•Will they live up to the hype?
Afrobeats stars are off to a flying start in 2025 with exciting singles and albums. In this piece, Philip Ibitoye delves into the top five Afrobeats artistes that will dominate the streaming charts this year and we explain why.
AFROBEATS is believed to be the most listened to genres in the world, thanks to popular names, including Grammy winners Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, and others. The popularity of this genre means Afrobeats lovers are always looking forward to the next song to drop or the next big star to emerge. Coming off the industry’s successful 2024, which features a Grammy-winning song Love Me Jeje by Tems, 2025 is expected to be another eventful year.
From findings, industry stakeholders are talking about some new artistes as being a cut above their colleagues. In the industry and on the streets, these artistes have been praised for the quality of their sounds and their consistency.
In rising above the difficulty of standing out in a crowded industry, fans are rewarding these artistes and expecting more from them.
Here are the top five Afrobeats artistes to watch out for in 2025 and why they will dominate the streaming platforms and music conversations:
Fido
Fido (real name Awosika Josiah) is one of the stars to watch out for in 2025. He owns the current most popular song in the country. Joy is Coming is the number one song on several streaming platforms, including YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. The song is a blend of melody and an optimistic message. Although released in the middle of December 2024, Nigerians—home and abroad—have adopted Joy is Coming as their spiritual song to usher in a new year. There’s a decent chance someone is playing the smash hit near you as you read this.
Fido’s delivery in Joy is Coming certainly did not come as a surprise to tens of millions of listeners who listened to his debut track Awolowo which quickly found a place on many people’s playlists. Only six months after coming onto the scene, Fido’s two smash hits indicate he’s in it for the long haul. There’s an expectation he will have a big 2025 in his first full year in the industry.
New to the scene from the streets of Matogun, Ogun State, Fido, 27, calls his fans “Osha FC”.
Qing Madi
Qing Madi (real name Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma) is another Afrobeats sensation to pay significant attention to in 2025. At only 16, Qing Madi rose to stardom with her first track See Finish. She quickly followed it up with smash hit Ole featuring Bnxn (real name Daniel Etiese Benson) in 2023. Later that year, the teenage sensation made a huge and successful bet with her debut Extended Play (EP) Qing Madi which featured hits like American Love and Vision.
Following a positive acceptance of the debut EP, Qing Madi followed it up with a deluxe version that features superstars like Kizz Daniel and Chlöe Bailey. Goosebumps, a love song, came next in October 2024 with the 18-year-old Afrobeats star flexing her vocals. Later that month, those vocals shined through as the teenage performer stole the show at the finale of the reality show Big Brother Naija where she also performed the viral hit Adenuga alongside Joeboy (real name Joseph Akinfenwa-Donus).
Sending a clear message that she is in this journey for a long haul, Qing Madi released her debut album I am the Blueprint in January 2025. By all indications, the Edo-born Afrobeats star, skilled in several instruments such as the piano, keyboard, and drum machine, has a big year ahead of her in 2025.
Ayo Maff
Ayo Maff (real name Ayorinde MafolukuAyodele) is another Afrobeats star expected to dominate the streaming charts and airwaves throughout 2025. Although he released multiple tracks in 2023, his big break came from hit Dealer featuring Fireboy DML (real name Adedamola Adefolahan) in 2024. The track launched Ayo Maff to stardom as it jumped to the top of several streaming platforms.
Encouraged by the success of Dealer, Ayo Maff released his debut EP MAFFIAN in August 2024. This project, which featured hits like A Beautiful Song, Are you there, and 7 Lives, earned the 19-year-old greater success.
Born and raised in Somolu, Bariga, Lagos State, Ayo Maff’s patience has certainly set him up for a big future in Afrobeats as he suggested in Are you there. In his latest single Panic released in January 2025, the teenager sensation discusses his anxiety and makes clear he’s not getting carried away by his success. Keep your eye out for this one throughout 2025.
Fola
Fola started recording in 2022, but he didn’t gain widespread recognition until July 2024 with his hit single Alone featuring Bhadboi OML. In this love song, Fola extols the beauty of his lover, while lamenting that he is losing her. But the song’s melody makes it less sad.
Riding on the wave of his breakout song, the new star featured Bnxn on the remix of Alone in October. Later that month, Fola celebrated the success of his latest two singles by signing to Dangbana Republik, a record label owned by singer Bella Shmurda (real name: Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi).
The upcoming superstar released his debut EP What A Feeling under his new record label two months later to critical acclaim. While you enjoy Fola’s latest project, all expectations are the singer will have an even bigger year in 2025, so watch out.
Shoday
Shoday (real name Segun Solomon Shodade) first came to the attention of millions of Afrobeats lovers with his viral hit track Caution in 2022. This track quickly became a staple of any lively Nigerian party with dancers not having enough. However, the caution crooner had a relatively quiet 2023. Making clear that he wasn’t going anywhere, the singer came back stronger in 2024 with several singles, including hits like Queen N More and Casablanca featuring Ayo Maff.
Shoday is not slowing down in 2025, releasing a new track—Blessings (Alubarika)—featuring Soundz in January. Kick starting the year with a spiritual song, the Lagos-born Afrobeats artiste is laying a marker that he’s ready for a successful 2025 on a musical level.
The Afrobeats industry has witnessed many new singers fizzle out after one or two hit songs. However, industry stakeholders and fans are tipping these five artistes to not be slowed down anytime soon.
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