Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido
In the vibrant and globally resonating world of Afrobeats, three names consistently rise to the top: Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido. These afrobeats artists have not only dominated the African music scene but have also carved significant spaces for themselves on the international stage.
For anyone looking to understand the magnitude of their influence, a deep dive into their online presence is crucial. This analysis explores their digital footprint, examining their traffic, revenue streams, video views, and overall online engagement to paint a comprehensive picture of their current standing.
Wizkid: The Starboy’s Stellar Digital Kingdom
Wizkid, often lauded for his smooth vocals and international collaborations, commands a massive and dedicated online following. His approach often blends a cool, understated persona with undeniable musical prowess, which translates into significant digital traffic.
- Streaming Numbers: Wizkid boasts billions of streams across major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay. His collaborations, such as “One Dance” with Drake, have historically contributed massive numbers, showcasing his ability to bridge different musical worlds.
- YouTube Views: His official music videos consistently garner millions of views, with some of his most popular tracks soaring past the 100 million mark. His YouTube channel serves as a central hub for his visual content, attracting a global audience.
- Social Media Presence: While perhaps not as overtly active as some of his peers, Wizkid maintains a strong presence on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where he commands millions of followers. His posts often generate significant engagement, reflecting the loyalty of his fanbase.
- Online Revenue: Revenue streams for Wizkid are diverse, including royalties from streaming, digital downloads, and earnings from his YouTube channel. His global appeal also translates to lucrative brand partnerships and endorsements.
- Website Traffic: His official website serves as a key point for announcements, merchandise sales, and tour information, attracting consistent traffic from his fanbase.
Burna Boy: The African Afrobeats Giant Roaring Online Presence
Burna Boy, with his uniquen afrobeats or “Afro-fusion” sound and powerful stage presence, has cultivated a fiercely loyal global fanbase. His online metrics reflect this strong and engaged community.
- Streaming Dominance: Burna Boy consistently ranks high in streaming numbers across all major platforms. Tracks like “Last Last” and “On the Low” have achieved phenomenal success, amassing hundreds of millions of streams and solidifying his position as a streaming giant.
- YouTube Powerhouse: His music videos are known for their high production value and artistic direction, often exceeding 100 million views. His YouTube channel is a vital platform for reaching his international audience.
- Social Media Engagement: Burna Boy is quite active on social media, using platforms like Instagram and X to connect with fans, share updates, and express his views. His engaging content often sparks conversations and trends.
- Digital Revenue Streams: Similar to Wizkid, Burna Boy’s online revenue is substantial, driven by his massive streaming numbers, YouTube earnings, and increasing brand endorsements that recognize his global influence.
- Website and Fan Platforms: His official website and various fan pages online generate significant traffic, serving as information hubs and community spaces for his followers.
Davido: The OBO’s High-Octane Digital Engagement
Davido, known for his catchy tunes and vibrant personality, boasts an incredibly active and massive online presence. His engagement with fans is a key component of his digital strategy.
- Streaming Success: Davido enjoys significant streaming numbers, with numerous tracks achieving multi-million streams across various platforms. His consistent release of popular music keeps his numbers high.
- YouTube King: Davido’s YouTube channel is a powerhouse, with several of his music videos surpassing the 100 million view mark. His engaging visuals and consistent output contribute to his high viewership. Notably, his 2022 O2 Arena concert livestream garnered over 700,000 viewers, highlighting his digital pull for live events.
- Social Media Royalty: Davido reigns supreme on social media in terms of follower count, particularly on Instagram and X. His frequent and engaging posts, often showcasing his lifestyle and interactions, generate massive traffic and discussions.
- Robust Online Revenue: Davido’s online revenue is substantial, fueled by his high streaming numbers, YouTube views, and numerous endorsements that capitalize on his widespread popularity and large social media following.
- Active Online Community: Davido has cultivated a strong and active online community that actively engages with his content, driving traffic and discussions across various platforms.
Comparative Analysis: A Throne for Each King
While all three artists are undeniably giants in the Afrobeats scene, their online dominance manifests in slightly different ways:
- Streaming: Burna Boy often leads in overall streaming numbers, reflecting the global appeal and consistent performance of his discography on major audio platforms.
