- Nigerian female singers constantly defy the odds to stand out in its male-dominated industry
- Recently, Afrobeats singer Fave hit her first N100M+ streams on Spotify with her project Riddim 5
- TheRadar spotlighted the 3 only Afrobeats female singers who have 100M+ projects on the popular streaming platform
For Afrobeats female singers, hitting notable streaming numbers in comparison to their male counterparts is a hurdle that few consistently surpass.
The Nigerian music landscape is said to be often marked by a persistent competition, where female singers can only defy the odds to stand out.
Speaking of defying the odds, Afrobeats sensation, Fave recently surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify with her Extended Play (EP) project Riddim 5.
The milestone marked her first-ever 100M+ streams across all of her discography. She also became the third Nigerian female act to have a 100M+ project on the platform.
3 Nigerian female acts with 100M+ projects on Spotify
- Fave — Riddim 5 EP
On January 20, 2022, Afrobeats fast rising sensation Fave dropped her debut Extended Play (EP) Riddim 5. The song featured tracks like Obsessed, Mr Man, and Baby Riddim. Three years after its release, the EP has surpassed 100M+ streams on Spotify. Despite being her first, the milestone makes Fave the third Nigerian Afrobeats female singer with such a project.
- Tems — For Broken Ears EP
Afrobeats singer Temilade Openiyi known as Tems is another Nigerian singer with a 100M+ streams project on Spotify. Her 2020 debut EP For Broken Ears has surpassed the threshold to become one of the female singers to hit the mark. Released on September 25, 2020, Tems’ For Broken Ears houses her hits Free Mind and Higher. Tems’ debut album Born in the Wild is her second project to hit over 100M+ streams on Spotify.
- Ayra Starr — The Year I Turned 21
Ayra Starr’s latest sophomore album The Year I Turned 21 is another Nigerian project by a female singer that boasts of 100M+ streams. The 22-year-old singer’s 2024 album serves as follow-up for her previous project, 19 & Dangerous. The Year I turned 21 was released on May 31, 2024. Her project 19 & dangerous and its deluxe also have over 100M+ streams.
Ranking top 10 notable Afrobeats female collaborations
Despite the Afrobeats music scene being male-dominated, who said the female artistes in Nigeria have no place?
Contrary to notions, the Nigerian Afrobeats music space has indeed evolved to create platforms for female artistes to shine and showcase their singing prowess.
TheRadar earlier compiled a list of Notable Afrobeats female collaborations in Nigeria. This is a testament to some of the amazing works female artistes have put out together over the years.
