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Tag: SPOTIFY

  • Spotify reveals Qing Madi, Guchi, 4 others as Africa’s rising stars in 2024

    Spotify reveals Qing Madi, Guchi, 4 others as Africa’s rising stars in 2024

    Spotify, a global online streaming platform has announced Qing Madi, Guchi, YKB, SGaWD, O’Kenneth, and AratheJay as 2024 West Africa’s rising stars.

    Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) disclosed this in a statement in Lagos, on Thursday.

    Okumu noted that these artistes from Nigeria and Ghana had been observed to have embraced familiar sounds, while adding their own innovative twists, creating a melting pot of potentials that could shift the musical landscape.

    “Spotify has taken notice, unveiling a captivating list of rising stars from Sub-Saharan Africa, poised to make their mark on the local and global music scenes in 2024.

    “These fresh voices embrace familiar sounds, while adding their own innovative twists, creating a melting pot of potential that could shift the musical landscape.

    “Think Afrobeats infused with jazz improvisation or HipHop spiked with electronic flourishes, resulting in sonically captivating sound blends bound to captivate listeners all over.

    “They are woven from across the diverse threads of Nigeria and Ghana, bringing a rich tapestry of styles, cultures, and perspectives to the forefront,” she said.

    Chimamanda Chukwuma, better known by her stage name, Qing Madi is a 17-year-old Nigerian prodigy taking the music world by storm.

    Her journey began at 16 with the viral sensation See Finish, a single that ignited the internet and showcased her raw talent.

    The Nigerian Afropop singer and a Spotify EQUAL Africa artiste won the hearts of many with her track Ole and its remix featuring a Bnxn.

    Ugochi Onuoha, known as Guchi is a vibrant and talented Nigerian Afropop singer making waves in the music scene.

    The Nigerian singer and songwriter went viral with tracks like “All Over You” in 2023   and doubled down with “Feeling Good” featuring Bayanni.

    Her sound is simple yet truly characteristic of Afrobeats singers like Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage.

    SGaWD is a Nigerian rapper currently making waves in the industry. The multi hyphenate singer has played in the realms of Alte, Rhymes and Blues and HipHop, the last few years.

    Yusuf Gbolaga, known as YKB is making his mark on Nigerian music. Tracks like San Siro and his captivating duet This Must Be Love with King Promise showcased his vibrant Afropop sound and growing talent.

    O’Kenneth is a supernova blazing across the Ghanaian music scene. This hip-hop and drill artiste, known for his deep tenor vocals and lyrics, is a leading voice in the Asakaa movement.

    While his track LONELY ROAD, with Xlimkid ripped through the final quarter of 2023, his versatile features throughout the year proved his undeniable talent.

    Ghanaian music is experiencing a soulful surge with the arrival of Kelvin Black alias AratheJay.

    This rising star blends traditional African sounds with contemporary beats, weaving intricate stories through his vocals.

     

  • Olamide, most influential street pop artiste of his generation- Spotify

    Olamide, most influential street pop artiste of his generation- Spotify

    Spotify, an online streaming platform, has rated Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record executive, Olamide Adedeji, popularly known as “Olamide”, as the ‘most influential street pop artiste of his generation’.

    Benewaah Boateng, Spotify’s Editor, West Africa, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

    Boateng said lately, the undeniable rise of the sub-genre “Street Pop” in Nigeria had been both remarkable and thrilling to observe and this had slowly made its way to mainstream music.

    “Olamide is the most influential street pop artiste of his generation, consistently praised for his role in elevating Street Pop to mainstream recognition as a distinct music genre.

    “Since the debut of his hit single, “Eni Duro,” he has been a constant cultural force, popularising dance styles like “Shakiti Bobo” and street lingos such as “Baddo Sneh” and “Pepper Dem”.

    “Through his record label YBNL, Olamide has also played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest street pop talents.

    “The influence of Street Pop on the Nigerian music landscape in 2023 is clearly and undeniably significant.

    “This is just the beginning of Street Pop going mainstream and we cannot wait to see how it continues to grow,” she said.

    Boateng said street pop which originated from a fusion of Afrobeats, Highlife, Hip-hop, Fuji, Apala, indigenous sounds, and contemporary elements, boasts of an engaging rhythm, pulsating fast-paced beats and lyrics that mirror the everyday lives of Nigerians navigating the challenges of the streets.

    She explained that notable attribute of Street Pop as a music genre lies in its profound connection to the harsh realities of everyday life in Nigeria.

