Streaming music platform Spotify is celebrating Africa Month by infusing both music and culture. Spotify’s African Heat is a playlist that has grown to become the premier hub for Afrobeats on the global streaming platform.
African Heat is getting a new look and a playlist revamp to go with it. The makeover will usher fans into a new era where African Heat is more than a playlist and more of a vehicle into the wonderful world of African music and culture.
Spotify’s Editorial Manager in West Africa Benewaah Boateng has shared how she has put together the massively streamed playlist.
The playlist was created all because of the fans and so she took into consideration what they like, where they are from, and what they have on repeat.
The African Heat playlist is rolling deep with genres including Afrobeats, Amapiano, Afropop, some Hip Hop and Bongo Flava, and each of them is fire. There also seems to be some new heat on the horizon.
“R&B and its fusion are becoming popular in the region and I won’t be surprised to see African Heat fans lean towards that soon. Nigerian street music or cruise beats might make an appearance if the popularity continues to grow. It would also be very interesting to have Singeli, which is a dance music subgenre from Tanzania, make its way into the ears and hearts of listeners as a favourite,” said Boateng.
The playlist has over a million followers and everyone loves it. But the certified fans of the playlist are girls.
“The girls love a good time, also, a lot of people enjoy this playlist between 4-7 pm especially on the weekend so it’s safe to assume it’s the pregame/ getting ready to go out/ hype playlist for a lot of our listeners.”
The most streamed songs and the most popular songs feature top artists like Burna Boy or Ayra Starr.
Boateng adds that African Heat is the best vehicle to transport its audience, globally and to every part of Africa.
“The patterns that emerged helped identify that the listeners of African Heat are more of a community. Regardless of their location, they were completely open to exploring the sounds of the continent.”
For the latest entertainment news from Sunday World, click here.
Or read the latest from Shwashwi here.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
