Burna Boy Crowned Spotify’s Top Afrobeats Artist of 2025; Davido Absent from Top 5

Global streaming giant Spotify has released its highly anticipated list of the Top Afrobeats Artists of 2025, placing Nigerian superstar Burna Boy at the pinnacle of the genre. The list, which measures streaming performance and reach over the year, underscores Nigeria’s continued dominance in the global music scene, with Nigerian artists occupying all top positions.

Burna Boy’s reign at number one confirms his massive worldwide appeal, maintaining his status as one of the genre’s most powerful international figures. Following closely behind is the Mavin Records star Rema at number two, who has leveraged his unique sound and international collaborations to become a streaming powerhouse. Veteran artist Wizkid secures the number three spot, confirming the enduring strength of his catalog and fanbase.

Rounding out the top five are two artists who have achieved significant commercial and critical success this year: Asake at number four, and Roc Nation’s latest signee, the rapidly rising female star Ayra Starr, who completes the top five. The lineup showcases a vibrant mix of established veterans and new-generation leaders shaping the sound of Afrobeats today.

A Conspicuous Omission: Noticeably absent from the top five is Davido, who is widely and historically regarded as one of the “Afrobeats Big 3” alongside Wizkid and Burna Boy. His exclusion from this year’s top tier will undoubtedly spark debate among fans and industry analysts about the criteria and global metrics used by the platform.

In addition to the artist rankings, Spotify also provided insights into the global consumption of the genre, highlighting the vast international reach of Afrobeats. The United States emerged as the country consuming Afrobeats the most, signaling the genre’s deep penetration into the North American market. Following the U.S. were Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, with Nigeria itself placing sixth. This data confirms that while the sound originates in Nigeria, its audience and growth are truly global.