South African singer Tyla has made history as the first African solo artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit Water.
Tyla joins an elite group of African artists who have reached this mark, including Wizkid (One Dance with Drake), Rema (Calm Down with Selena Gomez), and Tems (Wait For U by Future featuring Drake). However, she stands out for achieving it as a solo artist.
Released on July 28, 2023, Water gained traction after Tyla’s Giants of Africa Festival performance in Kigali, where a viral dance challenge took off. Blending Amapiano and R&B, the song soared up the charts, eventually earning her a Grammy for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music in Africa, praised Tyla’s achievement: “We are incredibly proud of Tyla’s historic achievement,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify in Africa. “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 honoured to have played a part in her journey.”
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