Nigerian megastar Wizkid has become the first African artist to exceed 10 billion streams on Spotify across all credits. This milestone, confirmed by industry trackers, cements his status as a trailblazer who has propelled African music onto the international stage.

Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, his journey from rising star to the face of Afrobeats and subsequently global stardom is a testament to his innovative sound, strategic collaborations, constant evolution, and massive fanbase.

This record-breaking feat arrives amid a surge in Afrobeats’ popularity, with Wizkid at the forefront. As of early January 2026, Wizkid boasts more than 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His catalogue continues to resonate with fans worldwide, blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary R&B, dancehall, and pop elements.

His streams have been bolstered by a mix of solo hits, features, and albums that have amassed billions of plays.

Wizkid’s ascent to this Spotify pinnacle began in the early 2010s with his debut album Superstar (2011), which introduced infectious tracks like “Holla at Your Boy” and “Don’t Dull,” establishing him as the next big thing.

However, it was his 2014 single “Ojuelegba” that truly marked a turning point, not just for his career but for the entire Afrobeats movement. “Ojuelegba” captured the raw hustle of urban life in Nigeria, blending heartfelt lyrics with infectious rhythms. It became an anthem for dreamers, hustlers, and underdogs across Africa. With over 100 million streams on Spotify, “Ojuelegba” was the first Afrobeats track to attract major mainstream artists for a remix, featuring Drake and Skepta in 2015, which unlocked unprecedented international awareness and critical acclaim for the genre.

This remix propelled Afrobeats into global conversations and is rightfully considered one of the greatest Afrobeats songs of all time.

The influx of Nigerians in diaspora and tourists into the country has sparked a surge in the local and global streaming of Nigerian music.
Detty December is Nigeria’s annual homecoming season, where Nigerians from all around the globe and tourists come to partake in the festivities and culture that shape the festive season.

This influx of people into the country has led to a spike in both the local and global streaming of Nigerian music. According to data provided by Spotify, the music concerts, countless events, and merriments have heated up the consumption of Nigerian music.

Tracking the Spotify data from 2024, between 1 December 2024 and 5 January 2025, there was a 55% surge in local streaming and a 15% increase globally, compared to average daily consumption across the rest of the year (1 January to 14 November 2024).

The data reflects how end-of-year travel, reunions, and live events translate into digital listening momentum.

The spike is not confined to December alone. In the first two weeks of November 2025 (1 to 14 November), Nigerian tracks already showed a lift versus the January to October 2025 daily average: +23% locally and +12% globally. The early rise signals anticipation-led listening, as fans begin building soundtracks, revisiting favourites, and preparing for the month ahead.

While Lagos remains a key centre of gravity for Detty December, the season has become increasingly regional and global.

Spotify data highlights Accra among the biggest contributors to the uplift, reinforcing Ghana’s role in the Detty December story, alongside additional hubs including Nairobi, Kampala, New York, and Nuremberg.

The pattern reflects a broader reality: when West Africans move, returning, visiting, or linking up across cities, the music moves with them.

When Barack Obama hits ‘post’ on his annual Favourite Songs list, he isn’t just sharing a playlist. The former U.S President is issuing a State-of-the-Union address on the current landscape of global music. It’s a curated tradition that carries a lot of cultural weight. For the class of 2025, the verdict is clear: Afrobeats is no longer a guest at the table; it is setting the menu.

The 44th President’s 2025 list, released via his verified social media channels this week, serves as a definitive nod to the sheer versatility of Africa’s biggest musical export. This year, Obama’s affinity for Nigerian music feels more personal than ever, largely due to his deep dive into the roots of the sound. Earlier this year, the former President’s media company, Higher Ground, in collaboration with Audible, released the landmark 12-part documentary podcast series, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. Hosted by Jad Abumrad, the series features Obama not just as an executive producer, but as an active interviewee, reflecting on the “musical genius” of the Afrobeat pioneer.

In the series, Obama draws direct parallels between Fela’s bold expression and the poAt the summit of this year’s selection sits “TATATA,” the collaboration between Burna Boy and Travis Scott, off his Grammy-nominated album No Sign of Weakness. It’s a track that fuses the African Giant’s rhythmic ethos with Travis’ psychedelic Houston trap.

However, the real talking point of the list is the inclusion of “99”. “99” is a star-studded Afrobeats single released by Nigerian hip-hop legend Olamide, as a lead track from his self-titled eleventh studio album, Olamidé. Produced by Yung Willis, the song features a sensational collaboration with Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and British-Nigerian singer Daecolm. The song was an immediate commercial success, reaching number one on both Apple Music and Spotify Nigeria shortly after its release.

The inclusion of the song on Obama’s list, means the former president is looking far beyond the gloss of Western-facing pop and straight into the “Street-Pop” movement that is currently defining the continent.

Adding a layer of intellectual cool to the list is London-based Nigerian singer Obongjayar’s “Not In Surrender.” Obongjayar has long been the “artist’s artist,” a purveyor of genre-bending compositions that’s sometimes difficult to categorise. His presence here provides the list with its soul and confirms that the Nigerian diaspora in London continues to push the boundaries of what African music can sound like. We remember the 2019 list, where a young Rema first broke through with “Iron Man,” a moment that many cite as the official starting gun for the Mavin prodigy’s international ascent. In 2020 and 2021, the “Obama Bump” became a rite of passage for Wizkid and Tems, whose cultural phenomenon “Essence” famously occupied a permanent spot on the former President’s year-end playlist. The inclusion helped solidify “Essence” as a global crossover hit before it reached its peak on the Billboard charts in 2021 Earlier in 2020, Wizkid’s single “Smile” featuring H.E.R. was included in Obama’s summer playlist.

Burna Boy himself is a repeat offender, with “Last Last” making the cut in 2022, while Ayra Starr previously earned her stripes on the list with the infectious “Rush.” Even Pheelz and BNXN (Buju) have felt the glow of the 44th US president’s spotlight in years past.