Nigerian albums with the biggest global opening day on Spotify
Nigerian artists are dominating the global music scene, with their albums racking up massive opening day streams on Spotify and setting new records in the process.
Nigerian artists have continued to dominate the global music scene, breaking records and setting new standards with their album releases. From Afrobeats to Street Pop, these artists have captivated audiences worldwide, racking up millions of streams on Spotify within just 24 hours of release. With impressive numbers that reflect their global appeal, creativity, and growing fanbases, albums like Wizkid’s Morayo, Davido’s 5ive, and Asake’s Lungu Boy are not just musical projects. They are cultural milestones pushing Nigerian music further onto the international stage.
Wizkid – Morayo (16.27M Streams)
Wizkid’s sixth studio album, Morayo, topped the list of Nigerian albums with the biggest global opening day on Spotify, earning 16.27 million streams in its first 24 hours. It became the biggest debut for any African album ever on the platform.
In Nigeria alone, Morayo broke the record for most single-day streams with 12 million streams, doubling the previous record held by Asake’s Lungu Boy. Wizkid also set a new milestone for most single-day song streams in Spotify Nigeria history with Kese (Dance), surpassing his own track, Piece Of My Heart.
Released two years after More Love, Less Ego, Morayo paid tribute to Wizkid’s late mother and featured collaborations with artists like Asake, Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan, Tiakola, Anais Cardot, and K1 De Ultimate. The 16-track album blended emotion, cultural depth, and Afrobeats sophistication, marking a career-defining moment for the superstar.
Davido – 5ive (15.03M Streams)
Released on April 18, 2025, Davido's fifth studio album, 5ive, claimed the second spot among Nigerian albums with the biggest global opening day on Spotify, racking up 15.03 million streams worldwide within 24 hours of its release on April 18, 2025.
In Nigeria, 5ive broke a 2025 Spotify record with 15.3 million streams, overtaking the artist's own 2023 album, Timeless, which debuted with 4.91 million streams. The album not only surpassed his previous work domestically but also made significant strides internationally. It became the first African album to debut 12 songs on the UK Spotify Daily Songs Chart, showing Davido's growing global impact.
The 17-track album features collaborations with international artists such as Chris Brown, Victoria Monét, Becky G, Omah Lay, and Victony. Curated from an initial pool of 80 songs, the album reflects Davido's renewed focus on family and unity within the music community. Critics have praised 5ive for its vibrant energy and fusion of Afropop, R&B, and lovers rock, reaffirming Davido's position at the forefront of the Afrobeats genre.
Asake – Lungu Boy (9.5M Streams)
Asake’s third studio album, Lungu Boy, debuted with 9.5 million global streams on its first day, securing the third-biggest opening day for a Nigerian album on Spotify globally.
Released on August 9, 2024, Lungu Boy showcased Asake’s signature blend of street-pop energy and spiritual undertones, with collaborations from heavyweights like Wizkid, Stormzy, Central Cee, Travis Scott, and Ludmilla. The album was a critical and commercial success, dominating charts and setting a new standard for Nigerian street music on the global stage.
In addition to its record-breaking debut, Lungu Boy became the biggest album of 2024, amassing over 214 million streams and spending 15 consecutive weeks at number one on the TurnTable album chart. The hit single MMS featuring Wizkid earned Asake a Grammy nomination for Best African Song Performance, marking his second nomination in two years.
Burna Boy – I Told Them (9.3M Streams)
Burna Boy’s 2023 album I Told Them debuted with 9.3 million streams globally on its first day, making it the fourth-biggest opening day for a Nigerian album on Spotify.
Released in August 2023, the album saw Burna Boy blend Afrobeats, hip-hop, and dancehall with ease. It featured high-profile collaborations with J. Cole, Dave, 21 Savage, and Byron Messia, reflecting Burna’s global reach and versatility. I Told Them was widely praised for its lyrical depth and genre-crossing style, further reinforcing Burna Boy’s status as one of Africa’s most impactful music exports.
Davido - Timeless (8.4m streams)
Davido’s 2023 album, Timeless, opened with 8.4 million global streams on its first day, securing its place among the top Nigerian albums with the biggest opening day on Spotify.
Released in March 2023, Timeless showcased Davido’s growth as an artist, blending Afrobeats with elements of hip‑hop, R&B, and gospel. The album featured collaborations with Asake, Fave, Southside, and Sauti Sol, delivering hits like Feel and Over Dem. Timeless not only resonated strongly in Nigeria but also reached audiences across Europe and North America, reinforcing Davido’s reputation as an international Afrobeats ambassador.
Burna Boy – Love, Damini (8.3M Streams)
Burna Boy’s Love, Damini, released in July 2022, earned 8.3 million streams on Spotify in its first 24 hours, placing it at number six on Nigerian albums with the biggest global opening day.
The album featured standout tracks like Last Last and For My Hand with Ed Sheeran, blending Afrofusion with introspective storytelling. Love, Damini was a commercial and critical success, becoming the highest-charting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 at the time and receiving Grammy nominations. The project marked a mature, emotional chapter in Burna’s career and resonated with fans worldwide, solidifying his place at the forefront of global Afrobeats.
Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21 (6.3M Streams)
Ayra Starr’s sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, garnered 6.3 million global streams on its opening day, earning its rank among the top Nigerian albums with the biggest opening day on Spotify.
Released on May 31, 2024, the 15-track project highlighted Ayra Starr’s evolution as a dynamic vocalist and songwriter. The album featured collaborations with Asake, Giveon, Coco Jones, Anitta, Rvssian, and Rauw Alejandro, showcasing a mix of Afropop, R&B, and Latin influences. The Year I Turned 21 not only broke records in Nigeria, achieving 1.27 million streams domestically in one day, but also charted in 90 countries on Apple Music, underlining Ayra Starr’s rapid ascent as a global music sensation.
In conclusion, the remarkable streaming achievements of these Nigerian artists shows the global impact and growing dominance of Afrobeats and Nigerian music on the world stage. With each release, artists like Wizkid, Davido, Asake, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr continue to break barriers, set new records, and captivate audiences worldwide.
