Afrobeats is no longer a regional phenomenon—Spotify’s 2025 recap showed that Nigerian audiences streamed over 1.3 billion hours of music and local listening on the platform grew 82 %, while global listening to Afrobeats grew 22 %. Apple Music’s year‑end charts similarly highlighted artists like Asake, Wizkid, Davido and Rema dominating the service’s top songs. TurnTable Charts reported that the top Nigerian albums of 2025 collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams. Against this backdrop, the following Afrobeats artists have momentum heading into 2026. Each entry includes a real image link and a YouTube embed so readers can explore their music.
Burna Boy – Nigeria/Global
The self‑styled African Giant was Spotify’s No. 1 Afrobeats artist of 2025, outperforming rivals like Rema and Wizkid. His July 2025 album *No Sign of Weakness* spawned singles such as “Bundle by Bundle” and “TaTaTa” and logged 182.7 million streams, making it the fourth‑biggest Nigerian project of the year. Burna’s “I Told Them…” stadium tour (2023‑24) grossed US$30.5 million from 302,801 tickets across 22 shows and became the highest‑grossing tour by an African artist. His mix of Afrobeats, reggae and hip‑hop plus his global touring power position him as the artist to beat in 2026.
Rema – Nigeria
Mavin Records’ prodigy Rema transformed youthful swagger into measurable success in 2025. His single “Baby (Is It a Crime)” was the most‑streamed Nigerian song on Spotify in February 2025, racking up 14.28 million streams within three weeks of release and later topping the platform’s year‑end song chart. BOUNCE noted that “Baby” earned more than 2.1 million streams on its first day and that Rema leads the HEIS World Tour starting April 2025, with dates in North America, Europe and Asia. With nine nominations at the 17th Headies Awards and a world tour already underway, his melodic blend of trap, Afrobeats and pop ensures he remains a key figure in 2026.
Wizkid – Nigeria/Global
After pioneering the Afrobeats‑to‑global pipeline, Wizkid continued his reign in 2025. Spotify Wrapped crowned him Nigeria’s most‑streamed artist of 2025, while TurnTable Charts named his late‑2024 album *Morayo* the biggest Nigerian album of 2025 with 292.4 million streams and eleven weeks at No. 1. He headlined festivals across Africa and Europe and maintained about 15.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. With rumours of new music and a proven record of crossover hits, Wizkid remains a sure‑bet for 2026.
Davido – Nigeria/Global
Davido’s album *5IVE* was the second‑biggest Nigerian project of 2025 with 247.5 million streams and five weeks at No. 1. His infectious single “With You” featuring Omah Lay dominated Spotify with 89.1 million streams, topping Nigeria’s year‑end songs list. The *5ive Alive* tour took over stages across North America and Nigeria and will head to Europe in March 2026. Davido’s ability to craft anthems and mount large‑scale tours keeps him in the top tier going into 2026.
BNXN (Buju) – Nigeria
Formerly known as Buju, BNXN stepped into the spotlight with his album *CAPTAIN*, which amassed 201.8 million streams and spent five weeks at No. 1 on TurnTable’s album chart. Mp3bullet’s summary put the project’s total streaming figure at about 193 million streams. His smooth vocals and relatable lyrics resonate with younger listeners, and collaborations with artists like Kizz Daniel and Ruger suggest a strong pipeline of music for 2026.
Asake – Nigeria
YBNL alumnus Asake continued his hot streak in 2025. His 2024 album *Lungu Boy* added 172.95 million streams in 2025, keeping it in the year’s top‑five albums. The singer left YBNL to form his own imprint Giran Republic and released the single “Why Love,” which Apple Music reported as Nigeria’s most‑streamed song of 2025. Asake also topped Apple Music’s year‑end artist chart, underscoring his broad appeal. With independence and a pending clothing line, he enters 2026 on his own terms.
Ayra Starr – Nigeria/Global
Ayra Starr’s rise shows no signs of slowing. She released the sultry single “Hot Body” on July 25 2025 as her first project under Roc Nation, while her collaborative track “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s U.S. Afro Songs chart and exceeded 40 million streams. Universal Music reported that Ayra has accumulated over 3 billion streams and 1 billion YouTube views. She was the most‑streamed female artist on Spotify Nigeria in 2025 and toured with Coldplay. Her boundary‑pushing R&B‑Afrobeats fusion makes her a compelling bet for 2026.
Tems – Nigeria/Global
Tems cemented her status as a global star with her November 2025 EP Love Is A Kingdom. Sony Music noted that she has amassed more than 5 billion streams worldwide, 300 million YouTube views and over 90 award nominations, including Grammys, BET and NAACP honours. The EP showcased her soulful songwriting and was accompanied by a sold‑out world tour that included stops at Coachella and Glastonbury. As a two‑time Grammy winner with cross‑genre appeal, Tems remains a powerhouse heading into 2026.
Seyi Vibez – Nigeria
Street‑hop sensation Seyi Vibez turned vulnerability into hits. His EP Children of Africa recorded 141.3 million streams in 2025 and kept him among Nigeria’s top‑streamed artists. Singles like “Fuji Moto” and “Amdallah” dominated airwaves, and he maintained a prolific release schedule despite personal loss. With a loyal fan base and a knack for fusing Fuji influences with modern production, Seyi Vibez is poised for another breakthrough year.