- YouTube Views: Davido often boasts the highest individual video views, likely due to his consistent output of engaging and widely popular music videos.
- Social Media Following: Davido typically has the largest social media following across platforms like Instagram and X, showcasing his widespread popularity and active fan engagement.
- Overall Online Traffic: It’s challenging to pinpoint an exact leader in overall traffic, as it fluctuates and depends on various factors like new releases, tours, and social media activity. However, all three consistently generate massive online buzz and engagement.
Afrobeats
It’s tricky to get precise, real-time, and publicly verifiable numbers for all aspects of their online presence, especially revenue, as those figures are often private. However, based on available data and estimations from various sources as of late May 2025, here’s a breakdown focusing on quantifiable metrics:
Wizkid:
- Spotify:
- Monthly Listeners: Approximately 11.5 Million (fluctuates).
- Total Streams (all credits): Estimated to be in the billions, with his top songs individually reaching hundreds of millions (e.g., “One Dance” with over 3.6 Billion streams).
- Followers: Around 7.9 Million.
- YouTube:
- Subscribers: Over 3.3 Million on his main “StarBoy TV” channel.
- Total Views: Exceeding 2.3 Billion across all his videos.
- Highest Viewed Videos: “Joro” with over 307 Million views, “Essence” with Tems around 219 Million views, “Come Closer” ft. Drake with over 154 Million views.
- Social Media (Approximate Followers):
- Instagram: Around 18.1 Million.
- X (Twitter): Around 14.1 Million.
- TikTok: Around 2.2 Million likes on his content.
Burna Boy:
- Spotify:
- Monthly Listeners: Approximately 23 Million (fluctuates).
- Total Streams (all credits): Over 7.7 Billion as of recent tracking. His top songs like “Last Last” have surpassed 492 Million streams, and “On the Low” over 330 Million.
- Followers: Around 12.4 Million.
- YouTube:
- Subscribers: Over 5.33 Million on his official channel.
- Total Views: Exceeding 3.3 Billion across his videos.
- Highest Viewed Videos: “Gbona” with over 128 Million views, “City Boys” with over 93 Million views, “Anybody” with over 82 Million views.
- Social Media (Approximate Followers):
- Instagram: Around 17.9 Million.
- X (Twitter): Around 10 Million.
- TikTok: Around 7.1 Million followers with billions of likes on his content.
Davido:
- Spotify:
- Monthly Listeners: Approximately 43.5 Million (fluctuates), often the highest among the three.
- Total Streams (all credits): Over 3.5 Billion. Individual hits like “Unavailable” have reached over 200 Million streams, and older hits like “Fall” around 117 Million.
- Followers: Not a primary public metric on Spotify, but his high listener count indicates significant reach.
- YouTube:
- Subscribers: Data varies across different unofficial and official channels, but likely several million. Specific official channel subscriber count needs verification.
- Total Views: Difficult to aggregate across all his channels but likely in the billions given his long and successful career.
- Highest Viewed Videos: Several videos have surpassed the 100 Million mark, with some reaching beyond 200 Million. Specific top video view counts require a consolidated look at his various official and affiliated channels.
- Social Media (Approximate Followers):
- Instagram: Often the highest among the three, likely significantly above 20 Million.
- X (Twitter): Also a very high follower count, likely above 15 Million.
- TikTok: Strong presence with millions of followers and high engagement.
Afrobeats
Important Considerations:
- Fluctuations: These numbers are dynamic and change daily. The figures provided are based on recent snapshots.
- Data Sources: The data comes from publicly available tracking sites and platform analytics, which may have slight variations.
- Revenue: Precise revenue figures are not publicly available. However, it’s clear that with these streaming numbers and online engagement, all three artists generate significant income from royalties, advertising revenue on platforms like YouTube, and brand partnerships driven by their online influence.
- Social Media Engagement: While follower counts are important, engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) also indicate the strength of their connection with their audience. Davido often has very high engagement rates on his posts.
