African female artists are making history, shattering barriers, and reshaping the global music scene like never before. As part of Women’s History Month, Spotify has spotlighted some of the most influential African women in music, with Tems, Ayra Starr, and Tyla leading the charge.
Tyla recently became the first African solo artist to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams with her viral hit Water, solidifying her as a global powerhouse.
Meanwhile, Tems has also hit the 1 billion Spotify streams milestone, making her the first female African artist to achieve this feat and reinforcing her legacy as a trailblazer.
2024 has been a defining year for female-driven narratives in African music. Ayra Starr’s deeply personal album The Year I Turned 21 and Tems’ powerful Born in the Wild have dominated the charts across Nigeria and Ghana, offering bold and authentic explorations of womanhood.
The numbers reflect this cultural shift. Female music listenership has surged, with a 108% increase in Nigeria, 26% in Kenya, and 24% in Ghana, proving that African women are not just shaping the music industry—they’re revolutionizing it.
As these artists continue to break records and redefine African music on a global stage, they pave the way for future generations, proving that the continent’s female voices are louder and more impactful than ever.
