Spotify revamps African Heat playlist for global stage

With over one million followers, the playlist is credited as a leading vehicle for African music to reach new audiences, fostering a sense of community among lovers of music from the continent.

The revamped playlist will focus on promoting exposure and awareness within Africa’s creator and listener communities. Drawing inspiration from public transportation systems across the continent, the playlist’s rebrand visually represents the movement of music throughout Africa and beyond. 

Since 2018, African Heat has helped to herald major hits such as Ckay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’, Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ and DBN Gogo’s ‘Love and Loyalty’, among others. The playlist has featured music from all corners of the continent, also providing a democratised platform for emerging talents to reach global ears.

The campaign for the new African Heat will include contributions and conversations with both emerging and established African artists. Additionally, Spotify data will showcase the hottest African Heat artists over the past 90 days and their audience locations, providing insights into their popularity and reach. According to the company’s insights, users streaming African Heat in the past three months have predominantly been from the USA, UK, Nigeria, France, Kenya, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, and Ghana.

“For us, African Heat is about community and telling the story of Africa’s incredible music and creators for a global audience that has its ears perked,” Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said. “We’re glad to usher in an even more ambitious era for this definitive playlist, while also continuing to validate African music’s biggest records and connecting to millions the world over.”

The revamped African Heat playlist is available here.