Showbiz
Spotify Wrapped 2023: Burna Boy Leads as Most Streamed African Artist in SSA
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A new report released by Spotify has revealed that Burna Boy is the most streamed African artist in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on the platform in 2023, though he is behind Drake, a Canadian rapper, who emerged as the most streamed in the region under review.
In the Spotify Wrapped 2023 unveiled on Thursday, it was disclosed that Burna Boy, who has won the coveted Grammy, maintained the position for the second year in a row.
Spotify Wrapped 2023 is an annual data-led review of how people listen to music and podcasts on the popular platform.
Asake, Davido and Omah Lay all make an appearance in the top ten, showing Nigeria’s dominance in the music scene across the continent.
Ayra Starr narrowly missed the top ten most streamed artists list, landing at number 11 and being the top streamed female artist in SSA.
When it comes to tracks that the whole region can agree on, Ruger’s Asiwaju was on top, followed by Ayra Starr’s Rush.
A host of other Nigerian tracks also made the list, including Asake’s Lonely At The Top which is the most streamed track in Nigeria this year. Tyler ICU is the sole South African with Mnike, featuring DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee, and Libianca’s People is still making waves, almost a year after its release, landing it in the eighth spot.
Davido’s album Timeless was released earlier this year, after much anticipation from the fans, so it follows that it is the most streamed album in SSA, and two tracks from the album, Feel and Unavailable, featuring Musa Keys are in the top ten most streamed tracks in SSA.
To say that Asake is living the dream would be an understatement, after all, the artist was relatively unknown a few short years ago, and now two of his albums, Work of Art and Mr Money With The Vibe are in the top streamed list in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa.
The top exported artist in SSA is Rema, thanks to the popularity of Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez, which is also the most exported track from SSA.
Furthermore, for the first time ever, an African artist-led track not only gained 1 billion streams on Spotify, it is also the eighth most streamed track globally. No small feat considering just a few years ago, African tracks were mostly confined to the continent.
All the African artists whose music was felt not just on the continent, but also on the global stages, are featured on Spotify’s Gone Abroad Presents…Global African Hits of 2023.
Even though Ayra Starr leads in the top streamed female artists list, the only other African female artist in the top ten is Tems, with the rest of the list being occupied by American artists.
To further showcase local listening trends from around the world, Spotify this year has Wrapped Mapped, showing which songs have soundtracked throughout the year since January 1, all across the globe.
Eligible users can access their personalized 2023 Wrapped experience exclusively in the Spotify mobile app (iOS and Android) and also this year, via web view on mobile or Desktop by heading to Spotify.com/Wrapped.
Additionally, Spotify has also launched its Wrapped creator experience for podcasters and artists. With access to their own individualized Wrapped microsite experience, creators can dive into all how their fans listened this year.
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By Dipo Olowookere
Award-winning music star and Kukere singer, Iyanya, has been selected as one of the judges for the 2025 edition of the prestigious music talent show, Nigerian Idol.
He will the duo of Omawumi and Ric Hassani to groom and score budding artists expected to audition and contest for the grand prize of the programme.
Iyanya, born Iyanya Onoyom Mbuka, is a product of a reality music show, MTN Project Fame West Africa, which he won in 2008.
He will actively partake in 10th season of Nigerian Idol starting on April 20, 2025, with the theme Your Voice, Your Victory.
The organisers of the show have assured that it would be a showcase of exceptional talent, compelling performances, and intense competition as contestants vie for the ultimate prize.
The programme will premiere on Sunday, April 20, at 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv ch. 151, GOtv ch. 12) and Africa Magic Family (DStv ch. 154, GOtv ch. 2).
Immediately after the premiere, the Idol Extra channel (DStv ch. 198, GOtv ch. 49) goes live, with the audience having the opportunity to get 24/7 coverage with exclusive content, including auditions, backstage moments, and more.
Continuing its support for young talent, Bigi Drinks, remains the headline sponsor, joined by Nivea. Other sponsors include Camosunate, Arla Dano, and Daravit.
“Nigerian Idol is more than just a competition; it is a platform that transforms lives. Over the years, we have seen aspiring artists step onto that stage and emerge as stars.
“With the line-up of judges this season, fans can expect passion, commitment, and insightful feedback that will enrich the overall experience of the show,” the Executive Head of Content and Channels for West Africa at MultiChoice, Busola Tejumola, stated.
Business Post gathered that the organisers have not changed the host of Nigerian Idol, IK Osakioduwa, who returns to guide viewers through competition, bringing his signature charm and engaging presence to the stage.
Since its revival in 2021, Nigerian Idol has grown into one of the country’s most anticipated music shows, helping young Nigerians chase their dreams.
The world of faith, power, and secrets collides in the must-watch three-part drama, The Good Shepherd, premiering from March 21 to 23 on Africa Magic Showcase Channel 8. This beautiful story will keep you glued to your screen as it unfolds the shocking transformation of a pastor whose pursuit of expansion leads him down an unexpected and dangerous path.
Set in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria, the movie follows Ava, a young and ambitious pastor who dreams of growing his church while desperately trying to save his dying wife. His faith is tested in ways he never imagined when he crosses paths with Chief Ogundowo, a man who will stop at nothing to cover up his son’s crime. What starts as an innocent connection soon becomes a dark entanglement as Ava is introduced to the chilling world of human trafficking.
Amid this chaos stands Ruth, a dedicated church member and Ava’s accountant. She is a woman of faith, but she is also a woman of ambition. Her influence on Ava could either help him find his way back or push him deeper into the shadows.
