July 22, 2025 • 8 mins
Nigeria’s music scene takes over the world! In this episode, we dive into Spotify’s Top 30 Most Streamed Nigerian Songs of 2025. From Rema's chart-topping “Baby (Is It a Crime)” to Davido’s domination and Burna Boy’s Coldplay collab — Afrobeats is officially global.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the deep dive, where the place you come
to cut through the noise and get right to the
heart of what's truly fascinating. Today. We're diving headfirst into
something really exciting happening in global music right now. Our
mission basically is to unpack this new list from Spotify.
It details the thirty biggest Nigerian songs of twenty twenty
five so far globally, and I mean the immediate takeaway
(00:22):
the big headline here is just how much this shouts,
you know, worldwide dominance for afrobeats and Nigerian talent generally. Okay,
let's unpack this. Then, what does this chart immediately tell
us about where music is headed? Beyond maybe just confirming
what we suspected?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Well, yeah, I definitely confirm some things. But what's really striking,
I think isn't just that Nigerian artists are on the
global stage, is how they're actively reshaping it. This list.
It doesn't feel like just a passing trend. It feels
more like a fundamental shift, a structural change in influence.
What's fascinating here truly is the immediate widespread global traction
these specific songs have gained. It really signals a new
(00:58):
era of cultural export.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
That's such a crucial point, a structural shift, and you
can see that dominance so clearly right at the very
top of the list. Can't you like Rima's Baby? Is
it a crime? It's not just popular, it's holding down
the number one spot globally for Nigerian tracks. Yeah. And
then right behind them number two, you've got Sholly Pope
with Lahoe. His rise has been incredibly fast, a real
(01:22):
fan favorite. But here's where it gets really interesting for me.
It's not just the usual big names hitting those top
spots consistently, though they are there too, of course exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
And thinking about those top two Rema and Shelli Pope,
what makes tracks like they're so potent? I think it's
often those infectious rhythms, you know, often syncopated, instantly danceable.
Plus the themes of the lyrics often feel quite universal,
right that blends. Yes, it's this kind of feel good
vibe but still artistically rich that seems to cut across
cultures way beyond Nigeria. It's it's accessible complexity, maybe the
(01:56):
way drums and bass are layered. It's capturing ears globally
making a huge impact, right from the start.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That makes sense. And while those individual tracks are grabbing headlines,
what happens when we kind of zoom out look at
the sheer volume of entries from one artist. That's where
DeVito just stands out. He leads with an incredible seven
songs on this list of thirty seven that just showcases
his massive global reach. It's huge, but it's not just quantity.
He's got high ranks. Two with You featuring o Ma
(02:25):
Lay is up there at number three, and be There
still is sitting at number ten.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, and stepping back to see that bigger picture. Yeah,
Davita's consistent presence across the top thirty. It's not just
about who's hot right now. It speaks volumes about his
enduring influence and the power of this really loyal global
fan base he's built over the years. Having seven songs
on a chart like this a global one, it's not
just luck. It points to sustained artistry and well smart
(02:52):
musical output.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Absolutely, and his collaborations seem to be everywhere. That must
be a huge factor in that sustained influence, right I mean,
just looking at the list here from the Sore Yeah
banned with You and Be There still you see Off
of Me with Victoria Monet, Titanium featuring Chris Brown, Lover
Boy with Take and dadew R and B featuring Shensi,
and four fifty. And that's alongside his solo stuff like
(03:14):
ten Kilo Holy Water with Victany and Mussa Keys and
anything that is just such an impressive spread. It really
shows his global network.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
It absolutely does. It really illustrates how strategic collaborations, especially
picking artists from different genres, different regions, how that combined
with strong solo work just amplifies an artist's global footprint.
