Deezer reveals SA's most streamed sounds of 2020

Top track

It seems like tracks released in 2019 were still going strong this year. The now-iconic “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I was released in 2019 and held onto the position as the most-streamed song for 2020 in South Africa and across the globe. The same goes for chart smash-hits “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd and “Roses (Imanbek Remix)” by SAINt JHN. All three also kept fans coming back for more after its release in 2019.

Top album

In Mzansi, R&B songstress Elaine reigned supreme with Elements topping album streams overall. Kabza De Small was also a local favourite with three of his albums ranking amongst South Africa’s top 10 most-streamed albums. Outside of home, The Weeknd took the number one spot for most-played international album of 2020 with After Hours.

Top artist

Amapiano king Kabza De Small takes the crown as the country’s most-streamed artist overall, followed by Drake at number two and DJ Maphorisa ranking at number three. Globally, the Colombian superstar J Balvin won for the third year in a row as the number one most streamed international artist. The Weeknd was not far behind at number two, followed by Dua Lipa at number three and Bad Bunny at number four.

Mzansi! Raise your glasses for your Top 5 Most Streamed Artists of 2020! ��
1. @KabzaDeSmall_
2. @Drake
3. @DjMaphorisa
4. @billieeilish
5. @theweeknd pic.twitter.com/IYmt8ZCsZu

— Deezer South Africa (@DeezerZA) December 2, 2020

Biggest superfans

We’re raising our glasses to all the superfans out there - the top users who streamed their favourite artist the most. When we looked at artists ranked by the number of superfans around the world - Eminem topped the list. He was closely followed by K-pop superstars BTS. Classic ‘60s and ‘70s bands The Beatles and Queen made up the top 10, while Shakira and Beyoncé also had the most loyal streamers.

“This is the year of home confinement and social distancing. Streaming helped many people cope and it may be telling that the top 10 tracks this year are all international, dancey and positive. We also saw some interesting trends, with 40% of our top 20 international albums made by Black artists, compared to a quarter the year before. And our top 10 streamed international acts were equally split between genders this year. Music has always reflected the underlying dynamics of our society and 2020 is no different. I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings,” said Frédéric Antelme, Deezer’s VP of content and productions.

Top 10 artists (overall) in South Africa

1. Kabza De Small
2. Drake
3. DJ Maphorisa
4. Billie Eilish
5. The Weeknd
6. Ed Sheeran
7. Eminem
8. Beyoncé
9. Joyous Celebration
10. Chris Brown

Top 10 local artists in South Africa

1. Kabza De Small
2. DJ Maphorisa
3. Joyous Celebration
4. Spoegwolf
5. Elaine
6. Nasty C
7. Appel
8. Ami Faku
9. Snotkop
10. Elandre

Top 10 tracks (overall) in South Africa

1. Dance Monkey - Tones and I
2. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
3. You’re the One – Elaine
4. Memories – Maroon 5
5. Roses (Imanbek Remix) - SAINt JHN
6. Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa
7. Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi
8. everything i wanted - Billie Eilish
9. The Box - Roddy Ricch
10. Circles – Post Malone

Top 10 local tracks in South Africa

1. You’re the One – Elaine
2. Jerusalema – Master KG
3. eMcimbini – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
4. Lorch – Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa
5. Risky – Elaine
6. Umlilo – DJ Zinhle
7. Into Ingawe – Ami Faku, Sun-El Musician
8. Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode
9. Tender Love – Sha Sha
10. Love You Tonight - MFR Souls

Top 10 albums (overall) in South Africa

1. Elements – Elaine
2. After Hours – The Weeknd
3. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? - Billie Eilish
4. I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust - Kabza De Small
5. Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial - Roddy Ricch
6. Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon - Pop Smoke
7. The Return Of The Scorpion Kings - DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
8. Music To Be Murdered By – Eminem
9. Scorpion Kings Live - DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
10. Hollywood's Bleeding - Post Malone

Top 10 local albums in South Africa                             

1. Elements – Elaine
2. I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust - Kabza De Small
3. The Return Of The Scorpion Kings - DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
4. Scorpion Kings Live - DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
5. Country - Demi Lee Moore
6. Umuthi - Blaq Diamond
7. Spiritual Encounter - Bucy Radebe
8. Koma - Spoegwolf
9. See – Spoegwolf
10. Isphithiphithi - Samthing Soweto

Top five most streamed playlists in South Africa

1. Amapiano
2. SA's Hottest Tracks
3. Soul of Mzansi
4. Hits of the Moment SA
5. Best Of SA House 

Top 10 global artists

1. J Balvin
2. The Weeknd
3. Bad Bunny
4. Dua Lipa
5. Billie Eilish
6. Lady Gaga
7. Anitta
8. Eminem
9. Ed Sheeran
10. Ariana Grande

Top 10 global tracks

1. Dance Monkey - Tones and I
2. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
3. Roses (Imanbek Remix) - SAINt JHN
4. Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa
5. Tusa - Karol G, Nicki Minaj
6. Ride It - Regard
7. The Box - Roddy Ricch
8. bad guy - Billie Eilish
9. RITMO (Bad Boys For Life) - Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin
10. Say So - Doja Cat

Top 10 global albums

1. After Hours - The Weeknd
2. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? - Billie Eilish
3. The Kids Are Coming  - Tones and I
4. Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon - Pop Smoke
5. Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial - Roddy Ricch
6. Hot Pink - Doja Cat
7. Fine Line - Harry Styles
8. Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa
9. Chromatica - Lady Gaga
10. Music To Be Murdered By - Eminem

Artists with the most Superfans

1. Eminem
2. BTS
3. Beyoncé
4. Queen
5. The Beatles
6. David Guetta
7. Maroon 5
8. AC/DC
9. Shakira
10. Justin Bieber