According to new data from Shazam on Monday (July 28), 12 tracks by African artists reached the Shazam Global Top 10, with three climbing all the way to No. 1—a major feat that reflects the genre’s expanding global influence. Among the chart-topping hits were “Shake It To The Max (FLY) [Remix]” by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea; “My Darling” by Nigerian singer Chella; and “Biri Marung” by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego, featuring a star-studded lineup of South African collaborators. These milestones affirm African music’s increasingly central role in shaping global listening habits.
Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng were part of one of the biggest highlights in the report, as their feature on “Shake It To The Max” powered the track to global dominance. The genre-blending banger, which fuses Afrobeats with dancehall flair, resonated across continents—thanks to its viral energy and irresistible rhythm. “We’re number one in command globally,” said Ghanaian-American artist MOLIY, praising the impact of Shazam. “To know that people all over the world are hearing the song, pulling out their phones to find out who I am–that’s wild!”
Beyond this standout moment, the data revealed that over 200 African artists appeared on Shazam’s Global Top 200 chart over the past year—more than ever before. Other top-performing tracks include “With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay, “Venus” by Faceless & Serøtonin, and Tyla’s chart-favorites “Water” and “Push 2 Start.” Countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Ghana led the charge in terms of representation, underscoring the continent’s sonic diversity and global appeal.
For emerging artists like Chella, whose single “My Darling” also went No. 1, Shazam proved to be a game-changer. “Shazam has been an important music tool for me, helping me connect with people around the world and letting them discover my sound,” the Nigerian artist said. MOLIY echoed that sentiment, crediting the platform for extending her music’s reach to fans in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
With over 300 million monthly users and more than 100 billion global recognitions to date, Shazam has become a vital connector between artists and listeners. And as this latest data shows, African—and now, African-Caribbean—music is not just crossing borders; it’s rewriting them.
