Burna Boy has achieved yet another milestone in his already illustrious career. Apple Music, as part of its ‘Oshe Naija’ campaign celebrating Nigerian music’s rich history, has declared the Grammy-winning Afrobeats sensation the No.1 most-streamed Nigerian artist of all time.
This exciting announcement coincides with Nigeria’s 63rd year of independence, adding an extra layer of significance to the accolade. Burna Boy’s latest album, I Told Them… which was released on August 25, shattered records by becoming the most-streamed African album on Apple Music in its first week. Furthermore, the album simultaneously topped Apple Music’s album chart in an astounding 69 countries, setting a new record for the Afrobeats genre.
In the second spot is Wizkid, Apple’s second most-streamed Nigerian artist, known for his mega-hit Essence featuring Tems. This track holds the distinction of being the most-streamed African song of all time, maintaining its chart presence even three years after its release.
At the third position, we have Davido, whose 2022 album, Timeless, propelled him to this ranking. Notably, Asake, with an impressive 11 songs reaching the Global Daily Top 100 on Apple Music, secures the fifth spot in the list.
The fourth place is claimed by Superstar Rema, whose hit “Calm Down” broke records by becoming the African single with the longest run in the Top 15 of the Global Daily Top 100 on Apple Music. Rema’s global success is further underscored by his entry into the ‘Billions Club’ on Spotify, marking the first time an African artist-led track has achieved a billion streams on the platform.
Remarkably, Rema’s “Calm Down” is garnering the highest number of streams from the US, India, Mexico, Brazil and the UK, a testament to the song’s universal appeal.
This recognition of Nigerian artists’ global impact comes alongside their historic performances in the UK, with Burna Boy becoming the first African artist to headline a UK stadium, followed by Wizkid’s own impressive stadium show.
The rise of Afrobeats on the global stage is undeniable, as these artists continue to break records and captivate audiences worldwide. As Austin Daboh, EVP of Atlantic Records UK, aptly puts it, “It feels like we’re on the cusp of an exciting musical revolution.”
Ed Howard, Co-President of Atlantic Records UK, echoes this sentiment, emphasising Burna Boy’s role as a pioneer for modern African music. This success signifies not just personal achievements but a broader recognition of African musical talent on the global stage.
As Afrobeats continues to transcend borders, the world eagerly awaits Burna Boy’s journey and the genre’s continued ascent on the international stage.
