Spotify has revealed a dramatic increase in the streaming of heartbreak songs in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a staggering 626% growth recorded between 2022 and 2024.
The data was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626% overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024,” Okumu stated. “This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
Interestingly, the report highlights that male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners. Streams from men saw a 362% increase, compared to 169% among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions,” Okumu explained.
As Nigerians prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2025, the data suggests that, beyond public displays of love, many are also using music to cope with the emotional complexities that come with relationships.