Estimated Earnings Based on Total Streams
It’s impossible to provide exact, real-time monetary figures for how much Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido earn from streaming platforms. These figures are highly variable and depend on numerous factors, including:
- Streaming Platform: Different platforms have different payout rates per stream.
- Subscription Type: Streams from paid subscribers generate more revenue than those from free, ad-supported users.
- Listener Location: Streams from countries with higher subscription fees typically yield higher payouts.
- Artist Agreements: Each artist has individual agreements with their record labels, distributors, and streaming platforms, which dictate their percentage of royalties.
- Total Streams: The sheer volume of streams an artist accumulates significantly impacts their overall earnings.
However, we provided estimated ranges based on publicly available data and average payout rates as of late May 2025:
Estimated Earnings Based on Total Streams (Keep in Mind These are GROSS Estimates):
To give you a rough idea,
Wizkid (Estimated Total Streams: Billions)
- If we conservatively estimate Wizkid has around 4 Billion streams across platforms and use an average payout of $0.004 per stream, his gross earnings could be around $16 Million. This is a very rough estimate over his entire catalog’s lifetime. Some sources suggest his monthly Spotify earnings alone could be around $1 Million.
Burna Boy (Estimated Total Streams: Over 7.7 Billion)
- Using a similar conservative approach with 7.7 Billion streams and an average of $0.004 per stream, his estimated gross earnings could be around $30.8 Million over his career. Some reports indicate his monthly Spotify earnings are also substantial, trailing Wizkid.
Davido (Estimated Total Streams: Over 3.5 Billion)
- With an estimated 3.5 Billion streams and an average of $0.004 per stream, Davido’s estimated gross earnings could be around $14 Million over his career. However, his strong presence on YouTube, which can have varying monetization, adds another layer of complexity. Some sources suggest his monthly Spotify earnings are also significant, though likely lower than Wizkid and Burna Boy.
Key Takeaways:
- High Stream Counts are Crucial: Even with relatively low per-stream payouts, the billions of streams these artists generate lead to significant overall earnings.
- Platform Mix Matters: Artists with a strong presence on platforms with higher payout rates (like Apple Music) can potentially earn more per stream than those primarily on platforms with lower rates.
- YouTube Monetization is Different: Revenue from YouTube comes from a mix of ad revenue and YouTube Premium subscriptions, making direct per-view to dollar conversions less straightforward.
- These are Gross Figures: The actual amount these artists take home is after deductions by record labels, distributors, and other rights holders, which can be a significant portion.
🏆 Awards and Recognition
Wizkid:
- Grammy Awards: 1 win (Best Music Video for “Brown Skin Girl”) with multiple nominations, including for Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance.
- BET Awards: 4 wins, including Best International Act and Best Collaboration.
- MOBO Awards: 5 wins, including Best African Act and Best International Act.
- MTV Europe Music Awards: 2 wins for Best African Act.
- American Music Awards: 1 win for Favorite Afrobeats Artist.
- iHeartRadio Music Awards: 2 wins, including Afrobeats Artist of the Year.
- The Headies Awards: Multiple wins, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year.
- All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA): Multiple wins, including Artist of the Year and Best West African Artiste.
- Soul Train Awards: 3 wins for “Brown Skin Girl.”
- Billboard Music Awards: 3 wins for his contribution to Drake’s “One Dance.”
- Apple Music Awards: 1 win for Artist of the Year (Africa).
- Recognitions include being ranked among the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Afrobeats Artists by Forbes and Channel O. He was also the first Nigerian musician to reach 1 million followers on Twitter.
Burna Boy:
- Grammy Awards: 1 win for Best Global Music Album (“Twice as Tall”) with multiple nominations across various categories, including Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Performance.
- BET Awards: 4 wins for Best International Act.
- MOBO Awards: 5 wins, including Best African Music Act and Best International Act.
- MTV Europe Music Awards: 1 win for Best African Act.
- Brit Awards: Multiple nominations.
- Soundcity MVP Awards Festival: Multiple wins, including African Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year.
- The Headies Awards: Multiple wins, including Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year.
- All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA): Multiple wins, including Artiste of the Year in Africa and Best West African Male Artiste.
