Afrobeats Power Ranking: March 2025 highlights and new artists
The Afrobeats Power Ranking for March 2025, compiled by NotJustOk, showcases the genre’s unstoppable momentum, driven by a blend of chart-topping veterans and bold newcomers.
Using data from streaming platforms, chart performance, social media buzz, and industry impact, this list ranks the top 50 artists shaping Afrobeats today.
March brought a wave of fresh releases, with EPs, albums, and singles fuelling major chart moves. Let’s break down the top 10, spotlight the biggest climbers, and credit the releases behind their rankings.
March 2025 Top 10: The leaders
- Burna Boy – Back at #1, Burna Boy’s 4 Kampé II with Joé Dwèt Filé racked up 8.4 million Spotify streams, alongside sold-out global shows, reinforcing his dominance.
- Davido – Soaring 11 spots to #2, Davido’s single Be There Still exploded with 6.8 million streams and a viral TikTok dance challenge, cementing his resurgence.
- Rema – Holding steady at #3, Rema’s consistent output, including tracks from his HEIS album and his feaburary release Baby (Is it a Crime), which has so far amassed over 35 million Spotify streams.
- Tyla – Slipping to #4, Tyla’s Push 2 Start remix alongside her deluxe debut album, Tyla+, continues to keep her in the global spotlight.
- Ruger – Up to #5, Ruger’s sophomore album BlownBoy RU—featuring hits like Muah (Soulmates) and Giveaway with Zlatan—pushed him up the chart.
- Wizkid – At #6, Wizkid’s Piece of My Heart with Brent Faiyaz, along with other songs from his recently released Morayo album and rich catalogue, continued trending.
- Asake – Steady at #7, Asake’s Lungu Boy tracks, including MMS with Wizkid, kept him in rotation.
- Ayra Starr – Climbing to #8, Ayra Starr’s 2024 collaboration with Rvssian, Santa, surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify, while her hit Rush is just 50 million shy of the same milestone.
- Seyi Vibez – Down to #9, Seyi Vibez’s Canada from his Loseyi Professor EP still resonated, pulling 3 million streams.
- T.I Blaze – Leaping 20 spots to #10, T.I Blaze’s single Introduction and his feature on Rybeena’s Dealer ignited his rise.
The biggest jumps
March 2025 saw artists capitalising on hot releases to climb the ranks. Here are the standout movers, with their songs or projects credited for the surge:
- Zlatan (#41 to #11) – A stunning 30-spot jump, driven by Get Better with Fola and Giveaway with Ruger, which together hit 3 million streams and ruled street playlists.
- T.I Blaze (#30 to #10) – Up 20 spots, T.I Blaze’s Introduction and his collaboration Dealer with Rybeena became anthems, trending across Nigeria with 2.5 million streams.
- Davido (#13 to #2) – Up 11 spots, Davido’s Be There Still sparked a social media frenzy, with 9 million streams pushing him near the top.
- Rybeena (Unranked to #19) – Rybeena’s EP Wise 2.0, featuring tracks like 1999, Ivory Coast, Despasito, Amapiapala, Dealer with T.I Blaze, and Go Harder, debuted with 2 million streams, earning him a top-20 spot.
- FOLA (Unranked to #16) – Newcomer FOLA’s Faraway gained 1.8 million streams, blending highlife and Afrobeats for a breakout moment.
New faces and key releases
March introduced fresh talent and saw established names drop game-changing projects. Here’s why these artists ranked:
- FOLA (#16) – FOLA’s feature on Zlatan's Get Better with over 5 million Spotify streams pushed him into the chart, along with his global catalogue streams for March.
- Rybeena (#19) – His Virtuoso album, packed with hits like 1999 and Dealer with T.I. Blaze, shot him into the Afrobeats Power Ranking chart for March 2025.
- Kojo Blak (#44, down from unranked entry) – His EP 131, featuring artists like Joshua Baraka, Kelvyn Boy and Sarkodie gave the Ghanaian singer his first entry into the chart.
- Shoday (#23) – Shoday’s Hey Jago with Poco Lee and Rahman Jago hit 3.1 million Spotify streams, fuelled by its infectious energy.
How the Afrobeats Power Ranking works
NotJustOk’s Afrobeats Power Ranking uses a data-driven formula, factoring in:
- Streaming Volume: Streams from Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and more.
- Recent Releases: Impact of new singles, EPs, and albums within 30 days.
- Social Media Buzz: Engagement on TikTok, Instagram, and X, including viral trends.
- Industry Influence: Chart performance, live shows, and cultural impact.
This algorithm delivers an objective top 50 each month.
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