African women have consistently been at the forefront of placing Africa on the map across all spheres. Their prominent record-breaking feats have spotlighted their relevance and contributed to the globalisation of Africans.
Over the years, women’s achievements in Africa have been incessantly downplayed in contrast to their male counterparts. History doesn’t give substantial credit to these women; when they do, it is highlighted on a surface level. Yet, African women have thrived to make a name for themselves across different niches.
Even in the male-dominated music industry, some African women have outstandingly left indelible marks in the industry books. As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we identify the historic music records set by African women.
Tems – The First Female Nigerian Artist to Win a Grammy Award
In 2023, Global star Tems made history as the first Nigerian female artist to bag a Grammy Award. She won in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category for her collaboration with American rapper Future and Canadian Rapper Drake, Wait For U. This award placed her among prominent African acts that won Grammys, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Angélique Kidjo. Two years later, Tems won Best African Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards with her song, Love Me Jeje, making her the most Grammy-awarded Nigerian artist. Tems continues to break records, from being the first African woman to win the BET Award for Best International Act in 2022 to becoming the most Grammy-awarded Nigerian artist.
Tyla – The First Solo African Artist to Hit One Billion Streams on Spotify
In February 2025, South African superstar Tyla made history when she hit the one billion streams milestone on Spotify with her global anthem, Water. This notable feat made the Grammy award-winning singer the first solo African artist to amass a billion streams on Spotify. The 2023 hit single earned the singer the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Performance and multiple awards, including the Billboard Music Awards.
Ayra Starr – The First Woman to win Best African Music Act and First African Female Artist to Win Best International Act at the MOBO Awards
At the 27th edition of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) in 2025, Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr broke a 16-year record to win the Best African Music Act award. This unprecedented feat earned her the first female act to win in the category in the last 16 years. At the prestigious award ceremony, the 22-year-old Nigerian singer-songwriter also earned another historical record, as she bagged the award for Best International Act, marking her the first female artist to win the prominent award over Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Tems and Tyla.
Tiwa Savage – The First Female African Artist to Sell Out O2 Indigo
On August 24, 2018, ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ Tiwa Savage made history by being the first female African artist to sell out the prestigious O2 Indigo Arena in London. Her debut headlined UK concert, “The Savage Tour,” which witnessed a sold-out attendance of about 3,000 people, placed her name in history books. That same year, she etched her footprints on the sand of times by winning the award for Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win the category. On August 13, 2022, she sold out the iconic 4,921-capacity O2 Academy Brixton in London.
Angélique Kidjo – The most Grammy-Awarded African artist in History
While the highly acclaimed Beninese singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo is lauded for longevity in the industry and remarkable music that has crossed international borders, she also stands as the most Grammy-awarded African artist in history, with five awards and 15 nominations credited to her name. Having won the Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2008, her other Grammy awards include the Best Global Music Award in 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2022.
Yemi Alade – First Female African Artist to Reach 100 Million Views on YouTube
In July 2019, ‘Mama Africa’ Yemi Alade made it to the hall of fame as she became the first female African artist to garner 100 million views on YouTube for her smash hit Johnny. The hit song, which was released in 2014, became the fastest Nigerian song to hit the milestone until Davido’s Fall. She also stands as the first Nigerian female artist to reach 1 million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours.
Miriam Makeba – The First African Artist to win a Grammy Award
While the new generation acts have consistently put Africa on the global map in recent times, artists like South African singer Miriam Makeba have been at the forefront of the globalisation of African music in the 1960s. She is often regarded as Africa’s first global superstar. In 1965, she became the first African artist to earn a Grammy award for her joint project with Harry Belafonte. The 1965 album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba earned multiple award-winning artists the Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording. Miriam Makeba, who released 30 albums in her lifetime, also became the first African to sell out the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in 1967.
Aya Nakamura – The First Female African Act to Hit One Billion Views on YouTube
Malian-born superstar Aya Nakamura carved her name in history on the 23rd of February, 2025, as she became the first female African artist to reach a billion views on YouTube for her global hit Djadja, released on April 6, 2018. She joins the class of Whitney Houston, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, and Rihanna as the only black female artist to hit the milestone.
Kaffy – The Guinness World Record Holder for Longest Dance Party
In 2006, notable Nigerian dancer, choreographer, dance instructor, and fitness coach Kaffy broke the Guinness World Record for the longest dance party at the Nokia Silverbird Dance-a-thon. Kaffy and her team, who currently hold this record, performed this remarkable feat as they danced nonstop for 55 hours 40 minutes, breaking the previous record of 50 hours set in Dublin, Ireland.
DJ Soul Yin – The World Record Holder for the Longest DJ Set
In an industry propelled by DJs’ contributions, we cannot help but highlight DJ Soul Yin’s remarkable achievement. In October 2021, Nigerian Disc Jockey Oyinka Asu-Johnson, professionally known as DJ Soul Yin, conquered the Guinness Book of Records for the longest DJ set. With 243 hours and 30 minutes (11 days), she broke the record at The Grill by Yanna, Ikoyi, Lagos, beating the previous record holder, DJ Obi.
For decades, African women have contributed to the spiral success of African music while etching their footprints on the sand of time. But they aren’t stopping now; these women continue to break and set new records, leaving indelible marks in the music industry.
