A third of South Africa’s population is made up of youth. In celebration of Youth Month, Spotify has released data that reveals the top genres, artists, songs and podcasts being streamed by South Africa’s Gen Z audience, specifically those between the ages of 13 to 17 years.
To further drill down into what the Gen Z audience is streaming, Spotify has also revealed the most streamed distinctive genres, artists, songs and podcasts. These are genres, artists, songs and podcasts this particular group listens to proportionally more than the rest of the streaming population.
Most Streamed International genres, artists, songs and podcasts
Spotify data from the last 90 days shows that Pop, Dance Pop and Pop Rap rank as the top three most streamed genres by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years. Rap and Post-Teen Pop claimed the fourth and fifth spots.
Rapper Juice WRLD is the most streamed international artist by South African youth between ages of 13 to 17 years. Following Juice WRLD is Drake, and the third most streamed international artist is XXXTENTACION. Pop sensation Ariana Grande and R&B star Giveon are in the fourth and fifth spots respectively, completing the top five most streamed international artists.
The top five most streamed international songs by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years are “Heartbreak Anniversary”by Giveon, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X, “Streets” by Doja Cat, “Calling My Phone” by 6LACK, Lil Tjay and “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo.
Podcasts have also been proven to be popular amongst South Africa’s streaming youth and podcasts in the entertainment and wellness categories seem to be all the rage right now. The entertaining and comedic “Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain” is currently the most streamed podcast by youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years. “The Joe Rogan Experience” is the second most streamed podcast, also offering some comedic relief to its listeners. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is also gaining a dedicated niche audience and that has put “Let’s Find Out ASMR” third on the list of the most streamed podcasts by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years. The top five is completed by “The Misfits Podcast” and “Relaxing White Noise”.
Most streamed local artists and songs
When looking at the most streamed local artists, the spots are shared by the industry’s top Hip Hop and AmaPiano artists. DJ and producerMr JazziQ is the most streamed local artist by South African youth. Busta 929 follows in the second spot with rapper A-Reece in third. The fourth most streamed local artist is international sensation Nasty C followed by Kabza De Small who claims the fifth spot.
AmaPiano continues to dominate the music scene among the youth as artists in that genre claimed all top 10 spots on the list of the most streamed local songs by youth between the ages 13 to 17 years. Ama Avenger, Blaqnick, DBN Gogo, M.J, MasterBlaq, Mpura’s “Khuza Gogo”is the most streamed local song. “Vula Mlomo” by Musa Keys, Nobantu Vilakazi, Sir Trill, “Woza” by Boohle, Kabza De Small, Lady Du, Mr JazziQ are the second and third most streamed songs, with top five list completed by “Umsebenzi Wethu” by Busta 929, Lady Du, Mpura, Mr JazziQ, Reece Madlisa, Zuma and “John Wick” by Da Muziqal Chef, De Mthuda, Sir Trill.
Most Streamed Distinct International genres, artists, songs and podcasts
Pop, Dance Pop and Pop Rap ranked among the most streamed genres but when broken down further, Vapor Trap takes the lead as the most streamed distinctive genre. Alt Z and Melodic Trap claim the second and third spots. Post-teen Pop makes another appearance, this time in the fourth spot and Electropop rounds up the top five most streamed distinctive genres.
Pop singers Ricky Montgomery and mxmtoon took first and second spot on the list of the most streamed distinctive artists. K-Pop boy band ENHYPEN was third followed by Julie and the Phantoms Cast and Eyedress.
The top five most streamed distinctive tracks are “As The World Caves In” by Matt Maltese, “Washing Machine Heart” by Mitski, “that way” by Tate McRae, “i wanna be your girlfriend” by girl in red and “One Day” by Tate McRae.
The entertainment and wellness categories continue to rule when looking at the most streamed distinctive podcasts. Influencer Ben Azelart’s “STAY WILD” podcast is the most streamed distinctive podcast. Music podcast “mark lee podcast” is second, scripting, meditation and visualisation podcast “˚｡⋆ shifting reality subliminals ⋆｡˚” is third and “MakFlakes” and “Therapy 4 Teens” are in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.
Below are the full lists of the top 10 most streamed as well as the most distinctive genres, artists, songs and podcasts by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years.
Most streamed genres by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- Pop
- Dance Pop
- Pop Rap
- Rap
- Post-teen Pop
- Trap
- Hip Hop
- Electropop
- Southern Hip Hop
- R&B
Most streamed local artists by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
Most streamed local tracks by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- “Khuza Gogo” by Ama Avenger, Blaqnick, DBN Gogo, M.J, MasterBlaq, Mpura
- “Vula Mlomo” by Musa Keys, Nobantu Vilakazi, Sir Trill
- “Woza” by Boohle, Kabza De Small, Lady Du, Mr JazziQ
- “Umsebenzi Wethu” by Busta 929, Lady Du, Mpura, Mr JazziQ, Reece Madlisa, Zuma
- “John Wick” by Da Muziqal Chef, De Mthuda, Sir Trill
- “LiYoshona – Main Mix” by De Mthuda, Kwiish SA, MalumNator, Njelic
- “Banyana” by DJ Maphorisa, Daliwonga, Kabza De Small, Sir Trill, Tyler ICU
- “Isingisi” by MDU aka TRP, Semi Tee, Sir Trill
- “Paradise” by 20ty Soundz, Busta 929, Miano
- “Catalia” by Junior De Rocka, Lady Du, Mellow, Mr JazziQ, Sleazy
Most streamed international artists by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- Juice WRLD
- Drake
- XXXTENTACION
- Ariana Grande
- Giveon
- Justin Bieber
- Billie Eilish
- Pop Smoke
- J. Cole
- Olivia Rodrigo
Most streamed international songs by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- “Heartbreak Anniversary” by Giveon
- “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X
- “Streets” by Doja Cat
- “Calling My Phone” by 6LACK, Lil Tjay
- “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo
- “RAPSTAR” by Polo G
- “Astronaut In The Ocean” by Masked Wolf
- “Up” by Cardi B
- “Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)” by Doja Cat, SZA
- “Peaches (feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon)” by Daniel Caesar, Giveon, Justin Bieber
Most streamed podcasts by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- Let’s Find Out ASMR
- The Misfits Podcast
- Relaxing White Noise
- TommyInnit Podcast
- CHARLI AND DIXIE: 2 CHIX
- sooya
- Crime Junkie
- Distractible
Most streamed distinctive genre by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- Vapor Trap
- Alt Z
- Melodic Trap
- Post-teen Pop
- Electropop
- Pop
- Trap
- Emo Rap
- Social Media Pop
- Rap
Most streamed distinctive artist by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- Ricky Montgomery
- mxmtoon
- ENHYPEN
- Julie and the Phantoms Cast
- Eyedress
- ily TOMMY
- Surf Curse
- Wilbur Soot
- Louis Tomlinson
- Savage Ga$p
Most streamed distinctive songs by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
- “As The World Caves In” by Matt Maltese
- “Washing Machine Heart” by Mitski
- “that way” by Tate McRae
- “i wanna be your girlfriend” by girl in red
- “One Day” by Tate McRae
- “sex money feelings die – slowed version” by Lykke Li
- “Swim” by Chase Atlantic
- “Devil Town” by Cavetown
- “Rät” by Penelope Scott
- “Nobody” by Mitski
Most streamed distinctive podcasts by South African youth between the ages of 13 to 17 years
