Burna Boy Is 2023’s Most Streamed African Artiste in Sub-Saharan Africa on Spotify

Spotify has released Wrapped 2023, the annual data-led review of how people listened to music and podcasts, on the platform. 

Drake is the most streamed artist in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Burna Boy, making him the most streamed African artist in SSA, for the second year in a row. Asake, Davido and Omah Lay all make an appearance in the top ten, showing Nigeria’s dominance in the music scene across the continent. Ayra Starr narrowly misses the top ten most streamed artists list, landing at number 11 and being the top streamed female artist in SSA. 

When it comes to tracks that the whole region can agree on, Ruger’s Asiwaju takes the day, followed by Ayra Starr’s Rush. A host of other Nigerian tracks also make the list include Asake’s Lonely At The Top which is the most streamed track in Nigeria this year. Tyler ICU is the sole South African with Mnike, featuring DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee, and Libianca’s People is still making waves, almost a year after its release, landing it in the eighth spot. 

Davido’s album Timeless was released earlier this year, after much anticipation from the fans, so it follows that it is the most streamed album in SSA, and two tracks from the album, Feel and Unavailable, featuring Musa Keys are on the top ten most streamed tracks in SSA. 

To say that Asake is living the dream would be an understatement, after all, the artiste was relatively unknown a few short years ago, and now two of his albums, Work of Art and Mr. Money With The Vibe are in the top streamed list in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The top exported artist in SSA is Rema, thanks to the popularity of Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez, which is also the most exported track from SSA. Furthermore, for the first time ever, an African artist-led track not only gained 1 billion streams on Spotify, it is also the eighth most streamed track globally. No small feat considering just a few years ago, African tracks were mostly confined to the continent. 

All the African artists whose music was felt not just on the continent, but also on the global stages, are featured on Spotify’s Gone Abroad Presents…Global African Hits of 2023. 

Even though Ayra Starr leads in the top streamed female artists list, the only other African female artist in the top ten is Tems, with the rest of the list being occupied by American artists.  

To further showcase local listening trends from around the world, Spotify this year has Wrapped Mapped, showing which songs have soundtracked throughout the year since January 1, all across the globe. 

Eligible users can access their personalized 2023 Wrapped experience exclusively in the Spotify mobile app (iOS and Android) and also this year, via web view on mobile or Desktop by heading to Spotify.com/Wrapped. 

Additionally, Spotify has also launched its Wrapped creator experience for podcasters and artists.  With access to their own individualized Wrapped microsite experience, creators can dive into all the ways in which their fans listened this year. 

TOP STREAMED ARTISTS IN SSA	TOP STREAMED TRACKS IN SSA	TOP STREAMED ALBUMS IN SSA
DrakeBurna BoyAsakeDavidoOmah LayThe WeekndRemaChris BrownTravis Scott21 Savage	Ruger – AsiwajuAyra Starr – RushTyler ICU – Mnike (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee)Asake – Lonely At The TopOmah Lay – sosoDavido – FEELDavido – Unavailable ft. Musa KeysLibianca – PeopleBurna Boy – Last LastBnxn – GWAGWALADA ft. Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez	Davido – TimelessAsake – Work of ArtOmah Lay – Boy AloneRema – Rave & Roses UltraBurna Boy – Love, DaminiAsake – Mr. Money With The VibeSZA – SOSBurna Boy – I Told Them…Metro Boomin – HEROES & VILLAINSODUMODUBLVCK – EZIOKWU

TOP EXPORTED ARTISTS	TOP EXPORTED TRACKS	TOP STREAMED FEMALE ARTISTS IN SSA
RemaBurna BoyTemsAyra StarrWizkid CKay Omah LayFireboy DMLAsakeDavido	Rema – Calm Down with Selena GomezRema – Calm DownAyra Starr – RushCkay – love nwantiti (ah ah ah)Burna Boy – Last LastOxlade – KU LO SA – A COLORS SHOWBurna Boy – For My Hand (feat. Ed Sheeran)Amaarae – SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY Remix (feat. Kali Uchis and Moliy)Ckay – love nwantiti (feat. Dj Yo! & AX’EL) – RemixDavido – Unavailable ft. Musa Keys	Ayra StarrSZARihannaTaylor SwiftBeyoncéNicki MinajBillie Eilish

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