Spotify has unveiled its curated list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era (2015–present) — and African stars Wizkid, Rema, and Tyla have each secured standout positions.

Rather than relying solely on streaming data, Spotify’s editorial team compiled the ranking based on cultural impact, musical quality, storytelling, and long-term influence. Among the 100 selected tracks, three belong to African artists — a strong indication of the continent’s growing global footprint.

No. 8 – “One Dance”

Ranked in the top ten is “One Dance,” the 2016 collaboration between Drake, Wizkid, and Kyla. The song marked a turning point for Afrobeats on the world stage. While Drake had previously shown interest in the genre, “One Dance” fully propelled its sound into mainstream global pop.

Blending Afrobeats and dancehall influences, the track earned Drake his first No. 1 as a lead artist on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first song ever to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Beyond commercial success, it demonstrated that Afrobeats could power a global pop hit without losing its authenticity, paving the way for future artists.

No. 29 – “Calm Down”

At No. 29 is Rema’s “Calm Down.” Already a hit on its own, the song gained even greater momentum when Selena Gomez joined the remix. The collaboration paired Rema’s playful delivery with Gomez’s polished pop presence, expanding the song’s reach worldwide.

It went on to become the highest-charting Afrobeats track in Billboard history and the first African artist-led song to surpass one billion Spotify streams. More than just a crossover success, “Calm Down” showed how global remixes can amplify — rather than dilute — an original sound.

No. 50 – “Water”

Tyla’s “Water,” ranked at No. 50, represents another milestone. The song introduced Amapiano — the South African genre known for its signature log drum and hypnotic rhythm — to a broader international audience without compromising its roots.

“Water” earned the first-ever Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance and made Tyla the first South African solo act to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 in over five decades. Its recognition on Spotify’s list reinforces the idea that Amapiano has evolved from a regional movement into a global pop force.

What This Means

Because the list reflects editorial judgment rather than pure streaming numbers, its selections carry cultural weight. By placing Afrobeats and Amapiano alongside global pop heavyweights like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Weeknd, Spotify underscores how deeply African sounds have shaped the streaming era.

These inclusions highlight a broader shift: African artists are no longer seen as fringe contributors to global pop — they are central to its evolution.