South African sensation Tyla has officially cemented her status as a global powerhouse, shattering the all-time record for the most monthly listeners for an African artist in Spotify history.
As of late 2025, the “Popiano” queen has reached a staggering 40.2 million monthly listeners, surpassing the previous record held by Nigerian superstar Rema (who peaked at approximately 31 million).
Breaking Down the Milestone
Tyla’s ascent to the top of the continent’s streaming charts hasn’t been a one-hit-wonder story. While her Grammy-winning smash “Water” remains a juggernaut—surpassing 1 billion streams in October 2025—her record-breaking numbers are driven by a string of consistent global hits:
- Chart Dominance: Hits like “PUSH 2 START”, “Jump” (feat. Gunna & Skillibeng), and her latest summer anthem “IS IT” have kept her in the top 1% of artists globally.
- Strategic Collaborations: Her 2025 releases featured heavyweights like Wizkid (“Dynamite”) and a viral feature on Cardi B’s album (“Nice Guy”), which expanded her reach across the US and West Africa.
- The “WWP” Era: Her mid-year EP, We Wanna Party (WWP), debuted with massive numbers, making her the first South African female artist to have multiple solo tracks debut with over 1 million daily streams.
Historical Comparison: African Giants on Spotify
| Artist | Peak Monthly Listeners | Country |
| Tyla | 40.2 Million (Current Record) | South Africa |
| Rema | ~34 Million | Nigeria |
| Burna Boy | ~25 Million | Nigeria |
| Tems | ~22 Million | Nigeria |
| Ayra Starr | ~18 Million | Nigeria |
