By John Ikani
Spotify, the global online streaming giant, has declared Asake, Burna Boy, and Davido as the leading male artists in the limelight for 2023.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, made the announcement on Wednesday, highlighting Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, and Tems as the most streamed female artists during the year.
According to Okumu, the insights are part of Spotify’s “2023 Wrapped,” offering a comprehensive look into the top 10 most streamed artists, tracks, albums, playlists, and more within Nigeria.
“The male artist category boasts the talents of Asake, Burna Boy, Davido, Seyi Vibez, Omah Lay, Bnxn, Rema, ODUMODUBLVCK, Olamide, and Wizkid,” Okumu revealed. Meanwhile, the female category showcases Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Tems, Rihanna, SZA, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Libianca, and Mercy Chinwo.
Among the top tracks in Nigeria are “Lonely At The Top” by Asake, “Gwagwalada” by Bnxn featuring Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez, “Feel” by Davido, “2:30” by Asake, and “Reason” by Omah Lay.
“Nigeria’s rich musical landscape takes center stage in Wrapped, showcasing the diversity and passion of Nigerian music lovers,” remarked Okumu, emphasizing the power of music to connect people with the nation’s culture.
Notably, Rema, Burna Boy, Tems, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Ckay, Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, Asake, and Davido emerged as the most exported Nigerian artists.
Diving into the album realm, the top 10 most streamed albums include Davido’s “Timeless,” Asake’s “Work of Art,” Omah Lay’s “Boy Alone,” Odumodublvck’s “Eziziokwu,” Burna Boy’s “I Told Them,” Rema’s “Rave & Roses Ultra,” Asake’s “Mr. Money With The Vibe,” BNXN’s “Sincerely, Benson,” Burna Boy’s “Love, Damini,” and Olamide’s “Unruly.”
Podcasts and playlists also played a significant role in the streaming scene. Top local podcasts featured “Apostle Joshua Selman,” “KOINONIA with Apostle Joshua Selman,” “The HonestBunch Podcast,” “I Said What I Said,” “Koinonia Experience With Apostle Joshua Selman (ENI),” “Tea with Tay,” “Menisms,” “So Nigerian,” “Love & Lust in Lagos,” and “Toke Moments.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s global musical impact, Okumu pointed out that Nigerian artists and songs consistently dominated the top ten most streamed artist charts for the third consecutive year.
“In 2023, Nigerian music not only reached unprecedented heights but also shattered barriers,” Okumu noted, singling out Rema’s collaboration with Selena Gomez on “Calm Down,” a milestone that made it the first African-led single to amass a billion streams on Spotify.
Rema and Asake emerged as global Afrobeats ambassadors, with Rema earning the title of the most globally exported artist and Asake captivating audiences in Nigeria, Ghana, and Togo, securing the coveted title of the most streamed artist in each country.
In a poignant moment, Okumu acknowledged the late Mohbad’s impact, securing a spot in the top 20 most streamed artists in Nigeria, showcasing increased interest in his music following his untimely demise.
Shifting to the female artists, Ayra Starr, a Spotify RADAR alumnus and first-time Grammy Nominee, claimed the title of the most streamed female artist across several African countries, solidifying her international influence.
Gospel artist Mercy Chinwo also made a mark in the top 10 most streamed female artists in Nigeria, highlighting the enduring popularity and influence of gospel music.
Delving into throwback charts for 2023, the legendary 2Pac dominated, with “Hit ‘Em Up – Single Version” and the album “Greatest Hits” securing top spots. This resurgence in interest is attributed to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, headlines surrounding 2Pac’s death, and his enduring status as one of the most influential rappers.
In analyzing Nigeria’s listening habits, Okumu noted a staggering 284% growth in the demand for local music, with female artists experiencing a remarkable 150% surge in streams year-on-year.
“Music enthusiasts in Nigeria turn up the volume on Fridays, with 3 pm being the most popular time to indulge in their favorite tunes,” Okumu disclosed.
She went on to add that noteworthy search trends include Rema topping the list of most searched queries, Burna Boy leading as the most searched and most viral artist, and Asake’s “Lonely At The Top” claiming the first spot on the most viral tracks.
