Music streaming giant Spotify unveiled “Spotify Wrapped” – an annual round-up of the top artists, albums, songs and playlists of the year as streamed by users on the platform from around the world.
The round-up reveals artists and albums that were played the most by Nigerian users of the platform. It also has a personalised feed that indicates each user’s top artists, genres, songs, podcasts and listening time.
Here is a look at the artists that rocked Nigerians in 2021
Wizkid is the most streamed artist, followed by Burna Boy and Davido
Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid is the most streamed artist in Nigeria for the year. The global music sensation has definitely come a long way from the young boy who sang ‘Holla at your boy‘, his breakout single.
The superstar is currently on a global tour and the love fans have for him locally and internationally is evident in the way the arenas are always packed.
Other Nigerian artists who made the top 5 are Burna Boy, Davido and Olamide at 5th place. Canadian rapper, Drake entered the chart at number 4. On the top 10 list, Justin Bieber, ranked 7th, is the only other foreign artist that made the list. Tems, ranked 10th, was the only female artist on the list.
Other artists on the list include Buju, Fireboy DML and Rema.
Wizkid’s Made in Lagos tops chart
It comes as no surprise that the most-streamed artist has the most streamed album on the chart. Made in Lagos is the fourth studio album by Wizkid. The deluxe version is number 1 and the original version is number 2. A song on the album, Essence made history as the first Nigerian song to make Top 10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart.
Justin Bieber’s Justice is third while Davido makes another top appearance with his album A Better Time coming in fourth. Drake’s latest release, Certified Lover Boy closes off the top five.
Burna Boy also appears on the Top 10 chart with his Grammy-winning album, Twice As Tall at 6th place. Olamide’s Carpe Diem follows at 7th place while Ayra Starr, with her debut album 19&Dangerous, comes in at number 8.
Kanye West’s Donda and Pop Smoke’s Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon are the only foreign appearances at numbers 9 and 10.
Newcomer Tems enjoys success as most-streamed female artist in Nigeria
The love for Nigerian music is evident in charts released by Spotify. Nigerian female artists are also recipients of the support and affection expressed by Nigerian music lovers although this chart shows the appearance of the highest number of foreign artists.
Newcomer Tems, in addition to being the only female on the Top 10 most-streamed artists chart in Nigeria, also tops the chart as the most-streamed female artist in Nigeria. Her feature on Essence, Wizkid’s chart breaking song has no doubt contributed to her success as an artist.
Ayra Starr, also a newcomer who released her debut album this year comes in at number 2. Doja Cat, Teni and Tiwa Savage follow accordingly on the list. Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and Rihanna are foreign artists on the chart at numbers 6,7,8 and 10 respectively. Simi, another Nigerian artist comes in at number 9.
Ladipoe has the most-streamed song in Nigeria
In what is perhaps considered to be a little switch from the regular, the top 5 songs on the most-streamed songs chart are not from the usual popular artists.
The Nigerian-dominated chart has Ladipoe’s Feeling in the first place, followed by Peru by Fireboy DML. Ruger’s Bounce comes in at third. Understand by Omah Lay is the fourth most-streamed track while Monalisa by Lojay signs off the top five.
Wizkid once again appears on the Top 10 list at numbers 6 and 8 with his tracks Essence and Ginger. Olamide is number 9 with his track Rock while Adekunle Gold appears at number 10 with his High track.
The only foreign appearance on the chart is Dimension by Jae5, Skepta and Nigerian artist, Rema at number 7.
Overall, it has been a great year for Nigerian artists. With relaxed travel guidelines after the ravaging pandemic, they have been able to go on tours across the world and promote their music. Also, social media has greatly helped as seen in the case of Love Nwantiti by Ckay.
It’s clear that Nigerians are loving the content coming out of the region and creators are making the most of social media platforms and music streaming platforms like Spotify to share their culture with the rest of the world through music.