    She said Olamide occupied the ninth spot in the list of top 10 artistes in Nigeria.

    “His most recent project, “Unruly” garnered widespread acclaim from fans who describe it as a brilliant body of work.

    “One particular track that has resonated exceptionally well with audiences is “Gaza”, which has received significant admiration for its appeal and musical craftsmanship.

    “Also, Seyi Vibez has emerged as an undeniable force in the Nigerian street pop scene, particularly in 2023, after finding mainstream success in 2022.

    “He has ingrained himself in the hearts of Gen-Zs and millennials, with phrases like “na ham, na ham” echoing from his popular song, “Chance.”

    “His success in 2023 is evident, from selling out his concert at the O2 Indigo Hall in the UK to securing features on hit songs like Gwagwalada, the second most streamed song in Nigeria on Spotify.

    “Additionally, earning a spot among the top five most streamed artists in Nigeria further underscores Seyi Vibez’s ability to transcend Street Pop and strike a chord with all music lovers,” she said.

    Boateng noted that Zinoleesky had reshaped and made substantial contributions to the street pop genre through his skillful melodies and compelling storytelling, landing him in the top 15 most streamed artistes in Nigeria.

    She said that as the genre continues to evolve and street pop artistes continue to explore new creative frontiers, it was evident that street pop was poised for exponential growth in the years to come.

    She said street pop potentially will be emerging as the next global phenomenon akin to Afrobeats.

  • Music streaming giant, Spotify plans to flush out 17% of its workforce

    Music streaming giant, Spotify plans to flush out 17% of its workforce

    Music streaming giant, Spotify, said Monday it will reduce the number of its employees by around 17% in a bid to cut costs amid “dramatically” slower economic growth.

    Spotify in October posted a rare quarterly operating profit of 32 million euros, compared to a loss of 228 million for the same period a year earlier, on the back of 26% growth in active users for the third quarter.

    “I realise that for many, a reduction of this size will feel surprisingly large given the recent positive earnings report and our performance,” chief executive Daniel Ek wrote in a letter to employees, which was seen by AFP.He said that in 2020 and 2021, the company “took advantage of the opportunity presented by lower-cost capital and invested significantly in team expansion, content enhancement, marketing and new verticals.

    However, we now find ourselves in a very different environment. And despite our efforts to reduce costs this past year, our cost structure for where we need to be is still too big.”Spotify has invested heavily since its launch to fuel growth with expansions into new markets and, in later years, exclusive content such as podcasts.It has invested over one billion dollars into podcasts alone.In 2017, the company had around 3,000 staff members, more than tripling the figure to around 9,800 at the end of 2022.The company has never posted a full-year net profit and only occasionally quarterly profits despite its success in the online music market.

  • Spotify to reduce staff by ‘Approximately 17%’

    Spotify to reduce staff by ‘Approximately 17%’

    Music streaming giant Spotify has the organization will reduce the number of its employees by around 17% in a bid to cut costs amid “dramatically” slower economic growth.

    Spotify in October posted a rare quarterly operating profit of 32 million euros, compared to a loss of 228 million for the same period a year earlier, on the back of 26% growth in active users for the third quarter.

    The chief executive of Spotify Daniel Ek wrote in a letter to employees, which was seen by AFP said, “I realise that for many, a reduction of this size will feel surprisingly large given the recent positive earnings report and our performance.”

    According to him, in 2020 and 2021, the company “took advantage of the opportunity presented by lower-cost capital and invested significantly in team expansion, content enhancement, marketing and new verticals.”

    “However, we now find ourselves in a very different environment. And despite our efforts to reduce costs this past year, our cost structure for where we need to be is still too big.”

    Spotify has invested heavily since its launch to fuel growth with expansions into new markets and, in later years, exclusive content such as podcasts.

    It has invested over one billion dollars into podcasts alone.

    In 2017, the company had around 3,000 staff members, more than tripling the figure to around 9,800 at the end of 2022.

    AFP

     

  • Burna Boy leads as top streamed African artist in Sub Saharan Africa

    Burna Boy leads as top streamed African artist in Sub Saharan Africa

    Grammy award-winning Burna Boy has clinched the title of the most streamed African artist in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on Spotify for the year 2023, as reported in Spotify’s latest Wrapped review.

    This achievement follows his global recognition as the most streamed artist from the region in the previous year. Burna Boy’s success in 2022 was propelled by the hit single ‘Last Last’ and the ‘Love Damini’ album.

