How We Calculate Earnings

Rates last reviewed: November 2026, see Platform Rates below.

BaseNaija provides estimates of music streaming performance and potential earnings for Nigerian and African artists. We combine available streaming data, industry reporting, publicly disclosed artist earnings and third-party royalty estimates to produce our figures.

Our estimates are intended to provide useful insights into artists' streaming performance, not to represent official royalty statements or verified payments.

Data Sources

We use a combination of platform data, third-party music analytics services, industry reporting and publicly available information. Data availability varies by platform.

• Spotify

  We use streaming data obtained directly from the platform and also third-party music analytics services.

• YouTube

  We combine data from YouTube with information from third-party music analytics services.

• Audiomack

  We use listening data available directly from the platform.

• Boomplay

  We use listening data available directly from the platform.

• Apple Music

  Where direct streaming data is unavailable, we model estimates using relevant information from other platforms and our estimation approach.

Platform Rates

Streaming platforms do not pay a universal, fixed rate for every stream. Potential earnings vary depending on factors such as audience location, subscription and advertising revenue, rights ownership and contractual arrangements.

To estimate potential earnings, we consider several sources of information:

• Industry reporting

  We monitor credible reports about streaming payouts and artist earnings.

• Third-party royalty estimates

  We use royalty estimation tools like Tools4Music as additional reference points.

• Artist disclosures

  We review earnings publicly shared by artists, including disclosures on social media.

We evaluate these sources to establish platform-specific payout assumptions. Reported figures and third-party estimates are reference points, not guaranteed rates applicable to every artist or stream.

Our estimation approach may be refined as new information becomes available.

Measured vs. Modeled

Artist pages identify streaming data as either Measured or Modeled, depending on how the underlying figures are obtained.

• Measured

  The underlying stream, play or view count is obtained from available platform data or other directly observable sources. The associated earnings figure is still an estimate.

• Modeled

  When direct streaming data is unavailable, we model streams using the artist's Spotify data. Earnings are then calculated from these estimates.

Audience & Rights

Streaming revenue can vary by audience location, platform revenue model and the rights associated with the music. Two artists with similar streaming numbers may therefore generate different amounts of revenue.

Revenue generated by streaming is also not necessarily the amount an artist personally receives. Labels, distributors, publishers, songwriters and other rights holders may receive portions of the revenue, depending on their agreements.

BaseNaija does not have access to every artist's private royalty statements or contractual arrangements.

Data Updates

Artist data is updated at least twice a month, while trending and frequently tracked artists may be updated more often. Different platforms and data sources may update at different times, so figures displayed together may reflect different reporting dates.

Estimates may change as new streaming data becomes available, payout assumptions are revised or exchange rates fluctuate.

Currency Conversion

Naira figures are converted from a live USD exchange rate that is refreshed daily to keep estimates as accurate as possible. This means the naira amount may change even when the underlying streaming estimate remains the same.

Disclaimer

For questions or corrections, please contact us through our Contact page.