For years, African artists have been making waves on the global stage, but now they’re breaking records and setting new benchmarks. In the streaming era, Spotify’s Billion Club is a milestone reserved for only the biggest names, and so far, only four African artists—Wizkid, Tems, Tyla, and Rema—have crossed that threshold. Their billion-stream records highlight individual success and mark a defining moment for African music.
WIZKID
Wizkid’s induction into the billion-stream club came through “One Dance“, Drake’s 2016 summer anthem that also featured British singer Kyla. At the time, the track was unstoppable, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks and shattering records as the first song to ever hit a billion Spotify streams before the year even ended. But even then, Wizkid’s influence was just beginning to take shape. “One Dance“ may have introduced his name to a wider audience, but the years that followed saw him solidify his status as a global force, with records like “Essence“ redefining Afrobeats’ presence worldwide.
TEMS
Tems followed in his footsteps, but she did it in her own way. Her journey to a billion streams came through “Wait For U“, a track from Future’s 2022 album “I Never Liked You“. The song, which interpolates Tems’ 2020 single “Higher“, quickly became a fan favorite, earning her a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023. More importantly, it made her the first African female artist to join Spotify’s Billion Club. Tems’ signature ethereal vocals melded with Future’s and Drake’s signature delivery, creating a track that transcended borders. But what made it even more special was the fact that the record’s foundation was built around her song.
TYLA
Just days after Tems made history, Tyla came in and rewrote the narrative.“Water“, her breakout single, became an undeniable global phenomenon, carrying South African pop straight into the mainstream. The track’s viral dance challenge gave it an edge. By early 2024, “Water“ had earned her the first-ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance, and not long after, it hit the one-billion stream mark, making her the first African solo artist to achieve that milestone.
REMA
And then, there’s Rema. Unlike Wizkid, Tems, and Tyla, his billion-stream track was one he led. “Calm Down“, featuring Selena Gomez, became the first African-led song to reach a billion streams on Spotify. By the time it won Best Afrobeats at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, it was already clear: Rema was one of the biggest architects propelling Afrobeats to the world’s center stage.
These billion-stream achievements represent a shift in the way African music is perceived globally. There was a time when breaking into the international market meant conforming to Western expectations. Now, African artists are thriving on their own terms and each billion-stream milestone sends a clear message.
