Hot on the heels of dominating Spotify’s Global Impact List 2025, global sensation Tyla Seethal sets a record as the first African solo artist to reach one billion streams with her hit Water.
Tyla joins an elite cohort of African artists who have achieved this landmark through features including Wizkid, Rema, and Tems, highlighting the growing global influence of African artists.
Originally released on 28 July 2023, Water quickly gained momentum after she performed it live at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, where a viral dance challenge was born.
Blending Amapiano and R&B, the track resonated with audiences worldwide, climbing the charts and earning the music star her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024.
Speaking about this milestone, Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify in Africa said: “We are incredibly proud of Tyla’s historic achievement. This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the power of music to transcend borders. Tyla’s success is an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and the world, and we are honoured to have played a part in her journey.”
The Journey to One Billion Streams
18 July 2023 – Tyla previews Water at Spotify’s Greasy Tunes showcase in Johannesburg as part of RADAR Africa.
19 August 2023 – First live performance at Giants of Africa, sparking a viral TikTok dance challenge.
15 September 2023 – Water surpasses one million daily streams on Spotify for the first time.
26 October 2023 – The track crosses 100 million total streams on Spotify.
5 February 2024 – Tyla wins Best African Music Performance at the Grammy Awards, making history.
19 February 2025 – Water surpasses one billion streams, making Tyla the first African solo artist to reach this milestone.
Announced as the second African female artist in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, she also recently was announced that she dominates the Global Impact List with eight of the top 10 spots.
Jump featuring Gunna and Skillibeng leads the pack with nearly 200 million streams, followed by her hit singles ART and Push 2 Start.
Saturday Star