Nigerian artists earned $17m on Spotify in 2023

This is according to the digital streaming platform’s latest Loud & Clear report published last month to enhance transparency by providing data on royalty payments and analysing the global streaming economy for artists, fans and the industry.

Spotify numbers also show that Nigerian artists earning over ₦10 million in royalties quadrupled since 2018, with more than half of these royalties going to independent artists or labels. 

Other key findings show that Spotify listeners discovered Nigerian artists nearly 950 million times in 2023, while Nigerian artists owned over 80% of the tracks featured on Nigeria’s daily top 50 chart in the same year. 

While Afrobeats maintains its dominance, local genres such as highlife, Igbo pop and Fuji have experienced significant increases in listenership over the past year, with growth rates of 224%, 303% and 187%, respectively. This trend has continued into Q1 2024, with these genres seeing further increases in listenership by 240%, 175% and 270% compared to the same period in 2023. Top artists in these genres include K1 De Ultimate for Fuji, Umu Obiligbo for highlife and Phyno for Igbo pop. 

The top five exported music genres from Nigeria are Afrobeats, Nigerian pop, Afropop, Nigerian hip hop, and Afro-R&B.

“The significant growth in royalties earned by Nigerian artists on our platform is a powerful testament to their talent, creativity and global appeal,” Spotify’s managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said. “We’re proud to amplify their voices and fuel the Nigerian music revolution. As a leader in the streaming economy, we’re committed to supporting African creators to make a living from their art and we’ll continue to invest further in African artists to ensure this momentum continues.” 

Meanwhile, Spotify this week welcomed three new acts to its RADAR Africa initiative that spotlights exciting emerging voices from around the continent. They are Nigerian rapper Shallipopi, eSwatini act Manana and Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka.

“This cohort represents some of the continent’s most promising artists,” Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said. “As African artists continue to rise globally, Spotify is excited to continue playing its part in the rise and discovery of local artists, showcasing their diverse talents to the world.”