It’s no doubt that streaming Apps have played an important role in the growth of the Nigerian entertainment industry. Streaming Apps platforms have given artists the opportunity to enter the global market therefore gaining global audience and recognition. In this report, Daily Trust Saturday compiles a list of the most streamed Nigerian artists on the popular streaming service, Spotify.
Burna Boy
Among the most listened Nigerian musicians on Spotify, Burna Boy, the African giant Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is in first place. Along with Wizkid and Davido, he is one of the primary talents, bringing attention to African music on a global scale. He is also the first musician from Nigeria to win the Grammy Award after receiving back-to-back nominations.
After releasing “Like to Party,” the main song from his debut studio album L.I.F.E., Burna Boy gained notoriety in 2012. Since then, he has produced 5 more studio albums, which have amassed over 3 billion streams on the platform. He is the only African musician to sell out O2, Accor, Madison Square Garden, and 4 of the top 5 busiest arenas in the world.
Asake
The YBNL star Asake made a splash in 2022, dominating the music industry with “back-to-back hits,” multiple features, and the release of two EPs.
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Mr Money with The Vibe, Asake’s most recent studio album, made its debut on Spotify’s top worldwide albums chart in September. The critically lauded album reached its high on Spotify’s “Top Albums Debut Global” ranking at number eight.
His top-charting single from the album “joha” was named the best song of the month in August. It is not surprising that five of the songs he worked on made the top 10 of the list of the top 50 Nigerian tracks of 2022 because he remained consistent in the eyes of music fans.
Wizkid
With more than 4.6 billion listens under his credit, Wizkid, a.k.a. Ibrahim Ayodeji Balogun, is among the most streamed Nigerian artists on Spotify. He is one of the best-selling musicians in the nation and is sometimes referred to as the Greatest Showman from Africa. He has received numerous accolades, certifications, streams, and chart records.
His album “Made In Lagos” had over one billion plays in less than a year since its release, making it the best-selling and most streamed African album ever in Billboard’s history. Essence feat. Tems and Come Closer ft. Drake, two of his tracks, are among the most streamed Nigerian songs ever on the platform. Wizkid has 9.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Buju BNXN
Since making his entry into the music business, Buju has provided Nigerians with a steady stream of hit tunes. He has a distinctive tone that entices listeners to explore his genre of music further. Afrofusion is Buju’s designated musical style. Buju, however, recently changed his name to BNXN.
On Spotify, Buju has 3.8 million monthly listeners, and his most streamed songs include “Italy Refix,” “Mood,” “Feeling,” and “Lenu.”
Davido
With over 1 billion listens across all of his credits, multi-award-winning singer Davido ranks among the most streamed Nigerian artists on Spotify. One of the largest musical performers to emerge from Africa is Davido, who is regarded as one of today’s most influential musicians.
He came to public attention in 2012 with the release of “Dami Duro,” the second song from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo. Since then, the singer has released 3 additional studio albums. His song Fall has spent the second-longest amount of time on the Billboard charts among Nigerian pop songs.
Fireboy
Popular Nigerian musician Ademola Adefolahan, well known by his stage name Fireboy Dml, is a member of Olamide’s record company YBNL nation. The Nigerian music industry has seen a lot of success for Fireboy Dml. Despite the fact that his first studio album, “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps,” was only released in 2019, he has already made his debut.
In less than 3 years, Fireboy has gone from being well-known in Nigeria to dominating the world, especially since the release of “Peru” in 2021 and the subsequent release of its remix with well-known British Singer Ed Sheeran.
Within the first week of its release, the “Peru” remix amassed ten million views on YouTube and replaced Adele’s “Easy on me” at the top of the London Apple Music Chart.
Fireboy Dml has 7.4M monthly listeners on Spotify and his most streamed include; Peru, Peru remix, Running, Vibration, Sere
Ayra Starr
The Bloody Samaritan crooner was the second-most streamed female artist in Nigeria last year, and she seems to have improved both locally and internationally this year.
Ayra Starr was on the Billboard Hot 100 after the publication of her self-titled debut EP in 2022 and her debut album, “19 & Dangerous.” She also collaborated with American singer Kelly Rowland on a remix of her hit song “Bloody Samaritan.”
She is the most streamed female musician in Nigeria this year. Rush, her successful collaboration with Magixx, made the top 50 Nigerian hits of 2022. According to Spotify, Ayra Starr has at least 2.7 million monthly listeners.
