Nigerian music star Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has reportedly become the first African artist to surpass 12 billion streams on Spotify across all credits, marking another major milestone in his international music career.

 

The achievement covers streams accumulated across his music catalogue, including songs on which he appears as the lead artist and those featuring him as a guest performer.

 

The reported record further strengthens Wizkid’s position among Africa’s most successful musical exports, highlighting the growing global audience for Nigerian music.

 

However, the milestone does not necessarily mean Wizkid has outperformed every other African artist across all streaming platforms, as the figure specifically relates to Spotify streams across all credits.

 

Wizkid’s Journey to Global Recognition

Wizkid rose to prominence in Nigeria with a series of hit songs before expanding his reach to international audiences through collaborations with major global music stars.

 

His catalogue includes popular records such as Ojuelegba, which attracted international attention for its blend of Afrobeats and contemporary African sounds.

 

His 2020 album, Made in Lagos, further strengthened his global profile, particularly following the success of Essence, featuring Tems.

 

The song gained international recognition and introduced both artists to a wider audience, contributing to the growing popularity of Afrobeats outside Africa.

 

Wizkid also featured on Drake’s hit song One Dance, alongside Kyla. The track became a global commercial success and helped expose the Nigerian singer to a broader international audience.

 

Related Stories

Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy’s Global Impact

Wizkid’s reported streaming milestone comes amid the continued international success of Nigerian music stars, including Davido and Burna Boy.

 

The three artists have played significant roles in expanding Afrobeats’ global influence through international collaborations, major concerts and commercially successful releases.

 

Davido has built a strong international following with songs such as Fall, Unavailable and Feel, while Burna Boy has earned global recognition through projects including African Giant and Love, Damini.

 

Although comparisons among the artists frequently generate debate among their respective fan bases, Spotify streaming figures represent only one measure of musical success. Album sales, concert attendance, awards, chart performance and cultural influence also contribute to an artist’s overall standing.

 

Wizkid’s reported 12-billion-stream achievement therefore represents a significant milestone without, on its own, establishing an overall ranking among the three musicians.

 

A Major Milestone for Afrobeats

The reported achievement also reflects the increasing international reach of Nigerian music, with Afrobeats attracting listeners across Europe, North America and other parts of the world.

 

Streaming platforms have helped Nigerian artists reach audiences beyond traditional music markets, while collaborations with international performers have created additional opportunities for exposure.

 

Wizkid’s success demonstrates how an artist can build a global audience while maintaining strong connections to African musical influences.

 

As Afrobeats continues to expand internationally, milestones of this nature offer another indication of the genre’s growing presence in the global music industry.

 

Ultimately, Wizkid’s reported 12-billion Spotify streams mark a notable achievement in his career and another landmark for Nigerian music on the international stage. The exact ranking should, however, be understood within the specific category of Spotify streams across all credits.