Nigerian Afrobeats stars continue to assert their global dominance, as highlighted by Spotify’s newly released ranking of the country’s most-streamed songs internationally in the first half of 2025. The streaming platform’s data, which tracks listens outside Nigeria, underscores the genre’s growing cross-cultural appeal, with Rema leading the chart and industry heavyweights Davido and Burna Boy securing multiple entries.
Rema’s Baby (Is It A Crime) claimed the top spot, followed closely by Shallipopi’s Laho and Davido’s With You, a collaboration with Omah Lay. Davido emerged as the most represented artist overall, with nine tracks from his latest album, 5ive, appearing in the top 30. Burna Boy trailed with five entries, including the Travis Scott-assisted Tatata at number five and a feature on Coldplay’s We Pray at seventh place. International collaborations proved pivotal, accounting for over half of the top 10.
The fourth and fifth positions went to Chella’s introspective ballad My Darling and Burna Boy’s Tatata, respectively. The latter half of the top 10 saw Shallipopi feature twice—first alongside Frenna on Zazaza (sixth) and again with Burna Boy on Laho II (ninth). Burna Boy’s solo track Update and Davido’s Be There Still rounded out the list’s upper tier, reinforcing their staying power in global playlists.
Spotify’s data reflects Nigeria’s music industry evolution, where cross-border partnerships and diasporan fanbases amplify reach. Artists like Shallipopi, a relative newcomer compared to veterans Davido and Burna Boy, demonstrated their rising influence with three entries in the top 10. Meanwhile, established acts continue leveraging global ties, as seen in Coldplay’s collaboration with Burna Boy—a follow-up to their 2021 hit My Universe.
The report follows a trend of African artists commanding larger shares of global streams, with Afrobeats and its subgenres now regularly featuring in Billboard charts and Grammy nominations. Analysts attribute this growth to strategic digital distribution, viral social media trends, and increased investment in African talent by major labels. While Nigeria remains the genre’s epicenter, the inclusion of international features highlights efforts to bridge markets, particularly in North America and Europe.
As streaming algorithms and playlist placements propel Nigerian music to new audiences, the mid-year chart serves as both a barometer of current favorites and a roadmap for the industry’s ambitions. With multiple artists now averaging over 100 million monthly Spotify streams outside Africa, the data signals a sustained shift in global listening habits—one where Nigerian voices are no longer niche but central to mainstream playlists.
