Ever wonder which Nigerian songs have been most streamed on Spotify over the last ten years?
Mp3bullet provides full coverage as we spotlight the Nigerian songs that have garnered the highest streams on Spotify over the past decade. Achieving substantial streaming numbers is a benchmark of success in the Nigerian music industry, signaling the songs that have resonated strongly on the global stage.
These impressive figures also serve to affirm to industry stakeholders the international recognition that Nigerian music rightfully deserves, following years of groundbreaking achievements. With that said, let’s delve into the most streamed Nigerian songs of all time on Spotify, leveraging its widespread popularity as the leading music streaming platform worldwide.
Here’s the rundown of the most streamed Nigerian songs on Spotify over the last ten years:
2013: “Personally” by P-Square:
In 2013, P-Square’s iconic duo took the spotlight with their mesmerizing track “Personally.” Released as the second single from their sixth studio album, “Double Trouble” (2014), the song quickly captured audiences with its smooth vibes. “Personally” soared to the number 1 position on MTV Base’s Official Naija Top 10 Chart from August 10 through August 22, 2013. Its popularity continued to surge, earning it the title of Spotify’s most streamed song of 2013, amassing an impressive 39 million streams.
2014: Ojuelegba by Wizkid:
In 2014, Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” catapulted him to global stardom, showcasing his infectious melodies and laying the foundation for his future triumphs. Featured on his self-titled second studio album, “Ayo” (2014), the song resonated deeply with audiences, shedding light on Wizkid’s journey as an underground artist navigating the streets of Ojuelegba to pursue his recording dreams.
The title itself pays homage to the bustling metropolitan area of Lagos Mainland. “Ojuelegba” soared to the top of Capital Xtra’s Afrobeats Chart in February 2015 and garnered multiple awards for its acclaim. With its immense popularity, the song emerged as Spotify’s most streamed track of 2014, accumulating an impressive 49 million streams.
2015: “Duro” by Tekno:
In 2015, Tekno surged to the forefront with the infectious Afrobeats anthem “Duro.” This high-energy track epitomizes the genre’s trademark danceable rhythms and irresistible hooks. Its release marked a significant trend across African nations, propelled by the captivating sounds of a globally recognized and talented artist.
“Duro” clinched the Best Pop Extra Video award at the 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards in 2015 and received nominations in the Hottest Single and Best Music Video of the Year categories at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Following its triumphant journey, the song emerged as Spotify’s most streamed track of 2015, accumulating an impressive 22 million streams.
2016: “Kontrol” by Maleek Berry:
With its modern flair and strong lyrics, Maleek Berry’s “Kontrol” from 2016 completely changed the Afrobeats genre. The song gained popularity quickly and is now among the most popular songs on streaming platforms. With an astounding 117 million plays, “Kontrol” became the most streamed song on Spotify in 2016 as a result of its meteoric rise in popularity.
2017: “Come Closer” by Wizkid ft. Drake:
In 2017, Wizkid reclaimed the spotlight with the star-studded collaboration “Come Closer,” featuring Drake. Serving as the third single from Wizkid’s third studio album, “Sounds from the Other Side,” this track emerged as the album’s most commercially successful. Notably, “Come Closer” marked Wizkid’s third official collaboration with Drake, further solidifying their musical synergy.
Their previous collaboration, “One Dance,” had already made streaming history by surpassing three billion streams on Spotify. “Come Closer” continued this streak of success, becoming Spotify’s most streamed song of 2017, with an impressive 137 million streams.
2018: “On the Low” by Burna Boy:
In 2018, Burna Boy made a significant breakthrough with the introspective and atmospheric track “On the Low.” This song, featured on Burna Boy’s fourth studio album, “African Giant,” released on July 26, 2019, garnered widespread acclaim. With numerous certifications in Europe and beyond, “On the Low” surged in popularity, accumulating over 267 million streams on Spotify in 2018 alone.
2019: “Love Nwantiti” by CKay:
In 2019, CKay’s irresistible track “Love Nwantiti” captured global attention with its infectious melody and sing-along chorus, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
Initially released in 2019 as the second track from his EP “Ckay the First,” the song gained immense popularity later, particularly in 2021. It became the most-streamed Nigerian song on Spotify for 2018, accumulating over 825 million streams.
