Asake and Ayra Starr’s Continued Dominance on Spotify

Vanessa Obioha

For the second year in a row, Asake has dominated Spotify’s Wrapped — the annual recap that highlights listeners’ musical journeys and broader trends. Asake retained the title of Most Streamed Artist in Nigeria, though he lost the Most Streamed Song spot to newcomer Ayo Maff, whose collaboration with Fireboy DML, “Dealer,” claimed the top position.

Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr, meanwhile, extended her reign, emerging as the Most Streamed Female Artist in Nigeria for the third consecutive year. A Spotify RADAR alumna, Starr also made waves in Ghana and Kenya. She is currently the most-streamed Nigerian artist in Latin America and the top-streamed Nigerian female artist in Europe. With performances alongside Coldplay and Chris Brown, Starr has now spent more time on Spotify’s global chart than even Rema and Burna Boy.

Burna Boy himself secured the title of the most-exported Nigerian artist and became the only Nigerian featured in the UK’s Top 100. Meanwhile, Young Jonn’s ‘Jiggy Forever’ took the industry by surprise, emerging as the Most Streamed Album of 2024.

Beyond individual accolades, Spotify Wrapped data revealed a decline in Nigeria’s consumption of local music. Unlike in 2022 and 2023, which saw local music consumption rise by 291% and 284% year-on-year respectively, this year recorded only a 146% increase — a notable drop. Some critics wonder if this signals a slowdown in Afrobeats’ dominance, which has thrived on its global appeal in recent years. However, with several anticipated albums released toward the end of the year, local music consumption could see a resurgence.