Ayodeji Wizkid Balogun also known globally simply as Wizkid has done it again.
On January 8, 2026, the Nigerian megastar officially became the first African artist to surpass 10 billion total streams on Spotify. This represents a monumental achievement in his career and an even bigger milestone for Afrobeats as a genre on the global stage.
A Decade of Streaming Dominance
Wizkid’s journey to 10 billion streams spans more than ten years of consistent global hits from early Afrobeats anthems to crossover collaborations with some of the world’s biggest artists.
Some highlights of his streaming legacy include:
- “One Dance” with Drake & Kyla nearly 4 billion streams and one of the most-streamed songs ever on Spotify.
- “Essence” featuring Tems now over 330 million streams, boosted further by a remix with Justin Bieber.
- His expansive catalogue of solo hits like “Joro”, plus albums that have become staples on playlists worldwide.
This mix of solo success and powerhouse collaborations has helped Wizkid build a streaming footprint that outpaces all other African artists on the platform.
What This Means for Afrobeats
Wizkid’s 10 billion-stream milestone isn’t just a personal victory it’s a cultural watershed moment:
African Music on the World Stage
By hitting this mark, Wizkid has:
- Elevated Afrobeats into mainstream global consciousness
- Opened doors for other African artists to thrive internationally
- Reinforced that music from the continent can compete with the world’s biggest stars on streaming platforms
Inspiring a New Generation
His achievement sends a message to emerging African artists that:
Global success isn’t just possible it’s happening now.
A Legacy Beyond Numbers
Wizkid isn’t just a streaming phenomenon he’s also a trailblazer in award recognition and cultural impact:
- Grammy wins and nominations
- BET, MOBO, and Headies Awards
- Sold-out global tours
- Influence on artists across genres and continents
His fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and global sounds has created a sound that resonates from Lagos to London, New York to Nairobi and now beyond 10 billion streams.
Final Thoughts: A Historic Milestone
Wizkid’s journey from Holla at Your Boy to this record-breaking streaming milestone tells a larger story one of persistence, evolution, and global cultural influence. What started as a Nigerian Afrobeats breakthrough has turned into one of the most remarkable global music careers of the last decade.
And this may be just the beginning.