Two Years Since Spotify Launched Its AI-Powered DJ Feature in Nigeria
Two years in, here's how Spotify AI DJ has revolutionised music listening in Nigeria
When Spotify quietly introduced its AI-powered DJ in Nigeria in August 2023, it was framed as an experiment — a blend of recommendation algorithms, editorial curation, and AI-generated commentary delivered in the voice of Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. Two years later, what once felt like a novelty is now shaping how Nigerians interact with music streaming.
The AI DJ functions like a pocket-sized radio host, explaining song choices, stitching tracks together, and surfacing forgotten favourites. For many Nigerian listeners, the appeal has been convenience — rediscovering old songs without the hassle of curating endless playlists. “Some old songs I saved in 2016/17 are reappearing and I’m loving the diversity… I feel I’m skipping less than when I listen to my own curated playlists,” one user noted on social media.
Spotify has not disclosed adoption figures for the AI DJ feature in Nigeria, but the platform’s broader growth signals its impact. In 2024 alone, Nigerian artists earned over ₦58 billion in royalties through Spotify — more than double the previous year and five times 2022’s total, according to Spotify’s Loud & Clear report. The report also revealed more than 1 billion “first-time discoveries” of Nigerian music and a 33% jump in Nigerian artists landing editorial playlist slots.
Speaking on the platform’s trajectory, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “We remain committed to empowering Nigerian artists to earn from their art… The incredible growth of Nigerian music is a testament to the talent and creativity within Nigeria.”
Oluwaseun Bamisile
The listening boom is not limited to artists’ earnings. Spotify recently disclosed that Nigerian users drove 13.5 million streams in a single day for the top 200 tracks, underscoring just how central streaming has become in the country’s cultural life. With digital music revenue expected to hit $22.9 million in 2025 and grow to nearly $33 million by 2030, features like the AI DJ are positioned at the heart of how music is consumed.
Yet, reactions to the AI DJ remain mixed. Many listeners praise its ability to create a “true shuffle” experience and to surface long-forgotten songs. Others complain of repetitive track selections, abrupt interruptions from the AI’s voice, or the absence of support for local languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Pidgin. One Reddit user was effusive: “Just tried the AI DJ on Spotify and OMG it’s amazing. All the songs I like on queue just like a DJ Grauchi mix.” Another was less impressed: “It’s just another repetitive playlist with some random voice repeating the same comments every 4–5 songs. Nothing great.”
For Spotify, however, the experiment has clearly paid off. The AI DJ has become a differentiator in a crowded streaming market, keeping Premium subscribers engaged while amplifying exposure for Nigerian artists at home and abroad. The next frontier may lie in customization, from adding local language voices to giving users greater control over mood and genre filters.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
Two years in, Spotify’s AI DJ is no longer just an experiment. It’s a reflection of a changing Nigerian music landscape where algorithms, nostalgia, and culture collide — and where the decks are only getting smarter.
