The Afrobeats genre has been growing in popularity recently, with more and more Afrobeats artists gaining mainstream recognition and even bleeding into other genres, like K-pop. With West African artists getting more streams and award nominations, you should really know who the hottest Afrobeats artists are right now.
Have no fear, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Afrobeats artists that you should be keeping an eye on right now if you want to discover the greats of the genre. From singers with the most streams to up-and-coming performers, keep reading to find out!
A few artists on this list are touring the UK in 2025, and if you want to experience Afrobeats tunes live and in style, we’ll let you know how to grab VIP tickets for some of the most unforgettable events of the year.
Best Afrobeats Artists
No. 10: Fireboy DML
Fireboy DML is from Nigeria, like many Afrobeats artists, but he’s managed to break out and gain popularity worldwide. He first gained recognition in Nigeria when his hit single "Champion" was used by FC Bayern Munich for their UEFA Super Cup celebrations.
He has now had multiple songs featured on soundtracks, such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the FIFA 21 game, and has racked up an impressive amount of streams on Spotify with songs like “Peru” and “Bandana” being some of his most popular. Fireboy DML’s songs have a slow groove vibe, fusing R&B and pop with Afrobeats.
No. 9: Omah Lay
Omah Lay is another artist that fuses his Afrobeats sound with R&B, something that makes Afrobeats such an interesting melting pot of a genre. Since his debut EP, Get Layd, Omah has only been going up. He even has a song, “attention,” with Justin Bieber.
Omah Lay absolutely owns his Afro-fusion sound, as he writes and produces his own music. He doesn’t like being put in a box, which is clear through ability to combine traditional African sounds with modern, international elements, making his music appealing to a global audience.
No. 8: Tems
Tems is known for her smooth R&B voice, mixing it with Afrobeats to make some of the catchiest songs out there right now. She’s officially made it across the pond, appearing at Coachella, Jimmy Fallon and Tiny Desk in 2024, and even getting Grammy nominations for songs like “Love Me JeJe” and “Burning.”
Fans are hoping this could signify an extension to her Born In The Wild tour, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed she adds extra dates in response to her growing popularity. Register your interest with Seat Unique and we’ll let you know if VIP tickets go on sale!
Register your interest in Tems VIP ticketsNo. 7: Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage began her career by doing backing singing for artists like George Michael and Mary J. Blige, but she has absolutely become an incredible artist in her own right. Often called the ‘Queen of Afrobeats,’ she is recognised as a huge inspiration for many female African musicians.
As of 2024, Tiwa Savage remains one of the biggest stars in African music. Her influence continues to grow, not only in the music industry but also in fashion, activism, and business. Fans are eagerly awaiting her future projects, and with her versatile talent and entrepreneurial spirit, she shows no signs of slowing down.
No. 6: Ayra Starr
While Ayra Starr only achieved mainstream recognition and chart success in 2022 with the release of her song “Rush,” she has proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with in the Afrobeats genre. Having started singing and playing music at a very young age, Ayra now has 24.8M monthly listeners on Spotify.
Ayra Starr’s music is pleasantly diverse, mostly categorised as Afropop and R&B, and her voice is soulful and silky smooth, making for easy listening. If you liked Tems’ music you’ll definitely like Ayra’s, as they have a similar sound.
No. 5: Asake
Asake is definitely an artist to watch, as he has already been nominated for a Grammy and puts out hit after hit. His sound incorporates trap, dancehall, and highlife, with a heavy emphasis on rhythm, catchy beats, and infectious melodies.
On his most recent album, Lungu Boy, he has featured major artists like Central Cee, Stormzy, and Travis Scott. As of 2024, Asake remains one of the leading stars of Afrobeat and is considered a top artist in the genre. His music continues to gain traction, with millions of streams and fans across the globe.
Register your interest in Asake VIP ticketsNo. 4: Davido
Davido is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Afropop and a key figure in the internationalisation of Afrobeats music. He has influenced younger Nigerian artists and has helped put African music on the global map. His success has opened doors for many other African musicians to collaborate with international stars and gain recognition worldwide.
As a testament to this, Davido is collaborating with legendary musicians 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige for an unforgettable show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July 2025! VIP tickets for this unmissable experience are on sale now, so secure your place today.
Buy 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige & Davido VIP ticketsNo. 3: Wizkid
Wizkid is considered one of the veterans of the Afrobeats genre and is often cited by younger artists as their inspiration for becoming a musician, including Tiwa Savage, Davido, and Burna Boy. With five Grammy nominations under his belt, he is also often credited with the spread of Afrobeats music worldwide.
You just can’t talk about Afrobeats without mentioning Wizkid, and his most recent album Morayo is another victory lap for the artist. Full of emotion and sensual R&B moments, it builds on the success of his previous album Made in Lagos with themes of love, loss, and legacy.
No. 2: Burna Boy
Burna Boy is another iconic artist and record producer whose success has led him to be named one of the world’s most influential Afrobeats singers. He always makes sure to incorporate his African heritage into his music, not watering it down for his now international audience.
Burna Boy has recently announced an exciting show at Co-op Live, Manchester on 21st April 2025, so if you’re a UK Afrobeats fan this will surely be one of the biggest events of the year. You can register your interest with Seat Unique now to be notified when tickets are available at 10am on Friday 20th December.
Register your Interest in Burna Boy VIP ticketsNo. 1: Rema
Although he’s only 24 years old, Rema is continually named as one of the best and most influential names in Afrobeats. He has managed to expand Afrobeats on the global stage, especially with the release of his single “clam Down” featuring Selena Gomez.
Since then, he has gained recognition in many places, including awards, soundtrack features, and an inclusion on Barack Obama’s summer playlist. It’s only up from here for Rema, and everyone is excited to see what he does next so early in his career.
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