Nigerian singer-songwriter CKAY has joined a very small global club: his breakout hit “love nwantiti (ah ah ah)” has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, making it the first Nigerian/African solo-recorded song to reach the milestone on the platform.
The news — widely shared on social platforms and confirmed by streaming tallies — marks a rare achievement for Afrobeats and reinforces how viral culture (especially TikTok) can propel a song from a home-studio freestyle into a global phenomenon. CKAY’s gentle melody and simple, irresistible chorus found new life through remixes and fan-made clips that spread across continents.
From Lagos to the world
“Love Nwantiti” first appeared on CKAY’s 2019 EP Ckay the First, but it was the pandemic years and social-media virality that turned the record into an international staple. Multiple remixes — featuring artists like Joeboy and Kuami Eugene — plus countless TikTok dances and short-video covers pushed streaming and download numbers into the stratosphere. Industry trackers noted the billion-stream mark in May 2022, and the song has continued to accumulate plays since.
What this means for Afrobeats and Nigerian artists
Hitting a billion streams on Spotify is a milestone that signals sustained, cross-market appeal — not only a momentary viral spike. For CKAY and the wider Nigerian music industry, the achievement:
- Confirms Afrobeats’ long-term commercial viability on major global platforms.
- Demonstrates the power of remixes and user-generated content to multiply a song’s reach.
- Strengthens the case for Nigerian artists when negotiating global deals, syncs, and touring slots.
Industry recognition and sales
Beyond Spotify, “Love Nwantiti” has seen strong sales and certification activity in other territories. Reports indicate it is among the highest-selling Nigerian tracks in the United States and has amassed multi-platinum level figures through combined streams and digital sales.
Fans react
Social feeds were filled with congratulations from fellow artists, music platforms, and fans who credited CKAY’s songwriting and the global community of creators who shared the track. The milestone has also prompted renewed interest in CKAY’s catalog and forthcoming projects.
Quick facts
- Song: “love nwantiti (ah ah ah)” — CKAY.
- First confirmed crossing of 1 billion Spotify streams: reported in May 2022.
- Origin: included on Ckay the First (2019); global breakout via remixes and TikTok virality (2020–2022).
CKAY’s billion-stream achievement isn’t just a personal win — it’s a landmark moment for Nigerian music on the global streaming stage. ReportNaija will continue tracking how artists from Nigeria and across Africa convert viral moments into long-term industry presence.
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