By Johnson Esther- In the ever-shifting world of Afrobeats, 2025 has already marked itself as a turning point, one defined less by tradition and more by raw streaming power. Spotify and other platforms have become the battlefronts where artists claim relevance. And so far, one name towers above the rest; Rema.
His single “Baby (Is It a Crime)”, released on February 7, has not only become the most streamed Nigerian song of the year but also established Rema as the artist others must catch up to. Early in the year, as of late February, it had already logged over 14 million streams, more than double the stream count of the nearest competition.
Behind him the chase is real. Odumodublvck’s “Pity This Boy” and Lawrence Oyor’s gospel-tinted “Favour” occupy high ground, showing there’s both breadth and diversity in what listeners want. While some veteran names; Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, remain present in the top streaming pecking order, their dominance feels less assured than earlier years.
Streaming isn’t just popularity, it’s economics. Spotify’s royalty payouts to Nigerian and South African artists in 2024 climbed to nearly $59 million, with Nigerian artists alone taking home more than before. That creates real incentive for new artists, higher quality production, and bolder experimentation.
Rema is the reigning champion of this streaming war, but his position isn’t unassailable. Others are pushing streams, experimenting with sound, and building momentum.
Afrobeats in 2025 isn’t just about legacy names any more, but about who can move the fastest, think globally, and deliver songs that connect nationally and internationally. And in that race, Rema leads. But he’s being chased hard.
