On Tuesday, Spotify, an online streaming platform, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba.”
Speaking in Lagos, Phiona Okumu, Spotify's head of music in sub-Saharan Africa, said the song had garnered more than 55 million streams since its release in 2014.
Ms Okumu said Spotify had released a special anniversary film to celebrate the milestone, capturing the song's influence and journey over the years.
“Today marks the 10th anniversary of Wizkid’s breakthrough single, “Ojuelegba,” a song that helped define the global rise of Afrobeats and continues to resonate with millions of listeners around the world.
Since its release in 2014, Ojuelegba has achieved over 55 million streams on Spotify, reaching that milestone in April 2024.
“From reaching one million streams in August 2015 to crossing the 10 million mark in January 2018, Ojuelegba’s journey to over 55 million streams on Spotify a decade later reflects the global growth of Afrobeats and its growing presence on the world stage. The song’s success is due to its strong and widespread popularity across a variety of markets.
Impressive global reach
Over the past decade, Spotify data shows an impressive global reach for “Ojuelegba.” “The US, UK, France, Nigeria and the Netherlands are the top five countries that stream the song. During this time, the song has cemented Wizkid’s legacy as one of Africa’s most influential artists,” he said.
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Ms Okumu noted that Spotify data revealed that Lagos was the city that listened to Ojuelegba the most, particularly in August. The song paid tribute to Ojuelegba, one of the most popular spots in Lagos.
After Lagos, the cities of London, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Nairobi complete the top five cities broadcasting “Ojuelegba”.
This list shows the song's continued dominance in major cities in Wizkid's home country of Nigeria and around the world.
“Ojuelegba is popular with audiences of all ages; the largest demographic in the past year was 43 percent of listeners aged 18-24. This highlights its continued relevance to today’s youth. The song has also garnered significant interest among older listeners, with 23 percent of streams coming from those aged 25-29, and 13 percent from those aged 30-34.”
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Cultural phenomenon
According to her, Ojuelegba is seen as a cultural phenomenon, not just a hit song.
He said the lyrics captured the essence of Wizkid’s journey, combining the vibrancy of Lagos street culture with a message of resilience and hope. He noted that the music had become a gateway for many international listeners to Nigerian music, influencing musicians, fans and people in the industry.
Now marking its 10th anniversary, ‘Ojuelegba’ continues to be celebrated as one of the most iconic Afrobeats tracks of all time and a testament to the power of African music on the world stage.
(YAYA)
