular significance, considering that African tracks were traditionally confined to the continent’s borders just a few years ago. Spotify’s “Gone Abroad Present” Global African Hits of 2023″ serves as a testament to the impact of these artists, showcasing their resonance both within Africa and across the global stage
IMAGE: Guardian
