African music continues to assert its dominance on the global stage, with 14 artists from across the continent featuring in the latest Kworb Global Digital Artist Ranking, a widely referenced index tracking streaming and digital performance across major platforms worldwide.
Tems Leads the African Pack
Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, tops the African contingent at 32nd place globally with 897 points, underlining her remarkable rise to international stardom. The Lagos-born artist has cemented her status as one of music's defining voices of her generation. In 2025, she became a two-time Grammy Award winner, claiming Best African Music Performance for her single Love Me JeJe, having previously won Best Melodic Rap Performance for her feature on Future's Wait for U in 2023. She also made history as the first African female artist to register seven entries on the US Billboard Hot 100, and in a landmark business move, became the first African woman to join the ownership group of a Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC.
Congo and West Africa Well Represented
Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa follows closely in second place among African acts, ranked 40th globally with 790 points, reflecting the enduring global appeal of Afro-rumba and Congolese urban music. Nigerian artists dominate the broader list, with Omah Lay (55th, 618 pts), Asake (82nd, 452 pts), Wizkid (89th, 427 pts), Burna Boy (153rd, 282 pts), Davido (190th, 245 pts), Mavos Wago (260th, 191 pts), and Ayra Starr (300th, 168 pts) all featuring prominently.
Continent-Wide Reach
The ranking also highlights the breadth of African musical influence beyond West Africa. South African artists Kabza De Small (168th, 269 pts) and DJ Maphorisa (189th, 246 pts) represent the Amapiano wave, which has transformed global dance music in recent years. Ivory Coast's Himra appears at 141st with 299 points, while Egyptian veteran Amr Diab holds steady at 147th with 288 points. Damso, the Belgian-Congolese rapper, rounds out the list at 180th with 249 points.
A Growing Global Footprint
The Kworb rankings are compiled from aggregated streaming data across platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, making them a reliable barometer of real-time digital influence. The latest figures confirm what industry analysts have observed for several years: African artists are no longer niche or regional acts, but genuine global forces capable of competing with the most streamed artists anywhere in the world. With major tours, Grammy recognition, and record-breaking chart performances, the continent's music industry appears to be entering its most commercially powerful era yet.