- African Musik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA): Multiple wins, including Artist of the Year and Best African Dancehall/Reggae Act.
- Recognized as an Apple Music Up Next artist. He was also awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) plaque by the Nigerian government for his achievements in music. Rolling Stone ranked him among the 200 greatest singers of all time.
Davido:
- Grammy Awards: 1 win as a featured artist on Chris Brown’s “11:11” for Best R&B Album, with multiple nominations for his own work in Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance categories.
- BET Awards: 2 wins for Best International Act.
- MOBO Awards: 1 win for Best African Act.
- MTV Europe Music Awards: 2 wins for Best African Act.
- MTV Africa Music Awards: 2 wins.
- The Headies Awards: Multiple wins, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Digital Artiste of the Year.
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Multiple wins, including Male Artist of the Year and Hottest Single of the Year.
- Channel O Music Video Awards: 1 win for Most Gifted Newcomer Video.
- Kora Awards: 1 win.
- African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA): Multiple wins.
- Recognized as the “king of modern Afrobeats.” He was the first Nigerian singer to be featured in a FIFA World Cup single. His song “Fall” became the most Shazamed song in New York in 2018.
In terms of sheer volume of awards and consistent recognition across both African and international platforms:
- Wizkid and Burna Boy have both amassed a significant number of prestigious awards and nominations, including Grammys, BETs, MOBOs, and various African accolades. Burna Boy’s Grammy win for his own album gives him a slight edge in that category.
- Davido also has a substantial collection of awards, particularly within Africa, and has gained significant international recognition, including his recent Grammy win as a featured artist and multiple nominations for his own work.
Conclusion on “Biggest” based on Awards:
While all three have impressive award cabinets, Wizkid and Burna Boy have arguably garnered more consistent and high-profile international awards and recognition over their careers so far. Burna Boy’s solo Grammy win is a significant marker of international critical acclaim. However, Davido’s consistent win at major African awards and increasing international nods also solidify his status as a major force.
Ultimately, when factoring in awards and recognition, Burna Boy might have a slight edge due to his solo Grammy win and consistent international acclaim in recent years, but Wizkid’s foundational impact and numerous international awards cannot be understated. Davido’s growing international recognition also places him firmly among the top tier.
💼 Endorsement Deals
Wizkid:
- Wizkid has a diverse portfolio of endorsements across various sectors, indicating a broad appeal to different brands.
- Notable Past & Present Endorsements Include: Pepsi, MTN, GLO, Guinness, Nike, Dolce & Gabbana, Ciroc, UBA (United Bank for Africa), Tecno Mobile, Puma, Flutterwave, and D’Usse.
- His deals have ranged from telecommunications and beverages to fashion, luxury goods, and financial technology.
- Reports suggest some of his deals, like UBA, were worth multi-million dollars. His long-term relationship with Pepsi also reportedly earned him a significant sum over several years.
Burna Boy:
- Burna Boy has also attracted a significant number of endorsements, particularly as his global profile has risen. He’s increasingly associated with international luxury and fashion brands.
- Notable Past & Present Endorsements Include: GLO, Nigerian Breweries (Star Lager), Martell Cognac, Hennessy, BoohooMan, AMBUSH, Beats by Dre, Burberry, and G-Star RAW.
- His collaborations extend to fashion, beverage, and electronics industries, reflecting his growing influence in lifestyle and culture.
- Some reports suggest his deals are in the range of hundreds of thousands to potentially over a million dollars per campaign, especially his international partnerships.
Davido:
- Davido is known for having a high volume of endorsement deals, particularly within Africa, leveraging his massive social media following and energetic persona.
- Notable Past & Present Endorsements Include: MTN, Guinness Nigeria, Pepsi, Infinix Mobile, 1XBET, GAC Motors, Martell Cognac, and reportedly over 20 deals at one point, according to some sources.
- His endorsements span telecommunications, beverages, mobile technology, betting platforms, and the automotive industries.
- Davido has openly spoken about his early endorsement deals being worth millions of Naira. His current, larger deals are likely in the higher range, potentially reaching millions of dollars, especially those with major international brands. He’s also exploring long-term partnerships with equity stakes, as seen with Martell.
