Burna Boy, Rema, and Wizkid have been named the leading Afrobeats artistes of 2025, according to streaming platform Spotify. The top five also includes Asake and Ayra Starr, reflecting the continued rise of the genre on a global scale.
The announcement highlights the growing international audience for Afrobeats, with fans streaming the music from countries as far as Brazil, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Nigeria. Spotify noted that the platform had surpassed 600 million monthly users at the end of 2023, further cementing its role as a key driver of music discovery worldwide.
Among the most-streamed tracks of the year are Ayra Starr’s Santa featuring Rauw Alejandro and Rvssian, Moliy’s Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix with Shenseea, Silent Addy, and Skillibeng, and Rema’s global hit Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez. Burna Boy also made the list with his collaborative track We Pray alongside Coldplay, Elyanna, Little Simz, and Tini. Viral singles such as Libianca’s People also contributed to the year’s streaming numbers.
Global Expansion and Fan Base Growth
The inclusion of countries like the United States, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Nigeria demonstrates Afrobeats’ expanding global footprint. Spotify highlighted that listeners are increasingly discovering the genre beyond traditional markets, boosting both streaming figures and international collaborations.
Despite this growth, some notable artists were absent from the top rankings. Davido, a longtime global ambassador of Afrobeats, did not appear among the leading names, nor did South African singer Tyla, who has won multiple awards for Best Afrobeats, or Tems, the winner of the 2025 Grammy Award for Best African Music. Observers suggest these omissions reflect the competitive and fast-evolving nature of global streaming charts rather than a decline in influence.
Afrobeats: From Fela Kuti to Global Domination
Afrobeats has its roots in Afrobeat, pioneered by the legendary Fela Kuti, but has since evolved into a distinct, internationally recognized genre. Early stars such as D’banj, Timaya, Wizkid, Davido, and Tiwa Savage were instrumental in pushing Afrobeats onto the world stage. Today, artists like Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, Ayra Starr, and Tems continue to carry the “Afrobeats to the World” movement, dominating global charts and securing international fanbases.
Despite rapid expansion, critics point to challenges in the genre’s commercial trajectory. One ongoing concern is the lack of unity among top Nigerian artists, which some say slows the collective growth of Afrobeats. Nevertheless, the genre’s global appeal remains undeniable, with streaming figures demonstrating strong engagement across multiple continents.
Spotify’s recognition of the top Afrobeats artists in 2025 underscores the genre’s ability to resonate internationally. With collaborations between Nigerian artistes and global stars continuing to increase, the influence of Afrobeats shows no signs of slowing, and its evolution remains a key story in the music industry.
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