The Year of Afrobeats: A Review of 2024 Achievements
TL;DR Afrobeats dominated global charts in 2024, with groundbreaking achievements in streaming, award recognition, and international collaborations. Breakthrough artists like Tyla and Libianca emerged as global sensations, while veterans like Burna Boy and Rema continued to elevate the genre. This year solidified Afrobeats as a global cultural force.
Breakthrough Artists
2024 saw several new stars rise to prominence. South African artist Tyla led the charge with her global hit “Water,” which reached number one on the Billboard Afrobeats Chart and peaked at 15 on the Global 200 Chart. Her success also included winning the inaugural MTV VMA for Best Afrobeats Video. Another breakout star was Libianca, whose soulful single “People” topped the UK Afrobeats Chart and gained over 500 million streams across platforms.
Seyi Vibez and Amaarae also made waves. Seyi Vibez’s “Different Pattern” introduced a fresh sound to the scene, while Amaarae’s album, featuring the hit “Angels in Tibet,” earned critical acclaim and solidified her place as a genre-defying artist.
Notable Awards
Afrobeats artists garnered international recognition this year. Highlights include:
- Burna Boy receiving multiple Grammy nominations, including for Best African Music Performance.
- Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” earning a nomination at the American Music Awards and achieving a record-breaking 2 billion streams on Spotify.
- Ayra Starr being nominated for MTV VMA’s Best Afrobeats Video for “Last Heartbreak Song.”
- The BET Awards introducing a new category for “Global Afrobeats Act,” with winners like Asake recognized for their impact.
Streaming Data
Afrobeats saw exponential growth in streaming numbers in 2024. Notable milestones include:
- Rema’s “Calm Down” crossing 2 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the most-streamed Afrobeats song in history.
- Tyla’s “Water” amassing over 800 million streams globally within a year of release.
- Libianca’s “People” gaining over 500 million streams, resonating with audiences worldwide.
Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music reported a 40% year-over-year increase in Afrobeats playlists, reflecting the genre’s growing influence.
Impactful Collaborations
2024 was also a year of iconic collaborations:
- Asake teamed up with Travis Scott for “Active,” which charted on the Billboard Afrobeats Top 10.
- Tems lent her ethereal vocals to multiple tracks with international artists, including a standout feature with Drake on his album.
- Burna Boy’s “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” with 21 Savage became a crossover hit, blending Afrobeats with hip-hop.
- Amaarae’s collaboration with global pop sensation Dua Lipa brought Afrobeats to new audiences.
The Future of Afrobeats
As 2024 comes to a close, Afrobeats has firmly established itself as a global cultural phenomenon. The genre’s ability to merge traditional African rhythms with modern sounds has captivated audiences worldwide. With a growing roster of artists and increasing recognition from major award platforms, the future of Afrobeats looks brighter than ever.
From groundbreaking streaming milestones to international collaborations, Afrobeats is no longer just a genre—it’s a movement that’s shaping the future of global music.
Related: Afrobeat 2024 Global Music Chart
