YouTube: Billboard ranks most watched musicians in 11 African countries

The source data for the article is from YouTube and features the top musicians in Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania.

The list is based on YouTube Views garnered in each artist's home country between 1 May 2019 and 1 May 2020. It does not represent global views. 

Egypt leads the overall stats with four artists from that country getting more than 300 million views in the 12-month period: Hamo Bika (736.53 million) Amr Diab (354.17 million), Hassan Shakosh (312.96) and Mohamed Ramadan (309.62 million). The only other artist with similar numbers is Algerian rapper Soolking, who amassed 316.8 million views.

Unsurprisingly, Diamond Platnumz topped the list among Tanzanian artists with 53.94 million views. The Joyous Celebration gospel ensemble ranks first in South Africa with 36.44 million views, followed by amapiano stars DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.  

Otile Brown is the most viewed artist in Kenya with 27.88 million plays, making him the third most streamed artist in East Africa after Tanzanians Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny.

DJ Arafat, who died in a motorcycle accident last year, is the favourite in Ivory Coast. "His music, including hits 'Dosabado', 'Jonathan' and 'Moto Moto', continues to resonate," Billboard said. 

Wally B Seck is the top artist in Senegal with 20.95 million views while Naira Marley leads Nigeria with 17.6 million views.

Dancehall star Shatta Wale topped the Ghana list with 13.26 million views, while Mr Bow makes an appearance as Mozambique's most viewed artist with 6.88 million views. Scró Q Cuia is the most popular artist in Angola with 3.73 million views. 

Algeria

1. Soolking – 316.8 million views
2. Cheb Bello – 150.24 million views
3. Didine Canon 16 – 141.43 million views
4. Hichem Smati – 127.89 million views
5. Djalil Palermo – 121.65 million views

Egypt

1. Hamo Bika – 736.53 million views (first overall)
2. Amr Diab – 354.17 million views
3. Hassan Shakosh – 312.96 million views
4. Mohamed Ramadan – 309.62 million views
5. Omar Kamal – 151.86 million views

Angola

1. Scró Q Cuia – 3.73 million views
2. Preto Show – 3.48 million views
3. Puto Portugues – 3.46 million views
4. Landrick – 3.28 million views
5. Anna Joyce – 3.11 million views

Ghana

1. Shatta Wale – 13.26 million views
2. Sarkodie – 11.72 million views
3. StoneBwoy – 7.86 million views
4. Diana Hamilton – 6.42 million views
5.  Kofi Kinaata – 4.63 million views

Ivory Coast

1. DJ Arafat – 27.52 million views
2. Ariel Sheney – 8.06 million views
3. Serge Beynaud – 7.9 million views
4. DJ Kerozen – 6.45 million views
5. Josey – 5.92 million views

Kenya

1. Otile Brown – 27.88 million views
2. Sauti Sol – 22.62 million views
3. Willy Paul – 20.61million views
4. Boondocks Gang – 16.68 million views
5. Khaligraph Jones – 14.13 million views

Mozambique

1. Mr Bow – 6.88 million views
2. Marllen – 4.88 million views
3. Liloca – 2.46 million views
4. Valter Artistico – 2.29 million views

Nigeria

1. Naira Marley – 17.6 million views 
2. Davido – 11.67 million views
3. Burna Boy – 9.6 million views
4. Mercy Chinwo – 8.04 million views
5. Kizz Daniel – 7.82 million views

Senegal 

1. Wally B. Seck – 20.95 million views
2. Youssou N'Dour – 19.64 million views
3. Vivian Chidid – 15.5 million views
4. Jah Man Express – 13.02 million views
5. Dip Doundou Guiss – 11.63 million views

South Africa

1. Joyous Celebration – 36.44 million views
2. DJ Maphorisa – 36.35 million views
3. Kabza De Small – 33.88 million views
4. Mr KG – 21.68 million views
5. Snotcop – 18.37 million views

Tanzania

1. Diamond Platnumz – 53.94 million views
2. Harmonize – 39.66 million views
3. Rayvanny – 30.21 million views
4. AliKiba – 14.15 million views
5. Aslay – 13.73 million views