Op-ed: Africa shows a united front toward music with more collaborations

From East to West, North to South African, artists have embraced the power of collaboration, resulting in some of the most celebrated cross-genre and cross-border hits. This trend sends a clear message: African artists understand that collaboration breeds success, creativity and long-lasting impact.

Growth is on the horizon

One clear example of this collaborative success is the partnership between South African and Nigerian powerhouses Tyla and Tems, whose hit ‘No.1’ amassed nearly 36 million, this surge in streaming numbers reflects a growing global demand for African music, with collaborations proving to be a key factor in their success. The duo was previously nominated for Spotify’s RADAR Africa artist initiative, a programme dedicated to driving the discovery of emerging artists worldwide.

Following their lead is ‘One Call’ by Nigerian DJ and record producer SPINALL featuring Tyla and Nigerian singer and songwriter, Omah Lay, with over 22 million streams. The growing global appetite for African music is evident in the recent surge in streaming numbers, with collaborations playing a crucial role in driving this success.

Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz occupied the fourth spot, putting East Africa on the map with ‘Komasava’, a banger that features South African artist Chley and amapiano sensation Khalil Harrison.

Reaching global standards

Africa’s unique sound is capturing global attention, offering a fresh and exciting experience for music lovers worldwide. Ghanaian artists are reaching new heights through global collaborations. ‘The Night’ by Amaarae, Childish Gambino, and Jorja Smith leads as the most exported Ghanaian song, while King Promise’s ‘Continental’ with Nigeria’s Shallipopi showed up proudly on the Global Impact list, further cementing the power of cross-border partnerships in elevating Ghanaian music worldwide.

Additionally, in Kenya, ‘DIGII III Trailer’ by Mr.Tee, Tenorboy and prod.chacha takes the number 1 spot as the most streamed Kenyan track globally. 

“Africa’s artists have proven that success lies in collaboration, not competition,” Spotify head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said. “By working together, they are not only reshaping the sound of global music but also showcasing the continent's rich diversity and talent to a worldwide audience. The era of Africa as a global music powerhouse is here and it’s clear that this movement is driven by the strength of unity.”