Wizkid Makes History: First African Artist to Surpass 9 Billion Spotify Streams

 

Nigerian music superstar Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, widely known as Wizkid, has once again cemented his place in global music history, becoming the first African artist to exceed an astounding 9 billion streams on Spotify across all credits. This monumental achievement underscores his enduring influence and the explosive rise of Afrobeats on the international stage.

The Grammy Award-winning artist reached this groundbreaking milestone today, July 24, 2025, solidifying his position as the most-streamed African artist in Spotify's history. The staggering figure includes streams from his extensive catalog of solo hits, critically acclaimed albums, and numerous chart-topping collaborations.

Among his most significant contributions to this record is his feature on Drake's global smash hit, "One Dance," which alone accounts for a significant portion of his total streams, boasting over 3.7 billion plays and holding a Guinness World Record as the first single to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify. His lead single "Essence," featuring Tems, also remains a dominant force, exceeding 303 million streams.

Wizkid's journey to 9 billion streams is a testament to his consistent output of high-quality music and his ability to transcend geographical boundaries. His 2020 album, "Made in Lagos," continues to be a global favorite, contributing significantly to his streaming success. More recently, his 2024 album, "Morayo," also set remarkable records on Spotify Nigeria, propelling the platform to new daily streaming peaks.

This achievement is more than just a personal triumph for Wizkid; it is a landmark moment for African music as a whole. It highlights the increasing global demand for Afrobeats and the growing impact of Nigerian artists on pop culture worldwide. As streaming platforms become crucial indicators of an artist's reach and influence, Wizkid's record sets a new benchmark for his peers and future generations of African musicians.

Industry analysts and fans alike are hailing this milestone as definitive proof of Afrobeats' global staying power. With more music and collaborations anticipated, Wizkid shows no signs of slowing down, signaling an even more dominant era for the star and for African music on the world stage.