Spotify entered the Nigerian market 5 years ago, and in that time, Afrobeats superstar Asake has been the most-streamed artist on the platform.
In celebration of its fifth anniversary in Nigeria, Spotify has revealed the list of the top 5 most-streamed artists since it launched in the country in 2021. Topping the list is hitmaker Asake, who leads other global sensations in what is a testament to its status as an era-defining star.

Wizkid ranks second on the list as his illustrious career continued to hit new heights in the streaming era. Street pop sensation Seyi Vibez is ranked third thanks to his tireless project releases and a steady supply of hit singles, which have made him a digital force.

Burna Boy’s global historic feats can also be reconciled with his success in Nigeria, where he’s the fourth most-streamed artist in the history of Spotify Nigeria. Davido rounds off the top five after releasing two acclaimed projects and scoring several hit records since 2021.

In January 2022, Asake stepped into the Nigerian mainstream with the release of his hit single ‘Omo Ope,’ featuring Olamide Baddo, who added him to the roster of his label YBNL. The single became an instant hit and rocketed him to nationwide fame, yet not many could have anticipated the era-defining influence he was about to have on the nation’s music industry.

Wielding an emphatic artistry that found expression through his smooth blend of fuji inflected melodies and electrifying rap flows, Asake formed a formidable duo with producer Magicsticks, whose clever use of Amapiano imported log drums delivered a sound that revolutionized Nigerian mainstream pop music.

His debut EP was an emphatic success, and he followed up with the release of the singles ‘Pallazo’ featuring Spinall, ‘PBUY,’ and ‘Terminator,’ which led up to his debut album ‘Mr Money With Vibe’ released in December 2022.

Asake’s debut album announced not only his arrival but also his takeover as Afrobeats leading hitmaker. The album, filled with hits, has surpassed over 800 million Spotify streams. A year later, he followed up with his sophomore album ‘Work of Art,’ which was also an instant success thanks to its array of hit singles such as ‘Remember,’ ‘2:30,’ ‘Basquiat,’ and ‘Lonely At The Top,’ which is the most-streamed song in the history of Nigeria.

When Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, recently described himself as a “lover boy” rather than a womaniser, the comment landed with a sense of irony. In a recent sit-down with the Voice of Nigeria, the singer addressed the tag that has followed him for decades: “The biggest misconception about me is that I’m a womaniser. I’m a lover boy. I love hard.

While 2Baba frames his history as one of intense affection, his personal relationship timeline is a complex one. This “lover boy” energy has seen him father eight children across four different relationships, most notably with Sumbo Adeoye and Pero Adeniyi, the latter of whom remained a source of public tension during his 12-year marriage to actress Annie Idibia.

2Baba’s romantic history predates his rise to superstardom, but it became more visible as his career took off in the early 2000s. He is a father to eight children with four women: Sumbo Ajala, now known as Sumbo Adeoye; Pero Adeniyi, now known as Pero Adeniyi Agofure; Annie Macaulay; and Natasha Osawaru.

Although Annie is often remembered as his earliest and most enduring partner, 2Baba’s first child is with Sumbo Ajala, with whom he has two children. He later had three children with Pero Adeniyi, with whom he maintained an on-and-off relationship for several years. These overlapping relationships, which became public over time, contributed to the perception of instability in his romantic life.

Despite their long history, their relationship was repeatedly tested. While Annie and 2Baba eventually married and had two children together, their union was marked by years of public strain, including disputes involving extended family members, social media outbursts, and emotional revelations on reality television.

Following years of public online in-law drama and emotional outcries on reality TV, 2Baba has since turned a new leaf with his current wife, Natasha Osawaru, whom he married in July 2025, months after news of his separation from Annie became public.

The marriage surprised many and was widely interpreted as a fresh start, placing the singer in a more settled social environment. However, the promise of stability was soon put to the test. By late 2025, rumours of marital tension began circulating online, driven largely by videos and social media activity. One widely shared clip appeared to show 2Baba and Natasha engaged in a heated exchange at a shopping mall in the United Kingdom.

Another incident occurred during a live Instagram session hosted by Daddy Freeze, where the singer joined a conversation involving his former management. In the video, raised voices could be heard, prompting widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

Public reactions were swift, with some questioning the dynamics of the relationship. Days later, 2Baba addressed the situation directly, warning that public speculation had gone too far.

Ayra Starr has sparked a whirlwind of anticipation across the global music landscape. Following her meteoric rise, the Mavin Records superstar and Roc Nation signee has stirred excitement among fans by hinting at her forthcoming project.

Featured in Spotify’s “Our Frequency” zine issue 033, the ‘Celestial Being’ shared insights into her personal and professional aspirations, including a tease that her next album could land in 2026. This disclosure emerged within Spotify’s platform dedicated to celebrating Black artists and their creative narratives, with the recent edition spotlighting Starr’s journey of growth and artistic evolution.

Spotify’s “Our Frequency” initiative offers artists a space to reveal intimate details about their lives and craft. In the Spotify feature, Ayra Starr reflected on her formative years and how diverse environments shaped her distinctive sound and personality.

The 23-year-old drew interesting parallels between cultures, noting that, “Growing up in Benin and Nigeria, it was two different vibes.” She likened the energy of Nigeria’s commercial hub to a global city: “Lagos is almost like New York.”

In stark contrast, the 2026 Grammy nominee described her experience in the Benin Republic: “Benin Republic has more like a beach vibe. Everywhere is, like, calm. Everybody is quiet, so I can’t put it into, like, a few words. It’s made me who I am.”

It was within this context of personal evolution that Ayra Starr dropped the major album news, offering insight into her 2026 goals: “In 2026, I’m looking forward to learning how to cook more known Nigerian food, and my album, Amen.”

This deliberate pacing suggests a strategic shift towards quality control following her management deal with Roc Nation in July 2025, which handles her global brand strategy and touring