Nigerian music icon Burna Boy has reclaimed his status as the most-listened-to African artist on Spotify, narrowly surpassing the Grammy-winning singer Tems. Recent platform data shows Burna Boy reaching over 40.7 million monthly listeners, slightly ahead of Tems’ 40.6 million.
This shift follows a competitive period where Tems had previously overtaken Burna Boy in late 2025, buoyed by the success of her debut album and international partnerships. However, by June 2026, Burna Boy experienced a surge, growing his audience by millions in a matter of weeks.
Burna Boy’s resurgence is attributed to a combination of his vast back catalogue—including hits like Last Last and City Boys—and a steady stream of new musical output. His strategy of consistent global collaborations and major live performances has fostered a diverse, international fanbase that provides a reliable foundation for high monthly listener counts.
While Burna Boy now holds the top spot, Tems remains a historic figure in the industry as the first Nigerian woman to achieve such significant streaming numbers. Her ongoing influence highlights the intense rivalry currently defining African music on the global stage. As both artists continue to produce content, the competition for the top position on Spotify remains a key indicator of the expanding global impact of Afrobeats.
