Legendary Feat: Wizkid Surpasses 10 Billion Spotify Streams, First African Ever

Wizkid has officially surpassed 10 billion total streams on Spotify across all credits, becoming the first African artist ever to achieve this historic milestone, as confirmed by industry trackers in early January 2026.

This groundbreaking feat is far more than a number—it stands as undeniable proof of his immense global impact and the explosive rise of Afrobeats on the world stage. Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizkid has evolved from a rising Nigerian talent into the undisputed face of Afrobeats and a true global superstar, thanks to his innovative sound, powerful collaborations, relentless evolution, and an incredibly loyal fanbase.

As of early January 2026, he boasts more than 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify (with peaks reaching up to 13.8 million), his catalog seamlessly blending traditional African rhythms with R&B, dancehall, and pop elements that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

The journey to this record began in the early 2010s with his debut album Superstar (2011), which introduced timeless tracks like “Holla at Your Boy” and “Don’t Dull.” The real turning point came in 2014 with “Ojuelegba,” a raw, heartfelt anthem of urban hustle and dreams that has amassed over 100 million streams and became the first Afrobeats song to receive a major international remix featuring Drake and Skepta in 2015—sparking worldwide attention for the genre and widely regarded as one of the greatest Afrobeats tracks of all time.

Momentum exploded further with his iconic feature on Drake’s 2016 global smash “One Dance” (alongside Kyla), now one of the biggest songs of the 21st century with over 3 billion streams. Subsequent hits like “Come Closer” (feat. Drake), the viral phenomenon “Essence” (feat. Tems—over 333–334 million streams, platinum-certified, and boosted by a Justin Bieber remix), “Joro” (over 200 million), and “2 Sugar” (feat. Ayra Starr—over 70 million) have kept his catalog growing.

Key albums such as Made in Lagos (his most-streamed project, surpassing 1 billion streams), More Love, Less Ego, and Morayo (the most-streamed album on Spotify Nigeria in 2025) have added massive volume, while high-profile collaborations with artists like Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Skepta, Major Lazer, Metro Boomin, and Ty Dolla $ign have accelerated his reach.

Beyond the streams, Wizkid’s influence is profound: he is widely credited as the architect of modern Afrobeats, inspiring a new generation with his unique fusion of fuji, R&B, and hip-hop. His achievements include the record-breaking 2024 concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, sold-out shows across Europe and the Americas, and an unmatched awards tally—over 15 Headies wins, a Grammy, BET, MOBO, MAMAs, and a total of 197 career awards, making him one of Africa’s most decorated musicians.

Leading far ahead of peers (Burna Boy currently sits at over 9.5 billion), this 10 billion milestone is a monumental victory not just for Wizkid, but for Afrobeats and the entire continent’s growing global dominance.