Afrobeats dominates playlists in Uganda – Spotify Wrapped 2024

This speaks to the country’s deep connection with Afrobeats culture, a trend seen across East Africa.

The report also indicates Uganda’s fans loved listening to female artists like Qing Madi and Ayra Starr, whose ‘American Love’ and ‘Commas’, respectively, occupy second and third place on the most streamed songs in the country.

The data also shows local music consumption grew by 87% between January and October this year, with local females like Azawi drawing in young fans. Her music, which speaks to themes of love and loyalty, has made her the most streamed female artist in the country, especially with 25-44-year-olds, with the singer’s ‘Masavu’ single outranking Davido’s ‘FEEL’ and Victony’s ‘Everything’.

Vinka and Winnie Nwagi join Azawi as three of the top five most streamed local artists in Uganda.

“Documentaries like the RADAR feature on singer, songwriter and producer Joshua Baraka are but one example of Spotify’s commitment to promoting Ugandan talent,” Spotify said.

Baraka’s ‘Dalilah’ is among the most repeated songs in the country, and his debut EP Growing Pains has reached audiences in Nigeria, Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States, with his tracks added to more than 240,000 playlists on the platform.

Uganda’s listening habits in 2024:

• Uganda’s love for Afrobeats is undeniable, but more female artists have risen to the top of streaming charts on the local front, occupying three of the top five local artist spaces.
• The country’s love for its artists is beginning to reflect in streaming data, which shows an 87% increase in local artist streaming between 1 January and 31 October 2024.
• ‘Masavu’ by Azawi, ‘Dawa’ by Elijah Kitaka and ‘Dalilah’ by Axon and Joshua Baraka were the most repeated local songs in Uganda this year.

Top five most streamed albums in Uganda  

1. Davido – Timeles
2. Chris Brown – 11:11
3. Asake – Work Of Art
4. Qing Madi – Qing Madi
5. Ayra Starr – The Year I turned 21

Top five most streamed local albums

1. Azawi – AFRICAN MUSIC
2. Elijah Kitaka – Bedroom Essentials
3. Azawi – SANKOFA
4. Radio And  Weasel – Radio & Weasel
5.  A Pass – Bangoza

Top 10 streamed songs in Uganda

1. Asake – Lonely At The Top
2. Qing Madi – American Love
3. Ayra Starr – Commas
4. Davido – KANTE ( feat. Fave)
5. Crayon – Ngozi
6. Wande Coal – Again
7. Azawi – Masavu
8. Davido   FEEL
9. Victony – Everything
10. Patoranking – Babylon

Top five streamed local artists in Uganda

1. Azawi
2. Vinka
3. Elijah Kitaka
4. Winnie Nwagi
5. Joshua Baraka