By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah
In the last few years, Nigerian music has conquered the world, with three Nigerian superstars leading this global takeover: Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. The trio has sold out stadiums, won international awards, and amassed billions of streams across digital platforms. But when it comes to the question of who is the most globally recognised amongst them, particularly from 2023 to 2025, the statistics reveal an interesting story.
Davido, born David Adeleke in Atlanta and raised in Lagos, is well-known for his energetic performances and consistent hit-making ability. From his debut in 2011 with “Dami Duro” to international hits like “Fall” and “If,” Davido has built a career on catchy tunes and crossover appeal. His 2023 album Timeless reintroduced him to a global audience, and he continues to collaborate with international acts like Chris Brown and Latto.
Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, rose to prominence in 2010 with “Holla at Your Boy.” He made global history with the 2020 release of “Made in Lagos,” which featured the hit “Essence” — a track that earned a Grammy nomination and went platinum in the U.S. Wizkid, with a laid-back sound and international appeal, is widely seen as the quiet force behind Afrobeats’ global expansion.
Burna Boy, originally named Damini Ogulu, blends Afro-fusion, reggae, and hip-hop. He burst onto the global stage with “African Giant” and cemented his place with “Twice As Tall,” which earned him a Grammy. Known for his socially conscious lyrics and live band energy, Burna Boy uses his music to speak deeply to African pride and global Black identity.
To start with, Wizkid is said to have long been the benchmark of Nigerian global streaming. Statistics reveal that Wizkid currently leads in total global streams. By early 2025, he had crossed 8 billion streams on Spotify, and as such, he became the first African artist to reach that milestone. His solo and feature-heavy discography keeps his audience engaged across continents, and his recent single “Kese (Dance)” broke records by hitting 10 million Spotify streams in just nine days, demonstrating fresh firepower in an already blazing career. Also, a report from Vanguard (2024) shows that his music had accumulated 3.5 billion views on YouTube, making him one of the most watched African musicians in the world.
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In this category, Davido follows with about 4.5 billion Spotify streams and 2.5 billion YouTube views, proving his wide reach across Africa, the Americas, and Europe. According to a 2025 report from NotJustOk, Davido’s recent album “5ive,” released in April 2025, achieved a staggering 15.03 million global Spotify streams within its first 24 hours, marking one of the biggest opening-day performances for any Nigerian album in history. This serves as a testament to his vast fan base and collaborations. His impact extends beyond numbers; his star power often secures him features and live slots that boost visibility even further.
Then Burna Boy comes next with 2.5 billion Spotify streams and 1.5 billion YouTube views in 2024. However, Shore Africa (2025) reported that by early 2025, Burna Boy’s YouTube views surged above 3.1 billion, which is indicative of his rising dominance on the global stage. Yet, it’s Burna Boy who raises the stakes. Headlining Citi Field in New York and performing at the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, watched by over 700 million viewers, he became Africa’s voice on football’s biggest stage .
What is more, their live performances tell another side of the story. Many reports revealed that Wizkid sold out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, a 60,000-capacity venue, in July 2023, before he embarked on successful tours across Europe and the U.S. Interestingly enough, Davido would also stop at nothing to retain his global recognition, as AllAfrica (2024) highlighted his sold-out performances at the O2 Arena in London, Paris’s Accor Arena, and New York’s Barclays Center, with ticket prices ranging from $50 to $100. In the same vein, In 2025, Wikipedia revealed that Burna Boy reached unprecedented heights by headlining Citi Field in New York and performing at the UEFA Champions League Final opening ceremony in 2023, which was broadcast to more than 700 million viewers worldwide.
On awards and recognition, the three superstars have not stopped marvelling their fans across the globe. Burna Boy had reportedly earned six consecutive Grammy nominations and won one, alongside multiple BET and international awards. Clacified (2024) noted that Wizkid had also earned a Grammy and several global awards, making him one of Africa’s most consistent cultural ambassadors. Meanwhile, NotJustOk (2024) reported that Davido received three Grammy nominations in 2024 and was celebrated abroad with official “Davido Days” in some U.S. cities for his cultural impact.
When it comes to current momentum, the trio are making great waves. A 2025 report from The Nation shows that in the first quarter of 2025, Burna Boy led Nigerian artists globally with 171 million streams, ranking second overall. Davido followed with 113 million streams, while Wizkid recorded 102 million streams in the same period. This shows that while Wizkid dominates in lifetime streams and recognition, Burna Boy is currently enjoying the hottest surge in global popularity.
On this note, the curious minds still continue to ask the question “who is the most globally recognised among the three songitos?” as each of them continues to make amazing waves in the music industry across the globe. But based on the current statistics, Wizkid remains the most globally recognised Nigerian artist as of early 2025, thanks to his cumulative streams and consistent international branding. Burna Boy is fast rising with unmatched live performances, recent awards, and short‑term streaming dominance. Davido continues to shine as a global superstar beloved by hundreds of millions all over the world. Together, the trio proves that Afrobeats is not just a genre but a global movement, and the world is still dancing to Nigeria’s beat.
