Burna Boy most streamed artist in sub-Saharan Africa – Spotify Wrapped

The singer’s feat mirrors a similar accolade last year when he became the most globally streamed artist from the region. In 2022, his ascent was fuelled by the hit single ‘Last Last’, and the Love Damini album. This year, his triumph has, again, come by way of those two offerings, as well as his recently released seventh studio LP I Told Them.

Fellow Nigerian popstars Asake, Davido and Omah Lay all make an appearance in the top 10, demonstrating Nigeria’s dominance in the music scene across the continent. Ayra Starr narrowly misses the top 10 most streamed artists list, landing at number 11 but is the top streamed female artist in SSA.

The most successful tracks in the region include Ruger’s ‘Asiwaju’, followed by Ayra Starr’s ‘Rush’. A host of other Nigerian tracks also make the list including Asake’s ‘Lonely At The Top’, the most streamed track in Nigeria this year.

Tyla ICU is the sole South African with ‘Mnike’, with Cameroonian breakout star Libianca’s ‘People’ securing the eighth spot almost a year after its release.

Davido’s Timeless, released earlier this year, is the most streamed album in SSA, and two tracks from the album, ‘Feel’ and ‘Unavailable’, featuring Musa Keys, are among the top 10 most streamed tracks in SSA. Both of fellow Nigerian act Asake’s albums, Work of Art and Mr Money With the Vibe are in the top streamed list in SSA.

The top exported artist in SSA is Rema, thanks to the popularity of ‘Calm Down’ featuring US singer Selena Gomez, which is also the most exported track from SSA. The track, the first African-led single to reach a billion streams on Spotify, is also the eighth most streamed track globally.

Despite leading in the top streamed female artists list, the only other African female artist in the top 10 is Tems, with the rest of the list being occupied by American artists.

“Nigeria is a hotbed of musical talent and we’re incredibly proud to showcase the diversity and passion of Nigerian music lovers through Wrapped,” Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said. “This year’s Wrapped is a testament to the power of music to connect people and bring them closer to the culture and traditions of Nigeria.”

Top streamed artists in SSA

1. Drake
2. Burna Boy
3. Asake
4. Davido
5. Omah Lay
6. The Weeknd
7. Rema
8. Chris Brown
9. Travis Scott
10. 21 Savage

Top streamed tracks in SSA

1. ‘Asiwaju’ by Ruger
2. ‘Rush’ by Ayra Starr
3. ‘Mnike’ by Tyler ICU (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee)
4. ‘Lonely At The Top’ by Asake
5. ‘soso’ by Omah Lay
6. ‘FEEL’ by Davido
7. ‘Unavailable’ by Davido (feat. Musa Keys)
8. ‘People’ by Libianca
9. ‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
10. ‘GWAGWALADA’ by Bnxn (feat. Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez)

Top streamed albums in SSA

1. Timeless by Davido
2. Work of Art by Asake
3. Boy Alone by Omah Lay
4. Rave & Roses Ultra by Rema
5. Love, Damini by Burna Boy
6. Mr. Money With The Vibe by Asake
7. SOS by SZA
8. I Told Them… by Burna Boy
9. HEROES & VILLAINS by Metro Boomin
10. EZIOKWU by ODUMODUBLVCK

Top exported artists

1. Rema
2. Burna Boy
3. Tems
4. Ayra Starr
5. Wizkid
6. CKay
7. Omah Lay
8. Fireboy DML
9. Asake
10. Davido

Top exported tracks

1. ‘Calm Down’ by Rema with Selena Gomez
2. ‘Calm Down’ by Rema
3. ‘Rush’ by Ayra Starr
4. ‘Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah)’ by CKay
5. ‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
6. ‘KU LO SA - A COLORS SHOW’ by Oxlade
7. ‘For My Hand’ by Burna Boy featuring Ed Sheeran
8. ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY Remix’ by Amaarae featuring Kali Uchis and Moliy
9. ‘Love Nwantiti Remix’ by CKay featuring DJ Yo! & AX'EL
10. ‘Unavailable’ by Davido featuring Musa Keys

Top streamed female artists in SSA

1. Ayra Starr
2. SZA
3. Rihanna
4. Taylor Swift
5. Beyoncé
6. Nicki Minaj
7. Billie Eilish
8. Tems
9. Summer Walker
10. Doja Cat