Nigerian superstar Rema has solidified his status as a global Afrobeats sensation, emerging as the most-streamed Nigerian artist on YouTube Music in the first quarter of 2025.
According to a new report by The Debut Hub, a leading Nigerian music data platform, Rema amassed a staggering 223 million streams between January and March, driven largely by the viral success of his hit single "Is It Crime?"
Rema Leads the Pack in Record-Breaking Quarter
The 23-year-old "Raver" has continued his meteoric rise, outperforming heavyweight contemporaries with his genre-blending sound and international appeal. His chart-topping single, "Is It Crime?", alone contributed 14 million streams, further cementing his dominance in the digital music space.
Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido & Wizkid Round Out Top 5
While Rema claimed the No. 1 spot, the competition remained fierce
Burna Boy – The Grammy-winning superstar secured second place with 171 million streams as fans eagerly await his upcoming eighth studio album, "No Sign of Weakness."
Ayra Starr – The "Sabi Girl" continued her global takeover, ranking third with 169 million streams, reinforcing her position as one of Afrobeats' brightest young stars.
Davido & Wizkid – The two legends followed closely, with Davido at 113 million streams and Wizkid at 102 million, proving their enduring influence.
Afrobeats’ Global Surge Continues in 2025
The latest data underscores Afrobeats' unstoppable momentum, with Nigerian artists collectively racking up over 1.5 billion streams in just three months. Breakout stars like Omah Lay (96.7M), Ruger (65.7M), and Asake (63.4M) also made strong showings, while gospel acts Nathaniel Bassey (52.8M) and Mercy Chinwo (46.4M) highlighted the genre’s diverse appeal.
Full Top 20 Most-Streamed Nigerian Artists on YouTube (Q1 2025)
1. Rema — 223M
2. Burna Boy — 171M
3. Ayra Starr — 169M
4. Davido — 113M
5. Wizkid — 102M
6. Omah Lay — 96.7M
7. Kizz Daniel — 67.9M
8. Ruger — 65.7M
9. CKay — 64.6M
10. Asake — 63.4M
11. Tems — 60.4M
12. Fireboy DML — 59.1M
13. Nathaniel Bassey — 52.8M
14. Oxlade — 52.4M
15. Tekno — 50.8M
16. Tiwa Savage — 45.3M
17. Mercy Chinwo — 46.4M
18. Victony — 42.5M
19. Moses Bliss — 41.5M
20. BNXN — 41M
With Rema leading the charge and a deep roster of talent breaking records, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year for Nigerian music. As streaming numbers soar and global collaborations multiply, Afrobeats is no longer just a wave—it’s a cultural movement reshaping the world’s playlists.