From Dakar to Dar es Salaam: How Audiomack is Fueling Local Music Scenes and Topping App Charts Across Africa

More and more Africans are listening to African music, especially to artists who hail from their home country, and listening via Audiomack. From Tanzania to Senegal, Mali to Liberia, the music service dominates the top of the charts across the continent, holding tight to the #1 Music app spot in 17 countries. 
 

Yet this is about more than app downloads and user numbers; it’s about a seachange in listening habits, an influx of energy into local scenes and emerging artists. Audiomack’s Top 100 Charts show how local sounds are gaining major ground with music fans, a transformative shift for musicmakers and music lovers. 
 

“Our Top 100 charts reflect how different countries are listening to their own music, demonstrating that all creators in Africa now have access to a platform that allows them to distribute their own music,” explains Charlotte Bwana, Vice President, Marketing at Audiomack. “These charts are more than numbers, they’re a reflection of identity, culture, and pride. In Tanzania, Rwanda, Senegal, Mali, and Liberia, the Weekly Top 100 belongs to hometown heroes, proof that these local scenes are alive with creativity and shaping the rhythms that define Africa’s soundscape.”
 

By developing locally tailored discovery interfaces, Audiomack has provided editorial visibility to emerging artists through a human-curated approach, in countries distanced from the curatorial ecosystems of many DSPs. In developing and historically overlooked markets, local artists have access to playlists that showcase their unique sounds with an intentional focus on spotlighting rising talent. Audiomack has also invested in highlighting regional scenes and genre movements through social media storytelling via their series "Scenes." Scenes has included the coverage of nascent genres such as the Kompa movement in Tanzania and the growing Drill scene in Eastern Nigeria, moments often underrepresented in mainstream music media.
 

Audiomack's Artist Watch series has become a key platform for identifying and amplifying standout acts, providing focused exposure to artists who are shaping the next wave of African music, from South Sudan to Mali. Hip-hop, in particular, has been a central area of emphasis. “Through genre-focused playlists, we’ve mapped domestic rap scenes from blossoming scenes like Rwanda and Cameroon, offering exposure and DSP-level support to artists who previously lacked access to such infrastructure,” Bwana says.
 

Artists are also taking note, feeling the lift Audiomack is providing and how the service has changed the game for emerging and established artists by bringing their music to broader regional fanbases and to the rest of the world. “Audiomack has given Malian rap real visibility,” notes rapper 2DS. “Today, our music is spreading faster and further, and that's motivating a whole generation of artists. Malian rap now has its place on the map, and that changes everything.” 
 

“Galsen Rap (Senegalese rap) has always been a platform of expression for the voiceless in Senegal. Audiomack has taken on a special role in this dynamic. It is one of the most widely used platforms by our audience, not only because it is easily accessible but also because it has managed to build a strong connection with the local scene,” explains Senegalese rap icon Oothentik Zeus. “Thanks to playlists entirely dedicated to Galsen Rap, West African rap, and African rap, Audiomack gives artists a real opportunity for visibility. The work of their curators, who are approachable and responsive, creates a direct link between the platform, the artists, and the audience. Audiomack continues to support the growth of Galsen Rap beyond our borders.”
 

Within countries, Audiomack is also helping local artists gain traction and win over fans on the homefront. “Audiomack has significantly transformed the music landscape in Rwanda. In the past, our charts were largely dominated by Nigerian and Tanzanian artists, but today we are witnessing a remarkable shift where even upcoming local talents are charting,” reflects soulful artist Kevin Kade. “This demonstrates the platform’s crucial role in amplifying Rwandan voices and providing visibility to young artists who previously had limited opportunities.”
 

Liberia’s JZyNo agrees, calling digital Audiomack the “digital powerhouse of Liberian music,” while Tanzanian producer Ayo Lizer explains that Audiomack “...support upcoming talent if the music is good, it gets a platform. Their Trending section is proof of this, because you’ll often see fresh new names rising there,” a fact that has boosted the confidence of young, up-and-coming talent in Tanzania. 
 

It’s been a similar experience for Nigerian pop artist Ayo Maff, who was featured by Audiomack’s You Need to Hear series in June of 2024, and says most of his fanbase finds his music on the platform. “On the streets many do not have much, it actually does not take much to make an ordinary person on the streets happy; music is one of them, and how Audiomack has made my music easy to access, my people who don’t have much don’t need much to stream my music, hear my story and live my experience like it is theirs,” says Maff.
 

Even in markets that face tremendous challenges, Audiomack is making an impact. “For artists like me in South Sudan,” says singer-songwriter Milton Kizzy. “Audiomack has been a blessing. It gave us a space to showcase our music without needing huge budgets or industry connections. What makes Audiomack special is that it’s free, accessible, and trusted by the people. It's now the biggest streaming platform in South Sudan. It’s opening doors for a new generation of talent.”  
 

About Audiomack
 

Audiomack is a music streaming and discovery platform that connects artists with fans. With more than 45 million monthly users, the service allows artists to upload unlimited music for free and features a curated library that includes songs from all three major labels and more than 400 independents. Tools like Connect, Boost, and Audiomod help artists engage their audience and build community.
 

Audiomack is home to over 1 million active creators and ranks among the top music apps in more than 20 countries.