Spotify Wrapped 2025: Kabza De Small dominates SA streams again

DJ Maphorisa reached close to 155 million streams, driven in part by the popularity of ‘Abantwana Bakho’ featuring Thatohatsi, Young Stunna and Nkosazana Daughter.

Kelvin Momo recorded more than 71 million streams. His albums Ntsako and Thato Ya Modimo placed in the top 10 most-streamed albums. Around 153 million of his streams came from mobile devices, while about 15 million were from desktop and TV.

“Spotify remains committed to spotlighting the artists and scenes that are reshaping culture, from amapiano dance floors in Johannesburg to playlists in cities across the world,” Spotify head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said.

Amapiano remained the most influential genre in South Africa’s streaming culture in 2025. This year’s Spotify Wrapped data for South Africa shows a marked shift in listening habits, with local artists taking a larger share of the country’s most-streamed music. More than 1.3 billion hours of music were streamed on the platform in South Africa during 2025, and local acts accounted for 70% of the 10 most-streamed artists, compared with just three local artists in the top 10 the previous year.

The top 10 artists in 2025 were streamed nearly 1.5 billion times, up from 1.1 billion in 2024, reflecting increased engagement with South African music. Spotify’s new Listening Age feature indicates that the average listener in South Africa is 31 years old. The data also shows growth in video podcast consumption, with a 48% year-on-year increase.

Top Artists – South Africa

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 – South Africa

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

Top Albums – South Africa

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

Most-exported songs from South Africa

1. ‘PUSH 2 START’ – Tyla
2. ‘Water’ – Tyla
3. ‘Show Me Love (with Tyla)’ – WizTheMc
4. ‘No Bad Vibes’ – Jazzy
5. ‘Truth or Dare’ – Tyla
6. ‘Jump’ – Tyla