The most listened-to songs and artists in SA for 2025

Spotify’s Wrapped 2025 results are in, and South Africa has made one thing clear: this was the year of local heroes. 

The shift is unmistakable, reflected in the more than 1.3 billion hours residents spent streaming music on Spotify in 2025 alone, and in the fact that local artists now account for 70% of the 10 most-streamed artists, flipping the script on previous years.

In 2024, international artists held seven of the top 10 spots on South Africa’s most-streamed artists list. In 2025, South Africans flipped the script. 

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Local artists now make up 70% of the 10 Most Streamed Artists, as fans spent the year rallying behind sounds made at home. 

That love translated into serious listening time, with the top 10 artists in 2025 streamed nearly 1.5 billion times, up from 1.1 billion in 2024.

Interestingly, Spotify’s new Listening Age data in this year’s Wrapped experience shows that South Africa’s average listening age sits at 31. But South Africans did not just listen, we also heavily consumed video podcasts, showing a 48% year-on-year growth.

Amapiano keeps the crown

Amapiano continues to dominate South Africa’s music scene, led by Kelvin Momo, who earned over 71 million Spotify streams and placed two albums in the top 10.

The Scorpion Kings also maintained strong momentum, with Kabza De Small nearing 200 million streams and DJ Maphorisa close behind.

South Africans’ top songs of 2025, including ‘Isaka’, and their fluid movement across Amapiano, Lekompo and other local genres highlight a rich and diverse listening culture.

Albums with staying power

South Africans continue to show lasting loyalty to certain albums, with Mlindo The Vocalist’s ‘Emakhaya’ resurging to number 7 and gaining nearly 32 million streams in 2025.

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Gospel remains influential, as Nontokozo Mkhize’s ‘Lindiwe’ stands as the only gospel album in the top 10 with over 28 million streams.

Kelvin Momo’s ‘Ntsako’ and ‘Thato Ya Modimo’ collectively exceeded 76 million streams, further solidifying his deep connection with fans.

From South Africa to the world

The year 2025 marked a global breakout for South African artists, with Tyla and Black Coffee leading international reach.

Tyla especially excelled, placing seven songs in the top 10 Most Exported Tracks and surpassing a billion streams across Spotify’s EQUAL and RADAR programmes.

With Spotify’s vast global audience, South Africa’s once local sounds are now shaping music culture worldwide.

Top songs and artists on South African Spotify

Top artists

1. Drake
2. Kabza De Small
3. Kelvin Momo
4. DJ Maphorisa
5. Chris Brown
6. JAZZWRLD
7. Thukuthela
8. Sjava
9. Kendrick Lamar
10. Zee Nxumalo

Top songs

1. CIZA – ‘Isaka (6am)’
2. Issa sisdoh – ‘Vuma Dlozi Lami’ (feat. Ancestral Rituals)
3. Oscar Mbo – ‘Vuka (feat. Thukuthela)’
4. JAZZWRLD – ‘Uzizwa Kanjan’
5. DJ Maphorisa – ‘Abantwana Bakho’ (feat. Thathohatsi, Young Stunna and Nkosazana Daughter)
6. MaWhoo – ‘Bengicela’ (feat. JAZZWRLD)
7. Dlala Thukzin – ‘Mali’
8. Zee Nxumalo – ‘Ngisakuthanda’
9. Umafikizolo – ‘Uyoncengwa Unyoko’
10. Shandesh – ‘Sdudla or Slender’

Top albums

1. MENZI MUSIC – ‘Sizesiguge’
2. Kelvin Momo – ‘Ntsako’
3. Kabza De Small – ‘Bab’Motha’
4. PARTYNEXTDOOR – ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’
5. Kelvin Momo – ‘Thato Ya Modimo’
6. SZA – ‘SOS Deluxe: LANA’
7. Mlindo The Vocalist – ‘Emakhaya’
8. DJ Maphorisa – ‘NGOM0YA’
9. Chris Brown – ’11:11′
10. Nontokozo Mkhize – ‘Lindiwe’

Most exported songs

1. Tyla – ‘PUSH 2 START’
2. Tyla – ‘Water’
3. WizTheMc – ‘Show Me Love’ (with Tyla)
4. Jazzy – ‘No Bad Vibes’
5. Tyla – ‘Truth or Dare’
6. Tyla – ‘Jump’
7. Tyla – ‘IS IT’
8. Tyla – ‘ART’
9. Master KG – ‘Jerusalema’ (feat. Nomcebo Zikode)
10. Tyla – ‘BLISS’

Most exported artists

1. Tyla
2. Black Coffee
3. DJ Maphorisa
4. Master KG
5. Lucky Dube
6. Tyler ICU
7. Kabza De Small
8. Nomcebo Zikode
9. Shimza
10. Nasty C

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Images: Instagram/ Drake