“Love Nwantiti” dominated charts across Europe, Australia, Latin America, and New Zealand, achieving number one positions in India, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. It also secured the third spot on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Indie Singles Chart. In the United States, it reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200, while also making an appearance on the Canadian Hot 100.
Notably, “Love Nwantiti” holds the title of the best-selling Nigerian and African song of all time, with over 10 million certified units sold worldwide.
2020: “Essence” by Wizkid ft. Tems:
In 2020, Wizkid collaborated with the soulful Tems to produce “Essence,” a global sensation that later received a remix featuring Justin Bieber.
“Essence” by Wizkid and Tems holds the distinction of being the second best-selling Nigerian song of all time and the most streamed Nigerian song of 2020 on Spotify, accumulating over 226 million streams.
Originally released on April 9, 2021, as the fourth single from Wizkid’s album “Made in Lagos,” “Essence” made history as the first Nigerian song to chart on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. It also secured positions on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at 16, and the Canadian Hot 100, reaching number 30.
With 2.495 million certified units sold worldwide, “Essence” has earned two gold certifications in the UK and New Zealand, as well as platinum certifications in the United States and Canada. The song garnered numerous accolades, including a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance. Rolling Stone magazine even named it the best song of 2021.
2021: “Love Nwantiti (Remix)” by CKay ft. Joeboy & Kuami Eugene:
In 2021, the timeless appeal of “Love Nwantiti” was reaffirmed with the release of a remix featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene, showcasing CKay’s enduring popularity.
The remix of “Love Nwantiti” by CKay, featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene, emerged as the most streamed Nigerian song of all time on Spotify in 2021, amassing over 583 million streams. Released on August 21, 2020, the remix aimed to broaden the song’s reach across Africa, and its impact was felt strongly.
The song gained significant traction in Germany, Italy, Austria, and Denmark, where it climbed to the top of the charts and accumulated a multitude of streams, further solidifying its status as a global hit.
2022: “Calm Down (Remix)” by Rema ft. Selena Gomez:
In 2022, rising Afrobeats sensation Rema joined forces with global pop icon Selena Gomez for the electrifying “Calm Down (Remix).”
The remix of “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, was unveiled on August 25, 2022, marking a pivotal moment in Rema’s career. This revamped rendition swiftly soared to the summit of both the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs and the Billboard Global Excl. US charts, while also securing a notable third position on the Global 200 chart.
Earning widespread acclaim, the remix emerged as the second best-selling global single of 2023, with an impressive 1.89 billion subscription streams equivalent worldwide. It’s hailed as the pinnacle of Afrobeats success, cementing its place in music history.
In addition to its monumental achievements, the song dominated the charts on Spotify in 2021, becoming the platform’s most streamed song with over 1.3 billion streams, further solidifying its status as a global phenomenon.
2023: “Unavailable” by Davido:
In 2023, the endlessly prolific Davido reclaimed the spotlight with his track “Unavailable.” This captivating song features vocals by South African singer Musa Keys and was unleashed on April 11, 2023, serving as the second single from Davido’s fourth studio album, “Timeless” (2023).
“Unavailable” swiftly ascended to the top, securing the number one position on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart for an impressive five-week reign. It also made waves on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, peaking at number 3.
This track didn’t just conquer the charts; it dominated streaming platforms as well. “Unavailable” emerged as the most streamed song on Spotify in 2023, accumulating a staggering 135 million streams, further solidifying Davido’s status as a powerhouse in the music industry.
2024 (so far): “Commas” by Ayra Starr:
In 2024, Ayra Starr, a rising star in the music scene, takes center stage with her vibrant and aspirational track, “Commas.” This energetic anthem quickly soared to the top, clinching the prestigious No. 1 position on Apple Music’s Nigerian Top 100 songs chart.
Ayra Starr’s triumph solidifies her reputation as the “Celestial Being” and the quintessential “Sabi Girl” of her generation, showcasing her consistent ability to dominate the charts.
Furthermore, “Commas” achieves another milestone by becoming the most streamed song on Spotify in 2024, amassing an impressive 17 million streams. This achievement underscores Ayra Starr’s undeniable talent and growing influence in the music industry.