French-Malian superstar Aya Nakamura has officially made history. Her 2018 breakout hit “Djadja” has crossed 1 billion views on YouTube, making her the first African woman to reach this extraordinary milestone on the platform.
The news was confirmed by industry tracking site Chart Data, which posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Aya Nakamura becomes the first female African artist to have a video earn 1 billion views on YouTube.”
Originally released in April 2018, Djadja quickly became an international anthem, thanks to its bold message of female empowerment, addictive Afropop rhythm, and unforgettable hook.
The track’s universal appeal grew when Colombian singer Maluma jumped on a Spanish-language remix in 2020, expanding its reach into the Latin American market.
This moment solidifies Aya Nakamura’s place as a trailblazer in African and global music. Her success is not only measured in views but in cultural impact.
With this milestone, she joins an elite circle of Black female music legends—Nicki Minaj, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and Rihanna—as the only Black women whose music videos have reached the billion-view mark.
Fans around the world erupted in celebration online. One viral fan tweet read:
“OMGGG YES SHE IS A QUEEN !!! she joins Nicki Minaj, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé and Rihanna as the only black female artist to have a music video reach 1 BILLION 😭😭 IS CRAZY”
Born in Bamako, Mali and raised in the Paris suburbs, Aya Nakamura (born Aya Danioko) has been pushing boundaries since the start of her career. Singing in a mix of French, street slang, and West African vernacular, her work has consistently resonated across continents.
She’s long been recognized as one of France’s most streamed artists, but this new accolade places her firmly in the global music canon, especially as African sounds continue to shape mainstream pop.