Spotify’s Top African R&B Listeners:
- South Africa – Leading the R&B Charts
- Nigeria – A Rising R&B Powerhouse
- Kenya – Making Waves in R&B
- Ghana – A Hub for R&B Enthusiasts
- Zambia – Thriving R&B Scene
- Uganda – Growing Taste for R&B Music
Monica Kemoli-Savanne, Artist and Label Partnerships Manager, East Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, in Lagos.
“Africa’s love for R&B is clear. South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda lead R&B on Spotify.”
“R&B is gaining ground in francophone and lusophone markets like Côte d’Ivoire and Angola, echoing across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
“Amidst the historical dominance of Afrobeats, Amapiano, Gengetone, and more in the African music scene, an exciting transformation is taking place.”
“”R&B sees a remarkable 133% YoY growth on Spotify across the continent,” she stated.
Kemoli-Savanne noted that Kenya seems to be leading the charge in this resurgence. “Recently, the Tantalizers playlist has been predominantly streamed from this country, solidifying R&B as one of Kenya’s top five genres on Spotify,” she mentioned.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Spotify R&B listeners can’t get enough of artists like The Weekend, Chris Brown, SZA, Rihanna, and Beyoncé. Locally, Xenia Manasseh (Kenya), Baaba J (Ghana), Lloyiso (South Africa), and Bloody Civillian (Nigeria) resonate deeply with their audience.
“As growth surges, R&B collaborations between global icons and African artists become commonplace,” she affirmed.
“From Drake, Future, and Tems’ WAIT FOR U to Chris Brown, Lojay, and Sarz’s Monalisa, and Chris Brown’s Call Me Everyday with Wizkid, African stars shine globally.”
“Furthermore, African artists are now collaborating with each other to create international hits independently.”
“Moreover, the Ghana-Nigeria collaborations on songs like Camidoh’s Sugarcane (Remix) and Essence by Wizkid and Tems are resonating with music enthusiasts globally,” she emphasized.
According to Kemoli-Savanne, R&B in Africa is a testament to the adaptability and creativity of African musicians. “African artists blend their cultural influences with R&B’s soulful melodies and themes of love,” she pointed out.
“Spotify partnered with COLORSxSTUDIOS for an R&B writing camp in Nairobi, Kenya,” she disclosed.
“In October, artists, songwriters, and producers from Africa and beyond will come together for a writing camp, centered around Spotify’s R&B playlist, Tantalizers,” she clarified.
“Musicians across the continent are seamlessly blending soulful vocals with traditional African rhythms, Afrobeat grooves, and contemporary production techniques.
“This blend creates a sound that bridges past and present, resonating with listeners,” she noted.
“R&B streams in Sub-Saharan Africa are led by Gen Z (18-24) followed by 25-29 year-olds,” she pointed out.
“R&B in Africa is more alive than ever. As this borderless journey continues to move like wildfire, we see that the power of music has no boundaries, whether by location or generation,” she stated.
