Top 10 Nigerian Musicians With The Largest YouTube Channels In 2025

Top 10 Nigerian Musicians With The Largest YouTube Channels In 2025

Over the past decade, Nigerian music, especially the vibrant genre of Afrobeats, has transformed from a regional sound into a global cultural force.

PwC recently estimated that Afrobeats contributes roughly $2 billion annually to the wider global music economy, underlining the genre’s rising influence.

At the same time, streaming platforms like Spotify have reported that Nigerian artists earned over N58 billion in royalties in 2024 alone, more than doubling what they made the previous year.

One of the main platforms fueling this expansion is YouTube, where creators who qualify for the YouTube Partner Program benefit from revenue sharing via ads, subscriptions, and, more recently, Shorts. As these channels grow, so does their access to monetization tools that reward viewership, global reach, and engagement.

This article spotlights some of Nigeria’s musicians with the largest YouTube channels by subscriber count, based on data at the time of publishing, offering a snapshot of who is leading the stream in turning global visibility into creative and financial impact.

10. Yemi Alade

• No of Subscribers: 2.51 million 

Yemi Alade is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress, and activist from Akoko, Ondo State. Known for her multilingual artistry, singing in English, Igbo, Yoruba, Pidgin, French, Swahili, and Portuguese, Alade embodies Afropop’s global spirit.

Her YouTube channel, launched in 2012, boasts 2.51 million subscribers, over 857 million views, and 408 videos, making her one of the most-watched female artists in Africa.

She rose to fame after winning the Peak Talent Show (2009) and signing with Effyzzie Music Group, but her 2014 single “Johnny” catapulted her into international stardom, becoming one of Africa’s most-viewed music videos. Following her albums King of Queens and Mama Africa, she embarked on consecutive world tours and debuted on Billboard’s Next Big Sound Chart at No. 4 in 2016.

A two-time MTV Africa Music Awards Best Female winner and double BET Awards nominee, Alade is celebrated for her electrifying stage presence and distinctive fashion. She became the first African female artist to surpass 100 million YouTube views on a single video and recently earned her first Grammy nomination for “Tomorrow” (2025) in the Best African Music Performance category

9. Omah Lay

• No of Subscribers: 2.52 million 

Omah Lay is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer whose introspective sound has redefined contemporary Afrobeats. His YouTube channel, launched in 2014, boasts 2.52 million subscribers, over 1.23 billion views, and a growing archive of soulful visuals that reflect his lyrical depth.

Omah Lay first gained recognition in 2020 with his breakout EP Get Layd, powered by hits like Bad Influence and You. His follow-up EP, What Have We Done, cemented his reputation, with ‘Godly’ dominating streaming charts. Known for his atmospheric visuals, moody lighting, slow cuts, and symbolic storytelling, his videos, like Understand, Soso, and Godly, draw audiences into his emotional universe.

In 2022, he released his debut album Boy Alone, followed by a deluxe edition in 2023, both receiving critical acclaim. A multiple Headies Award winner and former Apple Music Africa Rising Artist, Omah Lay has surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams and earned global recognition for his collaborations with artists like Justin Bieber and Davido.

8. Ayra Starr  

• No of Subscribers: 2.81 million 

Ayra Starr’s rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. Launching her YouTube channel in 2021, the Mavin Records star has amassed 2.81 million subscribers, 1.14 billion views, and over 160 videos, cementing her status as one of Afrobeats’ most dynamic new voices. Her visuals burst with bold color, fashion-forward styling, and Gen Z confidence.

Ayra was discovered by Don Jazzy, founder of Mavin Records, after posting covers online. Signed in 2020, she quickly rose to prominence with her self-titled debut EP and breakout single Away.

Her first studio album, 19 & Dangerous (2021), produced hits like Bloody Samaritan, the first solo track by a Nigerian female artist to top the charts and Rush, which became a global viral anthem.

Rush not only topped African charts but also earned Ayra a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, making her one of the youngest Nigerian artists to achieve this feat.

In 2024, her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, debuted at No. 1 on the Nigerian Albums Chart and entered the Billboard 200. Ayra has collaborated with international stars including Wizkid, Chris Brown, Rauw Alejandro, and David Guetta, and served as a Pepsi brand ambassador.

