Wizkid, Rema, and Tyla, prominent African artists, have secured spots on Spotify's newly unveiled ranking of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era. This recognition highlights their influential roles in shaping contemporary global pop music since 2015.
The curated list, assembled by Spotify's editorial team, evaluates songs released from 2015 onwards based on their cultural significance, artistic merit, narrative quality, and enduring influence, extending beyond mere streaming figures.
Drake's track "One Dance," featuring Wizkid and Kyla, is ranked at number 8. Spotify acknowledged Drake as a key tastemaker of his generation, noting his strategic use of diverse sounds and collaborations to elevate emerging artists and trends. The platform highlighted his early adoption of Afrobeats, referencing his unofficial remix of Wizkid's "Ojuelegba" and his official incorporation of Wizkid into "One Dance" from his album Views.
Describing the sonic elements of "One Dance," Spotify stated that while functioning primarily as a pop song with Drake's narrative on the dance floor, its African and Caribbean influences are undeniable. The rhythmic foundation, drawing from Afrobeats and dancehall, is designed for movement.
Furthermore, Spotify commented that "One Dance" played a crucial role in ushering Afrobeats into mainstream consciousness in the US and other regions, subsequently opening doors for artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Rema to reach international audiences.
Released on April 5, 2016, "One Dance" has accumulated over 4 billion streams. It previously held the record for the most-streamed song on Spotify before being surpassed by Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" in 2017.
Rema's hit song "Calm Down" (with Selena Gomez) is positioned at number 29. Spotify explained that while Rema's original version was already successful, Selena Gomez's collaboration propelled it to greater heights. The song's blend of Rema's engaging charm and Gomez's accessible delivery transformed it into a major global crossover hit. This collaboration also significantly boosted the profile of Nigerian pop music, particularly in the United States, where "Calm Down" achieved the distinction of being the most successful Afrobeats single in Billboard chart history.
"Calm Down" (with Selena Gomez) was the first track by an African artist to achieve one billion streams on Spotify. Released on August 25, 2022, the song has garnered over 1.8 billion streams to date.
At number 50 is Tyla's song "Water." Spotify highlighted "Water" as Tyla's initial international breakthrough, bringing the distinctive South African Amapiano sound to a global audience. The signature log drum in the track created a hypnotic, intimate, yet danceable feel. The song also secured the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, marking Tyla as a rising star on the verge of superstardom.
Spotify also pointed out that "Water" made history by becoming the first song by a South African solo artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years, with Hugh Masekela's "Grazing In The Grass" being the last in 1968. The track, released on July 28, 2023, has surpassed 1.3 billion streams.
Spotify, established in 2008, operates as one of the world's largest digital music services, enabling users to stream music online and curating editorial lists that reflect evolving music trends and cultural impacts.
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