Nigerian music star Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has made history as the first African artist to surpass 9 billion streams on Spotify across all credits.
This milestone places the Grammy-winning singer in the global spotlight once again, affirming his influence and dominance in the music industry. The total stream count includes both his solo projects and collaborations with other artists around the world.
One of the key drivers of this achievement is Wizkid’s international hit song One Dance, a 2016 collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake and British singer Kyla.
The track alone has garnered a staggering 3.7 billion streams on Spotify, making it his most-streamed song on the platform.
One Dance is also ranked among the top 10 most-streamed songs of all time on Spotify. Furthermore, it holds a Guinness World Record as the first single in history to cross 1 billion streams on the platform, a record that continues to highlight the global appeal of the track.
In addition to One Dance, Wizkid has also found major success with his releases. His most-streamed lead single is Essence, a soulful Afrobeat track featuring Nigerian singer Tems. Since its release, Essence has gained widespread acclaim and has recorded over 303 million streams on Spotify. The song became a cultural anthem and was even dubbed the “song of the summer” in the United States in 2021, earning a remix with American pop star Justin Bieber.
Wizkid’s streaming record is not just a personal triumph; it marks a significant milestone for the entire African music industry. It shows how far Afrobeats and African music in general have come in terms of global reach and influence. Artists from the continent are now competing on the same stage with the biggest names in the world.
Wizkid shines, Taylor Swift gets global rank
While Wizkid continues to break records, global pop icon Taylor Swift still holds the position as the most-streamed artist on Spotify overall, with more than 1.5 billion streams to her name. Nevertheless, Wizkid’s achievement is groundbreaking, especially considering the challenges African artists have faced in gaining international recognition.
Since breaking into the mainstream with his debut album Superstar in 2011, Wizkid has consistently pushed the boundaries of African music.
His unique sound, which blends Afrobeats, reggae, R&B, and pop, has helped him build a massive fan base not only in Nigeria but across the globe.
He has worked with several high-profile international artists, including Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Skepta, Chris Brown, and Damian Marley.
Wizkid’s success on Spotify is a reflection of years of hard work, evolution, and strategic collaborations. It also mirrors the growing appetite for African music around the world. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have played a huge role in amplifying the voices of African artists and giving them a platform to shine globally.
The starboy’s impact continues to grow, with fans eagerly waiting for his upcoming projects. As the world tunes in, one thing is clear: Wizkid is not just a local champion, he’s a global icon.
His latest achievement is more than just a number. It’s a symbol of the growing recognition of African talent on the world stage. And with the streaming era in full force, Wizkid’s influence is only expected to expand further.
As he continues to set new records and break old ones, Wizkid is paving the way for a new generation of African artists to dream bigger and reach higher.
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