Our Uppitty African, Tyla has made history as the first African solo artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify with her hit Water. This definitely cements her as a global force in music, joining African artists like Wizkid, Rema, and Tems in the billion-stream club.
Released on 28 July 2023, Water gained traction after Tyla’s live performance at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, sparking a viral TikTok dance challenge. Blending Amapiano and R&B, the track soared in popularity, earning Tyla a Grammy for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards.
Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Africa, praised Tyla’s success: “This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and music’s power to transcend borders.”
In the last 28 days, the top streaming countries are:
- United States
- Indonesia
- Brazil
- Philippines
- United Kingdom
Supported by Spotify’s RADAR Africa and EQUAL Africa, Tyla’s success proves African music’s growing global influence. With a billion streams and counting, this is just the beginning!
Main Image: Billboard
