Nigerian artist Riick makes his entry into the music industry with “Sanity”, a track built on lush percussion, warm guitar riffs, and emotionally charged vocals.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Victony, Rema, and Burna Boy, Riick fuses Afro-fusion, R&B, and Soul into his music.
“Sanity” by Riick is out now on all streaming platforms.
The nominees for the 2026 American Music Awards have been announced with Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tyla, Rema and MOLIY scoring nominations.
Tyla is the most nominated Afrobeats artist this year. She’s up four awards including Best Afrobeats Artist, Best Social Song of the Year and Best Music Video of the Year both for “Chanel” and Best R& B Female Artist.
American Music Awards Best Female R&B Artist Nominees:
— Afrobeats Head Loves Timothee Ideh (@AfrobeatsHead) April 14, 2026
Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey is also nominated in three categories including Collaboration of the Year, Best Male Country Artist and Best Country Song for “Goodnews”
Blending vibrant drums, rock-inspired energy, and addictive Afrobeat rhythms, “Shake” is a full-throttle party anthem made for dancefloors, nightlife, and high- vibe moments.
Known for his smooth, confident, “cool rebel with a soul” aesthetic, Badboi Jay delivers a track that captures both swagger and fun. Drawing sonic inspiration from Rema, Burna Boy, and Shallipopi, “Shake”
Speaking on the single, Badboi Jay shares:
“‘Shake’ is about letting go and catching a vibe. I wanted something that instantly lifts the room and gets people moving.”
The Afrobeats Power Rankings for February 2025 by NotJustOk are here, and they’re telling an exciting story about a genre that’s always on the move. Based on a mix of streaming numbers, chart success, social media hype, and real influence in the music world, this list shows off the staying power of big names and the thrilling rise of new stars.
Let’s break down the Top 10, cheer on the artists who made the biggest jumps from January, and give a shoutout to newcomers like Kunmie, whose debut song Arike and EP Before We Became Strangers have landed him a spot in the spotlight.
What’s the Afrobeats Power Rankings All About?
The Afrobeats Power Ranking by NotJustOk is like a monthly report card for Afrobeats artists. It looks at streaming numbers, chart performance, social media influence, and overall industry impact to figure out who’s running the game. It’s not just about who’s got the most plays—it’s about who’s making waves and shaping the sound.
See the full scoop on how the Afrobeats Power Ranking is compiled.
Top 10: Who’s Leading the Pack?
1. Tyla (982 points) – She wasn’t even on the list last month, but Tyla’s Push 2 Start remix with Sean Paul has taken her straight to #1. It’s a worldwide banger!
2. Rema (541.09 points) – Dropping from #3 to #2, Rema’s still a big deal and not going anywhere.
3. Seyi Vibez (505.19 points) – Zooming up from #13 to #3, thanks to his hot Children of Africa EP.
4. Asake (288.71 points) – Up one spot from #5, Asake’s good vibes keep him climbing.
5. Victony (287.38 points) – Jumping from #16 to #5 with his dope track Pity This Boy featuring ODUMODUBLVCK.
6. Burna Boy (263.92 points) – Down from #2 to #6, but still a king in the game.
7. ODUMODUBLVCK (199.25 points) – New to the list at #7, riding the wave of Pity This Boy.
8. Ayra Starr (198.94 points) – Slipping from #6 to #8, but still shining bright.
9. Wizkid (161.68 points) – The old #1 now at #9—his star power’s still strong.
10. Ruger (132.30 points) – Up from #14, Ruger’s hustle is paying off.
The Biggest Climbers: Songs That Changed the Game
February 2025 was wild, with some artists leaping up the list thanks to killer tracks. Here’s who made the biggest moves:
● Tyla (Unranked to #1) – Tyla’s Push 2 Start remix with Sean Paul is everywhere—streaming like crazy and blowing up TikTok with dance videos. She’s the new global face of Afrobeats.
