In today’s digital age, where streaming has become the ultimate measure of musical reach, Spotify’s Billions Club stands as one of the industry’s most exclusive fraternities representing the pinnacle of global success. To cross the billion-stream threshold is to achieve a level of cultural penetration that only a select few can claim.
For African artists, this milestone is even more significant, it marks the moment when African music transitions from emerging genre to mainstream powerhouse. As of 2024, only four African artists have achieved songs with 1 billion Spotify streams: Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Tyla.
This exclusive group has shattered streaming records and redefined what’s possible for African music on the global stage. Each artist’s journey to 1 billion Spotify streams tells a unique story about the rise of Afrobeats and African music worldwide. 
1. Wizkid: First African Artist to Hit 1 Billion Spotify Streams
First African Artist to Hit 1 Billion Spotify Streams Credit: Rollingstone
Song: “One Dance” (featuring Drake and Kyla)
Year: 2016
Milestone: First African artist to reach 1 billion Spotify streams
Wizkid made history as the first African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams when Drake’s “One Dance” became the first song ever to reach this milestone in 2016. The Nigerian superstar’s feature on the summer anthem introduced Afrobeats to millions of listeners worldwide.
“One Dance” dominated charts globally, spending 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 18 weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song’s success opened doors for African artists on streaming platforms and demonstrated the commercial viability of Afrobeats on the international stage.
While Wizkid was a featured artist rather than the lead, his contribution to “One Dance” was instrumental in bringing African music to mainstream audiences. The track’s distinctive Afrobeats rhythm helped establish the genre’s sound in global pop music.
2. Rema: First African-Led Song With 1 Billion Spotify Streams
Rema is the First African-Led Song With 1 Billion Spotify Streams [Credit:Instagram/Rema]
Song: “Calm Down” (featuring Selena Gomez)
Year: 2023
Milestone: First African artist-led track to reach 1 billion Spotify streams
If Wizkid opened the door, Rema kicked it wide open. In September 2023, the Nigerian sensation achieved what no African artist had done before: leading a track past the billion-stream mark. “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez became the first African artist-led track to join Spotify’s Billions Club, marking a watershed moment for African music.
Unlike previous billion-stream achievements by African artists through features on Western artists’ tracks, “Calm Down” was unmistakably Rema’s record. The Nigerian artist’s breakthrough hit peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent a record-breaking 59 weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
“Calm Down” won multiple awards, including:
- Inaugural Best Afrobeats award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
- Top Afrobeats Song at the Billboard Music Awards
- Best Collaboration at the iHeartRadio Music Awards
The song dominated across multiple formats, topping Pop Airplay (5 weeks), Rhythmic Airplay (4 weeks), World Digital Song Sales (32 weeks), and Adult Pop Airplay (2 weeks). Originally featured on Rema’s 2022 debut album Rave & Roses, the Selena Gomez remix appeared on the 2023 deluxe edition Rave & Roses Ultra.
3. Tems: First African Female Artist With 1 Billion Spotify Streams
Tems is the First African Female Artist With 1 Billion Spotify Streams [Credit:Interview]
Song: “WAIT FOR U” (Future featuring Drake and Tems)
Year: 2024
Milestone: First African female artist to reach 1 billion Spotify streams
Tems became the first African female artist to achieve 1 billion Spotify streams in February 2024 through Future’s “WAIT FOR U,” which also features Drake. The track samples Tems’ 2020 song “Higher” from her EP For Broken Ears, making her vocals and composition central to the billion-stream hit.
“WAIT FOR U” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped multiple charts including Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic Airplay. The song won Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards, validating Tems’ unique artistic vision.
Featured on Future’s 2022 Billboard 200-topping album I Never Liked You, the track showcases Tems’ ethereal vocals and genre-blending style. Her achievement as the first African female artist with 1 billion Spotify streams represents a significant milestone for African women in music.
4. Tyla: First African Solo Artist With 1 Billion Spotify Streams
Tyla is the First African Solo Artist With 1 Billion Spotify Streams [Credit: Spotify]
Song: “Water”
Year: 2024
Milestone: First African solo artist to reach 1 billion Spotify streams
Just days after Tems made history, Tyla became the first African solo artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams with her breakout single “Water” in February 2024. Unlike other African artists who reached this milestone through collaborations with major international stars, Tyla achieved it entirely on her own.
The South African artist’s viral hit peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated multiple charts:
- U.S. Afrobeats Songs: 55 weeks at No. 1
- World Digital Song Sales: 18 weeks at No. 1
- Dance/Mix Show Airplay: 4 weeks at No. 1
- Rhythmic Airplay: 1 week at No. 1
“Water” made Grammy history by winning the inaugural Best African Music Performance award at the 2024 Grammys, making Tyla the first recipient of this honor. The song also won Top Afrobeats Song at the Billboard Music Awards and Best Afrobeats Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Featured on Tyla’s 2024 self-titled debut album, “Water” sparked a viral dance challenge that amplified its global reach. Official remixes featuring Travis Scott and Marshmello further expanded the song’s audience, though the original version drove the majority of streams.
Why 1 Billion Spotify Streams Matters for African Artists
Reaching 1 billion Spotify streams represents more than just impressive numbers, it signifies a fundamental shift in how African music is consumed globally. These four artists have proven that African music can compete at the highest levels of the streaming era without compromising authenticity.
According to Phiona Okumu, head of music at Spotify in Africa, celebrating Tyla’s achievement: “This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the power of music to transcend borders. Tyla’s success is an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and the world.”
The Future of African Music on Spotify
These four artists, Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Tyla have done more than accumulate impressive streaming numbers. They’ve fundamentally altered the music industry’s understanding of what African music can achieve. There was a time when breaking into the international market meant softening your sound, conforming to Western expectations, or waiting to be “discovered” by an established star.
Those days are over. Today’s African artists are thriving on their own terms, bringing their authentic sounds to global audiences and watching those audiences embrace them enthusiastically.
As Afrobeats and other African genres continue to grow globally, more artists are positioned to join the billion-stream club. The success of Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Tyla has created a blueprint for African artists to achieve global streaming success while maintaining their authentic sound.
The streaming platform has become crucial for African artists reaching international audiences. With Spotify’s Billions Club now including four African artists, the question isn’t if more will join, but when, and who will be next to reach 1 billion Spotify streams.
Key Takeaways: African Artists With 1 Billion Spotify Streams
These milestones have helped establish Afrobeats as a major force in global music streaming
Wizkid was the first African artist to reach 1 billion Spotify streams with “One Dance” in 2016
Rema achieved the first African artist-led song with 1 billion streams via “Calm Down” in 2023
Tems became the first African female artist with 1 billion Spotify streams through “WAIT FOR U” in 2024
Tyla was the first African solo artist to hit 1 billion streams with “Water” in 2024
All four achievements occurred between 2016 and 2024, showing African music’s rapid growth
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