Top Performing Nigerian Artists of 2025

Nigeria’s music industry recorded another landmark year in 2025, as its leading artists continued to dominate streaming platforms, music charts and global stages, reinforcing the country’s status as Africa’s most influential music powerhouse.

From Afrobeats giants to fast-rising street-pop acts, Nigerian musicians posted massive streaming numbers, released chart-topping projects and expanded their international reach through tours, collaborations and awards.

Wizkid Takes the Lead

Grammy-winning superstar Wizkid emerged as one of the top-performing Nigerian artists of 2025, finishing the year as the most-streamed Nigerian act across major digital platforms. His project, Morayo, ranked among the most-consumed albums of the year, while several of his songs maintained strong positions on local and international charts.

Wizkid’s sustained dominance underscored his longevity and influence more than a decade after breaking into the mainstream.

Davido Sustains a Hit-Making Streak

Davido also recorded a strong 2025, with his music enjoying heavy rotation across streaming services and radio. His collaboration with Omah Lay on the hit song “With You” ranked among the most-streamed Nigerian songs of the year, reaffirming his reputation as one of the country’s most consistent hitmakers.

Beyond streaming, Davido remained visible on the global stage through performances, collaborations and brand partnerships.

Rema Maintains Global Momentum

Rema sustained his global rise in 2025, driven by high-performing singles that blended Afrobeats with pop and alternative sounds. His music ranked among the most-streamed Nigerian releases of the year, strengthening his reputation as one of the country’s strongest crossover acts and growing his international fan base.

Asake Sustains Chart Dominance

Asake remained a significant force on Nigerian charts, with his catalogue continuing to record heavy streams throughout the year. His energetic sound and loyal fan base ensured his music remained relevant in clubs, on playlists, and across digital platforms, placing him among the year’s top performers.

Seyi Vibez Thrives on Local Charts

Street-pop star Seyi Vibez enjoyed one of his most successful years yet, ranking highly on Nigerian streaming charts, particularly in the first half of 2025. His emotionally charged sound and strong grassroots following helped him maintain consistent visibility and commercial success.

Burna Boy Retains Global Relevance Amid Controversies

Although not the most-streamed Nigerian artist in 2025, Burna Boy remained one of the country’s most influential musical exports. His releases continued to attract strong streaming figures, while his global touring and international recognition kept him firmly positioned among Africa’s elite performers. Burner Boy also found himself at the centre of several controversies this year, which stirred global debate. As a result, fans threatened to cancel him after he evicted a sleeping couple from the front row of his Colorado concert.

Tems Sets New Milestones

Tems further strengthened her global profile in 2025, becoming one of the most listened-to Nigerian artists worldwide. She recorded major streaming milestones and earned international recognition for her work, reinforcing her position as one of Africa’s most successful female artists on the global stage.

Ayra Starr Continues to Rise

Ayra Starr maintained her momentum in 2025, with multiple songs achieving significant streaming numbers. She remained one of the most prominent female voices in Afrobeats, combining commercial success with growing international appeal.

The year 2025 also saw the emergence of new and fast-rising talents. Artists such as Fido, Shallipopi, Chella and FOLA gained widespread attention through viral songs and strong streaming performances, signalling a new generation poised to shape Nigeria’s music future.

Overall, 2025 reaffirmed Nigeria’s dominance in Africa’s creative economy. With artists consistently topping charts, attracting global audiences and expanding their influence beyond the continent, Nigerian music continued to serve as a powerful cultural export.

As streaming platforms, international collaborations and global tours expand, industry observers say the momentum built in 2025 positions Nigerian artists for even greater global impact in the years ahead.