Spotify has recently introduced a specialized platform called Afrobeats: Journey of a Billion Streams to cater to the increasing global popularity of Afrobeats. The platform’s primary objective is to provide users with the latest news, updates, and insights related to the genre. It offers a diverse range of content, including interviews with experts, videos, and data-driven analyses based on Spotify’s Afrobeats listening trends.
The immense popularity of Afrobeats is evident from the fact that it amassed over 13 billion streams on Spotify in 2022 alone. Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, acknowledges the genre’s enduring presence and emphasizes its potential for further growth.
The platform is designed to cater to both new and existing fans, aiming to deepen their understanding of Afrobeats’ evolution and its current prominence. To enhance the learning experience, curated playlists and podcasts are available, allowing users to stay updated with the latest developments within the genre. Furthermore, interactive games, polls, and WordCloud activities provide an engaging way for users to delve deeper into the rich history and significant contributions of influential figures like Kehinde ‘Kenny’ Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye, who played pivotal roles in the rise of the Afrobeats movement in Nigeria.
Also read: Burna Boy’s Historic London Concert Sets New Bar for African Artists on Global Stage
On Spotify, the top streamed Afrobeat song of all time is Rema’s “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez, followed by CKay’s “Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah).” Additionally, Germany and the Netherlands are identified as emerging markets with a notable interest in Afrobeats.
Furthermore, the Afrobeat industry received a significant boost in June 2022 when the renowned Grammy Awards announced their plan to introduce a new category honoring the best African music performance. This decision, set to be implemented in the upcoming edition of the awards, serves as a major triumph for the Afrobeat genre, solidifying its recognition and significance on a global scale.