Will Ava’s faith and morals hold strong against the weight of desperation and corruption? Will he sacrifice his values to save his wife, or will he lose everything in the process?
The Good Shepherd is not just another drama. It is a deep, emotional story that reflects real-life struggles with power, faith, and morality. If you enjoy intense and deep content, this is one you cannot afford to miss.
Another must-watch series is The Real Housewives of Lagos, where drama, luxury, and high-society chaos meet.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a new episode drops, bringing even more heat. This season has been packed with drama from the start, and if you haven’t been watching, now is the perfect time to catch up and see what you’ve been missing. 
After all the drama that came with Sophia joining the group, she is blending into the circle pretty well. She even took the ladies on a luxury trip to Ghana, but trust the Real Housewives of Lagos to turn any getaway into a battlefield. All the classiness and bougieness of these queens quickly went down the drain when Dabota and Carolyna went at it over an ex-husband and long-buried issues. Voices were raised, sides were taken, and things got messy real fast. The tension in the group is at an all-time high, and friendships are hanging by a thread.
You do not just want to hear about the drama. Experience it firsthand and catch them on Africa Magic Showcase, GOtv Channel 8, every Sunday at 7:00 PM.
The best part? You do not have to wait or settle for less when it comes to premium entertainment. With GOtv’s Step Up offer, you can upgrade your package and enjoy even more top-quality content, including movies like The Good Shepherd on Africa Magic Showcase.
Do not just hear about it. Experience it. Step up now to unlock a world of exciting and entertaining programs. To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, simply download the MyGOtv app or dial *288#. To catch up and for on-the-go viewing, don’t forget to download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
Not everyone enjoys romantic movies. Some prefer mysteries, shocking scandals, and real-life crime stories that keep them on edge. If you’re looking for intense investigations, high-stakes deception, and compelling drama, these must-watch shows on Showmax deliver.
Mr. Robot S1-4 | Now Streaming
The battle isn’t always fought in the streets; sometimes, it’s online. Winner of two Golden Globes and three Emmys, Mr. Robot follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cybersecurity expert with crippling anxiety who gets pulled into an underground hacker collective led by the enigmatic Mr. Robot (Christian Slater). But the deeper he goes, the blurrier the lines between reality and illusion become.
Hailed as one of the best TV series of the decade, Mr. Robot keeps you questioning everything you think you know.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Ringleader The Case of the Bling Ring | First on Showmax | Stream from Wednesday, 19 March
The Case of the Bling Ring. They weren’t just fans; they wanted to live like their idols. This real-life documentary tells the shocking story of the Hollywood teenagers who robbed A-list celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Lindsay Lohan, stealing millions in designer goods. Featuring exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage, this deep dive into the infamous Bling Ring scandal explores how obsession with fame led to one of the most bizarre crime sprees in Hollywood history.
Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Erin Lee Carr (Britney vs Spears), this HBO documentary has an 83% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Famous Five | Binge from Friday, 21 March
For decades, The Famous Five has been the ultimate adventure series for young detectives in the making. Now, the classic Enid Blyton stories get a fresh, modern twist, following Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog as they stumble into dangerous secrets, hidden treasures, and criminal plots.
Packed with nostalgia, action, and smart storytelling, this new adaptation captures the heart of the beloved series while introducing it to a new generation.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Brilliant Minds | Binge from Monday, 24 March
Not all doctors heal with medicine. In Brilliant Minds, we step inside the world of a neurologist unlike any other, one who can literally feel his patients’ emotions. Starring Hedda Stiernstedt and Charlie Gustafsson, this gripping medical drama combines groundbreaking science with intense personal battles, showing that sometimes, the mind holds more mysteries than we realise.
The critically acclaimed series holds a 94% overall critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been recognised for its fresh take on medical drama. Vox included it in its roundup of “21 TV Shows That Explained the 2010s,” calling it “one of the most prescient shows to emerge.”
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Righteous Gemstones S4 | First on Showmax | Mondays from 24 March
Faith, family, and fraud, it’s all part of the business when you’re running a megachurch. Created by Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones follows a family of televangelists whose extravagant lifestyles are funded by their devoted congregation. But as scandals unfold, secrets spill, and their empire teeters on collapse, the Gemstones must fight to keep their kingdom intact.
With multiple Emmy nominations and a cast that includes John Goodman, Adam Devine, and Edi Patterson, this dark comedy delivers both laughs and shocking revelations.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Gangs of London S3 | First on Showmax | Binge from Tuesday, 25 March
The Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning series Gangs of London returns for its third season as chaos erupts in London after a spiked shipment of cocaine kills hundreds.
Returning cast includes Critics Choice Super nominee Sopẹ́ Dìrísù, BAFTA nominees Joe Cole and Lucian Msamati, and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones’ Catelyn Stark). Joining them this season are Irish Film and Television Award winner Richard Dormer (Blue Lights, Game of Thrones) and Critics Choice Super nominees Andrew Koji (Warrior) and T’Nia Miller (The Fall of the House of Usher).
Holding an 86% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 score on IMDb, Gangs of London has been praised for its gripping storytelling and intense action sequences. NME describes it as “Game of Thrones but without the dragons.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Whether it’s daring adventures, digital warfare, or medical breakthroughs, Showmax has something for every mystery and true crime fan.
Now is the perfect time to start streaming with the Shikini Offer—get Showmax Mobile for just ₦1,000 instead of ₦1,600 or the multiple-device plan for ₦2,000 instead of ₦3,500. Visit www.showmax.com/deals to sign up and start watching today.
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