    This year, his triumph is attributed to the continued popularity of these offerings along with his seventh studio LP, ‘I Told Them.’

    Noteworthy Nigerian popstars Asake, Davido, and Omah Lay secure positions in the top 10 streamed artists list, underlining Nigeria’s dominance in the music scene across the continent. Ayra Starr narrowly misses the top 10 but emerges as the most streamed female artist in SSA.

    The top tracks in the region include Ruger’s ‘Asiwaju’ and Ayra Starr’s ‘Rush,’ with various Nigerian tracks making the list, such as Asake’s ‘Lonely At The Top,’ the most streamed track in Nigeria for the year.

    Davido’s ‘Timeless’ claims the title of the most streamed album in SSA, while two tracks from the album, ‘Feel’ and ‘Unavailable,’ secure positions among the top 10 most streamed tracks. Asake’s albums, ‘Work of Art’ and ‘Mr. Money With the Vibe,’ also feature in the top streamed list in SSA.

    Rema emerges as the top exported artist in SSA, largely driven by the popularity of ‘Calm Down’ featuring US singer Selena Gomez, which is also the most exported track from the region.

    This track, the first African-led single to reach a billion streams on Spotify, secures the eighth spot in the global most streamed tracks.

    Although Tems leads the top streamed female artists list, the only other African female artist in the top 10 is Tems, with the rest of the list occupied by American artists.

    Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, acknowledges Nigeria’s rich musical talent, expressing pride in showcasing the diversity and passion of Nigerian music lovers through Wrapped.

    The report serves as a testament to the power of music in connecting people with the culture and traditions of Nigeria.

    Also, the success of Rema as the top-exported artist emphasises the growing international recognition of Nigerian talents, breaking barriers and contributing to a more inclusive representation of African artists on the global music scene.

    Finally, the presence of African female artists, notably Ayra Starr and Tems, in the top-streamed lists signals a positive shift towards greater visibility and appreciation for women in the industry, reflecting the evolving dynamics of gender representation in African music.

  • Asake emerges Spotify most streamed artiste of the year

    Asake emerges Spotify most streamed artiste of the year

    Popular Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, populaly known as  Asake, has emerged as Nigeria’s most streamed artist of 2023 on Spotify.

    Asake’s achievement was made known via the streaming platform in a data published on Wednesday.

    Three of Asake’s songs appeared in the top 10 list of the most streamed tracks on Spotify in Nigeria.

    His ‘Lonely at the Top’ earned its place at the very top; ‘2:30’ finished fourth; and ‘Amapiano,’ with Olamide, finished 10th.

    On this year’s Spotify Wrapped for Nigeria, the Lonely at the Top star came first, while Burna Boy ranked second and Davido third.

    Seyi Vibez finished the year in fourth position on the chart, followed by Omah Lay in fifth, BNXN in sixth, Rema in seventh, Odumodublvck in eighth, Olamide in ninth, and Wizkid in 10th place.

    Also, Asake was the most streamed artist in Togo and Ghana.

  • Rema’s single, ‘Calm Down’ hits one billion streams on Spotify

    Rema’s single, ‘Calm Down’ hits one billion streams on Spotify

    Spotify, a global online streaming platform, says Nigeria’s fast rising star, Rema, has achieved a remarkable milestone with his hit single, ”Calm Down”, reaching one billion streams on its platform.

    Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artiste and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

    According to Okpala, this is in a clear testament to Rema’s artistry and global appeal.

    He said according to data shared as part of Spotify’s afrobeats, ‘Journey to a Billion Streams’ project, Rema ranked among the top 10 most streamed Aarobeats artistes on the platform.

    He said it was no surprise that the song had reached this milestone.

    “Rema has achieved a remarkable milestone with his hit single, Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez, reaching one billion streams on Spotify. This is the first African artist-led track to join the Billions Club on Spotify.

    “The achievement not only highlights Rema’s growing influence in the music industry but also stresses the power of cross-cultural musical fusion in today’s interconnected world.

    “Rema, a Nigerian artiste featured an American artiste, Selena Gomez, in a remix that took the world by storm.

    “This milestone is absolutely remarkable for Rema, marking a pivotal moment for this talented artiste and the entire afrobeats community.

    “It is clear that the genre is making a significant impact and gaining substantial influence on the global music stage, and we are excited to continue supporting it at Spotify,” he said.