Conclusion on “Biggest” based on Endorsement Deals:
- Davido is often cited as having the highest number of endorsement deals, particularly within the African market, capitalizing on his widespread popularity and large fan base.
- Wizkid has secured high-value deals with both local and international brands, showcasing his premium brand appeal. Some reports suggest his individual deal values can be quite substantial.
- Burna Boy’s endorsement portfolio is increasingly leaning towards international luxury and fashion collaborations, reflecting his global status and influence in these sectors.
It’s difficult to definitively say who earns the most from endorsements without concrete figures. However, based on the volume of deals, particularly in Africa, Davido likely has a very strong income stream from endorsements. Wizkid’s focus on potentially fewer but higher-value international deals also positions him as a top earner in this category. Burna Boy’s growing association with global luxury brands suggests his endorsement earnings are also on a significant upward trajectory.
💿 Album Sales (Globally
Wizkid:
- Reports suggest Wizkid has sold over 630,000 albums globally.
- His album “Made in Lagos” is reportedly his best-selling, with over 630,000 copies sold, including:
- 500,000 in the United States (certified Gold by RIAA).
- 60,000 in the United Kingdom (certified Silver by BPI).
- 40,000 in Canada (certified Gold by Music Canada).
- 20,000 in the Netherlands (certified Gold by NVPI).
- 10,000 in Switzerland (certified Gold by IFPI Switzerland).
- “Made in Lagos” also achieved over 1 billion on-demand streams in the USA.
Burna Boy:
- Reportedly sold over 320,000 albums, including 160,000 in the United Kingdom.
- His best-selling album is cited as “African Giant,” with over 190,000 copies sold. It is certified Gold in Canada and the UK.
- His album “Love, Damini” has reported sales of over 130,000, with Gold certifications in Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands, and Silver in the UK.
- His more recent album, “I Told Them…,” debuted at Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, selling over 14,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. It’s certified Gold in the UK and 3x Platinum in Nigeria (based on streaming and sales).
- Burna Boy is the first African artist with multiple albums surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify (“Love, Damini” and “African Giant”).
Davido:
- Precise overall album sales figures are harder to find, but his impact is evident in streaming numbers and certifications.
- His album “A Good Time” surpassed 1 billion streams across various digital platforms by July 2020. It has Gold certifications in the US and Canada, and Silver in the UK.
- His 2020 album “A Better Time” also achieved significant streaming numbers.
- His 2023 album “Timeless” broke numerous streaming records in its debut week across platforms like Spotify Nigeria, Apple Music, and Audiomack. It became the first African album to top the iTunes chart in the USA. It also achieved the highest number of first-day album sales by an African artist (over 1 million copies reported on its first day).
- Davido’s “Fall” achieved Gold certification in the US and Platinum in Canada, indicating significant sales and streaming equivalents for a single.
Conclusion on “Biggest” based on Album Sales & Certifications:
- Wizkid’s “Made in Lagos” appears to be the most commercially successful album in terms of reported sales and certifications in major international markets like the US and UK.
- Burna Boy has shown consistent growth in album sales and certifications, with “African Giant” and “Love, Damini” performing well internationally. His recent streaming milestones are also significant.
- Davido has demonstrated massive streaming numbers and impressive first-day sales for “Timeless,” highlighting his strong fan base and impact in the digital realm. While precise long-term sales figures are less readily available, his certifications and streaming records indicate substantial consumption.
WHO’S THE BIGGEST?
Determining who is ‘afrobeats’ “biggest is subjective and depends on the criteria you prioritize. Based on the information gathered:
Arguments for Burna Boy being the “biggest”:
- Highest Total Streams: Burna Boy consistently appears to have the highest overall career streams across major platforms (Spotify, YouTube, Audiomack, Boomplay) when aggregated.
- Strong Monthly Spotify Listeners: He often has one of the highest monthly listener counts on Spotify, indicating a broad and active current fanbase.
Arguments for Davido being the “biggest”:
- Social Media Dominance: Davido typically boasts the largest and most active social media following across platforms like Instagram and X, indicating immense popularity and direct fan engagement.
