Toto’s ‘Africa’ surpasses 1 Billion views on YouTube

More than 40 years after its release, Toto’s iconic hit 'Africa' reaches a major milestone.

Toto’s classic 1983 hit “Africa” has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 1 billion views on YouTube. 

The track, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the band's only No. 1 hit, has now joined YouTube’s Billion Views Club.

Originally released as a single from the Toto IV album, “Africa” has enjoyed a resurgence over the decades. 

Certified gold by the RIAA in 1991, the song became an internet meme in the 2000s and even inspired a fan-driven cover by Weezer that re-entered the Hot 100, peaking at No. 51 in 2018. By 2022, the song had reached eight-times platinum status.

The music video for “Africa” takes place in a library where Toto’s David Paich attempts to match a page scrap to its book. 

Upon finding a book titled Africa, an African man throws a spear that topples a bookshelf, igniting a fire. 

The band is also seen performing on a giant stack of books about Africa. Despite its popularity, the video has faced criticism over the years. 

Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield labeled it “mind-blowingly racist” for its portrayal of African culture. However, in a 2018 Billboard oral history, director Steve Barron expressed surprise at the lack of backlash at the time, acknowledging that the video reflects an outsider’s perspective.

Despite mixed reviews, “Africa” continues to captivate audiences, solidifying its place as a timeless classic in popular music.