Heartbreak Songs Eclipse Love Tracks On Valentine’s — Spotify
Heartbreak Dominates Valentine Listening
HEARTBREAK songs have outperformed traditional love anthems among Nigerian listeners this Valentine’s season, according to new data released by Spotify.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, revealed that playlists centred on longing, vulnerability and emotional recovery surged significantly in the weeks leading up to 14 February.
According to the streaming platform’s data, “yearn playlists” — associated with heartbreak and longing — recorded a 305 per cent increase between 1st January and 4th February 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. This was followed by a further 170 per cent rise from 2025 to 2026.
“Valentine’s Day in Nigeria is no longer a single-note romance moment,” Okumu said. “Listeners are embracing love and heartbreak as equally valid emotional realities.”
Gen Z Driving the Trend
Spotify’s data identifies Gen Z listeners, particularly those aged 18 to 24, as the strongest drivers of the heartbreak trend. On Valentine’s Day, nearly 60 per cent of streams within that age bracket leaned toward heartbreak-themed playlists, while just under 40 per cent favoured love-centred tracks.
The trend cuts across gender lines. Men accounted for over 65 per cent of heartbreak streams and 61 per cent of love streams, while women represented just over a third in both categories.
Geographically, heartbreak listening was most concentrated in Lagos, followed by Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Benin — suggesting that urban youth are increasingly using music as an emotional outlet.
Blended Sounds and Shared Playlists
Despite the dominance of heartbreak themes, collaborative listening remained high. Spotify described Valentine’s Day 2025 as the “Blendiest” day of the year, with users merging Afrobeats, street-pop and R&B into shared playlists.
Top blended tracks included Fido’s “Awolowo,” OdumoduBlvck’s “Juju” featuring Smur Lee and Shallipopi, and Rema’s “Fi Kan We Kan.”
Listeners also shared emotionally direct songs such as “Worst Day” by Future and “Give Me A Hug” by Drake.
Beyond romance, Spotify noted a global 70 per cent rise in “Galentine” playlist creation, reflecting how friendships and peer support are increasingly part of Valentine’s observances. Faith-based podcasts and relationship discussions also saw strong engagement on 14 February.
According to Okumu, this year’s data paints a picture of a generation redefining connection — emotionally expressive, community-oriented and comfortable navigating both love and loss.
