Ayra Starr Named Most-Streamed Female Afrobeats Artist on Spotify in 2025
Spotify has named Ayra Starr the most-streamed female Afrobeats artist over the past 12 months. The announcement was part of its global campaign, Afrobeats: Culture in Motion, celebrating the genre’s explosive growth and evolution.
Afrobeats Goes Global — and Women Are Leading the Charge
The Culture in Motion initiative shines a light on how Afrobeats has moved from a local phenomenon to a global force. In just one year, over 240 million Afrobeats discoveries occurred on Spotify worldwide.
Women are at the center of this rise. Alongside Ayra Starr’s record-breaking streaming numbers, Tems also hit a major milestone. She became the first African female artist to earn over 1 billion Spotify streams on a single track.
These achievements show that female voices are not just participating in the movement — they’re shaping it.
Spotify Launches a New Documentary and Microsite
As part of the initiative, Spotify launched a new documentary titled Culture in Motion. It features rising stars of Afrobeats and explores the genre’s future through exclusive interviews and fresh data.
Spotify also released a companion microsite on For the Record, its editorial platform. The site dives deep into Afrobeats’ global journey through five themes:
- Artist stories
- Listening trends
- Cultural insights
- Global milestones
- Community impact
Nigeria: The Heartbeat of Afrobeats
Spotify confirmed that Nigeria remains the genre’s epicenter. In 2025 alone, Nigerians streamed Afrobeats for more than 180 million hours. The top streaming cities include Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
For Gen Z Nigerians, the sound is personal. Their favorite Afrobeats moods include “whiny,” “island vibes,” and “playful”—showing how deeply the genre connects with youth culture.
Fans Are Driving the Movement
Afrobeats isn’t just about music—it’s about community. Over the past 10 years, fan-created Afrobeats playlists have grown by nearly 3000%. These grassroots efforts have turned everyday listeners into powerful tastemakers.
One exciting trend is the rise of new sub-genres. For example, Afro-Adura saw streaming growth of over 4000%, proving that Afrobeats is expanding in bold new directions.
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