7. Wizkid  

• No of subscribers: 3.47 million 

Since launching his YouTube channel in 2014, Wizkid has built a quiet yet commanding digital presence, drawing 3.47 million subscribers, 88 videos, and more than 2.39 billion views. His visual catalogue traces the arc of his evolution from a Lagos prodigy into one of the most recognizable figures in global pop.

Wizkid signed his first major deal in 2009 with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) and rose to prominence with Holla at Your Boy, the breakout single from his 2011 debut album, Superstar. His sophomore effort, Ayo (2014), produced enduring hits such as Jaiye Jaiye.

International recognition followed in 2016, when his collaboration with Drake on One Dance topped the Billboard Hot 100 and made Wizkid the first Afrobeats artist to enter the Guinness World Records. A year later, he signed with RCA Records and released Sounds From the Other Side, expanding his reach across the Americas and Europe.

Wizkid’s 2020 release, Made in Lagos, became a defining moment for Afrobeats, propelled by the global success of Essence featuring Tems, the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. His follow-up albums, More Love, Less Ego (2022) and Morayo (2024), deepened his artistic introspection, with Morayo setting a new Spotify record for the biggest streaming debut by an African artist.

6. Kizz Daniel 

• No of subscribers: 3.54 million 

Nigerian Afropop star Kizz Daniel has built one of the most dominant YouTube footprints among African artists, with 3.54 million subscribers, over 1.44 billion views, and a catalogue of 255 videos since launching his channel in 2019. Known for his precision in sound and visuals, Daniel’s channel has become a global platform for Afrobeats’ evolving aesthetic.

The singer, whose real name is Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, broke out in 2014 with his viral hit Woju under G-Worldwide Entertainment.

Following a highly publicized contract dispute, he exited the label and launched his own imprint, Flyboy I.N.C., in 2017. His independence paved the way for creative control and a new phase of success, marked by chart-topping singles and major collaborations.

Daniel’s 2022 megahit Buga (Lo Lo Lo) went viral across continents, earning him global recognition and a performance slot at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

His follow-up track Cough (Odo) further cemented his dominance across streaming platforms. In February 2023, Kizz Daniel’s Buga won Song of the Year at the Soundcity MVP Awards.

5. Flavour N’abania

• No of subscribers: 3.8 million  

Nigerian highlife icon Flavour N’abania has built one of the most enduring and culturally resonant YouTube empires in African music. Since launching his channel in 2011, the singer has amassed over 3.8 million subscribers, 408 videos, and 1.45 billion total views.

Known for hits like Ada Ada, Levels, and Game Changer, his visuals are defined by elaborate choreography, regal attire, and cultural symbolism. His dedication to capturing live performances and community celebrations has cultivated a loyal following across Africa and the diaspora.

Born Chinedu Okoli, Flavour began his career with the release of his self-titled debut N’abania (2008) before breaking national barriers with Uplifted (2010), which included the smash hit Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix).

His 2012 album Blessed marked a creative peak, blending Afrobeat, gospel, and traditional highlife rhythms. Thankful (2014) and Ijele, The Traveler (2017) further show his reputation for musical maturity and cultural pride, while Flavour of Africa (2020) reaffirmed his pan-African influence.

4. CKay

• No of subscribers: 4.26 million 

Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer CKay, real name Chukwuka Ekweani, has come a long way from his early days as an underground producer. He first launched his YouTube channel in 2013, years before his breakout single “Love Nwantiti” redefined Afrobeats and became a global sensation.

With over 4.26 million subscribers, 142 videos, and 1.7 billion total views, CKay’s YouTube channel documents his artistic evolution.

His breakout track “Love Nwantiti”, released in 2019 under Chocolate City, went viral across TikTok and YouTube, later debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Afrobeats chart and surpassing one billion Spotify streams, making it the most-streamed African song in history.

Following his stint with Chocolate City and Warner Music Africa, CKay founded Boyfriend Music in 2024 alongside longtime collaborator Joseph Salubi.

The label, which now has a U.S. subsidiary (Boyfrnd Music), focuses on music publishing and global artist development.

CKay’s latest move came in mid-2025, when he signed a strategic partnership with AWAL to distribute future projects, including his upcoming EP “CKay the Second.”.

