The Canadian rapper led South Africa’s most-streamed artist rankings, closely followed by amapiano heavyweights Kabza De Small and Kelvin Momo. DJ Maphorisa and US artists such as Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd rounded out the top positions.

Kabza De Small’s Isimo was the most-streamed album in South Africa, with Chris Brown’s 11:11 and Kelvin Momo’s Kurhula following closely. Kabza also dominated the most-streamed songs chart with ‘Imithandazo’, featuring Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, and Umthakathi Kush, clinching the top spot.

Among female artists, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and SZA were the most-streamed international acts, while Nkosazana Daughter and Babalwa M represented South Africa’s amapiano scene on the list.

Zimbabwe and Zambia’s diverse music scenes

In Zimbabwe, Drake was followed by local stars Holy Ten and Jah Prayzah. Kabza, Future, and Chris Brown also ranked high, reflecting a blend of local and international tastes. Holy Ten’s ‘Delilah’ and Killer T’s ‘Kana Ndanyura’ joined ‘Imithandazo’ on the most-streamed songs list.

In Zambia, Drake and Chris Brown led the charts, with local artist Yo Maps taking fourth place. Yo Maps’ album Try Again ranked second on the albums list, signalling strong support for homegrown talent. Asake’s ‘Lonely at the Top’ and Chris Brown’s ‘Angel Numbers / Ten Toes’ topped the songs chart.

Botswana and Lesotho trends

Drake also led the charge in Botswana and Lesotho, followed by Kabza De Small and Kelvin Momo, signalling the regional popularity of amapiano. Kabza’s Isimo topped the album charts in both countries, while ‘Imithandazo’ reigned as the most-streamed song.

In Lesotho, local artists made a strong showing. Ntate Stunna, Sannere, and Malome Vector dominated the rankings, showcasing the nation’s vibrant Sesotho rap and Afrobeat scenes.

Namibia and Mozambique

In Namibia, Drake was joined by Kabza De Small and Chris Brown at the top of the artists list, with albums like 11:11 by Chris Brown and Kabza’s Isimo taking centre stage. Local listeners also favoured international albums like HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish.

Mozambique’s streaming preferences leaned heavily toward Afrobeat and amapiano. Kabza De Small’s ‘Imithandazo’ and DJ Stokie’s ‘Masithokoze’ were the most-played tracks, while artists like Anna Joyce and CEF Tanzy highlighted local talent.

Amapiano’s dominance and international artists’ strong presence

Kabza De Small’s presence across all major markets highlights amapiano’s sustained influence in Southern Africa. Tracks like ‘Imithandazo’ and ‘Tshwala Bam’ by TitoM showcase the genre’s ability to transcend borders, blending local rhythms with global appeal.

While local genres like amapiano and Afrobeat dominate, Drake, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, and Taylor Swift have cemented their places in the region. Their widespread appeal across different demographics continues to shape the diverse listening habits of Southern African audiences.

Spotify’s 2025 data underscores the region’s evolving musical landscape, where global icons coexist with local talent, offering a rich and dynamic listening experience.

Below is a full breakdown of the top streamed by music fans from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe on Spotify this year:

South Africa 

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• Chris Brown
• DJ Maphorisa
• Kendrick Lamar
• The Weeknd
• Future
• Travis Scott
• J. Cole

Top Streamed Albums 

• Isimo – Kabza De Small
• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Kurhula – Kelvin Momo
• TYLA – Tyla
• SOS – SZA
• HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
• Emakhaya – Mlindo The Vocalist

Top Streamed Songs 

• ‘Imithandazo’ – Kabza De Small ft. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush)
• ‘Tshwala Bam’ – TitoM ft. S.N.E & Eeque
• ‘Beautiful Things’ – Benson Boone
• ‘Masithokoze’ – DJ Stokie
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Imizwa’ – Lwah Ndlunkulu
• ‘Paris’ – Mthandeni SK
• ‘Amalobolo’ – Kelvin Momo ft. Stixx, Nia Pearl
• ‘Amazwe’ – Kabza De Small ft. Mawhoo
• ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’ – Felo Le Tee ft. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza
• ‘Wadibusa’ – Uncle Waffles ft. Royal MusiQ, OHP Sage, & Pcee

Top Streamed Female Artists

• Taylor Swift
• Billie Eilish
• SZA
• Rihanna
• Beyoncé
• Nkosazana Daughter
• Ariana Grande
• Babalwa M
• Summer Walker
• Nicki Minaj

Zimbabwe

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Holy Ten
• Jah Prayzah
• Kabza De Small
• Future
• Chris Brown
• SaintFloew
• Metro Boomin
• Travis Scott
• Gunna

Top Streamed Albums 

• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
• Isimo – Kabza De Small
• Risky Life 2 – Holy Ten
• N.O.P Makoni – Voltz JT
• TYLA – Tyla
• Timeless – Davido
• WE DON’T TRUST YOU – Future
• TROPHY – Freeman HKD
• SOS – SZA

Top Streamed Songs 

• ‘Imithandazo’ (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) – Kabza De Small
• ‘Delilah’ – Holy Ten
• ‘Tshwala Bam’ (feat. S.N.E & Eeque) – TitoM
• ‘Kana Ndanyur’a – Killer T
• ‘MADIRO’ – Kae Chaps
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Masithokoze’ – DJ Stokie
• ‘Banga’ – Holy Ten
• ‘Wadibusa’ (feat. Royal MusiQ, OHP Sage, & Pcee) – Uncle Waffles
• ‘Nyarara’ – Bagga