Fola – Nigeria
Producer‑turned‑artist Fola quietly released one of 2025’s most successful projects. His album catharsis logged 161.78 million streams and spent eight weeks at No. 1 on TurnTable’s chart. Pulse Nigeria reported that it remained a top‑streamed Nigerian project, illustrating the demand for his atmospheric Afrobeats sound. With a new project teased for 2026, Fola’s understated but impactful music warrants attention.
ODUMODUBLVCK – Nigeria
The Abuja‑born rapper’s machine‑gun delivery made waves. His album The Machine Is Coming accrued 132.7 million streams in 2025 and produced the viral hit “Declan Rice.” His energetic live shows and collaborations with Davido and Bella Shmurda expanded his audience. As he works on a follow‑up project, ODUMODUBLVCK’s unique fusion of drill, hip‑hop and Afrobeats keeps him on the radar.
T.I Blaze – Nigeria
T.I Blaze’s Shakur (Deluxe) continued the singer’s run of street anthems. The project delivered 164.7 million streams and secured multiple weeks atop the charts. Pulse Nigeria ranked the deluxe edition among 2025’s most‑streamed projects, with tracks like “Kilo” and “Sometimes” resonating on TikTok. His candid lyrics about hustle and mental health give him a distinct voice heading into 2026.
Olamide – Nigeria
Veteran rapper Olamide reinvented himself with his self‑titled 2025 album *Olamide*. AlbumTalks reports that the 17‑track set peaked at No. 4 on Apple Music’s U.S. Top Albums chart—the highest position for an African album in 2025—and reached No. 1 on the UK Apple Albums chart. TurnTable data shows the album added 148.5 million streams in Nigeria. Featuring collaborations with Wizkid and Darkoo and anchored by the hit “Billionaire’s Club,” the album underscores Olamide’s continuing relevance.
Oxlade – Nigeria
Oxlade’s OFA: Deluxe Edition became a streaming juggernaut. According to AlbumTalks, the deluxe project—bolstered by additional tracks and the viral “Ku Lo Sa”—surpassed 456 million streams, making it the most‑streamed Nigerian project of 2025. Pulse also listed it among the year’s top projects. His silky falsetto and global collaborations (with Camila Cabello and DJ Spinall) make Oxlade a contender for continued success in 2026.
Fido – Nigeria
Street‑hop artist Fido gained traction with his 2025 album Olayemi, which Pulse Nigeria reported accumulating 73.2 million streams. The project’s blend of Yoruba percussion, high‑life guitars and modern trap produced hits like “Gbeku” and “Wallet.” With the growing popularity of indigenous street music, Fido’s raw storytelling could propel him further in 2026.
Joeboy – Nigeria
Joeboy’s March 2025 release Viva Lavida debuted at No. 2 on Apple Music Nigeria and surpassed 50 million streams within months. Singles like “Taxi Driver” sparked TikTok dance challenges and his album‑launch concert in Accra drew crowds from across West Africa. With a melodic Afropop sound and cross‑border appeal, Joeboy is set to build on this momentum in 2026.
Black Sherif – Ghana
Ghanaian storyteller Black Sherif followed his 2022 breakout with the 2025 album Iron Boy. Ubetoo notes that the project topped Ghanaian charts, made him the first Ghanaian act with multiple songs in Nigeria’s Apple Music Top 100, and fuelled sold‑out tours across North America and Europe. His raspy vocals and socially conscious lyrics earned him a BET nomination. With a growing global fan base, Black Sherif looks poised for a major 2026.
Ruger – Nigeria
Ruger’s second album BlownBoy Ru dropped on March 28 2025 and showcased his growth from dancehall‑inflected hits to polished Afrobeats. TurnTable reported that lead single “Jay Jay” earned 234,000 first‑day Spotify streams and more than 50 million TikTok views, while “Toma Toma” racked up 30 million global streams. Ruger also secured a MOBO nomination and embarked on a US and European tour. His eye‑patch‑wearing persona and infectious melodies make him a standout for 2026.
Kizz Daniel – Nigeria
Kizz Daniel explored sweet‑and‑sour themes on his June 2025 EP Uncle K: Lemon Chase. EarMilk highlighted the seven‑track project’s inventive blend of Afrobeats with highlife and R&B and noted collaborations with Fola, Sauti Sol, Runtown and Bella Shmurda. Songs like “Eyo” and “Secure” showcased his vocal versatility and set the stage for a full album in 2026. Given his history of hit singles (“Buga”, “Cough”) and cross‑genre experiments, Kizz Daniel remains one to watch.
Victony – Nigeria
Victony continued to push creative boundaries with his 2025 EP Very Stubborn. AlbumTalks praised the project for blending Afrobeats, street‑hop and experimental melodies and highlighted collaborations with Don Jazzy, Olamide and Terry G. His willingness to experiment—after delivering the 2023 hit “Soweto” with Tempoe—suggests that he could spearhead a new wave of Afrobeats in 2026.
