In a landmark moment for African music on the global stage, Nigerian superstars Wizkid and Tems have secured their place as the continent’s sole representatives on Apple Music’s inaugural Top 500 Most Streamed Songs of All Time list, released this week to commemorate the streaming platform’s 10th anniversary.
The milestone achievement underscores the growing international influence of Afrobeats and Nigerian talent in particular, with both artists earning their spots through high-profile collaborations that have dominated streaming charts worldwide.
Wizkid’s breakthrough came through his featured role in Drake’s 2016 global phenomenon “One Dance,” which also featured Kyla. The track, which became a cultural touchstone and marked a pivotal moment in the crossover appeal of Afrobeats, secured the sixth position on the prestigious list, making Wizkid the only African artist to crack the top 10.
Tems achieved her historic placement at number 42 with her Grammy-winning collaboration alongside Future and Drake on “Wait For U,” establishing her as the highest-ranked and only female African artist on the chart. The achievement is particularly significant as it represents the newer generation of Nigerian artists who have successfully navigated the global music landscape.
The list itself reflects the streaming era’s most dominant forces, with Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” claiming the top spot, followed by The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” at number two and Drake’s “God’s Plan” rounding out the top three. Post Malone demonstrates his streaming prowess with two entries in the top five: “Sunflower” from the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack at number four and “Rockstar” featuring 21 Savage at number five.
The complete top 10 showcases the diverse landscape of streaming success, featuring Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” Chris Brown’s “No Guidance,” and Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” alongside the previously mentioned tracks.
For the African music industry, this recognition represents more than just chart success—it signals the continent’s artists have achieved genuine global impact in the streaming age. The presence of both Wizkid and Tems on this definitive list validates the international appetite for African sounds and storytelling while setting the stage for future continental artists to follow in their footsteps.
As Apple Music celebrates a decade of reshaping how the world discovers and consumes music, the inclusion of these Nigerian artists in their most prestigious chart compilation serves as a testament to the platform’s role in democratizing global music discovery and the unstoppable rise of African artistry on the world stage.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigerian artists Wizkid and Tems are the only Africans on Apple Music’s Top 500 most-streamed songs of all time. Wizkid ranks 6th with “One Dance,” while Tems sits at 42nd with “Wait For U.” This proves African music, particularly Afrobeats, has achieved genuine global mainstream success and can compete with the world’s biggest artists on streaming platforms.
The breakthrough shows African artists are no longer on the sidelines—they’re major players in the global music industry.
