On Monday, September 29, Spotify shook up the entertainment scene with its annual Afrobeats ranking, and Burna Boy emerged as number one. The global streaming giant crowned him the top Afrobeats artist of 2025, cementing his position as one of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports.
Rema took the second spot, proving his global “Calm Down” success wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Wizkid slid into third place with his ever-loyal fan base, while Asake claimed fourth thanks to his consistent streak of street anthems. Ayra Starr, the self-proclaimed “Sabi Girl,” rounded off the top five, proudly standing as the only female artist in this elite list.
The rankings sparked immediate chatter, with fans taking to social media to debate who deserved the number one spot. Burna Boy’s supporters say his international tours and back-to-back hits made the choice obvious. But Wizkid FC and Rema’s ravers were quick to argue their faves should have taken the crown. Ayra Starr’s presence at number five also triggered mixed reactions - some fans felt she should be higher, while others celebrated the milestone for women in Afrobeats.
Spotify also revealed where Afrobeats is booming globally. Surprisingly, Nigeria wasn’t in the top five streaming countries. The United States, Brazil, France, the UK, and Germany led the pack before Nigeria at number six. That revelation left many Nigerian fans buzzing - how could home be outside the top five when Afrobeats was born right here?
Beyond the artists, some of the most-streamed tracks were spotlighted too, including Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez and Ayra Starr’s “Santa” with Rauw Alejandro. These global collaborations showed exactly why Afrobeats isn’t just a genre anymore, but a worldwide movement.
Still, the gossip couldn’t be ignored. Insiders whispered that Burna Boy had been “extra confident” about topping the chart this year, while some rival camps allegedly predicted Spotify would “play politics” in the ranking. Whether truth or speculation, the drama only fueled the excitement, with the entire entertainment industry watching who gets crowned next.
For now, Burna Boy sits firmly on the Afrobeats throne of 2025, while Rema, Wizkid, Asake, and Ayra Starr chase right behind. And if the social media reactions are anything to go by, the debates will keep buzzing long after Spotify’s list has been released.
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