South African singer-songwriter Tyla has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit “Water,” making her the first African solo artist to achieve this milestone.
This historic moment cements Tyla’s place as one of the most influential new voices in music, solidifying the growing global impact of African artists.
“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.”
This achievement places Tyla in an exclusive group of African artists who have reached the billion-stream mark on Spotify, including Wizkid, who achieved this feat through his feature on Drake’s “One Dance,” and Rema, whose collaboration with Selena Gomez on “Calm Down” also crossed the billion-stream threshold, and Tems who achieved this with her feature on “Wait For U” by Future in collaboration with Drake.
Originally released on 28 July 2023, “Water” quickly gained momentum after Tyla performed it live at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, where a viral dance challenge was born.
Blending Amapiano and R&B, the track resonated with audiences worldwide, climbing the charts and earning Tyla her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024.
Top 5 Countries streaming Water in the last 28 days according to Spotify data:
-United States
-Indonesia
-Brazil
-Philippines
-United Kingdom
Tyla, who recently featured on British Vogue’s cover said her fame and her achievements don’t feel real.
“You know when you’ve always felt like you’re destined for something? That you’re going to make it one day? But then when it actually happens… It’s like something you can’t explain. It doesn’t feel real,” she said.
In addition to her Vogue cover, Tyla has released a new single alongside Sean Paul called “Push To Start.”
