Alvin M. Keeling 
The report is based on streaming data of the company’s 60 million monthly active users in its four main countries of operation, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania, from November 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020. 2021.
In Nigeria, Olamide, Omah Lay and Burna Boy top the list of most popular male artists, while Teni, Tope Alabi and Mercy Chinwo are respectively the first, second and third most popular female artists. Olamide’s “Infinity” with Omah Lay was the most-listened Afrobeats song of the year, with Joeboy’s “Alcohol” and Ladipoe’s “Feeling” with Buju arriving at №2 and №3 respectively. On the gospel side, Mike Abdul’s “Baba Ese” took first place, with Mercy Chinwo’s “Oyoyo Chukwu” featuring Israel Dammy and EeZee Tee and Onos’ “No Void” taking second and third places.
The list of Ghana’s top three female artists was respectively occupied by Gyakie, Diana Hamilton and Wendy Shay. Sarkodie led the rankings for male acts, with Black Sherif and Stonebwoy coming in second and third. Diana Hamilton, who is the reigning VGMA Artist of the Year, secured the top two spots for Most Popular Gospel Songs, with Joyce Blessing lagging behind at No.3. R2Bees, Keche and Dead Peepol were crowned the best groups of 2021.
In Kenya, Nadia Makami tops the list of best female artists, behind Ssaru and Mercy Masika. Otile Brown, Bahati and Willy Paul took the first places in the men’s category. Gengetone Dantez’s “Ala” became the most listened to song of the genre, followed by “Zamani” by Rekles and “Gari Kubwa” by Swat Matire. Otile Brown held the top three spots for most played song in 2021 with “Such Kinda Love”, “Dusuma” and “Regina”.
Rayvanny, Mbasso and Alikiba have become the main male actors of the streaming platform in Tanzania. The main female artists in the country are Zuchi at 1, Nandy at 2 and Anjella at 3. Marioo’s “For You” topped the list of the most listened to bongo flava songs, followed by Mbasso’s “Baikoko” and “Number. One ”by Rayvanny. Nandy’s “Wanibaiki” was the most popular gospel song of the year under review, with Mathias Walichupa and Joel Lwaga closely following “Ni Wewe” and “Mimi Ni Wa Juu”. Mabatu became the most popular group in the country, followed by Rastam and Weusi.
Meanwhile, Boomplay announced in October that its streaming data will be counted in a number of Billboard charts starting in the monitoring week of October 15-21. The company says the move is part of its “dedication to helping the African music industry unleash its full potential” and giving African and international artists and their music an opportunity for more exposure on the global stage.