Botswana 

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• Chris Brown
• DJ Maphorisa
• Future
• Kendrick Lamar
• Travis Scott
• J. Cole
• Metro Boomin

Top Streamed Albums 

• Isimo – Kabza De Small
• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Kurhula – Kelvin Momo
• SOS – SZA
• For All The Dogs – Drake
• TYLA – Tyla
• WE DON’T TRUST YOU – Future
• One of Wun – Gunna
• UTOPIA –- Travis Scott
• american dream – 21 Savage

Top Streamed Songs

• ‘Imithandazo’ (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) – Kabza De Small
• ‘Who’ – Jimin
• ‘Masithokoze’ – DJ Stokie
• ‘Wadibusa’ (feat. Royal MusiQ, OHP Sage, & Pcee) – Uncle Waffles
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Tshwala Bam’ (feat. S.N.E & Eeque) – TitoM
• ‘Funk 99’ – Shakes & Les
• ‘Izenzo’ – Bassie
• ‘Amalobolo’ (feat. Stixx, Nia Pearl) – Kelvin Momo
• ‘Snooze’ – SZA

Lesotho 

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• Chris Brown
• Ntate Stunna
• Sannere
• J. Cole
• Malome Vector
• DJ Maphorisa
• Wave Rhyder

Top Streamed Albums 

• Isimo – Kabza De Small
• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Kurhula – Kelvin Momo
• Karabo – Malome Vector
• Imizwa – Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Manothi – Wave Rhyder
• SOS – SZA
• TYLA – Tyla
• Sesotho Fashioneng – Ntate Stunna
• Tshepe (Lesson No. 1) – DeejayZaca

Top Streamed Songs

• ‘Imithandazo’ (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) – Kabza De Small
• ‘Hale Felile U Njoetse’ – Sannere
• ‘Ke Romiloe Nna’ – Sannere
• ‘Ke Holisitsoe Ka Malingoana’ – Sannere
• ‘Lumela ‘M’e (Bonus Track)’ – Sannere
• ‘Bahale’ – Cityzeen Ls
• ‘Masithokoze’ – DJ Stokie
• ‘Bayethe’ – Phoka Ea Boroa
• ‘eLesotho’ – Lizwi Wokuqala
• ‘Keneilwe’ (feat. Dalom Kids) – Wanitwa Mos

Namibia

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Kabza De Small
• Chris Brown
• Kendrick Lamar
• The Weeknd
• Travis Scott
• Future
• DJ Maphorisa
• Taylor Swift
• J. Cole

Top Streamed Albums 

• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Isimo – Kabza De Small
• TYLA – Tyla
• SOS – SZA
• Fireworks & Rollerblades – Benson Boone
• HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
• Timeless – Davido
• For All The Dogs – Drake
• The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
• Born in the Wild – Tems

Top Streamed Songs

• ‘GUCCI’ – 55 ENGINE
• ‘I’M BLESSED DRILL’ – MUNGU BLESS JOHN II
• ‘Imithandazo’ (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) – Kabza De Small
• ‘Beautiful Things’ – Benson Boone
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Tshwala Bam’ (feat. S.N.E & Eeque) – TitoM
• ‘Masithokoze’ – DJ Stokie
• ‘Wadibusa’ (feat. Royal MusiQ, OHP Sage, & Pcee) – Uncle Waffles
• ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’ – Billie Eilish
• ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ –- Shaboozey

Mozambique 

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Kabza De Small
• Chris Brown
• Travis Scott
• Kelvin Momo
• DJ Maphorisa
• The Weeknd
• Anna Joyce
• Future
• CEF Tanzy

Top Streamed Albums 

• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Anna – Anna Joyce
• Flor De Lis – Laylizzy
• Isimo – Kabza De Small
• A Peça – Anna Joyce
• Bairro Star – CEF Tanzy
• SOS – SZA
• Sincera – Pérola
• Catarse – Chelsea Dinorath
• TYLA – Tyla

Top Streamed Songs

• ‘Imithandazo’ (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) – Kabza De Small
• ‘Masithokoze’ – DJ Stokie
• ‘BABETE’ – Landrick
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Tshwala Bam’ (feat. S.N.E & Eeque) – TitoM
• ‘Wadibusa’ (feat. Royal MusiQ, OHP Sage, & Pcee) – Uncle Waffles
• ‘Me & U’ – Tems
• ‘Izenzo’ – Bassie
• ‘Isgubhu’ – Sam Deep
• ‘Angel Numbers / Ten Toes’ – Chris Brown

Zambia

Top Streamed Artists 

• Drake
• Chris Brown
• Future
• Yo Maps
• Gunna
• Burna Boy
• Metro Boomin
• Travis Scott
• Kendrick Lamar
• J. Cole

Top Streamed Albums 

• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• Try Again – Yo Maps
• Timeless – Davido
• The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
• Work Of Art – Asake
• SOS – SZA
• WE DON’T TRUST YOU – Future
• The BoogeyMan – Jemax
• Boy Alone – Omah Lay
• Broke Nolunkumbwa – Chef 187

Top Streamed Songs

• ‘Lonely At The Top’ – Asake
• ‘Commas’ – Ayra Starr
• Angel Numbers / Ten Toes’ – Chris Brown
• ‘KANTE’ (feat. Fave) – Davido
• ‘Again’’ – Wande Coal
• Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Egwu’ – Chike
• ‘’So Mone (feat. Tay Grin) – Yo Maps
• ‘Tshwala Bam’ (feat. S.N.E & Eeque) – TitoM
• ‘Imithandazo’ (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) – Kabza De Small