Ayra Starr and Tems most streamed Nigerian artistes in a N25b market
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Ayra Starr and Tems were the most streamed Nigerian artistes worldwide in the first half of 2024 (H1 2024), according to Spotify, the global music streaming giant that earlier reported Nigerian acts earned N25 billion from streaming in 2023 alone.
On a personal level, Tems and Ayra Starr are also friends, despite their seven-year age gap, with Tems 29 in June and Ayra Starr 22 that same month.
Spotify Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu disclosed the latest rankings in an announcement in Lagos.
The top 30 artistes with the highest global streaming numbers are highlighted in Spotify’s Global Impact List for H1 2024.
Ayra Starr and Rauw Alejandro’s “Santa” collab topped the list, and Ayra Starr also single handedly came second with “Comma”, followed by Tems’ “Love Me Jeje”.
Other notable tracks in the top 30 include Luciano and Omah Lay’s “Another Vibe” at fourth, and Savage and Burna Boy’s “Metro Boomin Just Like Me” in fifth. Tems and Tyla’s “No.1” came in at sixth.
Okumu said: “Spotify has unveiled its Global Impact List in Nigeria, recognizing the top 30 Nigerian tracks with the most global impact during the first half of 2024. This list showcases Nigerian tracks that have garnered the most international listens from January 1 to June 30.”
Usher and Pheelz’s “Ruin” ranked seventh, Reis B and Tempoe’s “Pretty Girl” eighth, and TitoM, Yuppe, Burna Boy, and S.N.E’s “Tshwala Bam” ninth.
Ayra Starr and Giveon’s “Last Heartbreak Song” took the 10th spot, followed by Victony’s “Everything” at 11th, and Aya Nakamura and Ayra Starr’s “Hype” at 12th. Tems and J. Cole’s “Free Fall” ranked 13th.
“Coming Home”, a collab by Usher and Burna Boy, came in at 14th position, and Ayra Starr and Seyi Vibez’s “Bad Vibes” made it at 15th, among others.
Okumu reiterated “Nigerian music, particularly Afrobeats, has captivated global audiences with its infectious rhythms, compelling storytelling, and innovative sound fusions.”
At “Spotify,” she added, “we are thrilled to witness and support the continued evolution of this vibrant scene.”
Okumu stressed the significant presence of female artistes, especially Ayra Starr and Tems, who are leading with top-ranking hits following their recent albums.
She also highlighted the prevalence of international collaborations, with eight of the top 10 tracks featuring partnerships with global superstars.
These collabs, from Pheelz with Usher to Burna Boy with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, underscore the cross-cultural appeal and growing global impact of Nigerian music.
Nigerian artistes made N25b on Spotify in 2023
Spotify paid over N25 billion in streaming royalties to Nigerian artistes in 2023, as disclosed in its annual Loud & Clear report.
The report also said
- Earnings for Nigerian artistes in 2023 more than doubled the over N11 billion they received from the platform in 2022.
- There has been a remarkable 2,500 per cent increase in royalties Spotify paid to Nigerian artistes since 2017.
However, Spotify is only one of many music streaming services contributing to revenue in the industry.
Other platforms include YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
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