Nigerian music has become a global phenomenon, with Afrobeats stars consistently topping streaming charts worldwide. Let’s delve into the most-streamed Nigerian song on Spotify for each year since 2013, tracing the evolution of the genre and its impact on the music scene:
- 2013: “Personally” by P-Square: The iconic P-Square duo sets the stage in 2013 with their smooth song “Personally,”
- 2014: “Ojuelegba” by Wizkid: A star is born! Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” becomes a global hit, introducing the world to his infectious melodies and paving the way for his future success.
- 2015: “Duro” by Tekno: Tekno takes the reins in 2015 with the massive Afrobeats anthem “Duro.” This energetic track highlights the genre’s signature danceable rhythms and catchy hooks.
- 2016: “Kontrol” by Maleek Berry: Taking Afrobeats in a more contemporary direction, Maleek Berry’s “Kontrol” dominates 2016 with its slick production and braggadocious lyrics.
- 2017: “Come Closer” by Wizkid ft. Drake:Wizkid returns to the top spot in 2017 with the star-studded collaboration “Come Closer” featuring Drake.
- 2018: “On The Low” by Burna Boy: Burna Boy breaks through in 2018 with the introspective and atmospheric “On The Low,”
- 2019: “Love Nwantiti” by CKay: CKay’s infectious “Love Nwantiti” takes over the world in 2019, with its catchy melody and sing-along chorus resonating with audiences everywhere.
- 2020: “Essence” by Wizkid ft. Tems:Wizkid teams up with the soulful Tems for “Essence” in 2020, creating a global smash hit that gets remixed with Justin Bieber later.
- 2021: “Love Nwantiti (Remix)” by CKay ft. Joeboy & Kuami Eugene: The enduring popularity of “Love Nwantiti” is proven in 2021 with the release of a remix featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene.
- 2022: “Calm Down (Remix)” by Rema ft. Selena Gomez: Rema, a rising Afrobeats star, collaborates with global pop sensation Selena Gomez on the “Calm Down (Remix)” in 2022.
- 2023: “Unavailable” by Davido: The ever-prolific Davido returns to the top spot in 2023 with “Unavailable.”
- 2024 (so far): “Commas” by Ayra Starr:The year 2024 sees Ayra Starr, a talented young artist, leading the charge with the energetic and aspirational song “Commas.”