The top 10 most streamed Nigerian albums on Spotify are the epitome of Afrobeats’ rise in the global music scene.
The Nigerian music scene has never been more interesting, with artists from the country taking their unique sounds to the world stage. Spotify—one of the largest music streaming platforms—represents this growth, showing that Nigerian artists have captured listeners’ hearts all over the globe. We will deliberate herein on the top 10 most streamed Nigerian albums on Spotify, emphasizing those artists who have made an almost indelible mark on the global scenes of music.
1. Rave & Roses–Rema (2.2 billion streams*)
With a surprising 2.2 billion streams, Rema’s Rave & Roses leads the list of the most streamed Nigerian albums on Spotify. This is an absolute testimonial to the meteoric rise of Rema into music and his ability to impress the international masses with his eclectically forged Afrobeats, trap, and pop. The album has contributed to his greatness with hits like “Calm Down,” catapulting him to worldwide success, positioning him right up there among the most promising young stars from Africa.
2. Love, Damini – Burna Boy (1.1 billion streams*)
With more than 1.1 billion streams, Burna Boy’s Love, Damini now pays out, placing the album among the most streamed Nigerian albums of all time. Made in 2022, the album is an infusion of Afrobeats, reggae, and dancehall with monsters such as “Last Last,” which has made the album dear to the global audience. This way, Burna Boy has been able to cement his place as a global music icon with the ability to make music that goes beyond borders.
3. African Giant – Burna Boy (874 million streams*)
The third one on the list, with more than 874 million streams, is yet another of Burna Boy’s music, African Giant. This 2019 release made a wider audience familiar with Afrobeats through socially aware lyrics and infectious rhythms. Its success has brought Burna Boy to the fore even more as one of the leaders in African music and will continue affecting its evolution.
4. CKay The First – CKay (853 million streams*)
CKay’s CKay The First amasses 853 million streams. One of the singles on the album, “Love Nwantiti,” went up in flames across the world, especially when it hit TikTok. This turn of events simply underlines CKay’s rising influence but bears testimony to what social media can do in taking Nigerian music to great lengths.
5. Made In Lagos – WizKid (795 million streams*)
WizKid’s Made In Lagos has earned over 795 million streams, another strong indicator of the album’s critical success. The 2020 album includes tracks with Tems and Burna Boy, featuring the afrobeats-R&B fusion “Essence,” which made huge waves on the international music scene. It is this smooth blend of Afrobeats and R&B that resonance across the globe, making WizKid forever written in the annals as one of Africa’s greatest ambassadors for music.
6. Playboy – Fireboy DML (671 million streams*)
Playboy by Fireboy DML has hit over 671 million streams, which resonates with his ever-increasing presence in the global music scenes. The album, which was released in 2022, represented the versatility of Fireboy and his potentially incomparable talent to merge Afrobeats with pop sounds for the modern era. His hits like “Peru” define his further growing influence and an increasing fanbase worldwide.
7. Boy Alone – Omah Lay (596 million streams*)
Boy Alone by Omah Lay has peaked at 596 million streams, representing yet another fast-rising star. His sound, afrobeats with soulful melodies, would have Omah Lay said to have captured many hearts fast on the continent and beyond. This would represent yet another attestation to his talent and the fast-growing appeal of his craft.
8. 19 & Dangerous – Ayra Starr (502 million streams*)
Ayra Starr’s debut album, 19 & Dangerous, now owns over 502 million streams, a fact that proves this: she’s definitely one of the breakout stars in the African music scene. Coupled with her special brand of Afropop and R&B on the album, it worked magic with Ayra Starr’s distinct vocal delivery, making her one of the most promising young artists to be produced by the continent.
9. MMWTV – Asake (425 million streams*)
Asake’s MMWTV has garnered more than 425 million streams on platforms, indicating very strong acceptance from music lovers. A singer representing high energy and sunset timbres, Asake has definitely pushed his way up the ranks of Afrobeats artists, and MMWTV mirrors his rising influence in the music scene.
10. For Broken Ears – Tems (417 million streams*)
The list is completed by For Broken Ears by Tems, at over 417 million streams. This EP presented the soulful voice of Tems and her introspective lyrics to the world, building her fiercely loyal fanbase and significant critical acclaim. Her music still reverberates in the global audience as Tems swiftly cements her place as a strong voice in African music today.
Conclusion
Moreover, the success of these albums on Spotify serves to underscore not only this immense Nigerian talent but also wholeheartedly proves that Afrobeats and other genres of African music have spread around the world. As these artists continue breaking borders and gaining international recognition, it ever so becomes apparent that the future is bright for African music. This is one enormous streaming statistic: Nigerian music isn’t just a local phenomenon; it’s a global force.
* The number of streams may have changed by the time you are reading this article
