Afrobeats 2025: The Year So Far

If you've been following African music lately, you'll know that 2025 has brought a steady stream of fresh releases, vibrant collaborations, and artists taking their craft further. The beat keeps evolving, and the energy feels unstoppable.

Leading the charge is Rema with his latest single, "Fun," released on September 5, 2025. The song brings his signature Afrobeats rhythm with a laid-back piano melody and carefree energy that sets a contrasting mood to his more kinetic tracks like "Kelebu." It's his fourth single of the year, following "Baby (Is It a Crime)," "Bout U," and "Kelebu", songs that have shaped an eclectic and dynamic first half for him in 2025.

Rema is just one example in a wave of artists shaping 2025. Shallipopi's single "Laho," released in March, has already broken into the Billboard Afrobeats Songs top ten in the United States while staying true to its raw cultural roots. Meanwhile, rising star Fola has been one of the busiest collaborators of the year, linking up with Zlatan, Bella Shmurda, and Bnxn while releasing his debut album “Catharsis” this September. Other standout releases this year include Ayra Starr's "Gimme Dat" with Wizkid and Davido's "With You" featuring Omah Lay, songs that showcase the emotional range and melodic strength at the core of Afrobeats.

The collaboration between Ayra Starr and Wizkid on "Gimme Dat," released April 25, 2025, particularly stands out. The song features a nostalgic sample of Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean's "911" and blends sultry vocals with Afrobeat rhythms. It climbed to number three on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 100, reached number four on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, and hit number eight on U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Songs.

Beyond single releases, this year has delivered standout projects that showcase the genre's depth. Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif released his second album, Iron Boy, on April 3, 2025. The album combines hip-hop, Afrobeats, and highlife while exploring themes like resilience and freedom. It received strong critical acclaim and holds the record for the most-streamed Ghanaian album in a single day.

The collaborative spirit of Afrobeats remains strong, with every remix and feature becoming a cross-cultural exchange as artists draw from new influences and audiences. One rising voice to watch is Bayanni, whose music blends exploration and identity. His EP Love & Hustle features a song with Ruger, a breakthrough Nigerian artist known for blending Afro-pop and street sensibilities.

The global impact of Afrobeats is now undeniable. What started as a regional sound has become a worldwide phenomenon. While Wizkid's early success in the UK and his 2016 collaboration with Drake on "One Dance" opened doors, it was consistent output from artists like Davido, Burna Boy, and Tiwa Savage that solidified the genre's staying power. Streaming platforms helped accelerate this growth, with Afrobeats streaming increasing by over 500 percent between 2017 and 2022. Social media platforms like TikTok have also been central to its spread, turning songs into viral challenges and giving African artists unprecedented visibility.

Recognition has followed this meteoric rise. Billboard created Afrobeats-specific charts, while the Grammys added a Best African Music Performance category. Burna Boy has sold out stadiums in London and worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, while artists such as Ayra Starr and Tems have collaborated with international stars, proving that African pop is no longer operating on the margins.

What makes this rise so compelling is the hard work that underpins it. Behind every viral hit are producers who merge traditional rhythms with global trends, labels that carefully manage releases, and artists who put in the hours on stage and online to connect with audiences. The music is infectious, but it is also intentional.

The story of Afrobeats in 2025 is one of unstoppable momentum. Each new single, remix, and collaboration feels like another step in an inevitable movement. Whether it's Rema's restless "Kelebu," Shallipopi's streetwise "Laho," or Davido's stadium-ready anthems, African artists have moved from the sidelines to the center stage, setting the tempo for what global music sounds like. The world is finally catching up to what Africa has always known.

Written by Vanessa Twerefou