It's about reaching into new markets, tapping into different tastes.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Definitely now moving beyond DeVito's well pervasive presence. Another artist
who consistently shows massive global reach, often through really interesting
collaborations is Berna Boy. He's still very much a global force,
holding his ground with solo tracks and these key partnerships,
specifically Tatata with Travis Scott that's sitting at number five, huge,
huge track. Yeah, and you look a bit further down
(04:00):
the listen, there's something really quite surprising. I thought we
Pray Twice version which features Coldplay, twice, burn A Boy,
Ellianna teeny and little sims.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Wow right.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It raises a really important question, doesn't it. How do
these massive multi artist, cross genre collaborations like Coldplay linking
up with burn a Boy and K pop stars twice e.
How does it reflect the evolving global music scene and
what's it mean for afrobeats specifically?
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Well, what's fascinating there is, Like you said the lineup,
these aren't just features where someone adds a quick verse.
These feel like truly global acts merging their distinct styles,
and that dramatically expands the cultural footprint of Nigerian sound
of afrobeats. These diverse partnerships are I think crucial for
breaking new ground. They introduce Nigerian music to completely new audiences,
(04:49):
people who might never have stumbled upon it otherwise. It
really signifies this genuine cross pollination of genres of cultures.
Music becoming this shared global language maybe feels like a
deliberate blend, not just you know, attacked on feature.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
It's incredible to see it happening on that scale. And
burn a Boy He's also got other tracks on the
chart too. There's Update Lahotes which is with Shally Pope
again and sweet Love. But you know, as impressive as
these huge stars like David and burn A Boy are.
This list reveals something maybe even bigger, which is the
incredible depth of Nigerian talent beyond just the superstars exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
That's a key point. This list strongly suggests a really
vibrant scene, a scene where loads of different styles, different
artists can actually achieve global recognition. It's not just you know,
two or three dominant figures carrying everything. It feels like
a rich, dynamic ecosystem of creativity that's constantly throwing up
new voices.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah. Absolutely so just to kind of underline that, Bret,
that variety, it's not just the household names. You've got
Iris Star shining with all the Love and also Gimme
Dat with whiz Kid.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Great tracks.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, and we also see Odio Mode do b Lvck
making an appearance with Pity This Boy featuring Victim and
Chella is on there with My Darling. And just to
give you the listener a real sense of how diverse
these thirty tracks are. You've got things like the gospel
infused Favor by Laurence o Yore quite different, or that
really unexpected delightful track Regteed which features the Cabuso Oriental
(06:16):
choir or even something like Simlmiano Mimuero by bail In.
This is London bringing in a whole different Latin flavor.
These really highlight that it's not just afrobeats in one
narrow sense, it's this vibrant mosaic of sounds and influences
coming out of Nigeria.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
It truly underscores how dynamic and rich the Nigerian music
ecosystem is. The presence of such a variety different artists,
different sounds, it demonstrates a healthy industry really, one that
encourages diversity, allowing all these different creative expressions to find
an audience and find it globally. It's definitely not a monolith.
It's a living, breathing musical landscape that seems to thrive
(06:52):
on innovation and collaboration.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
So, okay, we've unpacked the artists, the collaborations, the sheer depth.
What does this all boil down to? What does it
mean for you listening right now and maybe for how
we think about global music charts from here on out?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, connecting it all back. I think this chart isn't
just a snapshot of what's popular now. It's really about
how cultural influence is genuinely becoming a two way street.
Globally speaking. This list is a profound evidence really of
Nigeria's cultural export power and it shows the increasing interconnectedness
of our music tastes around the world. So for you
the listener, it basically means it's easier than ever before
(07:29):
to discover incredible new sounds, new artists from all over
the planet. And these discoveries they're directly influencing what you
hear on mainstream platforms. It's expanding everyone's personal musical horizons.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
What an exciting time, seriously to be a music fan
and see this happening. This deep dive has really, i think,
cemented that undeniable global dominance of Nigerian music. We've highlighted
the artists leading the charge and showcase these fascinating, sometimes
surprising cross cultural collaborations that are really defining this moment.
