Let me tell you about a moment that shocked the music world. Aya Nakamura, born Aya Coco Danioko in Mali and raised in France, has just become the first African woman to reach one billion views on a single YouTube video with her hit song “Djadja.”
Aya was born on May 10, 1995, in Bamako, Mali, and later moved to France where She started singing by posting songs online. By 2018, her song “Djadja” exploded across Europe. The Rise of “Djadja” which was Released on April 6, 2018, “Djadja” quickly went viral, It hit number one in France, the Netherlands, and Romania. Not many French language songs get that far. It was the first by a woman since Édith Piaf in 1961 to top the Dutch charts .
At 29 years old, Aya is the youngest French artist and first African female to cross a billion views on YouTube. Only three other French language songs have done it “Dernière Danse” by Indila, “Papaoutai” by Stromae, and “Ego” by Willy William.
This milestone is more than a number. It shows that a Black African woman can reach the global stage with French language music. Aya blends Afropop, R&B, dancehall, and French street style to create something unique.
“Djadja” also carries a strong message, it’s about standing up against rumors and lies . It connects with crowds not just because of its beat, but because of its power.
Aya reached this level in less than seven years . That means hard work today matters.Be true to yourself. She created music she believed in across languages, cultures, and borders. Break limits. A French and African woman just topped one billion views. That shows what’s possible.
Aya performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, watched by 31 million people, another sign of her reach. She continues to release new music and work with artists like Maluma and Stormzy.
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