Olamide Breaks Records with 1 Billion Streams on Spotify
Written by Crown FM on January 11, 2025
Nigerian rapper Olamide has made history by surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the first African rapper to achieve this remarkable milestone. This accomplishment highlights Olamide’s impact on the global music scene, especially his successful integration of Afrobeats into his music and collaborations.
In addition to this achievement, Olamide made headlines last year when he became the first African rapper to receive a Grammy nomination, further solidifying his place as one of the leading figures in the African music industry.
Meanwhile, Spotify has named two Nigerian artistes—Ayo Maff and Tml Vibez—as the top Nigerian artistes to watch in 2025. The platform’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, praised their innovative fusion of Amapiano elements into Afrobeats, a trend that is shaping the future of Nigerian music.
According to Okumu, Nigeria is the second-largest consumer of Amapiano, with over 50 billion streams, and Nigerian artistes are incorporating Amapiano into Afrobeats to meet the demand of local fans. She highlighted Ayo Maff’s hit track *Are You There* as a prime example of this new sound. “The self-proclaimed ‘Prince of the Street’ is a performer to watch out for in 2025,” Okumu said.
Tml Vibez, who also made the list, earned praise for his “piano-driven rhythms and hymn-like melodies,” which set him apart in the Nigerian music scene. Okumu also pointed out BoyPee, who secured third place for his blend of Afro Soul, Afro Pop, and traditional sounds, noting that tracks like *Ogechi* with Davido are a testament to his growing influence.
Other notable mentions include Afrobeats star KAESTYLE, ranked fourth for his “feel-good anthems,” and Llona, who secured fifth place with his passionate Afropop songs, including *Cold War* featuring FAVE.
Beyond Nigeria, Okumu emphasized the growing influence of African music, citing Ghana’s Team Eternity for their gospel-infused tracks, and rapper Kweku Smoke, who is exploring themes of authenticity and identity. In Kenya, rising stars Arbantone and Sean MMG are also gaining traction, with Sean’s viral hit *Pop Like This* marking his breakout status.
Okumu concluded by encouraging fans to keep an eye on these artistes in 2025, as they are poised to make waves in the music industry with their innovative sounds and powerful messages. With the rise of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other unique fusions, the future of African music is undoubtedly vibrant.
