Spotify’s Mother of Music  (MOM) event in Cape Town was more than just a music festival – it was a launchpad for local artists. The initiative showcased the vibrant music scene of Cape Town, highlighting the diverse sounds and stories of South African artists. Through live performances, artist interviews, and exclusive releases, MOM created dynamic and engaging experiences for both artists and fans. New Spotify data reveals the incredible impact the event had on the global reach and streaming numbers of these South African stars.

  • Lelowhatsgood: Saw his global searches surge by a staggering 104% during the festival. Local fans also showed massive support, with his streams in Cape Town jumping by 33%.
  • HONEYMOAN: Captured international attention with a 41% increase in global searches. Their hometown crowd turned up the volume even more, boosting their Cape Town streams by an impressive 117%.
  • Internet Girl: Rode the MOM wave to a 59% increase in global searches, while her Cape Town streams saw a significant 55% boost.
  • YoungstaCPT: Proved his local hero status with a 25% increase in Cape Town streams. His global appeal also grew, with a 30% rise in Spotify searches worldwide.
  • Ziggy4x: Capitalised on the MOM buzz by releasing new music during the festival, resulting in an explosive 447% increase in global searches on Spotify. Their streams in Cape Town also saw a remarkable 88% jump.

Other performers at Spotify’s Street Play event also saw an increase in Cape Town streams, including TxC, who saw a 32% increase and Dee Koala, whose streams increased by 23%. 

Spotify’s MOM event didn’t just create a memorable experience for fans in Cape Town. It provided a powerful platform for local artists to connect with a global audience and significantly boost their streaming numbers. This data shows the tangible impact that events like MOM can have on the careers of emerging artists. It underscores Spotify’s commitment to supporting and amplifying local talent, helping them breakthrough on a global stage. 

“The incredible success of these South African artists during Mother of Music shows the power of Spotify’s platform to connect local talent with a global audience. We’re committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of artists everywhere, and it’s thrilling to see such a tangible impact in Cape Town.” 

says Jodie Tabisher, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for South Africa

Spotify’s Mother of Music took place from 5 to 8 September and was a four-day discovery of the African Renaissance, spotlighting emerging sounds and art in the mother city. The celebration saw more than 110 artists perform at 25 events across some of Cape Town’s most iconic venues.