South African singer Tyla has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit ‘Water’, making her the first African solo artist to achieve this milestone.
This historic achievement cements Tyla’s place as one of the most influential new voices in music, solidifying the growing global impact of African artists.
The feat places Tyla in an exclusive group of African artists who have reached the billion-stream mark on Spotify, including Wizkid, who achieved this feat through his feature on Drake’s ‘One Dance’, Rema, whose collaboration with Selena Gomez on ‘Calm Down’ also crossed the billion-stream threshold, and Tems who achieved it with her feature on ‘Wait For U’ by Future also featuring Drake.
Released on July 28, 2023, ‘Water’ quickly gained momentum after Tyla performed it live at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, where a viral dance challenge was born.
Blending amapiano and R&B, the track resonated with audiences worldwide, climbing the charts and earning Tyla her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024.
“We are incredibly proud of Tyla’s historic achievement,” Spotify’s sub-Saharan Africa head of music, Phiona Okumu, said. “This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the power of music to transcend borders. Tyla’s success is an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and the world, and we are honoured to have played a part in her journey.”
The journey to one billion streams
- July 18, 2023 – Tyla previews ‘Water’ at Spotify’s Greasy Tunes showcase in Johannesburg as part of RADAR Africa.
- August 19, 2023 – First live performance at Giants of Africa, sparking a viral TikTok dance challenge.
- September 15, 2023 – ‘Water’ surpasses one million daily streams on Spotify for the first time.
- October 26, 2023 – The track crosses 100 million total streams on Spotify.
- February 5, 2024 – Tyla wins Best African Music Performance at the Grammy Awards, making history.
- February 19, 2025 – ‘Water’ surpasses one billion streams, making Tyla the first African solo artist to reach this milestone.
Tyla’s success is a testament to the growing influence of African music on the global stage. Her journey has been supported by Spotify’s RADAR Africa and EQUAL Africa programmes, which amplify emerging African artists, providing them with global exposure and industry support.
With a billion streams and counting, Tyla’s rise is only just beginning. ‘Water’ is more than just a song – it’s a movement, inspiring a new generation of African artists to dream big and reach global audiences.
Top five countries streaming ‘Water’ in the last 28 days
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Indonesia
- Brazil
- Philippines
