Tyla becomes first African solo artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify with ‘Water’
South African singer Tyla has made history as the first African solo artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit, Water.
This Spotify achievement with Water places Tyla in an exclusive group of African artists who have crossed the billion-stream mark, joining Wizkid, who reached the milestone with his feature on Drake’s One Dance, Rema, whose collaboration with Selena Gomez on Calm Down achieved the feat, and Tems, who accomplished the same with her feature on Future’s Wait For U alongside Drake.
Originally released on July 28, 2023, Water quickly gained momentum and became an international sensation. The song’s success was amplified after Tyla performed it live at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, where a viral TikTok dance challenge emerged. Blending elements of Amapiano and R&B, the track resonated with audiences worldwide, climbing streaming and radio charts. Its impact was further solidified when Tyla won her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024.
Reflecting on Tyla’s remarkable milestone, Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify in Africa, praised her achievement, emphasizing the significance of her success. She noted that this historic moment was proof of Tyla’s exceptional talent, relentless hard work, and the unifying power of music to break boundaries. She further stated that Tyla’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and beyond, and Spotify is honored to have been part of her incredible rise.
Tyla’s unprecedented achievement underscores the rising influence of African music on the global stage.
Tyla becomes the first African artist to have a solo song earn 1 billion streams on Spotify ("Water"). pic.twitter.com/96y5mmot61
— chart data (@chartdata) February 18, 2025
