CKay Surpasses 1 Billion Solo Spotify Streams

Rising Afrobeats sensation CKay surpasses 1 billion Spotify streams, achieving global stardom.

Chukwuka Ekweani better known by his stage name Ckay performs onstage during day one of Afro Nation Miami 2023 at LoanDepot Park on May 27, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Chukwuka Ekweani better known by his stage name Ckay performs onstage during day one of Afro Nation Miami 2023 at LoanDepot Park on May 27, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images.

Chukwuka Ekweani, widely known as CKay, has emerged as a prominent figure in the flourishing Afrobeats music scene. This multi-talented artist, equally adept behind the production boards as a producer and in the spotlight as a performer of his own compositions, has captivated audiences worldwide with his unwavering artistic vision. CKay's ascent to stardom reached new heights with his breakthrough single, "love nwantiti."

CKay has reached a monumental milestone, amassing 1 billion solo streams on Spotify. Throughout his career, this self-defined Emo-Afrobeat has cemented his unique soundscape with the release of EPs such as CKay The First (2019), Boyfriend (2021), and his debut album Sad Romance (2022), released last year, has accumulated over 380 million streams worldwide. These musical endeavors featured collaborations with some of Africa's finest talents, including Davido, Ayra Starr, Focalistic, and Mayra Andrade.

The year 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular for CKay. His mega-hit "love nwantiti" has continued to shine, achieving 4x Platinum status in the US and a staggering 20x Platinum in India. Earlier this year, CKay received a prestigious BMI Award. CKay's electrifying performances have been a highlight throughout the year, starting with a memorable appearance at the #CHAN2022 (African Nations Championship) final held at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algeria and subsequent shows in Pune, India, and a Nigerian university tour. More recently, the star graced European festival stages, including Lollapalooza in Paris and HipHop Open in Germany. In the latter half of the year, CKay was recognized by the streaming service as the fourth Top Afrobeats Artist on a global scale.

Continuing to build a global presence, CKay's "Emiliana" also made waves, earning global chart positions and amassing over 400 million streams worldwide. "Emiliana" soared to #1 on the U.K. Afrobeats Chart, claimed the #2 spot on the Shazam Top 200 (Afrobeats), and secured the #1 position in six countries on Apple Music.

With a staggering 3.5 billion streams under his belt and new music on the horizon for 2023, CKay stands at the precipice of continued success as a globally recognized Afrobeat star.

A group of dancers in K-Pop-inspired outfits performs on stage at the Nairobi Comic-Convention, featuring synchronized moves and energetic poses.
Music

From Nairobi to Seoul: Kenya Joins the K-Pop Wave

How Kenya’s youth are falling hard for the music, moves and magic of K-pop.

Fulu Miziki believes in second chances by making harmony from scraps.
Music

Get to Know Congolese Collective Fulu Miziki

Kinshasa-based Fulu Miziki uses recycled trash to make their own, unique musical instruments.