Streaming giant, Spotify, has disclosed data indicating the comeback of traditional Nigerian music genres.
It has been observed that fusions by modern musicians have led to a renewed interest in Fuji, highlife, and apala. Legends like Oliver De Coque (highlife), K1 De Ultimate (Fuji), and Haruna Ishola (apala) led the three genres that ruled the West African nation between the 1950s and 1970s. But when more and more musical genres surfaced over time, their appeal waned.
According to Spotify data, Apala and Highlife both had growth of 224% and 185%, respectively, between 2022 and 2023, while Fuji experienced growth of 187%. With Fuji rising by 175%, Highlife by 240%, and Apala by 230% in just the first quarter of 2024, this pattern persisted. The artists spearheading the comeback include Asake and Seyi Vibez, who merge parts of Fuji and highlife into their music, and Terry Apala, who blends hip hop with apala.
According to Spotify, the majority of Gen Z listeners for these genres are between the ages of 18 and 24. They account for 32% of listeners in Fuji, 31% in highlife, and 38% in apala. The three Nigerian cities with the greatest streaming statistics for the three genres are Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Katsina, where that demographic is especially active. The most streamed musicians and songs in various genres throughout the previous year have also been disclosed by Spotify.
