Nigerian music, especially Afrobeats, has been gaining popularity and recognition globally in recent years. Thanks to the power of social media, international collaborations, and the rise of music streaming, Nigerian artists have been able to reach new audiences and markets across the world. But how much do they actually earn from their music streams on Spotify, one of the largest and most popular music streaming platforms in the world?
According to Spotify’s recently launched annual report, “Loud & Clear”, which aims to increase transparency in the music industry by sharing data on Spotify’s royalty payments and breaking down the global streaming economy, Nigerian artists earned over 11 billion naira (about 14 million US dollars) from Spotify alone in 2022. This figure represents a significant increase from the previous year, as revenues generated by Nigerian artists from Spotify grew by 74% from 2021 to 2022. This growth rate is higher than the overall growth rate of the Nigerian music industry, which was 63% from 2021 to 2022.
Spotify also revealed that the number of Nigerian artists who generated more than 5 million naira (about 6,500 US dollars) and 10 million naira (about 13,000 US dollars) in royalties from Spotify alone increased by nearly 25% over the last year. This means that more Nigerian artists are earning a decent income from their music streams on Spotify.
Top Nigerian Artists on Spotify
Some of the top Nigerian artists who have been making waves on Spotify include Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa S@vage, Olamide, Rema, Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, Simi, and Naira Marley. They have also been featured on various Spotify playlists and editorial content, such as African Heat, AmaPiano Grooves, RADAR Africa, Afro Hub, and more.
Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said that Spotify is committed to ensuring that African creators earn from their art by exposing them to 550 million active users on the platform. She said that releasing the revenues generated by Nigerian artists in 2022 on their platform is their way of keeping themselves accountable and keeping true to their mission to enable artists to live off their art.
Spotify launched its service in Nigeria and other African countries in February 2021, making it easier for Nigerian artists and fans to access and enjoy their music on the platform. Spotify also launched a dedicated site for key information on Afrobeats in June 2021, which chronicles Afrobeats’ growth from West Africa to the global stages. The site features data, insights, videos, playlists, and articles on Afrobeats’ origins, evolution, fusion, and exportation.
Spotify is not the only music streaming platform that pays Nigerian artists for their music streams. Other platforms such as Apple Music, YouTube Music, Audiomack, Boomplay, Deezer, and Tidal also offer similar services. However, Spotify is one of the most transparent and data-driven platforms that provides detailed information on how much artists make from their music streams.
Nigerian music artists are making history and breaking records with their music on Spotify and other platforms. They are also making money and creating wealth for themselves and their country. They are a source of pride and inspiration for millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.