● Seyi Vibez (#13 to #3) – Up 10 spots, Seyi Vibez dropped the Children of Africa EP, and its street-pop vibes—especially the title track—are ruling Nigeria right now.
● Victony (#16 to #5) – A huge 11-spot jump! His song Pity This Boy with ODUMODUBLVCK is real and raw, getting tons of love on X.
● Adekunle Gold (#34 to #19) – Climbing 15 spots, Obimo—a sweet, highlife-flavored love song—has brought him back into the spotlight.
● Bella Shmurda (#29 to #22) – Up 7 spots with Verily, a chill, thoughtful tune that’s winning fans over.
● Joeboy (#36 to #25) – A solid 11-spot rise, thanks to his steady stream of hits.
New Kid on the Block: Kunmie’s Big Entrance
February wasn’t just about the usual suspects—new talent crashed the party too. Leading the pack is Kunmie, who landed at #16 with 71.00 points. His breakout hit Arike, released February 15, 2025, is a soulful love song that’s taken over TikTok with 186,000+ videos and scored 7 million Spotify streams in less than a month. It peaked at #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart and hit #1 on Nigeria’s Viral 50—talk about a debut! Then, in early March, he dropped Before We Became Strangers, a four-song EP with tracks like the deep I Admit, the upbeat Majekaja, and the romantic Arike and One More Chance.
This combo of a viral single and a solid EP shot Kunmie into the rankings, making him a name to watch.
Other fresh faces like ODUMODUBLVCK (#7) with Pity This Boy and Moliy (#15) are also shaking things up, but Kunmie’s fast rise from nowhere to #16 shows how a big song and a strong project can make you a star in Afrobeats today.
What’s the Vibe?
This month’s rankings feel like a tug-of-war between the young crew—Seyi Vibez, Victony, Kunmie—and the OGs like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido (#13). Tyla’s #1 takeover proves Afrobeats is going worldwide, and newbies like Kunmie and ODUMODUBLVCK show there’s tons of fresh energy in the mix. Some January faves like BhadBoi OML and DJ 4kerty didn’t make the cut this time, which just proves how tough this game is.
Songs like Push 2 Start (Remix), Children of Africa EP, Pity This Boy, Obimo, Verily, and Arike show off Afrobeats’ flavors—big collabs, street jams, and smooth love tunes—pushing artists up and keeping the genre exciting.
Davido might be collaborating with a popular K-pop artist in 2025. This is according to music industry experts, Jaese Productions which includes publicists Joella Nuer, Ella Okunmwendia, and AyòÌféolúwa.
Last year, the Grammy-nominated singer also hinted at a potential K-pop song in an interview with the UK’s Kiss Fresh FM
In light of recent interactions and conversations, the trio made nine bold predictions for 2025, mainly on the expanding influence of K-pop in Africa:
Licensing Deals With An African Company
An increasing number of African fans are showing a growing interest in purchasing albums and merchandise, drawing attention to the continent. Group orders have become a popular trend as fans eagerly seek more. This surge in demand leads us to predict that a licensing deal is on the horizon, making official merch and other collectibles more accessible and affordable.
Global Auditions Open to Africans
Over the past decade, K-pop auditions have spread globally, piquing interest in African fans. Along with the rise of numerous K-pop dance competitions across the continent, Jaese foresees a K-pop agency or producer actively seeking talents in Africa.
Collaborations between Korean and African Artists
With K-pop artists increasingly meeting African musicians at major events like Fashion Weeks, Jaese believes the likelihood of a collaboration is high. Notable interactions, such as GOT7 members Jackson Wang and Bambam with Adekunle Gold and Rema with Vernon, set the stage for future partnerships. G-Dragon’s mention of Africa in his single “Power” further underscores his interest in the continent, especially with his recent signing to Empire, a label that represents African stars like Asake and Black Sherif. On the African side, Nigerian singer Davido has hinted at a potential collaboration with a K-pop artist in 2025. Similarly, in November 2024, Nigerian music mogul Mr. Eazi visited Jay Park’s More Vision, having long expressed his desire to collaborate with a K-pop artist since 2019. Jay Park on the other hand, has also expressed interest in touring in Nigeria and other African countries.
