International rappers led the list of the most streamed artists in South Africa. Case in point being Drake’s Certified Lover Boy (revealed a week earlers as a jot favourite on another top global streaner Deezer) remaining a firm favourite across South Africa and beyond, followed by Juice WRLD in second place, with Justin Bieber, Kanye West and The Weekbd making up the top five.
A feat for the local music industry comes in the form DJ Maphorisa‘s entry at number eight on the most streamed artists list for South Africa, the only local among the international acts.
AmaPiano creators dominated as the most streamed local artists in South Africa, claiming the first five spots on the list. Unsurprisingly, DJ Maphorisa led the pack followed by fellow Scorpion King, Kabza Da Small, with newcomers to the list Busta 929, Dr Mthuda and Mr JazziQ rounding off the top list.
Makhadzi has had a phenomenal year and it’s no wonder she is included in South Africa’s most streamed local artist list as well as being the most streamed female South African artist in 2021. Her star continues to rise as she received over 9 641 683 streams globally on Spotify in 2021.
When it comes to the most streamed songs in South Africa over the past year – Stay (with Justin Bieber) by The Kid Laroi is at is at number one followed by Tiësto’s The Business and ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran. Big ups to ‘Umsebenzi’ Wethu’ by Busta 929 for claiming its spot on the top five list at number four, followed by Olivia Rodrigo’s Drivers License. Interestingly, another Mzansi’s favourite artist, and Drip Footwear collaborator Cassper Nyovest’s Siyathandana only made it as far as securing a spot in 10th place.
AmaPiano further continued its domination of streaming lists, with AmaPiano Grooves taking the spot as the most streamed playlist in South Africa.The genre also owned the most streamed local songs list. The top five most streamed songs ‘Umsebenzi Wethu‘ by Busta 929 (#1), ‘John Wick‘ by De Mthuda (#2), ‘Izolo‘ by DJ Maphorisa (#3), ‘Abalele‘ by Kabza De Small (#4) and ‘Banyana‘ by DJ Maphorisa (#5).
Drake claimed another top spot with ‘Certified Lover Boy’ as as the most streamed album in South Africa in 2021. This comes as no surprise given the social media popularity and meme virality it garnered in the country since its September release. ‘Sour’ by Olivia Rodrigo followed in second, with Ed Sheeren’s ‘=’, ‘Justice’by Justin Bieber and the late Pop Smoke’s ‘Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon’ making up the top five.
Afrikaans vocalist Riaan Benadé’s Spontaan led the most streamed South African albums list, with Blxckie – the new kid on the hip hop block – in second place with his debut album B4Now. Blxckie has also garnered popularity outside of local borders amassing close to 7 million streams globally on Spotify in 2021. Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: the mixtape by A-Reece (#3), Undisputed Vol 2 by Busta 929 (#4) and Kokovha by Makhadzi (#5) completed the list.
Spotify Wrapped 2021 Top Streamed Lists in South Africa
Top 10 Most Streamed Artists
- Drake
- Juice WRLD
- Justin Bieber
- Kanye West
- The Weeknd
- J. Cole
- Ed Sheeran
- DJ Maphorisa
- Taylor Swift
- Doja Cat
Top 10 Most Streamed South African Artists
- DJ Maphorisa
- Kabza De Small
- Busta 929
- De Mthuda
- Mr JazziQ
- Joyous Celebration
- Nasty C
- Makhadzi
- Appel
- A-Reece
Top 10 Most Streamed Tracks
- STAY (with Justin Bieber) – The Kid LAROI
- The Business – Tiësto
- Bad Habits – Ed Sheeran
- Umsebenzi Wethu – Busta 929
- Drivers License – Olivia Rodrigo
- Heat Waves – Glass Animals
- Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
- John Wick – De Mthuda
- Peaches (feat Daniel Caesar & Giveon) – Justin Bieber
- MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) – Lil Nas X
Top 10 Most Streamed South African Tracks
- Umsebenzi Wethu – Busta 929
- John Wick – De Mthuda
- Izolo – DJ Maphorisa
- Abalele – Kabza De Small
- Banyana – DJ Maphorisa
- LiYoshona Main Mix – Kwiish SA
- Vula Mlomo – Musa Keys
- Woza – Mr JazziQ
- Mmapula – Busta 929
- Siyathandana – Cassper Nyovest
Top 10 Most Streamed Albums
- Certified Lover Boy – Drake
- SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo
- “ = ” – Ed Sheeran
- Justice – Justin Bieber
- Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon – Pop Smoke
- Planet Her – Doja Cat
- Donda – Kanye West
- Legends Never Die – Juice WRLD
- Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
- After Hours – The Weeknd
Top 10 Most Streamed South African Albums
- Spontaan – Riaan Benadé
- B4Now – Blxckie
- Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: the mixtape – A-Reece
- Undisputed Vol 2 – Busta 929
- Kokovha – Makhadzi
- African Queen – Makhadzi
- Subconsciously – Black Coffee
- Party With The English – Mr JazziQ
- Hardwerkende Man – Appel
- To the World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
Top 10 Most Streamed Playlists
- AmaPiano Grooves
- Today’s Top Hits
- Soft Pop Hits
- Mood Booster
- Deep Sleep
- Songs to Sing in the Shower
- Sleep
- Made in South Africa
- All Out 80’s
- Slow Jamz
, while DJ Maphorisa becomes the only local to compete with the big boys overseas (most streamed artists).){kind=link}