Nigerian singer Tems has reached a new career milestone, surpassing South African counterpart Tyla to become the African artist with the highest number of monthly listeners on Spotify. The achievement marks another defining moment for the Grammy-winning star, whose steady global rise continues to reshape the perception of African music on the world stage.
According to the latest streaming data, Tems edged ahead in monthly listener count, reflecting a surge in global engagement driven by new releases, high-profile collaborations and sustained international appeal. Monthly listeners on Spotify represent the number of unique users who stream an artist’s music within a 28-day period, making it one of the clearest indicators of current popularity and reach.
Tems’ journey to this point has been marked by steady artistic evolution and strategic collaborations. After gaining international attention through features and songwriting credits with major global acts, she built a distinct brand rooted in alternative R&B, Afrobeats and soulful introspection.
The streaming milestone is also part of a broader narrative about African music’s dominance in the global digital era. Over the past decade, Afrobeats and related genres have shifted from regional popularity to international mainstream success. Nigerian superstar Wizkid and other leading figures helped open doors through record-breaking global tours and multi-billion streaming numbers, paving the way for a new generation of artists to compete at the highest levels of the industry.
As streaming continues to dominate music consumption worldwide, milestones like this offer a snapshot of influence in real time. For now, Tems sits at the summit, representing both personal accomplishment and a broader continental victory in the global soundscape.
