Photo File: Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye, popularly known as The Weekend

Global music icon Abel Tesfaye, popularly known as The Weeknd, has once again made history as his smash hit Blinding Lights becomes the first song ever to surpass five billion streams on Spotify, setting a new benchmark in the world of digital music. The announcement was made by Spotify via its official Instagram page, and the Canadian singer wasted no time in sharing the news with his fans, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support the song continues to receive.

Released in November 2019 as the second single off his critically acclaimed After Hours album, Blinding Lights quickly captured the hearts of music lovers across the globe, including millions of Nigerian fans who embraced the track’s infectious synth-pop energy and emotional depth. The song went on to dominate the Billboard Hot 100, spending four consecutive weeks at number one and achieving an unprecedented feat by remaining in the chart’s top 10 for an entire year — a record that had never been seen before in the history of the chart.

In 2021, Billboard officially named Blinding Lights the Greatest Hot 100 Song of All Time, a title that placed it above timeless classics and cemented its legacy as a cultural phenomenon. Just days before crossing the five-billion-stream mark, the song was also ranked number one on Billboard’s Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century list, which evaluated music released between 2000 and 2024 — a further testament to its enduring impact.

Reacting to the milestone, The Weeknd, who had previously celebrated the song reaching four billion streams in January 2024, reiterated his humility and appreciation. “I’ll never stop being humbled by anything I create making its way to millions of people, let alone billions. I’m so grateful that this music evokes a feeling in listeners that keeps them coming back,” he wrote, echoing the sentiments of countless fans who continue to find solace and joy in the track.

With Blinding Lights now firmly etched in the record books, The Weeknd has solidified his position as one of the most streamed artists of the decade. He currently boasts 28 songs in Spotify’s prestigious Billions Club — more than any other artist — a feat that underscores his dominance in the streaming era and his ability to consistently deliver music that resonates across borders and cultures.

From the bustling streets of Lagos to the vibrant music scenes in Abuja and Port Harcourt, Nigerian fans have long embraced The Weeknd’s genre-defying sound, and this latest achievement only deepens the connection. As the music industry continues to evolve, Blinding Lights stands as a shining example of how one song can transcend time, geography, and language to become a global anthem.