Global Afrobeats icon Wizkid has etched his name into music history, becoming the first African artist to cross the 10-billion-stream mark on Spotify.
The feat is a powerful testament to his worldwide influence and a clear signal of how African music has moved from the margins to the heart of global pop culture.
Confirmed in early January 2026, the milestone caps more than a decade of steady global dominance by the Nigerian superstar, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun. From Lagos to London, New York to Nairobi, Wizkid’s genre-blending sound — seamlessly fusing Afrobeats with R&B, pop and international rhythms — has built a massive and loyal audience across continents.
A major contributor to the historic figure is his role on Drake’s chart-defining hit “One Dance,” one of Spotify’s most streamed songs of all time. That global smash, combined with Wizkid’s own catalogue of international hits such as “Essence” featuring Tems, has propelled his streaming numbers into uncharted territory for African artists.
Crossing 10 billion streams places Wizkid firmly ahead of his continental peers on Spotify. While fellow Nigerian stars like Burna Boy and Rema continue to post impressive global numbers, none have yet matched Wizkid’s cumulative streaming total — reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most commercially successful music exports.
Beyond personal achievement, the milestone represents a defining moment for Afrobeats as a global force. Industry watchers see Wizkid’s record-breaking numbers as evidence of a genre that has evolved from regional popularity into a worldwide movement, influencing charts, collaborations and listening habits across the globe.
With a career built on boundary-pushing collaborations, cultural authenticity and international appeal, Wizkid’s 10-billion-stream breakthrough stands as a landmark moment — not just for him, but for African music’s growing dominance in the global digital era.
