The first quarter of 2025 has delivered a sonic smorgasbord that's as diverse as our playlists! While the world at large was vibing to a familiar favorite in Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' smooth collaboration, "Die with a Smile," which snagged the top spot in in-vehicle charts globally and stateside, the Nigerian music scene was cooking up its own streaming storm, with Wizkid emerging as the undisputed king of the digital airwaves!
That's right, Starboy Wizkid dominated the TurnTable charts as the most-streamed Nigerian artist in Q1 2025, racking up a staggering 218 million streams! It's a testament to his enduring appeal and the consistent quality of his output. But the Naija music story is far from a one-man show.
Asake, with his signature blend of Afrobeats and the infectious rhythms of Amapiano, wasn't far behind, pulling in an impressive 147 million streams. Seyi Vibez also held strong, securing the third spot with 138 million streams, proving that his unique sound continues to resonate with listeners. The top five was rounded out by the exciting talents of Tml Vibez (107 million streams) and ODUMODUBLVCK (88 million), both artists bringing fresh and bold vibes to the scene. The Nigerian music landscape is clearly brimming with innovation!
But let's not forget the global stage! Shaboozey's catchy "Bar Song (Tipsy)" continued its chart reign, proving its staying power. Kendrick Lamar also made a significant impact, not only with his own heat like "Not Like Us" but also through his stellar collaborations with the incredible SZA on tracks like "Luther" and the iconic "All the Stars." Genre-bending collaborations were also having a moment, with the unexpected yet undeniably catchy pairing of Post Malone and Morgan Wallen on "I Had Some Help" making waves. And for the album lovers out there, the enigmatic Sleep Token, the ever-evolving The Weeknd, and the global sensation Bad Bunny all secured top spots on the album charts, according to the industry insiders at HITS Daily Double and Billboard.
Back in Nigeria, the streaming landscape revealed some exciting new contenders alongside the established giants. Ayo Maff burst onto the scene, landing in sixth place with a commendable 87 million streams, signaling the arrival of fresh talent. Meanwhile, the titans Rema and Davido held their ground with 75 million and 73 million streams respectively, proving their consistent pull. Fido (67 million) and BNXN (60 million) rounded out the top ten, showcasing the depth and breadth of Nigerian musical talent.
Even the African Giant, Burna Boy, with 59 million streams in the quarter, found himself in 11th place in this fiercely competitive landscape. T.I BLAZE and Bella Shmurda also made their presence felt with 56 million and 52 million streams respectively. Further down the list, Shallipopi's street-hop swagger earned him the 14th spot with 47 million streams, while the incredibly talented Fireboy DML (45 million), BhadBoi OML (44 million), Chike (42.5 million), FOLA (42.4 million), DJ 4Kerty (41.5 million), and ZerrydL (41 million) rounded out the top 20, painting a vibrant picture of the diverse sounds captivating Nigerian listeners.
The global music scene continues to be a melting pot of genres and styles, with established stars sharing the spotlight with exciting new voices. And in Nigeria, the streaming numbers paint a clear picture: Wizkid remains a powerhouse, but a wave of incredibly talented artists are রাইজিং up, each bringing their unique flavor to the Afrobeats explosion.