You think about these trends yourself, Maybe consider how charts
(08:02):
like this might shape what comes next. You know what
new totally unexpected genre fusions or maybe artists collaborations might
pop up, things that truly blur the lines of what
we even consider global music. Something to think about. Thank
you for joining us on this deep dive
Welcome to the deep dive, where the place you come
to cut through the noise and get right to the
heart of what's truly fascinating. Today. We're diving headfirst into
something really exciting happening in global music right now. Our
mission basically is to unpack this new list from Spotify.
It details the thirty biggest Nigerian songs of twenty twenty
five so far globally, and I mean the immediate takeaway
(00:22):
the big headline here is just how much this shouts,
you know, worldwide dominance for afrobeats and Nigerian talent generally. Okay,
let's unpack this. Then, what does this chart immediately tell
us about where music is headed? Beyond maybe just confirming
what we suspected?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Well, yeah, I definitely confirm some things. But what's really striking,
I think isn't just that Nigerian artists are on the
global stage, is how they're actively reshaping it. This list.
It doesn't feel like just a passing trend. It feels
more like a fundamental shift, a structural change in influence.
What's fascinating here truly is the immediate widespread global traction
these specific songs have gained. It really signals a new
(00:58):
era of cultural export.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
That's such a crucial point, a structural shift, and you
can see that dominance so clearly right at the very
top of the list. Can't you like Rima's Baby? Is
it a crime? It's not just popular, it's holding down
the number one spot globally for Nigerian tracks. Yeah. And
then right behind them number two, you've got Sholly Pope
with Lahoe. His rise has been incredibly fast, a real
(01:22):
fan favorite. But here's where it gets really interesting for me.
It's not just the usual big names hitting those top
spots consistently, though they are there too, of course exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
And thinking about those top two Rema and Shelli Pope,
what makes tracks like they're so potent? I think it's
often those infectious rhythms, you know, often syncopated, instantly danceable.
Plus the themes of the lyrics often feel quite universal,
right that blends. Yes, it's this kind of feel good
vibe but still artistically rich that seems to cut across
cultures way beyond Nigeria. It's it's accessible complexity, maybe the
(01:56):
way drums and bass are layered. It's capturing ears globally
making a huge impact, right from the start.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That makes sense. And while those individual tracks are grabbing headlines,
what happens when we kind of zoom out look at
the sheer volume of entries from one artist. That's where
DeVito just stands out. He leads with an incredible seven
songs on this list of thirty seven that just showcases
his massive global reach. It's huge, but it's not just quantity.
He's got high ranks. Two with You featuring o Ma
(02:25):
Lay is up there at number three, and be There
still is sitting at number ten.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, and stepping back to see that bigger picture. Yeah,
Davita's consistent presence across the top thirty. It's not just
about who's hot right now. It speaks volumes about his
enduring influence and the power of this really loyal global
fan base he's built over the years. Having seven songs
on a chart like this a global one, it's not
just luck. It points to sustained artistry and well smart
(02:52):
musical output.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Absolutely, and his collaborations seem to be everywhere. That must
be a huge factor in that sustained influence, right I mean,
just looking at the list here from the Sore Yeah
banned with You and Be There still you see Off
of Me with Victoria Monet, Titanium featuring Chris Brown, Lover
Boy with Take and dadew R and B featuring Shensi,
and four fifty. And that's alongside his solo stuff like
(03:14):
ten Kilo Holy Water with Victany and Mussa Keys and
anything that is just such an impressive spread. It really
shows his global network.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
It absolutely does. It really illustrates how strategic collaborations, especially
picking artists from different genres, different regions, how that combined
with strong solo work just amplifies an artist's global footprint.
It's about reaching into new markets, tapping into different tastes.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Definitely now moving beyond DeVito's well pervasive presence. Another artist
who consistently shows massive global reach, often through really interesting
collaborations is Berna Boy. He's still very much a global force,
holding his ground with solo tracks and these key partnerships,
specifically Tatata with Travis Scott that's sitting at number five, huge,
huge track. Yeah, and you look a bit further down
(04:00):
the listen, there's something really quite surprising. I thought we
Pray Twice version which features Coldplay, twice, burn A Boy,
Ellianna teeny and little sims.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Wow right.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It raises a really important question, doesn't it. How do
these massive multi artist, cross genre collaborations like Coldplay linking
up with burn a Boy and K pop stars twice e.