    Okpala noted that ‘Calm Down’ quickly became a worldwide favourite because of its catchy mix of afrobeats rhythms, blended with afro-fusion melodies, Rema’s unique and soulful singing as well as the unexpected addition of Selena Gomez on an Afrobeats song.

    He said the song production was made with a combination of modern and traditional elements, showing how African music is changing and growing.

    According to him, the billion-stream milestone on Spotify is no small feat, as it signifies  the popularity of Calm Down and Rema’s ability to create music that transcends borders and resonates with a diverse audience.

    He explained that Rema’s unique sound had propelled him to the forefront of the global music stage, with the song having its highest streams from  USA, India, Mexico, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

    “The song’s infectious chorus and relatable lyrics have made it a go-to track for both dancefloors and personal playlists, with data showing that Calm Down has been added to over a million Spotify playlists.

    “This moment symbolises the power of music to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries and serves as a beacon for aspiring artistes to create authentic, boundary-pushing music that resonates with audiences around the world.

    “With this milestone, Rema cements his place as a true musical trailblazer and sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in his career,” he said.

    In his reaction, Rema said, “It is a blessing. It is not just a big win for me, my team and family, it is also a big one for the culture.

    “I feel really happy and I’m really proud of the fans as well for going back to the song and putting people on the song. Shout out to the DJs and everyone who made this possible.”

  • Streams: Olamide, Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez battle for top spots on Spotify

    Streams: Olamide, Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez battle for top spots on Spotify

    Spotify, global online streaming platform, says Olamide, Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez, Zlatan and Ice Prince are most streamed Nigerian Hip hop artistes on its platform.

    Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artiste and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

    According to Okpala, Hip Hop has achieved global prominence and this triumph extends to Nigeria where it has profoundly influenced the evolution of afrobeats.

    He said it was not surprising that Nigeria occupies a significant position within Africa’s Hip hop listenership landscape, securing the second spot after South Africa.

    He noted that this position underscored the genre’s popularity within the country and reflected the widespread impact of Nigerian Hip hop on the African  music scene.

    “The spotlight falls on Olamide, Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez, Zlatan and Ice Prince as the most streamed within the realm of Nigerian Hip hop.

    “Nigeria’s patriotism in music is evident as most streamed Hip hop artistes are Nigerians, unlike regions such as Kenya and South Africa where international hit-man, Drake, leads.

    “Hip hop is one of the most popular music genres in the world and it continues to have an input in newer genres and music movements springing up in Nigeria and around the world.

    “Its ability to evolve and stay relevant is a testament to its power as a form of artistic expression that resonates with listeners worldwide,” he said.

    Okpala said according to Spotify’s data, Nigerian Gen Z individuals aged between 18 and 24 constituted a sizable segment of Hip hop listeners, accounting for 55 per cent of the total streams.

    He said this is followed by listeners aged 25 to 29, contributing 19 per cent of the streams.

    According to him, the age brackets of 0 to 17 and 30 to 34 both hold a nine per cent share.

    He said from a gender perspective, Nigerian Hip hop music predominantly resonates with males, commanding a substantial 75 per cent of the recorded streams, while females account for 24 per cent.

    “Nigerian Hip hop gained popularity in the 1990s with artistes such as Modenine, Naeto C, Bouqui, Ruggedman, Gino, Eedris Abdulkareem, eLDee, Sasha P, Ikechukwu and a whole lot more.

    “These artistes pioneered the sounds and culture of Hip hop that have influenced Nigerian tracks and has grown to gain substantial traction within the continent.

    “It is interesting to see how Nigerian listeners who are Hip hop enthusiasts are contributing to the elevation of the Hip hop genre and the sounds that tapped influences from it.

    “The Gen Z demographic is playing a significant role in this trend,” he said.

    According to Okpala, Hip hop has continued to thrive in the streaming era as a new crop of rappers are creating rap music that appeals to Gen Z consumers.

    He said accessibility of streaming platforms like Spotify had enabled Gen Z to explore and embrace music from around the world, with Nigerian Hip hop resonating strongly due to its energetic, relatable lyrics, and cultural authenticity.

  • How Nigerians love to stream gospel music on Spotify

    How Nigerians love to stream gospel music on Spotify

    Popular online streaming platform, Spotify has revealed how Nigerians love streaming gospel music, disclosing that gospel music amassed over 26 million streams on the platform from Nigeria alone in the last year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports gospel music has consistently held a sacred place within the Nigerian community with renowned artists such as Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach and Dunsin Oyekan, among others, contributing to the genre’s enduring popularity.

