- Heartbreak Surge: Spotify reports a 626% increase in heartbreak song streams from 2022 to 2024.
- Morning Blues: Nigerians are most likely to listen to heartbreak songs between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Men in Mourning: Surprisingly, men stream heartbreak songs significantly more than women on Valentine’s Day.
- Mohbad’s Impact: The late artist’s music continues to resonate, with “Egwu” ranking among the top streamed songs.
Valentine’s Day Blues: Heartbreak Hits the Nigerian Airwaves
Forget the love songs – this Valentine’s Day, Nigerians are tuning into heartbreak! Music streaming giant Spotify has dropped a bombshell: there’s been a huge surge in streams of sad songs in Nigeria during this season of romance. We’re talking a massive 626% increase between 2022 and 2024! What’s going on?
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, spilled the tea. According to her, Nigerians are using music to cope with their emotions. It seems like the sound of heartbreak is louder than ever this Valentine’s.
Top Tracks: Which Songs Are Nigerians Crying To?
So, which tunes are topping the heartbreak charts? One song that Nigerians collectively mourned to was “Egwu” by Chike and the late Mohbad. This track was among the top three most-streamed songs on Valentine’s Day in 2024.
Other songs that made the list include:
- “One Love – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film” by Wizkid
- “Cast” by Shallipopi and Odumodublvck
In 2023, Omah Lay’s super emotional banger “Soso” also made it to the top three most streamed songs on Valentine’s Day.
Morning Mood: When Do Nigerians Listen to Heartbreak Songs?
You might think people would reach for the tissues late at night, but Spotify’s data says otherwise. Apparently, Nigerians are most likely to listen to heartbreak songs between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Can you imagine all those offices filled with people quietly processing their emotions with headphones on?
Men Are Hurting Too: Who’s Streaming the Most?
Here’s another surprise: Men streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than women on Valentine’s Day (362% increase compared to 169% among women). This could mean that men resonate with feelings of heartbreak and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions. Who knew?
The Takeaway: Heartbreak is Real, Even on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is often portrayed as a day of grand gestures and perfect romance. But Spotify’s data shows that heartbreak is a very real theme, maybe more than what’s publicly shown. Next time you hear a sad song playing, remember you are not alone!
Perhaps people turn to music as a source of comfort during challenging times. According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, listening to music can help people process emotions and cope with stress. [Frontiers in Psychology Study]
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