Which songs will top your playlist this Summer?

This year you’ve been #InYourFeelings with Drake, you’ve #Level(ed)Up with Ciara and you’ve been proudly African when showing up to the #KupeChallenge.  As South Africans gear up for the summer season, with their braai stands on stand-by and their playlists lined up, will these viral challenge sensations surface once again or will something new become the unofficial summer anthem?

To get you into the spirit of summer and help you to start planning your ultimate December playlist, Spotify has some predictions to share on what you’ll most likely be listening to this season.

Lifestyle trends tend to spread rapidly across the globe, be it in fashion, social media, dance or music. If this is anything to go by, the most streamed track (based on Spotify streaming data) during the Northern hemisphere summer this year, was unsurprisingly Drake’s In My Feelings. The impact of the song that had the whole world asking, ‘’Kiki, do you love me?” was felt globally with the viral popularity of the #InMyFeelingsChallenge.

In total Drake appeared a further four times on the list of Spotify’s Top Global Songs of Summer 2018 (northern hemisphere). He also consistently dominates the top 10 most streamed songs by South African audiences list since Spotify’s March, 13^th South African launch (see full rankings below) with God’s Plan at number one, In My Feelings at number three and Nice For What at number six. Girls like You by Maroon 5 (feat. Cardi B) came in second on the global summer list and featured at number 10 on the top songs streamed by South African audiences since launch rankings. Post Malone is also shown local love by appearing three times on this list with Psycho (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) at number five, Better Now at number seven and Rockstar at number nine.

With a track record like this it’s safe to say that Drake would likely make it onto most South Africans’ Summer playlists alongside one of Post Malone’s tracks. Looking at trends closer to home, several local artists have consistently topped the charts and appeared on international Spotify playlists such as AKA, whose popular hit Fela in Versace, was recently featured on a Spotify’s African Heat Global Playlist.

The top three most streamed SA artists since launch, broke down by ‘streamed in South Africa’ and the ‘rest of the world’, are Nasty C, AKA and Jeremy Loops. Shekhinah was at number six, making her the most streamed female South African artist. DJ Maphorisa claimed the ninth spot as the most streamed South African artist, with Fokofpolisiekar at number 10.

As we head into summer will Drake continue to take centre stage, will our local talent dominate your playlist, or will some surprise releases in the next month shake things up, putting artists who are not yet on your radar firmly in your Summer top 10?

If you’re not sure what you will be listening to this summer head to Spotify for some inspiration. Browse through the regularly updated top hits playlists and check out your personalised Discover Weekly suggestions compiled specifically to your musical tastes. Create your own playlist or collaborate with friends on your ultimate Summer playlist, and share your predictions at #SpotifySASummer, Facebook: @Spotify |Twitter: @SpotifySA  

The top 10 artists most streamed by South African audiences since launch*

1. Drake
2. Post Malone
3. XXXTENTACION
4. Ed Sheeran
5. Kanye West
6. J. Cole
7. Eminem
8. Khalid
9. The Weeknd
10. Maroon 5

The top 10 tracks most streamed by South African audiences since launch*

1. God’s Plan – Drake
2. SAD! – XXXTentacion
3. In My Feelings – Drake
4. Love Lies (with Normani) – Khalid
5. Psycho (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – Post Malone
6. Nice For What – Drake
7. Better Now – Post Malone
8. Young Blood - 5 Seconds of Summer
9. Rockstar – Post Malone
10. Girls Like You – Maroon 5 (feat. Cardi B)

The top 10 local artist most streamed by South African audiences since launch*

1. Nasty C
2. AKA
3. Jeremy Loops
4. GoldFish
5. SnotKop
6. Shekhinah
7. Joyous Celebration
8. Sun-EL Musician
9. DJ Maphorisa
10. Fokofpolisiekar

The top 10 local tracks most streamed by South African audiences since launch*

1. GoldFish – Hold Your Kite (feat. Sorana)
2. Lady Zamar – Collide
3. Mlindo The Vocalist – AmaBlesser (feat. DJ Maphorisa)
4. Sun-EL Musician – Bamthathile
5. Kwesta – Spirit (feat.Wale)
6. Shekhinah – Suited
7. Black Coffee – Drive (feat. David Guetta)
8. Shekhinah – Please Mr
9. DJ Maphorisa & DJ Raybel – iWalk Ye Phara (feat. Moonchild Sanelly, K.O & Zulu Mkhathini)
10. Dlala Mshunqisi, Distruction Boyz & DJ Tira – Pakisha

 *Data was ranked based on number of streams, on Spotify, over the period 13 March – 31 October 2018

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