    Running parallel to the “traditional” Gospel sound is the Afro-Gospel genre, which conveys the same spiritual message while infusing a distinct Afro-centric sound.

    Afro-Gospel emerged onto the scene about two decades ago, when artists like Dekunle Fuji, Midnight Crew, and Tim Godfrey introduced a fresh sonic twist.

    This sub-genre is currently in the midst of a notable ascent, resonating with a diverse audience and earning its rightful place in the hearts of music enthusiasts.

    As Afro-Gospel music’s popularity continues to increase across Nigeria, Spotify has set in motion efforts to elevate the genre and its artists. This has led the platform to collaborate with Limoblaze to explore the genre’s trajectory of growth and explore avenues for mutual support.

    An Afro-Gospel Community Hangout, signalling the collaboration saw an intimate gathering of community members for insightful fireside chats, led by Gospel music artists and stakeholders, including Gaise Baba, Protek Illasheva, Salem King and more, who generously shared invaluable advice and insights with aspiring Afro-Gospel artists.

    The discussions spanned diverse topics including effective marketing strategies and strategic networking, riding the wave of the genre’s current momentum.

    After the fireside chat, James Propa, Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships, Christian & Gospel, Africa and Warren Bokwe, Lead, Music Strategy & Operations, for Spotify SSA presented a masterclass on the different strategies and tools that can be leveraged by up-and-coming Gospel artists to secure coveted spots on Spotify playlists, a powerful mechanism for amplifying their music’s reach and turn their passion into a profession.

    “Gospel music carries messages of hope, faith, and unity that resonate deeply with listeners, and by collaborating with Gospel artists in Nigeria, we aim to amplify their voices and  provide a platform where these artists can share their inspirational songs with the world,” said Warren Bokwe, Lead, Music Strategy & Operations, for Spotify SSA.

    TNG reports Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with a community of 551 million users, including 220 million Spotify Premium subscribers, in over 180 markets.

    In alignment with its commitment to champion various genres, Spotify is resolutely dedicated to nurturing the Afro-Gospel movement. This burgeoning community possesses tremendous potential to attract a broad following as it continues to surge in popularity across the region.

  • Spotify reveals Davido’s most streamed song on Timeless

    Spotify reveals Davido’s most streamed song on Timeless

    Spotify, a global online streaming platform, has announced Davido’s “Unavailable” as the most streamed song on his recently released album, “Timeless”.

    Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Muhutu-Remy said ‘Unavailable’ also remained the most exported track among 18 -24  year-olds.

    Davido’s 17 track Timeless album was his fourth album which was released on March 31 and had set numerous streaming records since its debut.

    She said spotify decided to release the data in honour of the artistes (Davido, Tiwa Savage, Tyla and Bruce Melodie) who performed extraordinarily during the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival, held in Kigali, Rwanda on Aug. 19.

    According to her, spotify partnered with Giants of Africa for the inaugural festival, in celebration of the non-profit’s 20 years  anniversary.

    “Unavailable is Davido’s most streamed song on Timeless, and the most exported track among 18 -24 year olds, soundtracking many dance videos.

    “The song, the dance moves, Davido’s close out performance was everything and more

    “Davido’s audience is spread out all across the continent, from Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia.

    “It was a pleasure to partner with Giants of Africa particularly for the closing concert where the audience got to experience some of Africa’s top tier talent.

    “Africa’s youth are the future, and we are excited to continue to support them, through partnerships such as this one,” she said.

    Muhutu-Remy noted that Tiwa Savage, known as the queen of Afrobeats also had a pan African audience as her spotify listeners are  mostly from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda.

    She said “Koroba” was her most streamed song on Spotify, followed by “Ma Lo”, while “Stamina” remained her top exported track among 18-35 year-olds.

    “Tiwa’s performance at the Giant of Africa festival showed why she is still the undisputed queen of Afrobeats,” she said.

    According to Muhutu-Remy, Rwanda’s Bruce Melodie’s spotify audience are majorly in East Africa, with Kenya streaming his music the most, followed by Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi.

    She noted that South African Tyla, a Spotify Africa RADAR artiste,  had her most streamed track as “Getting Late”, followed by “Girl Next Door”.

    She said according to Spotify data, the market streaming Tyla’s songs the most is Nigeria, followed by her home country and then, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania.