As of December 2024, Asake’s latest album, Work of Art, remains at the top of Spotify’s Global Top Albums chart, with his tracks consistently ranking in the platform’s top 10 most-streamed songs worldwide. His distinctive sound, blending traditional Afrobeats rhythms with modern trap influences, continues to captivate listeners from Lagos to London. His latest single, “Kwaku,” has also broken records for the longest-running African song on Spotify’s viral charts, earning over 100 million streams in just six weeks.
Ayra Starr, whose debut album 19 & Dangerous made waves in 2023, is also riding a wave of success. With her unique blend of Afrobeat, pop, and soulful vocals, Ayra Starr’s catalog has become a global favorite. Her hit single “Sare” has topped the Spotify charts for several consecutive weeks, while her collaboration with American artists on “Mood,” a sultry blend of Afrobeat and R&B, has racked up millions of streams.
Both artists have also become central figures in the global conversation about the rise of Afrobeats, a genre that continues to expand beyond Africa and is now firmly entrenched in mainstream music worldwide. In particular, Spotify’s Afrobeat-focused playlists, like Afrobeats Hits and Afro Bangers, have helped push tracks by Asake and Ayra Starr into the international limelight, leading to increased attention from both fans and industry professionals alike.
Industry experts point to the artists’ authenticity and genre-blending abilities as key factors in their ongoing success. “Asake’s ability to fuse street vibes with international appeal, alongside Ayra’s versatile voice and strong lyrical content, are setting them apart,” says Chuka Ekwensi, a Nigerian music executive. “They’re bridging the gap between African roots and global trends, making them incredibly marketable to international audiences.”
Their continued dominance on Spotify reflects the broader growth of Afrobeats, with the genre surpassing 50 billion streams globally this year. As the genre continues to gain traction, artists like Asake and Ayra Starr are poised to lead the charge, shaping the future of African music on the global stage.
Both stars have also expanded their international reach with sold-out shows across Europe and North America, further solidifying their roles as the face of modern Afrobeats. With major collaborations with international artists already in the works, it’s clear that 2025 will see even more milestones for Asake and Ayra Starr on streaming platforms like Spotify.
source: thisdaylive.com