Spotify has announced its list of the top Afrobeats stars of 2025, with Nigerian Grammy winner Burna Boy claiming the number one spot.
Rema came second, with Wizkid in third place despite not releasing a solo project this year. Asake secured the fourth position with his street-inspired anthems, while Ayra Starr completed the top five, marking her continued rise as one of the leading new voices in the genre.
Spotify noted that the ranking highlights the global demand for Afrobeats, with African artists dominating streaming charts, music festivals, and international playlists.
Fans quickly flooded social media to react. Vigra_inc commented, “Now this will tell everyone to stop playing with Burna Boy.” Donaldefita added, “Burna na international star not local.”
Some praised Wizkid’s influence, even without new music. Stnnr1400 wrote, “Wiz has no single this year and still made it to top 3. That should tell you how much star power he has.”
Another fan, Zoema_mi, noted, “Well this is simple, ODG dropped an album this year, Rema dropped singles, and Wiz without an album or singles just features still be top 3. Give respect.”
Others questioned Davido’s absence from the list. Purepurity2345 reacted, “Lol silly list… Davido not added? Davido wey get the most streamed Spotify song of 2025.”
This recognition adds to Burna Boy’s streak of global success. In 2025 alone, he won the Best Overall Male Artist award at the Africa Arts Entertainment Awards, secured a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance with “Higher,” and bagged the MTV Video Music Award for Video for Good with “Higher” featuring 21 Savage.
Burna Boy also holds milestones as the first African artist to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show in 2023 and the first to headline a sold-out US stadium show at Citi Field.
