Rappers Olamide, Blaqbonez, three others emerge Spotify’s most streamed artistes

Nigerian rappers, Olamide, Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez, Zlatan Ibile and Ice Prince have been named the most streamed Nigerian Hip Hip artistes on Spotify.

Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artiste and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa disclosed this in a statement on Friday, September 1.

According to him, it is not surprising that Nigeria occupies a significant position within Africa’s Hip-hop listenership landscape, securing the second spot after South Africa.

The statement reads partly; “The spotlight falls on Olamide, Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez, Zlatan and Ice Prince as the most streamed within the realm of Nigerian Hip hop.

“Nigeria’s patriotism in music is evident as most streamed Hip hop artistes are Nigerians, unlike regions such as Kenya and South Africa where international hit-man, Drake, leads.

“Hip hop is one of the most popular music genres in the world and it continues to have an input in newer genres and music movements springing up in Nigeria and around the world.

“Its ability to evolve and stay relevant is a testament to its power as a form of artistic expression that resonates with listeners worldwide”.

Okpala said according to Spotify’s data, Nigerian Gen Z individuals aged between 18 and 24 constituted a sizable segment of Hip hop listeners, accounting for 55 per cent of the total streams.

He said this is followed by listeners aged 25 to 29, contributing 19 per cent of the streams. According to him, the age brackets of 0 to 17 and 30 to 34 both hold a nine per cent share.

The executive added; “Nigerian Hip hop gained popularity in the 1990s with artistes such as Modenine, Naeto C, Bouqui, Ruggedman, Gino, Eedris Abdulkareem, eLDee, Sasha P, Ikechukwu and a whole lot more.

“These artistes pioneered the sounds and culture of Hip hop that have influenced Nigerian tracks and has grown to gain substantial traction within the continent.

“It is interesting to see how Nigerian listeners who are Hip hop enthusiasts are contributing to the elevation of the Hip hop genre and the sounds that tapped influences from it. The Gen Z demographic is playing a significant role in this trend”.

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