Ava Max's 'Kings & Queens' Reigns with Over 1 Billion Spotify Streams

Ava Max's "Kings & Queens" has become a significant milestone in her career, surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify. This track, which was released as the lead single from her debut album Heaven & Hell (2020), represents her second song to reach this achievement, following "Sweet but Psycho," which now has over 1.7 billion streams.

"Kings & Queens" saw immediate success upon its release, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at No. 13 by November 2020. It also topped the Adult Top 40 and was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA in the United States for selling over 2 million units. Globally, the song received similar success, reaching No. 19 in the UK and topping airplay charts in countries like Poland and Israel. It was certified multi-platinum in numerous territories, including quadruple platinum in Canada and platinum in the UK and Australia.

The song’s performance on radio and digital platforms helped it maintain longevity on the charts, remaining a staple on Spotify playlists, further contributing to its eventual billion-stream milestone.

Beyond its commercial success, "Kings & Queens" became a modern anthem for empowerment, particularly resonating with feminist and LGBTQ+ movements. Billboard recognized the track as a key song during the 2020 Pride season, even calling it the "unofficial anthem" of the Pride parades that year, which were largely virtual due to the pandemic. The song was also listed in Billboard's “100 Best Songs of 2020” and its “30 Best Pop Songs of 2020,” noting its 1980s-inspired sound mixed with a contemporary pop flair. The track’s themes of empowerment were universally praised, especially for its strong and declarative lyrics promoting female strength.

The song played a pivotal role in Ava Max's recognition across the music industry. Although "Kings & Queens" did not directly win major awards, it helped Ava Max secure nominations and accolades at significant industry events. At the iHeartRadio Music Awards, she was nominated for Best Female Artist, and the track contributed to her winning accolades such as the Attitude Breakthrough Award and recognition at the LOS40 Music Awards. Moreover, her debut album, anchored by "Kings & Queens," received wide attention, including nominations for prestigious European music awards like the MTV Europe Music Awards.

The music video for "Kings & Queens", directed by Isaac Rentz, gained over 410 million views on YouTube since it's release in March 2020. The visually stunning video portrays Ava Max as a regal figure in a heavenly throne room, surrounded by dancers in an Amazonian queen aesthetic, inspired by Game of Thrones. The use of electric axes and opulent settings further underscored the themes of power and celebration of women’s leadership and independence. This video played a significant role in cementing the song’s image as an empowerment anthem.

"Kings & Queens" also made waves globally, especially in Europe and parts of Latin America, where its airplay was strong. Its placement in several commercials and television spots helped broaden its cultural footprint. The song's upbeat melody, combined with its message of equality, allowed it to transcend pop and become a statement of confidence and self-worth in various social contexts.