South African singer-songwriter Tyla has become the first African solo artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit, Water.
This monumental achievement not only cements Tyla's status as one of the most exciting new voices in music but also highlights the ever-growing global influence of African artists.
She now joins an elite group of African musicians who have crossed the billion-stream threshold on Spotify.
Artists like Wizkid, who reached this milestone through his feature on Drake's One Dance, Rema, whose collaboration with Selena Gomez on Calm Down soared past a billion plays, and Tems, who hit the mark with her feature on Wait for U by Future and Drake, have all paved the way for African talent on the global stage.
However, Tyla's success stands out as she has achieved this incredible feat as a solo artist, an unprecedented moment for African music.
Released on July 28, 2023, Water quickly gained momentum, fueled by its blend of Amapiano and R&B. The track's breakthrough moment came in August 2023 when she performed it live at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda. That performance sparked a viral TikTok dance challenge, propelling Water onto the global stage at an astonishing pace.
By September 2023, the song had surpassed one million daily streams on Spotify, and just a month later, it had crossed the 100-million-stream milestone. The buzz surrounding Water only grew stronger, culminating in Tyla's historic win at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024, where she took home the award for Best African Music Performance-another groundbreaking moment for African music.
Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify in Africa, expressed immense pride in Tyla's accomplishment. "This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the power of music to transcend borders. Tyla's success is an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and the world, and we are honored to have played a part in her journey."
