In the past two decades, a revolutionary wave of Afrobeat has surged across cities worldwide, fostering new talents inspired by Fela Kuti.
Afrobeat’s popularity has soared, becoming one of the most sought-after music genres globally.
Renowned artists like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Rema have gained international acclaim, reshaping perceptions of Nigerian music and culture globally.
Spotify’s recent report, ‘Afrobeats: Journey of a Billion Streams,’ reveals a staggering 550% growth in Afrobeats streams since 2017. In 2022, Afrobeats garnered over 13 billion streams, with 35% of its audience being Gen Z listeners.
Afrobeat’s rise has led it to new heights, competing with foreign tracks in clubs and featuring in movie soundtracks. The launch of the UK’s first Afrobeat radio station, The Beat London, in 2016, solidified its place as a major genre.
International stars like Beyonce, Chris Brown, and Kanye West have embraced Afrobeat, integrating its rhythms into their music.
In 2022, Nigerian artists earned over 11 billion NGN from Spotify alone, with a 74% increase within a year. The Nigerian music industry’s revenues grew by 63% from 2021 to 2022, with Spotify contributing significantly.
Factors such as international collaborations, social media, streaming, global tours, and the African diaspora have fueled Afrobeats’ popularity. Spotify’s research showed that 28% of fans credit international collaborations for its expansion.
Music streaming platforms, including Spotify, are committed to fair compensation for African artists, exposing them to over 550 million active users.
Nigerian artists earning royalties exceeding 5 million NGN and 10 million NGN from Spotify increased by nearly 25% in a year.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub Saharan Africa, highlighted the company’s dedication to supporting artists in sustaining their careers. Spotify’s transparency about Nigerian artists’ 2022 revenues underscores their mission to empower artists to earn a livelihood from their craft.