Going Global
In response to the growing popularity of the afrobeats genre, Spotify makes a central hub for the genre on its app in the form of the Spotify Global Afrobeats playlist.
“The data shows a wave of listener-driven curation, and this playlist is our way of celebrating that momentum,” said Benewaah Boateng, Spotify’s senior music editor of sub-Saharan Africa when explaining the platform’s pivot to create a space for the genre.
In High Demand
Indeed, demand for the club-grown genre has skyrocketed, especially among Gen Z. In 2022, Afrobeats genre songs received over 13 billion Spotify streams, and it has especially seen gains in interest in Asia and Latin America. And within the past 5 years, the number of user-created Afrobeats playlists increased by 135%.
Giving Recognition
Guided by this theme of following audience trends, the playlist will stick with the theme of following user trends by personalizing itself for each one of its followers. “We are simply giving due recognition to the voices of a new generation who have made Afrobeats a global force, and we are thrilled to provide a definitive home for this vibrant and ever-evolving genre,” said Boateng.
About the Author
