Music streaming giant Spotify is commemorating the tenth anniversary of Amapiano, a South African dance and music genre that has gained immense popularity globally.
With over 1.4 billion streams in 2023 alone, Amapiano has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring dance challenges, collaborations, and fusions worldwide.
Spotify’s data reveals a remarkable growth in Amapiano’s popularity, with a staggering 181% increase in listenership in Nigeria between 2023 and 2024.
The genre first hit 100 million streams in 2020, followed by an impressive 300 million streams in 2021, solidifying its rising popularity.
To celebrate this milestone, Spotify has launched “A Decade of Amapiano,” a website dedicated to exploring the genre’s history, influences, and future.
The platform also features an Amapiano destination with playlists and podcasts that delve into the genre’s origins, sounds, and evolution.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music in Sub-Saharan Africa, notes that Amapiano’s explosion over the past decade has been remarkable, with people using the genre for self-expression.
The platform has identified ten tracks that have been streamed in Nigeria over the last ten years, including Davido and Focalistic’s “Champion Sound” and the collaboration between Focalistic, Davido, and Virgo Deep’s “Ke Star” remix.
This celebration coincides with South Africa’s Youth Day commemoration on June 14, highlighting the genre’s impact on the country’s music culture and its resonance with young people.
This development comes just days Spotify identified Nigeria among the top five countries streaming Amapiano.