Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka has overtaken Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz to become the most streamed artist in East Africa on Spotify, according to the platform’s publicly visible monthly listener metrics as of March 2026.

Spotify’s in-app artist data shows Baraka with over 1.7 million monthly listeners (a rolling 28-day figure tracking unique users who streamed his music).

This edges out Diamond Platnumz, who has approximately 1.5 million monthly listeners.

For comparison, Kenya’s Bien-Aimé Baraza (of Sauti Sol) trails with roughly 650,000 monthly listeners.

Spotify does not publish an official regional ranking for East Africa, but these figures—directly from artist profile pages—reflect real-time popularity and audience reach.

Monthly listeners serve as a key industry benchmark for current momentum, distinct from total lifetime streams.

Baraka’s rise marks a significant shift in East African music streaming trends.

The Ugandan artist first gained widespread attention with tracks like NANA and Wrong Places, blending R&B, soul, and Afrobeat elements.

In 2025, he became the first Ugandan act to surpass one million monthly listeners on Spotify.

His cross-border appeal, consistent releases (including albums like Juvie in 2025 and Growing Pains), and resonance with younger audiences have fueled his growth, positioning Ugandan music as increasingly influential in the region.

Diamond Platnumz, long dominant as East Africa’s streaming leader with massive hits and international collaborations, has seen his monthly figures overtaken amid Baraka’s surge.

The achievement underscores evolving listener preferences and the growing global reach of Ugandan contemporary sounds.

No official statement from Spotify or the artists was included in the report, but social media and music tracking pages have widely celebrated Baraka’s milestone.