Discover the elite African artists who have joined Spotify’s prestigious Billions Club. From Wizkid and Rema to Tems and Tyla, see how these stars are making history with record-breaking streams.
While Spotify’s Billions Club is home to an exclusive roster of artists whose tracks have surpassed one billion streams, an even more select group of African artists has earned a place in this prestigious circle. These trailblazers are redefining global music charts, proving that music from the continent is no longer just an emerging force but a dominant player on the world stage.
Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Tyla have all etched their names in history, amassing billions of streams and securing international accolades along the way. Some have reached this milestone through high-profile collaborations, while others have done so solo, further cementing their legacies. Let’s take a closer look at the artists who have joined Spotify’s Billions Club and the groundbreaking records they’ve set.
1. Wizkid
As one of the continent’s biggest global icons, Wizkid was among the very first artists ever to surpass a billion streams on Spotify. His feature on Drake’s 2016 summer anthem, One Dance, alongside UK singer Kyla, propelled him to this historic achievement. The song, which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for ten consecutive weeks and ruled the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for 18 weeks, became the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify by the end of that year. Wizkid’s contribution to One Dance not only introduced Afrobeats to a broader global audience but also set the stage for his contemporaries to thrive on digital streaming platforms.
2. Rema
Fast forward to 2023, and another Nigerian superstar, Rema, made history with his smash hit Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez. Unlike One Dance, where Wizkid was a featured act, Calm Down was an African-led record, making it the first track by an artist from the continent to independently reach one billion streams on Spotify. The song’s impact extended beyond streaming numbers—it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and set a record by reigning atop the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for 59 weeks. Additionally, Calm Down won the first-ever Best Afrobeats award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards and was recognized at the Billboard Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards, further solidifying Rema’s place in global music history.
3. Tems
Tems, known for her ethereal vocals and genre-blurring style, became the first African female artist to hit one billion Spotify streams in early 2024. Her contribution to Future’s WAIT FOR U, featuring Drake, propelled her to this milestone. The track, which samples her 2020 song Higher, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped multiple charts, including the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic Airplay rankings. WAIT FOR U went on to win Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards, reinforcing Tems’ status as a force to be reckoned with in both African and global music.
4. Tyla
Just days after Tems made history, South African sensation Tyla followed suit, breaking another major record. In February 2024, her breakout hit Water surpassed one billion streams, making her the first African solo artist to accomplish this feat. Unlike previous billion-stream club members who benefited from major collaborations, Tyla achieved this milestone entirely on her own, highlighting her rapid ascent to international stardom. Water peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated multiple charts, including the U.S. Afrobeats Songs and World Digital Song Sales charts. The track’s success was further amplified by its Best African Music Performance win at the 2024 Grammys, making Tyla the first recipient of the award.
