In early November 2025, Wizkid became the first African artist to surpass 100 million Shazams, a milestone that highlights both his global appeal and the growing influence of Afrobeats. Shazam tracks when listeners identify a song, and reaching this figure shows how often people are actively seeking out his music.

Wizkid – Instagram

Wizkid’s catalogue has grown steadily over more than a decade, from Lagos studios to international playlists. Tracks like Essence, featuring Tems, helped expand his audience far beyond Nigeria. Unlike chart positions that reflect streams or sales, this milestone reflects discovery: people all over the world are stopping to find out what they are listening to.

The milestone demonstrates that Wizkid’s music is connecting with audiences in regions where Afrobeats was once less prominent. His 2024 album and various collaborations contributed to this growth. The frequent identification of his songs indicates they continue to be heard and discovered across continents, showing the consistency of his appeal.

Wizkid’s career has been marked by careful development. He has evolved his sound while keeping it rooted in Nigerian rhythms. Collaborations locally and internationally have strengthened his global presence, with tracks like Essence entering the Billboard Hot 100—the first Nigerian song to achieve that. This proves that Nigerian music can reach international audiences without losing its identity.

Wizkid – Instagram

For Nigerian readers, this achievement is significant not just for numbers but for representation. It sets a benchmark for other African artists aiming for global recognition. Each time a listener in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt uses Shazam on a Wizkid track, they become part of a worldwide audience map, showing that Nigerian music is now commanding attention on a global scale.

While 100 million Shazams is a remarkable achievement, it also challenges Wizkid to maintain momentum. Future releases will need to capture attention and continue generating discovery-driven responses. If he does, this milestone won’t just be a number; it will mark a sustained period of Nigerian music shaping the global stage.

The 2026 Grammy nominations have once again placed Africa at the heart of global music, celebrating a list that reflects both the continent’s diversity and its cultural vitality. In the Best African Music Performance category, some of the biggest names in Afrobeats and Amapiano stand side by side Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Tyla, and Eddy Kenzo.

Burna Boy: Instagram

Burna Boy’s “Love” continues his legacy as one of Africa’s most decorated global artists, combining soulfulness with rhythm in a way that’s become uniquely his.

Omah Lay & Davido: Instagram

Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay mirrors the emotional soul of modern Afrobeats, a mixture of melody and storytelling that has shaped Nigeria’s musical identity.

Wizkid & Ayra Starr: Instagram

Ayra Starr, the youngest of the group, earns a nomination for “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid a collaboration that redefines female presence in Afrobeats with confidence and versatility.

Tyla: Instagram

Meanwhile, Tyla’s “Push 2 Start” continues her rapid ascent, bringing South African Amapiano to new heights with the same international appeal that made “Water” a worldwide hit.

Eddy Kenzo: Instagram

Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo rounds out the category with “Hope & Love,” a record that channels the spiritual rhythm and optimism often woven into African music.

The recognition of these artists’ success is a reflection of how African music has evolved into a global force. From Lagos to Johannesburg, the continent’s sound continues to shape playlists, stages, and cultural conversations worldwide.
As the world anticipates the Grammy stage, one thing is certain: Africa isn’t just part of the global music story it’s leading it.

From Lagos to London, and from New York to Tokyo, Afrobeats has moved from being a local sound to one of Nigeria’s most successful cultural exports. What was once driven mainly by local radio, street parties, and African concerts is now commanding global playlists, award stages, and stadium tours.

The numbers prove it. In 2024, Nigerian artists received more than ₦58 billion in royalties from Spotify, more than double the figure from the previous year. Streaming exports of Nigerian music also grew by 49% in three years, confirming that the sound is no longer confined to Africa.

Photo: @heisrema-Instagram

Artists at the forefront of this movement have matched the hype with measurable results. Wizkid became the first African artist to cross 20 billion global streams in 2025. Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez was the first African-led track to hit one billion Spotify streams. Davido’s album 5ive recorded 15 million global streams in its first day, while both Asake and Burna Boy have also seen their albums debut with multi-million streams worldwide.

Photo: @burnaboygram-Instagram

The awards stage tells the same story. Burna Boy won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album in 2021, while Tems broke new ground in 2025 by winning Best African Music Performance with “Love Me JeJe”. She became the first Nigerian performer with two Grammy wins, a milestone that underlines the reach of Nigerian talent.

Photo: @omega-Instagram

Beyond music, Afrobeats has shaped cultural trends in fashion, language, and lifestyle. Nigerian slang has entered global conversations, African prints appear on international runways, and Afrobeats-inspired dance routines dominate TikTok and Instagram. What was once niche has become part of the global mainstream.

The growth of Afrobeats is not accidental. Nigerian artists built their careers at home, perfected their sound, and used streaming platforms to reach the world. Today, they headline festivals, sell out arenas across Europe and America, and collaborate with some of the biggest international names in music.

Photo:@asakefp-Instagram

For Nigerians, the rise of Afrobeats is a source of pride. The same songs played in Lagos traffic are being cheered by thousands in arenas abroad. More importantly, the industry is generating revenue and opportunities for young creatives, proving that music is not just entertainment. It is a thriving export.

Afrobeats is no longer chasing global recognition. It has achieved it. And with every milestone, Nigerian artists are not just sharing their sound. They are carrying the country’s cultural identity to the world stage.