- High Monthly Spotify Listeners: He frequently has the highest number of monthly listeners on Spotify among the three, showcasing a massive current listenership.
- Strong YouTube Views: His music videos often achieve very high view counts, demonstrating a strong visual appeal and broad audience reach.
Arguments for Wizkid being the “biggest”:
- Pioneering Influence: Wizkid is often cited as a key figure in popularizing Afrobeats globally and inspiring many other artists.
- Significant Career Streams: He has accumulated billions of streams throughout his career, with some of the most iconic Afrobeats tracks to his name.
- International Recognition: His collaborations and global appeal have solidified his position as a major international artist.
Here’s a summary based on different metrics:
- Most Streams (Overall Career): Burna Boy
- Most Monthly Listeners (Spotify): Often Davido, closely followed by Burna Boy. Wizkid’s numbers are also substantial but often slightly lower.
- Largest Social Media Following: Davido
- Highest Individual Video Views (YouTube): Davido has several videos with extremely high views.
- Global Recognition & Influence: All three are highly recognized globally, but Wizkid is often credited as a foundational figure for the current global wave of Afrobeats.
Conclusion:
There isn’t a single definitive answer to who is the “biggest.”
- If you prioritize current streaming numbers and broad listenership, Burna Boy and Davido are strong contenders.
- If you prioritize social media reach and fan engagement, Davido likely holds the edge.
- If you prioritize historical impact and pioneering influence, Wizkid is a crucial figure.
Alright, after analyzing their online presence, revenue streams, video views, awards, recognition, endorsement deals, album sales (and equivalents), and net worth estimations, here’s a final verdict on who could be considered the “biggest,” keeping in mind the nuances and different metrics:
It’s a nuanced tie, with each artist holding significant dominance in different areas.
Here’s a breakdown of why a single “biggest” is hard to definitively declare:
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Overall Digital Footprint & Streaming Power: Burna Boy often leads in overall career streams and frequently has very high monthly listeners on Spotify, indicating a massive and consistently engaged global audience in the digital streaming era.
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Social Media Influence & Engagement: Davido typically boasts the largest social media following and often generates immense online buzz and engagement with his posts, showcasing his widespread popularity and connection with fans. His YouTube viewership is also exceptionally strong.
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International Recognition & Pioneering Influence: Wizkid is often credited as a key figure in the global explosion of Afrobeats and has secured significant international awards and collaborations, solidifying his status as a globally recognized pioneer. His album “Made in Lagos” achieved remarkable international commercial success in traditional sales and early streaming.
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Commercial Appeal & Endorsement Volume: Davido often has the highest number of endorsement deals, particularly within Africa, demonstrating his strong commercial appeal to a wide range of brands. Wizkid also commands high-value endorsements, especially internationally.
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Awards & Critical Acclaim: Burna Boy has a Grammy win for his own album, which is a significant marker of international critical acclaim. Wizkid also has a Grammy win and numerous other prestigious international awards. Davido’s recent Grammy win as a featured artist and multiple nominations are also significant.
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Album Sales & Streaming Era Success: While traditional album sales are less indicative now, Wizkid’s “Made in Lagos” showed strong performance in established markets. Davido’s “Timeless” broke streaming records in its debut, showcasing his current digital dominance in album consumption.
Final Conclusion:
- If “biggest” is defined by current widespread streaming consumption and a strong global presence, Burna Boy has a compelling argument.
- If “biggest” is defined by social media reach, online engagement, and overall popularity, Davido holds significant sway.
- If “biggest” is defined by pioneering influence, international recognition, and groundbreaking commercial success in global markets, Wizkid is a foundational figure.
Therefore, instead of a single “biggest,” it’s more accurate to acknowledge them as the “Big Three” of Afrobeats, each a titan in their own right, dominating different facets of the industry and collectively driving the genre’s global success. Their individual strengths and achievements contribute to the overall monumental impact of Afrobeats worldwide.
It ultimately depends on the specific criteria you prioritize when defining “biggest.” However, in a holistic view, they are equally significant forces in the Afrobeats landscape.