Amapiano Hits on Spotify: Nigerian Stars And The Rising Popularity Of The Genre

Nigerian artists have been dominating the charts with Amapiano, a South African music genre that has taken the world by storm. Nigerian music stars such as Asake and Seyi Vibez have contributed to Amapiano’s popularity since 2020. To celebrate this unique sound, Spotify is partnering with South African Tourism to host an Amapiano Tourism experience for media and influencers from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.

The tour is centered around some of Spotify’s most popular Amapiano playlists and focuses on South African and Amapiano culture. It starts with “Amapiano 101,” which offers guests an overview of the genre’s history and takes them through its roots in townships like Mamelodi and other popular Amapiano locations in Soweto. The “Amapiano Grooves” portion of the tour highlights the significant influence of clubs on the music.

Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Managing Director for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, spoke about the initiative, stating, “Amapiano’s unique sound and infectious beats have captivated audiences worldwide, and are sure to keep fans dancing for years to come. As more artists emerge and push the boundaries of the genre, there is no doubt that Amapiano is set to become a mainstay in the global music scene.”

According to Spotify data, Amapiano experienced close to 2 billion streams last year, representing a 143% increase yearly. The genre has amassed a massive following, with over 240K playlists featuring Amapiano in the title and more than 10M playlists containing at least one Amapiano track. Additionally, over 40% of Amapiano streams come from listeners outside South Africa.

Spotify users tend to listen to Amapiano during weekday afternoons and Friday evenings. The platform’s biggest Amapiano playlist, “Amapiano Grooves,” is most popular among 18-24-year-olds, attracting listeners from South Africa, the UK, USA, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Top Exported Amapiano Tracks on Spotify:

1. ‘Abo Mvelo’ – (feat. Mellow & Sleazy & M.J)
2. ‘Love & Loyalty’ – (Believe)
3. ‘Ameno Amapiano’ Remix (You Wanna Bamba)
4. ‘Big Flexa’
5. ‘Hamba Wena’
6. ‘WATAWI (feat. Davido, Focalistic & Abidoza)’
7. ‘Abalele’
8. ‘Mina Nawe’
9. ‘Champion Sound’
10. ‘Tanzania’

Top Exported Amapiano Artists on Spotify:

1. DJ Maphorisa
2. Kabza De Small
3. Focalistic
4. Young Stunna
5. Mellow & Sleazy
6. DBN Gogo
7. Costa Titch
8. Major League Djz
9. Kamo Mphela
10. Daliwonga

The rising popularity of Amapiano on Spotify, coupled with the influence of Nigerian superstars, highlights the genre’s potential to become a staple in the global music scene. The Amapiano Tourism experience offers a unique opportunity for influencers and media to learn more about the genre’s roots and the role that streaming platforms play in exporting local music to a global audience.