Wizkid, Rema, And Tyla Feature On Spotify’s List Of The 100 Greatest Pop Songs Of The Streaming Era

Spotify has revealed its “100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era,” featuring a notable presence of African artists on the global music scene.

The list, curated by Spotify’s editorial team, covers music from 2015 to the present, ranking songs based on cultural impact, musicality, storytelling, and lasting influence rather than just streaming numbers. Three African tracks made it into the top 100, highlighting the continent’s influence in pop music.

Number 8: “One Dance” – Drake, Wizkid & Kyla
The 2016 collaboration “One Dance” secured a position in the top ten. Blending Afrobeats with dancehall rhythms, the song marked Drake’s entrance into global pop and became his first Billboard Hot 100 number one as a lead artist. It also made history as the first song on Spotify to achieve one billion streams, demonstrating that Afrobeats could succeed in mainstream pop while maintaining its authenticity.

Number 29: “Calm Down” – Rema
Initially gaining traction on its own, Rema’s “Calm Down” transformed into a global hit following a remix featuring Selena Gomez. This collaboration combined Rema’s dynamic style with Gomez’s polished presence, making it the most successful Afrobeats single in Billboard history. It also became the first African artist-led song to reach one billion streams on Spotify, illustrating the potential of global remixes to enhance original sounds.

Number 50: “Water” – Tyla
Tyla’s “Water” introduces the South African genre Amapiano to an international audience. The song retains the unique elements of Amapiano while gaining worldwide attention. It won the inaugural Grammy for Best African Music Performance and made Tyla the first South African solo artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years, indicating that Amapiano has firmly established itself in the mainstream pop arena.

Spotify’s selections indicate that African artists are increasingly recognized in global pop music, with genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano now sitting alongside prominent artists such as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Weeknd, highlighting a shift in the contemporary pop music landscape.

Spotify’s staff ranks Top Pop Songs of the Streaming era:

#1 drivers license
#2 Pink Pony Club
#3 Cruel Summer
#4 Don’t Start Now
#5 Run Away With Me
#6 Sorry
#7 Green Light
#8 One Dance
#9 BIRDS OF A FEATHER
#10 no tears left to cry
#11 Good Luck, Babe!
#12 Can’t Feel My Face…

— chart data (@chartdata) February 24, 2026