Toto’s ‘Africa’ Remains A Global Hit — And It Rises To A New Peak

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Toto was on fire, as the band racked up multiple top 10 hits on the Hot 100 in the United States. The pop-rock group won several Grammys during that time period, including both Record and Album of the Year in 1983.

Decades later, there is one tune Toto holds as its most famous — and also one of the most popular tracks from that era. “Africa” is still something of an anthem for millions of people, and it remains a song that countless singers know every word to. The track is usually found on Billboard’s global rankings, and this week, fans all around the world have pushed it to a new high.

“Africa” Climbs on Billboard’s Global Charts

“Africa” appears on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. The former ranks the 200 most-consumed tracks across the planet, while the latter operates in a similar fashion, but excludes streams and sales from America.

On the Billboard Global 200, “Africa” jumps more than 20 spaces, soaring from No. 164 to No. 142. The song also increases on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., surging over 40 spaces from No. 197 to No. 156.

Toto Reaches a New Career High

The single is the only one from the group to ever appear on the worldwide tally, so every time it earns a new peak position, the band does as well. Toto rocks higher than ever on the Billboard Global 200, as interest in “Africa” appears to be growing.

The same cannot quite be said when it comes to the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., where “Africa” remains Toto’s biggest win, but it does not climb to a new peak at the moment. In January of this year, “Africa” reached No. 145, just a little more than 10 spaces above where it sits now.

“Africa” Remains the Band’s Signature Hit

“Africa” served as the second single from the album Toto IV, which dropped in the spring of 1982. The track followed “Rosanna,” which was also a huge success for the band.

“Rosanna” brought Toto a new high point on the Hot 100, where it stalled in the runner-up spot, while “Africa” gave the group its first and only No. 1. In the decades since, the track has been certified diamond for shifting at least 10 million equivalent units in the U.S. alone.