How does it reflect the evolving global music scene and
what's it mean for afrobeats specifically?
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Well, what's fascinating there is, Like you said the lineup,
these aren't just features where someone adds a quick verse.
These feel like truly global acts merging their distinct styles,
and that dramatically expands the cultural footprint of Nigerian sound
of afrobeats. These diverse partnerships are I think crucial for
breaking new ground. They introduce Nigerian music to completely new audiences,
(04:49):
people who might never have stumbled upon it otherwise. It
really signifies this genuine cross pollination of genres of cultures.
Music becoming this shared global language maybe feels like a
deliberate blend, not just you know, attacked on feature.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
It's incredible to see it happening on that scale. And
burn a Boy He's also got other tracks on the
chart too. There's Update Lahotes which is with Shally Pope
again and sweet Love. But you know, as impressive as
these huge stars like David and burn A Boy are.
This list reveals something maybe even bigger, which is the
incredible depth of Nigerian talent beyond just the superstars exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
That's a key point. This list strongly suggests a really
vibrant scene, a scene where loads of different styles, different
artists can actually achieve global recognition. It's not just you know,
two or three dominant figures carrying everything. It feels like
a rich, dynamic ecosystem of creativity that's constantly throwing up
new voices.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah. Absolutely so just to kind of underline that, Bret,
that variety, it's not just the household names. You've got
Iris Star shining with all the Love and also Gimme
Dat with whiz Kid.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Great tracks.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, and we also see Odio Mode do b Lvck
making an appearance with Pity This Boy featuring Victim and
Chella is on there with My Darling. And just to
give you the listener a real sense of how diverse
these thirty tracks are. You've got things like the gospel
infused Favor by Laurence o Yore quite different, or that
really unexpected delightful track Regteed which features the Cabuso Oriental
(06:16):
choir or even something like Simlmiano Mimuero by bail In.
This is London bringing in a whole different Latin flavor.
These really highlight that it's not just afrobeats in one
narrow sense, it's this vibrant mosaic of sounds and influences
coming out of Nigeria.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
It truly underscores how dynamic and rich the Nigerian music
ecosystem is. The presence of such a variety different artists,
different sounds, it demonstrates a healthy industry really, one that
encourages diversity, allowing all these different creative expressions to find
an audience and find it globally. It's definitely not a monolith.
It's a living, breathing musical landscape that seems to thrive
(06:52):
on innovation and collaboration.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
So, okay, we've unpacked the artists, the collaborations, the sheer depth.
What does this all boil down to? What does it
mean for you listening right now and maybe for how
we think about global music charts from here on out?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, connecting it all back. I think this chart isn't
just a snapshot of what's popular now. It's really about
how cultural influence is genuinely becoming a two way street.
Globally speaking. This list is a profound evidence really of
Nigeria's cultural export power and it shows the increasing interconnectedness
of our music tastes around the world. So for you
the listener, it basically means it's easier than ever before
(07:29):
to discover incredible new sounds, new artists from all over
the planet. And these discoveries they're directly influencing what you
hear on mainstream platforms. It's expanding everyone's personal musical horizons.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
What an exciting time, seriously to be a music fan
and see this happening. This deep dive has really, i think,
cemented that undeniable global dominance of Nigerian music. We've highlighted
the artists leading the charge and showcase these fascinating, sometimes
surprising cross cultural collaborations that are really defining this moment.
You think about these trends yourself, Maybe consider how charts
(08:02):
like this might shape what comes next. You know what
new totally unexpected genre fusions or maybe artists collaborations might
pop up, things that truly blur the lines of what
we even consider global music. Something to think about. Thank
you for joining us on this deep dive
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