The top Jamaican-born female artists on Spotify have been trailblazers, leading the way with billions of streams combined. These remarkable women represent a diverse range of styles and genres, from reggae to dancehall and beyond. Here’s a closer look at the chart-topping queens who are dominating the platform and showcasing the richness of Jamaican music to the world.
5. Grace Jones – 350 Million Streams
A true pioneer and cultural icon, Grace Jones has inspired generations with her boundary-breaking artistry in music, fashion, and film. With 350 million streams, Jones’ eclectic sound and striking visuals have left an indelible mark on the global music industry.
Her top song isa feature on Beyonce’s “Move” from the Renaissance album featuring Tems with 85 million streams. Her second most streamed song is her debut single La Vie En Rose, originally written and sung by French singer Édith Piaf in 1945.
4. Koffee – 369 Million Streams
Grammy Award-winning reggae sensation Koffee burst onto the scene with her breakthrough single Toast and has continued to shine ever since. At just 23 years old, Koffee has already garnered 390 million streams, becoming a beacon of hope for the next generation of reggae artists with a positive spin on modern Jamaican music. Her top song is W featuring Gunna with 78 million streams.
3. Spice – 503 Million Streams
The reigning Queen of Dancehall, Spice, has dominated the genre for years more than 10 years. With her top his like “Go Down Deh” featuring Shaggy and Sean Paul surpassing 256 million streams, from her Grammy-nominated album 10 andSo Mi Like It (92 million), Spice has accumulated over 503 million streams on Spotify. Her unapologetic style and energetic performances have made her an icon in dancehall music.
2. Shenseea – 970 Million Streams
Shenseea has swiftly risen to become one of Jamaica’s most prominent dancehall stars. Known for her dynamic performances and hit tracks like Blessed featuring Tyga, Shenseea has made waves internationally, amassing 970 million streams. Her catalog of versatile collaborations with big names like Purple Disco Machine, Nile Rogers on the track “Honey Boy” (75 million) along with Kanye West’s “Pure Souls” (95 million) and Ok Ok Pt. 2 (32 million) has made her global force in Jamaican music.
1. Nyla – 1.6 Billion Streams
Nyla, formerly a member of the Jamaican pop-reggae group Brick & Lace, is the most-streamed Jamaican-born female artist on Spotify. Primarily due to her collaboration with Major Lazer on the smash hit Light It Up (Remix), Nyla’s solo streams have reached a staggering 1.4 billion, with that single accounting for 1.39 billion of her total. Her pen game extends to the Latin hit Follow The Leader by Wisin & Yandel featuring Jennifer Lopez, which has surpassed 86 million streams on Spotify. Other top tracks include Love Is Wicked as part of Brick & Lace, amassing 43 million streams.
Honorable Mentions
- Sister Nancy: The iconic Bam Bam has surpassed 200 million streams, contributing to her total career streams of over 220 million. As one of the most sampled and celebrated figures in reggae, her influence remains unparalleled.
- Dawn Penn: Known for her timeless classic You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No), which has surpassed 127 million streams, Dawn Penn’s career streams have reached over 150 million. Her contribution to reggae’s golden era continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
- Lady Saw: A trailblazer for contemporary female dancehall artists, Lady Saw’s impact on the genre is undeniable. Her standout collaborations include Underneath It All with No Doubt, which boasts 104 million streams, and Smile with Vitamin C, amassing 5 million streams. Her total career streams exceed 130 million, a testament to her legacy as the “Queen of Dancehall.”
