JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 3, 2025 – Spotify’s latest Loud & Clear transparency report has unveiled extraordinary growth in the South African music industry, with local artists generating nearly 400 million ZAR in royalties in 2024 on Spotify alone – more than doubling their earnings since 2022.
This remarkable financial milestone comes alongside explosive audience growth, with South African artists being discovered by first-time listeners over 1.1 billion times on Spotify – a 55% increase since 2023.
“We’re not just supporting South African artists – we’re revolutionizing how they build sustainable careers,” says Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director. “Our ecosystem empowers artists to earn equitably from their talent while driving a powerful wave of cultural innovation that resonates globally.”
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT:
The number of South African artists earning over 100,000 ZAR or 500,000 ZAR in Spotify royalties has doubled since 2022
Royalties for music performed in indigenous languages have skyrocketed: Zulu (112%), Sotho (345%), and Afrikaans (114%) all more than doubled since 2021
A substantial portion of royalties generated by South African artists came from international listeners
Global consumption of South African music averages over 600,000 hours daily
Users have created approximately 220 million playlists featuring South African artists globally
Export growth for South African artists has reached 104% over the last three years
Local consumption of South African content has surged by an astounding 281% in three years, with 96% year-over-year growth
The Loud & Clear initiative provides unprecedented transparency into streaming revenue and royalty payments, offering South African artists and managers crucial insights for navigating the digital music landscape. With over 3,000 South African artists featured on Spotify’s editorial playlists, the platform continues to amplify local voices on the global stage.
As South African artists accumulate billions of plays worldwide, the country’s music industry stands at the threshold of a transformative era – one where artists and listeners equally benefit from the power of streaming and transparency. Tyla recently surpassed one billion streams on Spotify with her global hit “Water,” making her the first African solo artist to achieve this milestone. This historic moment cements Tyla’s place as one of the most influential new voices in music, solidifying the growing global impact of African artists.