2025 has confirmed what fans have long known: Wizkid is not just a star; he is one of Africa’s most influential musical exports. This year, he became the first African artist to surpass 20 billion global streams, including both his solo tracks and collaborations. Alongside these streaming milestones, his albums have sold millions worldwide, making him Africa’s best selling artist in modern music history.

Wizkid – Instagram

On Spotify alone, Wizkid has exceeded 9 billion streams, a record no African artist has reached before. His hit One Dance, a collaboration with Drake and Kyla, continues to attract billions of plays, showing the lasting power of his music. In 2025, he also became the first African artist to cross 100 million Shazams, proving that listeners actively seek out his work rather than streaming it passively.

These achievements reflect influence and reach as much as numbers. Wizkid’s music travels from Lagos to London, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, appearing consistently on global charts and playlists. His success sets a tangible example for young African artists, showing that global recognition is attainable. Streams, Shazams, chart positions, and album sales translate into revenue, touring opportunities, and brand partnerships, turning music into a serious business.

Wizkid – Instagram

Wizkid’s catalogue spans Afrobeats, R&B, and global pop, connecting with listeners without losing its Nigerian roots. Each song carries storytelling, rhythm, and identity that resonate internationally. His rise demonstrates consistency and strategy. From early albums to recent releases, he has built a body of work that commands attention through quality and relevance rather than overblown marketing or generic hype.

Beyond personal achievement, Wizkid’s success marks a turning point for African music. Afrobeats is no longer confined to local audiences; it has earned a permanent place on global stages. Every stream, playlist feature, radio play, and album sale reinforces that African music can compete with the biggest international acts.

Wizkid – Instagram

For Nigeria, for Africa, and for emerging artists, Wizkid’s career provides a clear roadmap. It shows that with the right combination of sound, vision, and persistence, African music can dominate charts, streams, and cultural conversations worldwide. 2025 is more than a year of record-breaking numbers; it is the year African music solidified its global presence.

Wizkid has not simply benefited from Afrobeats’ international rise. He has actively shaped it. His work continues to define the genre’s sound and influence, proving that African music belongs at every major stage, in every global playlist, and in record books worldwide.

Burna Boy has withdrawn from two stops on his ongoing “No Sign of Weakness” tour, pulling out of shows in Minneapolis and Chicago, according to updated listings on Ticketmaster. Both events Minneapolis at The Armory and Chicago at the United Center were marked as cancelled, with refunds already set in motion for ticket holders.

Burna Boy: Instagram

The cancellations landed without an accompanying statement from the artist or his management, leaving the move open to interpretation. Coverage from Nigerian and U.S. outlets notes that the update arrived in the days following the widely circulated incident at his Colorado concert, where Burna Boy halted his set to remove a couple from the crowd. The moment drew heavy backlash online after the woman involved shared that she was grieving a recent loss, amplifying public scrutiny.

Reports in THISDAYLIVE and TheWill suggest that the episode and the subsequent online reaction may have shaped turnout in some U.S. markets, potentially contributing to the decision to cancel both dates. Those outlets also note that neither promoter nor management has clarified whether scheduling, logistics, or internal tour adjustments played any role.

Burna Boy: Instagram

Despite the two cancellations, the rest of the tour remains intact for now, including scheduled appearances in Boston, Washington D.C., Montreal and Toronto. BellaNaija’s reporting confirms that these dates are still active, with no additional changes communicated as of the last update.

The lack of an official explanation leaves room for further updates as the tour progresses, and industry watchers are keeping an eye on whether the remaining North American stops proceed without disruption.

Tems headlined the AFROPUNK Brazil 2025 festival held in Salvador, Bahia, over the weekend of November 8 and 9. The two-day event drew thousands of festivalgoers from across Brazil and beyond, marking one of the year’s biggest celebrations of African and diasporic music.

She performed on the main stage on Sunday, November 9, closing out the festival lineup. Her set included fan favourites such as ‘Free Mind,’ and ‘Me & U,’ with a strong response from the crowd captured across multiple social media platforms. Videos from the event show her performing to a packed audience, with fans singing along throughout her set.

Tem: Instagram

Her appearance follows a year of steady global recognition. She previously earned Grammy and Oscar nominations and has continued to be a leading voice in contemporary African music. Her headline slot at AFROPUNK shows her position as one of the continent’s most internationally followed performers.

AFROPUNK Brazil 2025 took place at Parque de Exposições in Salvador, a city widely known for its deep Afro-Brazilian roots and cultural history. The festival brought together artists from more than 25 countries and attracted over 40 percent of attendees from outside Bahia. Other performers on the lineup included Rico Dalasam, Karol Conká, and Baco Exu do Blues, representing a blend of African and Brazilian influences.

Tems’ performance was one of the most talked-about moments from the festival. A short video showing her interacting with fans mid-performance circulated widely online, further boosting engagement around her AFROPUNK debut.

Her inclusion on the lineup continues AFROPUNK’s focus on spotlighting Black artists who are shaping music across continents.