Monthly listeners on Spotify represent the number of unique individuals who have streamed an artist’s music at least once within a 28-day window. Unlike streams, which count every play of a song, monthly listeners focus solely on distinct listeners, regardless of the frequency of plays. For example, if a fan listens to a song multiple times, they are counted only once as a monthly listener.
Streams reflect how many times a song is played, while monthly listeners indicate how many unique people have listened to an artist’s songs within the specified time frame. Both metrics are valuable: consistent streams demonstrate loyalty, while every unique listener helps broaden an artist’s audience and it is how an article can measure their fan base. A fans study conducted by Spotify in 2023, showed that “super listeners” which are more in tuned with the artist, “make up 2% of an artist’s monthly listeners, but account for over 18% of monthly streams.” These are the fans more likely to buy merchandise and other products or experiences from artists beyond music.
Artists should note that if their streams increase but monthly listeners remain stagnant, it suggests that the same set of fans is repeatedly playing their songs. Additionally, while the number of Spotify streams is cumulative, monthly listeners can fluctuate. An upward trend in both streams and listeners signifies growing recognition and an expanding fan base.
WMV takes a closer look at the top ten ranked reggae and dancehall artists on Spotify, based on their impressive listener counts.
1. Sean Paul – 33,023,000 listeners (Global Rank: 125)
It is not a surprise that Sean Paul was the most streamed reggae and dancehall artist for 2023 surpassing 1.2 billion, because he dominates the charts with an impressive unique listener count. Sean Paul’s fans ensures he reigns supreme as one of the most influential figures in dancehall and reggae music and has the most listeners on Spotify. With his electrifying songs such as the Rockabye collaboration with Clean Bandit and Ann Marie as well as disown leader “No Lie” with Dua Lipa, Sean Paul continues to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying his status as a true icon in the industry.
2. Bob Marley and The Wailers – 27,550,000 listeners (Global Rank: 178)
No list of top reggae artists would be complete without the legendary Bob Marley and his band, The Wailers. With timeless classics like “One Love” and “Redemption Song,” Marley’s music transcends generations, resonating with listeners across the globe and earning him a dedicated following on Spotify.
3. YG Marley – 20,252,000 listeners (Global Rank: 322)
Carrying on the Marley legacy with his own unique style, YG Marley emerges as a rising star in the world of reggae music. With his fresh sound and innovative approach, YG Marley has only one song on Spotify which has attracted more than 20 million listeners on Spotify, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
4. Jason Mraz – 19,341,000 listeners (Global Rank: 342)
Renowned for his soulful voice and introspective lyrics, Billboard’s #7 ranked reggae act in 2021 Jason Mraz has captured the hearts of millions of listeners on Spotify. With hits like “I’m Yours” which is the most certified reggae song of all time by the Recording Industry Association Of America for selling 13 million units, (13x Platinum) and “I Won’t Give Up,” Mraz’s music resonates with audiences worldwide, earning him a prominent place among the platform’s top artists.
5. Shaggy – 15,858,000 listeners (Global Rank: 484)
With his infectious blend of reggae, dancehall, and pop, Shaggy has carved out a distinct niche in the music industry. From chart-topping singles like “It Wasn’t Me” which is almost at one million streams, to collaborations with international stars, like Sting, Shaggy’s music continues to attract listeners on Spotify, cementing his status as a beloved figure in the genre.
6. UB40 – 8,662,000 listeners (Global Rank: 1123)
Hailing from Birmingham, England, UB40 has made a significant impact on the reggae scene with their unique fusion of styles. With hits like “Red Red Wine” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” UB40’s music has garnered a dedicated following on Spotify, many of whom are in the US, keeping the band’s greatest hits on the Billboard chart for more than 237 weeks as of March 22, 2024.
7. Omi – 7,644,000 listeners (Global Rank: 1330)
Although he is not categorized as a reggae artist, Omi burst onto the scene with his catchy hit “Cheerleader,” and quickly rose to prominence in the pop-reggae genre. With his upbeat melodies and infectious hooks, Omi continues to attract listeners on Spotify, solidifying his position as a rising star in the music industry.
8. Rvssian- 7,204,00 listeners (Global Rank: 1432)
Rvssian has achieved notable success in the Latin music industry, obtaining multiple Gold and Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association (RIAA) in the United States. His song “Privado,” featuring Nicky Jam, Farruko, Archangel, and Konshens, recently surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, becoming his 4th song as a lead and 7th overall to reach this milestone. With over 2.3 billion streams on Spotify as of March 23, 2024, Rvssian’s top tracks on the platform include “Nostálgico” featuring Chris Brown and Rauw Alejandro, certified 5x Latin Platinum in the US, along with other successful collaborations. Rvssian’s transition from Dancehall music to Latin was smooth, fueled by his early exposure to Latin music and a desire to expand his brand. His work has earned him nominations for prestigious awards, including a Latin Grammy for his production on Rauw Alejandro’s album “Saturno.”
9. Damian Marley – 6,821,000 listeners (Global Rank: 1536)
As the son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian Marley carries on his father’s musical legacy with pride and reverence. Damian Marley’s collaboration “Make It Bun Dem” with Skrillex and his own “Welcome To Jamrock” are his most listened songs.
10. Stefflon Don – 6,400,000 listeners (Global Rank: 1661)
Emerging as one of the leading voices in the UK rap scene, Stefflon Don brings her fierce energy and unapologetic attitude to the forefront of Spotify’s charts. With her rapid-fire flow and genre-blurring style, Stefflon Don continues to push the boundaries of hip-hop and dancehall, attracting a growing fanbase on the platform.
Bonus:
Flowdan – 6,073,000 listeners (Global Rank: 1767)
A stalwart of the grime scene in the U.K., producer and artist Flowdan lyrics and flow is inspired by dancehall and he commands attention of his fans with his presence and gritty lyricism. With his raw authenticity and uncompromising sound, Flowdan earns a spot among Spotify’s top artists, appealing to fans of underground music with his distinctive style.
The deejay earned his first U.K. Platinum certification on Friday March 22, 2024 for the song “Baddadan” with Chase & Status and Bou for sale surpassing 600,000 units in streams and sales combined.
