Afrobeats continues to thrive despite persistent concerns about diminishing global visibility, fewer chart-topping hits, and infrastructural limitations at home. Rather than declining, the genre is evolving, adapting to new audiences, diversifying its sound, and affirming its enduring relevance in global pop culture.
Tyla Shines at the 2025 AMAs
A recent milestone highlighting this is Tyla’s triumph at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs), where she won Best Afrobeats Artist. In a highly competitive category, she emerged ahead of Afrobeats heavyweights including Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema.
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Tyla, often referred to as the Queen of Popiano—a fusion of pop and Amapiano—continues to redefine African pop music. Her win follows Wizkid’s historic 2022 victory as the first African to claim the same award, illustrating how African artists are reshaping the mainstream musical landscape.
Held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Tyla’s award adds to a growing list of accolades—over 30 in just two years—and reflects the shifting global perception of African music. However, her success has also reignited ongoing debates about genre classification. While she operates largely within the Amapiano space, global platforms often group diverse African sounds under the broad “Afrobeats” label, raising valid concerns around cultural specificity and representation.
Wizkid Joins Spotify’s Billion Stream Club
Despite periodic discourse around the genre’s waning momentum, Wizkid continues to demonstrate his staying power. His acclaimed album Made in Lagos: Deluxe recently surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, securing his place in the platform’s exclusive Spotify Stream Billion Club.
This achievement situates him alongside other Nigerian musical titans who have reached similar milestones:
– Rema – Rave & Roses: 2.90 billion
– Burna Boy – Love, Damini: 1.40 billion
– Burna Boy – African Giant: 1.08 billion
– Omah Lay – Boy Alone: 1.03 billion
– Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21: 1.01 billion
In addition, Wizkid’s teaser of the Break Down music video, from his sixth studio album Morayo (released in November 2024), affirms that the global icon remains creatively prolific.
Rema’s Success in Francophone Markets
Rema, widely regarded as the Crown Prince of Afrobeats, continues to break new ground. His hit single Charm recently achieved Platinum certification in France, a recognition granted by the Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for over 150,000 units sold—including both physical and digital streams.
This accomplishment is more than personal; it symbolises Afrobeats’ expanding reach into non-English-speaking markets and its growing resonance with culturally diverse audiences across Europe.
New Releases that Keeps the Music Industry Buzzing
As always, the genre’s vitality is reflected in its output. Among the most anticipated releases is Kizz Daniel’s new EP Uncle K: Lemon Chase. With a consistently strong discography—from his 2016 debut New Era to 2024’s TZA—he has built a reputation for delivering quality with range and emotional depth.
Other notable recent projects include:
– Falz – The Feast (Album)
– Odeal – London Summers
– TML Vibez & Spinall – Bon Appétit
– Bloody Civilian – Ladida
– Ric Hassani – Moving Train
– Sarz, Lojay & Major Lazer DJz – Billions (Remix)
– Runda – Behind Closed Doors (Album)
– Obongjayar – Paradise Now (Album)
– Lady Donli – This Feels Like An Interlude (EP)
– Tim Lyre & BOJ – Lock In
– Abstraktt & Oladapo – Odeshi
– DJ Latitude & Major AJ – Steady
– Anayor – Low Low
– Gamboszn – Goosebumps
This continual wave of creative expression underscores a thriving, if complex, ecosystem.
While cultural commentators like Joey Akan, Ayomide Tayo, and Abdulmuqsit Abolaji Idowu have raised concerns about Afrobeats’ momentum on the global stage, recent events suggest a more nuanced reality. The genre undoubtedly faces challenges—ranging from infrastructure deficits to miscategorisation on international platforms—but its vibrancy and versatility remain intact.
Tyla’s genre-defying recognition, Wizkid’s streaming dominance, Rema’s European success, and a steady stream of innovative projects all point to a genre that is expanding, not receding.
Afrobeats is not shrinking—it is stretching: reaching new audiences, embracing sonic innovation, and navigating the complex terrain of global recognition. As it continues to evolve beyond its West African roots, Afrobeats remains a compelling and dynamic force on the world stage.
