Entertainment
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist to Surpass 10 Billion Spotify Streams
Nigerian music star Ayodeji “Wizkid” Balogun has officially become the first African artist to surpass 10 billion total streams on Spotify, counting both his solo work and collaborations. This milestone places him among the most-streamed artists worldwide and highlights the growing global influence of African music.
Wizkid reached this landmark after more than a decade of releasing hit singles and collaborating with international stars like Drake, Beyoncé, and Tems. His global visibility grew through tracks such as One Dance with Drake, the international summer anthem Essence featuring Tems, and albums like Made in Lagos and More Love, Less Ego, all of which have consistently performed on streaming charts.

Wizkid – Instagram
Currently, Wizkid attracts over 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify, reflecting not just the scale of his past achievements, but also ongoing global interest in his music. Early hits in the 2010s introduced him to Nigerian audiences, while collaborations like the remix of Ojuelegba with Drake expanded his reach internationally and helped Afrobeats gain mainstream recognition in Western markets.

Wizkid – Instagram
Streaming platforms have enabled artists like Wizkid to connect directly with audiences worldwide, bypassing traditional gatekeepers such as radio or television charts. This accessibility has allowed African artists to compete on a global scale and set new standards for success.
While Wizkid now leads African artists in Spotify streams, other musicians such as Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, and Tyla have also achieved significant international followings, collectively demonstrating that African music is no longer a niche but a central part of global playlists.

Wizkid’s 10 billion streams mark a milestone for the artist and for Afrobeats as a genre. Strategic collaborations have amplified his reach, and his catalogue’s continued popularity highlights the influence of digital streaming on the global music industry. From Lagos to Los Angeles, the data show that African artists are shaping, not just participating in, the worldwide music market.
As of early 2026, Wizkid stands not only as a record-setter but as a clear measure of African music’s growing impact on the global stage.
Entertainment
Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian Artist to Surpass 4 Billion YouTube Views
Burna Boy has crossed another major digital milestone, becoming the first Nigerian artist to surpass four billion total views on YouTube.
The milestone was reported on September 3, 2026, after the combined views on the singer’s official YouTube channel surpassed four billion. The figure covers music videos and other content uploaded to the channel.

Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram
At the time of the reports, Burna Boy’s official channel had recorded more than 4.02 billion views and had over 7.21 million subscribers.
Some of the singer’s most watched videos include “On The Low,” “Ye,” “Last Last” and “For My Hand,” his collaboration with British singer Ed Sheeran.
The latest figure also extends a record Burna Boy first set in 2021, when he became the first Nigerian artist to cross one billion total YouTube views. Five years later, he has reached four times that figure.

Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram
The increase highlights Burna Boy’s rise from Nigeria’s music scene to one of Africa’s most internationally recognised artists. His songs have found audiences across Africa, Europe and North America, while his music videos have continued to attract viewers long after their release.
Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Burna Boy has connected Nigerian sounds with audiences outside the country. His album African Giant, released in 2019, earned a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album, while Twice as Tall won the same award at the 63rd Grammy Awards in 2021.
As of the reports announcing the milestone, Burna Boy has not publicly commented on the achievement. The figure was recorded through tracking of his official YouTube channel.
Entertainment
Funke Akindele Releases First Images of ‘The Four’
Funke Akindele has released the first images from her upcoming film, “The Four: No One Fights Alone”, giving audiences a closer look at the cast ahead of its December cinema release.
The actress and filmmaker shared the images on September 1, featuring herself alongside several members of the film’s ensemble cast.
The released images feature Akindele alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Timini Egbuson, Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu and Uzor Arukwe. Ronke Oshodi Oke and Wunmi Toriola are also among the cast.
Akindele accompanied the images with a caption describing the film as a story filled with “friendship, laughter, tension, secrets and everything in between.” She also confirmed that The Four will arrive in cinemas on December 11.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
The first-look release comes shortly after Akindele announced the film and unveiled its cast in August. “The Four” is a drama set between the Odu community and the city, following Esosa and three women who are closely connected to her as they fight for the future of a young man they love. Their journey puts their friendship, courage, faith and loyalty to the test.
Music is also part of the film’s build-up, with Akindele, Waje, Bisola Aiyeola and Chioma Chukwuka joining forces on “Ore Mi”, one of the soundtracks for The Four. Produced by Tyanx, the song draws on the film’s themes of friendship, love and the bond between close friends. Akindele said the recording was inspired by the folktale-style storytelling through music that many Nigerians grew up with, making the song an extension of the relationships at the centre of the film.
“The Four: No One Fights Alone” is produced by Funke Akindele Network (FAAN TV) and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. The film is scheduled to open in cinemas globally on December 11, 2026.
More pictures below:

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s ‘The Four’ Sets December 11 Release Date
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele is set to return to cinemas with her latest feature film, “The Four: No One Fights Alone”, which will be released on December 11, 2026. The film is being produced by Funke Akindele Network (FAAN TV) and distributed exclusively by FilmOne Entertainment.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
Akindele announced the project on Monday, August 10, unveiling both the title and the ensemble cast ahead of its December cinema release. The film tells the story of Esosa and three women whose lives become tied to the future of a young man they care about. Their loyalty to him puts their friendship and personal convictions under pressure as they navigate challenges between the Odu community and the city.
The film also draws on Nigerian cultural elements, with music, fashion, language and traditional settings incorporated into the production. Rather than focusing solely on the four central women, the story places their relationships and the choices they make at the heart of the film.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
Akindele takes on multiple responsibilities on the production, serving as the writer, director and producer of “The Four”.
The cast features Akindele alongside Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Antar Laniyan and Wunmi Toriola. Singer Waje and Afrobeats artist Shoday are also part of the cast, alongside entertainment personalities Samuel Banks, Kolapo Omotosho and Ayomide Iwasokun.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
The December release comes after a series of commercially successful cinema releases for Akindele. Her recent films include “Battle on Buka Street”, “A Tribe Called Judah” and “Behind The Scenes”. In January 2026, the National Film and Video Censors Board said “Behind The Scenes” had surpassed ₦2.4 billion at the Nigerian box office.
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