Afrobeats takes over as Spotify launches global playlist to ride cultural wave

Spotify has unveiled its ‘Global Afrobeats Playlist,’ spotlighting the genre’s meteoric rise as a cultural juggernaut, the streaming platform announced in a statement on Thursday.

Afrobeats, born in Nigeria, has transcended clubs to dominate global charts, fashion, and dance, driven by passionate listeners worldwide.

The platform reported staggering growth in Afrobeats streams, particularly in Asia, with Indonesia seeing a 4,530% surge from 2020 to 2025, followed by India (1,650%), the Philippines (1,492%), and Thailand (1,370%). Latin America also recorded a 183% year-on-year increase in 2025.

“These numbers show Afrobeats’ unstoppable global reach,” Spotify noted.

Spotify’s data further revealed a 135% rise in user-generated Afrobeats playlists over the same period, underscoring fans’ role in curating and spreading the genre.

“Listeners aren’t just streaming—they’re shaping and sharing Afrobeats globally,” the statement added. Gen Z, in particular, has embraced playlists like /_Hot Hits Naija_, _African Heat*, and *Gbedu_ as gateways to the genre’s vibrant energy, with _Hot Hits Naija_ amassing over 20 million plays worldwide.

In Nigeria, playlists like _Hot Hits Naija_, _Gbedu_, and _Street Energy_ capture the raw pulse of youth culture. Benewaah Boateng, Spotify’s Senior Music Editor for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the platform’s commitment to amplifying this movement.

“The Global Afrobeats Playlist is our tribute to the fans who’ve fueled this cultural wave from the ground up,” Boateng said.

“It’s a celebration of their passion and a signal for Afrobeats to keep soaring.”