Spotify reveals most-streamed artists in North Africa, with Arab artists on top

Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco stream local and regional artists

Egyptian rapper Wegz was the most-streamed artist in Egypt in 2021, Spotify said. Photo: Screengrab from video

North African countries are streaming more local content on Spotify than neighbouring Arab countries, data shared with The National show.

The music-streaming company provided insight into the top artists and songs of 2021 in 11 countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.

The data show that local and regional artists dominated the top artists lists in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, with stars such as Didine Canon 16, ElGrandeToto and A.L.A. topping the charts.

In Egypt, Amr Diab maintained his place among the country's top five artists, after trap artist Wegz, who came in at number one.

Meanwhile, international artists including BTS, Masked Wolf, Drake and The Weeknd made appearances at the top of the list.

While rap remains a popular genre in North Africa, Mahraganat in Egypt still draws many listeners, and is the second most-streamed Spotify genre. Aqwa El Mahragant was the top playlist in the country, right after hip-hop playlist Melok el Scene.

Listeners in Palestine, like those in North Africa, also mostly streamed music by local stars, with Shabjdeed among the top artists. Songs like Inn Ann by Daboor, Amrikkka by Shabjdeed and Adham Nabulsi's Han AlAn made Palestine's list of top songs of the year.

In the Gulf, international hits remained the most popular, with the exception of traditional folk songs, known as Sheilat in Saudi Arabia.