His sophomore album “Emotions” (2024) featured collaborations with Olamide, Ty Dolla $ign, The Cavemen, and Nora Fatehi, further cementing his cross-continental reach. With over 1.4 billion cumulative streams.

3. Davido 

• No of subscribers: 4.77 million 

Afrobeats superstar Davido has turned over a decade of hitmaking into a commanding digital and global presence. Since launching his official YouTube channel in 2018, it has amassed 2.12 billion total views across 178 videos, making it one of the most active and influential channels in African music.

From the cinematic visuals of “Fall”, still one of the most-viewed Afrobeats videos, to “Unavailable” and “Timeless,” Davido’s video catalogue blends luxury aesthetics, cultural pride, and narrative depth.

His breakout single “Dami Duro” (2012) launched him into stardom, followed by chart-toppers like “Gobe,” “Aye,” and “If.” By 2016, Davido had signed with Sony Music and later RCA Records, before founding Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), a label that has since produced stars including Morravey and Logos Olori.

Davido’s 2017 singles “If” and “Fall” became global Afrobeats anthems, with “Fall” holding the record as the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history.

His subsequent albums: A Good Time (2019), A Better Time (2020), and the Grammy-nominated Timeless (2023, featuring Skepta, Angelique Kidjo, and Asake, received three nominations at the 66th Grammy Awards, including Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance for “Unavailable.”

In 2024, Davido launched Nine+ Records in collaboration with UnitedMasters, expanding his business portfolio and commitment to empowering African artists. He has also appeared on global stages such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, collaborated with Chris Brown on “Sensational,” and performed on the official FIFA World Cup 2022 soundtrack.

2. Rema

• No of subscribers: 5.18 million 

In just six years, Nigerian sensation Rema has evolved from a teenage prodigy to one of Africa’s most influential music exports. With his YouTube channel in 2019, the Calm Down hitmaker has drawn over 2.24 billion views and nearly 200 videos, a digital footprint that mirrors his meteoric rise from Benin City to the Billboard charts.

His 2022 single Calm Down became a defining moment for the global Afrobeats movement, with its remix featuring Selena Gomez peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending a record 58 weeks atop the Billboard Afrobeats Songs Chart.

Signed to Jonzing World, an imprint under Mavin Records, Rema (born Divine Ikubor) quickly carved out a niche he calls Afro-Rave, a fusion of Afrobeats, trap, house, and hip-hop.

His debut album, Rave & Roses (2022), broke streaming records and became the first African album to surpass 2 billion streams on Spotify.

Onstage, he’s just as magnetic, performing at high-profile events like the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, a testament to his cross-continental appeal.

In 2024, he doubled down on artistry and ambition with his sophomore project HEIS, an introspective, drum-heavy record that delves deeper into self-identity and Edo culture. The album debuted at No. 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart before rising to No. 1, earning Rema his first Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

1. Burna Boy

• No of subscribers: 5.59 million 

Acclaimed African giant, Burna Boy’s YouTube channel came to life in 2018. The mega star’s channel has garnered a total of 3.56 billion views across 318 videos.

His signature hits such as Last Last, City Boys, and On the Low have not only dominated African airwaves but have also found significant traction across Europe and the U.S., cementing his position as one of the most-streamed African artists of all time.

Burna Boy rose to fame in 2012 with Like to Party, leading to his 2013 debut album L.I.F.E and eventual signing with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group. His third studio project, Outside (2018), served as his international breakout, setting the stage for African Giant (2019), which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album and Best International Act at the BET Awards.

In 2020, his fifth studio album, Twice as Tall, executive produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs, won Best Global Music Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards, making Burna the first Nigerian artist to win in that category.

His 2022 follow-up, Love, Damini, became the highest-debuting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200, powered by the global hit Last Last, which went platinum in several countries.

Burna Boy has since expanded his global footprint with historic performances, including becoming the first African artist to headline a U.S. stadium (Citi Field, New York) and performing at the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show in Istanbul.

In 2025, Burna released his eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, under his Spaceship Records imprint in partnership with Atlantic Records and Bad Habit. The project features collaborations with Travis Scott, Mick Jagger, Stromae, and Shaboozey, blending Afrobeats with country, rock, and electronic influences.

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