Afrobeat stands out as a captivating rhythm that encapsulates the soul, spirit, and vibrancy of Africa In the vast ocean of musical genres. Characterized by its infectious fusion of traditional African sounds, funk, jazz, and highlife, Afrobeat has steadily gained global recognition in recent years.
Spotify, one of the largest music streaming service providers with over 527 million monthly active users, including 210 million paying subscribers periodically releases the top streamed Afrobeat song of all time. Let’s take a look at some of the songs that made it to Spotify’s top streamed list including a brief background of the artist.
Rema – Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)
Calm Down, released in 2022 by Nigerian singer Rema experienced a remarkable rise to global prominence, gathering attention across Europe, claiming number one spots on multiple charts. A collaboration with Selena Gomez on the remix version further propelled its success. The remix topped the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs and Billboard Global Excl. US charts, reaching number three on the Global 200 chart and peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, gained fame with his breakout hit “Dumebi” while signed with Jonzing World, affiliated with Mavin Records in 2019. Rema’s international recognition soared with his hit single “Calm Down.” The remix featuring Selena Gomez reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 41 weeks. This success solidified Rema’s position as a rising star in the global music scene.
CKay – Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah)
Love Nwantiti, by Nigerian singer and songwriter CKay gained immense popularity following its release in 2019. The remix featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene further fueled its success, becoming a commercial hit in Nigeria, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. The song charted across various continents, reaching number one in India, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. It also made its mark on global charts, peaking at No. 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200. The song’s multiple versions, including the North African remix, contributed to its widespread appeal, solidifying “Love Nwantiti” as a global sensation across different regions and platforms.
Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani, known as CKay, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa and Atlantic Records. He was previously with Chocolate City, a label under Warner Music Group’s ADA. Ckay gained international fame with his hit single “Love Nwantiti,” released in 2019 by Chocolate City. The song achieved significant milestones, debuting at number one on the Billboard Afrobeats chart and surpassing one billion streams on Spotify, earning the title of “the biggest hit in African history.” Asa Asika managed Ckay during the peak of his global career.
CKay – Love Nwantiti (feat. Dj Yol &AX’EL) – Remix
The song Love Nwantiti has five different remixes which feature different music artists. Another of the remixes of the song Love Nwantiti originally sung by CKay which made it to the list of top streamed Spotify Afrobeats songs features Dj Yol & AX’EL. The song is a spanish song and released in the year 2021.
Rema – Calm Down
Calm Down is a track by Nigerian singer Rema, featured in his debut studio album “Rave & Roses” released in 2022. As the album’s second single, it was launched on 11th February 2022 through Jonzing World and Mavin. The song achieved chart success across Europe, claiming the number one spot on the Belgian Ultratop 50, Dutch Top 40, and Dutch Single Top 100.
In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number three and spent twenty-seven non-consecutive weeks within the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. The song’s catchy appeal and Rema’s talent further solidified his prominence in the music industry making it one of the top streamlined songs globally.
Libianca – People
Cameroonian American singer Libianca released a deeply personal song titled People on December 5, 2022, inspired by her experience with depression. The song’s emotional resonance struck a chord with audiences globally, leading to significant success in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, reaching number two on their charts. Additionally, “People” topped the charts in the Netherlands and Suriname. Its impact extended to other countries like Denmark, Lebanon, South Africa, and India, where it peaked within the top five. This song’s widespread acclaim showcased Libianca’s rising prominence as a singer-songwriter with a poignant message about mental health.
Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji, known as Libianca, whose breakout single “People” (2022) drew inspiration from her experience with cyclothymia. Libianca gained attention on social media for her impactful music. She previously competed in the twenty-first season of the American TV show “The Voice” in 2021.
Burna Boy – Last Last
Nigerian singer Burna Boy released a hit song through Atlantic Records on 13 May 2022, as the lead single from his sixth studio album, “Love, Damini.” The track titled “Last Last” samples American singer Toni Braxton’s “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” with original writers credited. Burna Boy co-wrote the song alongside several producers. Notably, he performed “Last Last” at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards shortly after its release. The song’s official music video, directed by Burna Boy himself, was also released on the same day. “Last Last” made it to Spotify’s list of top-streamed Afrobeats tracks of all time.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu MFR, known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who released the song gained prominence in 2012 with the release of “Like to Party,” the lead single from his debut album “L.I.F.E” (2013). Burna Boy signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the US and Warner Music Group internationally in 2017. His albums “Outside” (2018), “African Giant” (2019), and “Twice as Tall” (2020) garnered critical acclaim, with the latter winning the Grammy for Best World Music Album. His sixth album, “Love, Damini” (2022), achieved remarkable success globally.
Fireboy DML – Peru (feat Ed Sheeran)
Nigerian singer Fireboy DML achieved significant success with the song “Peru,” released on 20th July 2021, through YBNL Nation and distributed by Empire. A reworked version featuring English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran was released on 23rd December 2021. “Peru” peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, spending 22 consecutive weeks in the top 10. It also received recognition on the Apple Music Top Songs of 2021 in Nigeria.
Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan, professionally known as Fireboy DML, was signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide. Fireboy DML gained recognition with his debut studio album “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps,” released in 2019. The song “Jealous” from the album earned him Listener’s Choice and a Song of the Year nomination at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. The song’s remarkable popularity, with over 20.6 million Spotify streams as of December 2021, solidified it as one of Fireboy DML’s most popular records.
Burna Boy – On the Low
Burna Boy’s hit song “On The Low” has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 129 million streams on Spotify, making it to the list of the media service all time Afro beats song. The track showcases Burna Boy’s signature afro-fusion sound, captivating audiences worldwide with its infectious rhythm and soulful vocals. Its massive streaming success further solidifies Burna Boy’s status as one of the leading voices in the Afrobeats genre, making “On The Low” one of his most popular and enduring tracks to date.
Oxlade – KU LO SA (A COLORS SHOW)
Ku Lo Sa, a song by Nigerian singer Oxlade is one of the songs that made Spotify’s list of top streamed Afrobeats of all time. Released on 10th June 2022 through Troniq Music and Epic Records for ColorsxStudios, the song gained immense popularity. A live-performing video on Colors YouTube channel garnered over 54 million streams as of 27th December 2022. Additionally, a remix featuring Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello, with new verses from Cabello, was released on 9th December 2022, further adding to the song’s success and recognition on streaming platforms.
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, known as Oxlade was signed to Troniq Music, Epic Records in France, and Fuenlabrada Records in the UK. He gained prominence with the release of his song “Away,” which received acclaim and appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of 50 best songs in 2020. Oxlade’s talent and artistry earned him recognition as the first Pandora Africa’s Next Artist in July 2022. With a growing fan base and industry recognition, Oxlade continues to establish himself as a rising star in the music scene, showcasing his unique sound and captivating songwriting abilities.
10. Ayra Starr – Rush
Rush, a debut single by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and one of the songs that made Spotify’s list of top streamed Afrobeats tracks of all time. Released on 16th September 2022 by Mavin Records, the song gained global recognition in 2023 after going viral on TikTok. It charted successfully, reaching number 29 in the UK and landing in the top 40 in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Prior to the song’s success, Ayra Starr was recognized as an artist to watch in 2022 by NME, praising her ability to flawlessly blend afro-pop with hints of R&B and trappy hi-hats.
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