K-pop Acts Performing In Africa
Following ATEEZ’s groundbreaking appearance at the Mawazine Festival in Morocco, it’s highly likely that a major K-pop group will follow in their footsteps. Additionally, Jaese predicts that a K-pop artist will include Rabat, Nairobi, and Johannesburg as stops on their 2025 tour. African K-pop fans have united on the fan-driven global touring platform TOORLY to show their enthusiasm for bringing K-pop acts to their cities. Notably, up-and-coming Korean artists tend to explore newer regions before the more established acts. With Must B’s visit to South Africa and Henny’s performance in Angola, we anticipate that a rising K-pop act will hold a tour in Africa. Potential tour stops include South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt.
Increase in K-pop Streams from the African Continent
According to the TurnTable Charts in Nigeria, K-pop captured 2% of the Nigerian charts in 2024. Artists like Rosé, aespa, NewJeans, and Jimin achieved significant success in the West African nation. Following the return of G-Dragon, EXO’s KAI, BTS, BLACKPINK, and GOT7—artists who paved the way for K-pop’s rise in Africa—Jaese predicts that streaming numbers are set to increase even further this year.
Increase in “K-Afro Tracks”
In 2024, over 20 K-pop acts released songs incorporating influences from the African continent. Artists from other Asian countries including Thailand, China, and Malaysia equally dabbled into sounds from Africa and enjoyed great success. Jaese predicts a rise in Afro-influenced tracks in 2025, with some artists drawing inspiration from Tyla’s 2024 hits, including “Truth or Dare.” This time, we may see collaboration with African producers and songwriters, further blending the sounds of both continents.”
More K-pop Acts Featuring on African Platforms
In 2024, Jaese facilitated or published interviews with P1Harmony, Kep1er, BM, Fatou, and Blackswan. This year, we can expect even more K-pop artists to engage with their African fans across various media platforms. While most of these interviews were hosted by South African and Ghanaian outlets, Jaese envisions an expansion to other countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco.
A Writing Workshop for African K-pop Fans
African fans of Korean music and culture with a passion for journalism will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop led by seasoned K-entertainment writers from around the world. To take part in the workshop, individuals must sign up for the Jaese Writers Club.
Ghanaian Team on Street Woman Fighter
The teaser for the fourth edition of MNET’s Street Woman Fighter was released, featuring a mention and display of the Ghanaian flag. Jaese believes that a Ghanaian dancer or dance team will feature in this year’s edition of the popular dance show.
A GREAT YEAR FOR K-POP IN NIGERIA
In 2024, K-pop acts made a notable impact on Nigeria’s premier chart system, the TurnTable Charts, accounting for 1% on the Official Artist Top 100, 2% on the Official Streaming Songs and Official Radio Songs charts, 3% on the Official Nigeria Top 100, and 16% on the Official Top 100 Albums.
BLACKPINK member ROSÉ emerged as the top charting K-pop artist in Nigeria in 2024. Armageddon The 1st Album by SM Entertainment’s aespa held the title of the most-streamed K-pop album in Nigeria. Women continued to dominate the charts with DAY6, Jimin, and Stray Kids being the only male acts. Other notable highlights were K-bands DAY6 and QWER making an appearance on the Album chart for the first time.
As for the Prince of Afrobeats, Rema, he’ll be hoping to beat mega stars like Billie Eilish, Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo to win the Song of the Year award for his global hit “Calm Down”
While the British rapper Little Simz clenched three nods at this year’s edition of the UK’s biggest music award: Artist of the Year, Grime/Hip Hop/Rap Artist of the year and Album of the Year for her album “No Thank You”,
The 2024 Brits Awards will air on Sat 2 March on ITV1 and ITVX.
