Nigerian star Omah Lay has crossed a major streaming milestone: his debut album Boy Alone (Deluxe) has surpassed 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, according to music-tracking posts and industry outlets tracking platform milestones. The achievement cements Omah Lay’s place among a small but growing group of Nigerian projects to reach and exceed the billion-stream mark on the world’s largest audio streaming service.
The deluxe edition of Boy Alone, originally released in 2023 and expanded with extra tracks, has been praised for its intimate songwriting and the blend of Afrofusion, R&B, and introspective lyricism that helped Omah Lay break through globally. Its steady, long-tail streaming performance has now translated into a blockbuster cumulative total on Spotify, driven by playlist inclusion and international audience growth.
Where this sits in Nigeria’s streaming landscape
With Boy Alone (Deluxe) crossing the billion mark, it joins other landmark Nigerian projects that have previously reached similar heights. Notable Nigerian albums that have surpassed one billion streams on Spotify include Rema’s Rave & Roses (Ultra), Burna Boy’s Love, Damini, and Burna Boy’s African Giant. These milestones reflect how Nigerian artists have become central to Spotify’s growth in Africa and globally.
Spotify’s investment and growth in African markets have contributed to rising royalties and streaming volumes for local artists; Spotify reported a substantial uptick in payouts to Nigerian and South African artists in 2024, underscoring the commercial impact of these streaming milestones.
What it means for Omah Lay
Hitting 1.2 billion streams is both an artistic and commercial triumph. For Omah Lay, who has established a devoted global fan base through touring and high-profile festival appearances, the milestone not only amplifies his industry standing but also increases his catalog’s earning potential through streaming revenue and sync opportunities. The accomplishment also helps spotlight the sustained demand for introspective, songwriter-led Afrofusion projects alongside mainstream Afrobeats pop releases.
