Spotify names Elaine, Kabza De Small and Nasty C South Africa’s most valuable players for 2020

• Every year, Spotify South Africa releases lists indicating the streaming service’s most streamed artists, songs and albums in the country.
• Although the overall most streamed trophies are still going to international artists like Drake, Billie Eilish, Pop Smoke and Dua Lipa, 2020 has seen artists like Kabza De Small, Elain and Nasty C being among the most streamed local artists in South Africa. 
• Here are our takeaways from Spotify’s 2020 wrap. 

Shortly after turning 21 in 2020, the artist signed to Columbia Records.

Elaine stays in her Element 

In 2019 a group of barely 20-something-year-old varsity students, led by songstress Elaine, partnered up to put out Elements: the artist’s internationally acclaimed, local chart topping EP debut. A month after releasing Elements, she became the first independent South African woman to reach the number one spot of the local Apple Music album charts. Shortly after turning 21 in 2020, the artist signed to Columbia Records. In making it on to the list for the most streamed South African artists in South Africa, Elaine’s You're the One also earned her the number one spot on the most streamed South African song in South Africa. She’s also the most streamed woman in South Africa, a position that Shekhinah occupied in 2019. Joining her on these lists are the following artists. 

Most streamed South African tracks in South Africa

1. You're the One by Elaine
2. eMcimbini (Live) by Aymos, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Mas Musiq, Myztro, Samthing Soweto
3. Tender Love (feat. DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small) by Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
4. Jerusalema (feat.Nomcebo Zikode) by Master KG, Nomcebo Zikode
5. Risky by Elaine
6. Xola Moya Wam (feat. Master KG)" by Master KG, Nomcebo Zikode
7. Lorch by by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Kammu Dee, Miano, Semi Tee
8. Into Ngawe by Ami Faku, Sun-El Musician
9. Love You Tonight (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha & Kabza De Small)" by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Mfr Souls, Sha Sha
10. Sandton by Bontle Smith, DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic, Kabza De Small, Kamo Mpela

Most streamed South African women in South Africa

1. Elaine
2. Ami Faku
3. Demi Lee Moore
4. Sha Sha
5. Juanita Du Plessis
6. Nomcebo Zikode
7. Karen Zoid
8. Zonke
9. Makhadzi
10. Lebo Sekgobela

Kabza De Small's debut album broke records for being the first album where all 26 tracks were in the Top 30 of Apple Music’s South African Top 100.

Kabza De Small keeps his crown 

The self proclaimed king of Amapiano is one of the genre’s best selling artists. Although the genre has been around for some time he played a role in popularising Amapiano in 2018 when he released songs Amabele Shaya and Umshove. His debut album I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust, released in June 2020, broke records for being the first album where all 26 tracks were in the Top 30 of Apple Music’s South African Top 100. He was also named the most streamed South African artist across all genres with his album being the most streamed album in South Africa. Joining him on these lists are the following artists. 

Most streamed South African artists in South Africa

1. Kabza De Small
2. DJ Maphorisa
3. Nasty C
4. Spoegwolf
5. Joyous Celebration
6. Elaine
7. Cassper Nyovest
8. Snotkop
9. Bok Van Blerk
10. Appel

Most streamed South African albums in South Africa

1. I Am The King Of AmaPiano: Sweet & Dust by Kabza De Small
2. Scorpion Kings Live by Kabza De Small
3. The Return Of The Scorpion Kings by Kabza De Small
4. Zulu Man With Some Power by Nasty C
5. Isphithiphithi by Samthing Soweto
6. A.M.N (Any Minute Now) by Cassper Nyovest
7. Umuthi by Blaq Diamond
8. Xola Moya Wam by Nomcebo Zikode
9. Scorpion Kings by DJ Maphorisa
10. Emakhaya by Mlindo The Vocalist

In March 2020 the rapper signed a distribution deal with hip-hop stalwart record label Def Jam Recordings.

Zulu Man With Some Power gives Nasty C a top spot 

When Nasty C released Hell Naw as the lead single for his debut album in 2016 the rapper rose to hip hop household name prominence. Within 24 hours of its release, the album became the most streamed on South Africa’s iTunes chart. Since then the rapper went on to become internationally acclaimed by working with French Montana, Asap Ferg, Big Sean and Young Thug. In 2018 his sophomore album Strings and Blings was among the most streamed albums for South African audiences. 

In March 2020 the rapper signed a distribution deal with hip-hop stalwart record label Def Jam Recordings. Since then he released Zulu Man With Some Power and became the first South African rapper with a Netflix deal for the documentary Zulu Man in Japan. He also made it on to Spotify's New Music Friday billboard at Time Square, New York. Joining him on the list for the most streamed South African hip-hop artists in 2020 are the following artists. 

The most streamed South African hip-hop artists in 2020

1. Nasty C
2. Cassper Nyovest
3. A-Reece
4. AKA
5. Focalistic
6. Kwesta
7. Youngsta CPT
8. Emtee
9. Shane Eagle
10. Early B