A new wave of data from YouTube Music is shining a spotlight on the African artists commanding the biggest global audiences right now.
With millions of fans tuning in every month, these stars aren’t just leading the charge for Afrobeats and other African genres, they’re reshaping global music trends through visuals, virality, and sheer cultural impact.
YouTube Music’s recently launched “Monthly Audience” metric offers a clearer, more comprehensive look at artist popularity by counting the number of unique users who have watched or listened to an artist’s content over the past 28 days. This includes everything from official music videos and YouTube Shorts to fan-made clips, dance challenges, and behind-the-scenes content, capturing the full digital presence of artists in a way streaming numbers alone never could.
The timing couldn’t be better. African music, especially Afrobeats, is having an explosive global moment. The genre’s growth is being fueled not just by audio streams but by its visual and social power, where dance trends go viral, and fan communities drive content far beyond official releases.
With YouTube now tracking this broader engagement, the platform is offering fresh insights into who’s really moving the culture. And by the numbers, African artists are not just showing up, they’re dominating.
Here’s a look at the top-performing African artists based on YouTube “Monthly Audience” metric, and the massive audiences they’re pulling in from around the world.
Moliy – 584 Monthly Audience

Moliy is making history on YouTube Music with a staggering Monthly Audience of 584 million as of July 29, 2025, placing her as the second Black female artist with the highest monthly audience on the platform. She also ranks as the third female solo artist overall, trailing only global heavyweights Lady Gaga and Shenseea.
Her rise began with viral hits and has been powered by a smart mix of catchy Afro-fusion sounds and visually compelling content. With between 501K and 568K subscribers and over 309 million total views on her official YouTube channel, Moliy’s numbers reflect more than just popularity, they signal global momentum.
Her standout visuals include Shake It To The Max (Fly) Remix with over 104.9 million views, and My Darling (Official Visualiser) with 52 million views. On July 21, 2025, she gained over 5 million new views in one day, a 55.2% spike that confirms her growing global impact and the strength of her content strategy.
Rema – 307m Monthly Audience


No surprises here. Rema is the undisputed leader, with a jaw-dropping 307 million Monthly Audience. His chart-topper Calm Down, especially the remix with Selena Gomez, is a global juggernaut with 1.18 billion YouTube views and a 58-week run at the top of the Billboard Afrobeats chart.
He’s also the creator of “Afrorave,” a genre-bending style that mixes Afrobeats with Middle Eastern and Indian influences, and his fanbase, known as the “Ravers,” spans continents. His Rave & Roses Ultra made history as the first African album to surpass 2 billion Spotify streams, and his 2024 album Heis earned him a Grammy nomination.
Saad Lamjarred – 187m Monthly Audience


Saad Lamjarred is a Moroccan pop icon with a staggering YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 187 million as of July 29, 2025, making him one of the most-watched African artists on the platform. His mega-hit LM3ALLEM has surpassed 1 billion views, making it the most-viewed Arabic music video on YouTube. He also made history as the first Arab African artist to receive YouTube’s Diamond Button after crossing 10 million subscribers.
Balti – 144m Monthly Audience


Balti is a leading voice in Tunisian music, known for blending hip-hop with powerful commentary on social issues. With a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 144 million, he ranks among Africa’s most influential digital artists. His breakout hit Ya Lili featuring Hamouda has amassed over 786 million views, further cementing his status as a regional heavyweight.
Chella – 109m Monthly Audience


With a reported 109 million Monthly Audience, Chella is quickly becoming one of the most-watched rising stars in Africa’s music scene. While YouTube hasn’t officially confirmed that number in public snippets, Music Metrics Vault shows he’s already surpassed 57 million total plays as of July 2025, and the numbers don’t lie. His breakout track, My Darling has racked up an impressive 52 million views on YouTube alone, capturing the attention of fans across the continent and beyond.
With over 400,000 subscribers on his official channel and strong engagement on his latest releases, Chella’s growth feels organic and explosive. It is a clear sign that listeners are not just passing by, they’re staying. His presence is proof that a new wave is here, and it’s only just beginning.
CKay – 104m Monthly Audience


Ckay has quickly become one of Afrobeats’ most influential voices, thanks to his signature “Emo-Afrobeats” sound, a heartfelt fusion of traditional African rhythms and raw emotion. With a reported Monthly Audience of around 104 million (and some estimates even higher), he’s reaching listeners worldwide like few others. His smash hit Love Nwantiti has topped charts in over 30 countries and accumulated more than 2 billion streams across platforms. The remix alone has pulled in an impressive 346 million views on YouTube, turning it into a global anthem.
Notably, Ckay made history as the first African artist to have two tracks simultaneously in Spotify’s Global Top 30, a reflection of his growing international influence. His debut album, Sad Romance, has amassed over 400 million streams, showcasing his growing popularity. Additionally, Ckay earned a Grammy nomination for his notable contribution to Janelle Monáe’s album The Age of Pleasure, further highlighting his expanding influence in the music world.
Sherine – 98.5m Monthly Audience


Sherine Abdel Wahab is one of Egypt’s most beloved vocalists, known for her emotive delivery and timeless Arabic pop ballads. She rose to fame in 2002 with a massively successful joint album alongside Tamer Hosny. As of July 29, 2025, she maintains a strong digital presence with a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 98.5 million, reflecting her enduring influence across the Middle East and North Africa.
Cheb Khaled – 75.8m Monthly Audience


Widely known as the King of Raï, Cheb Khaled is an Algerian music legend whose influence stretches far beyond North Africa. Global hits like Aïcha, Didi, and C’est la vie have earned him international acclaim, with C’est la vie alone amassing 714 million plays on YouTube Music. As of July 29, 2025, his YouTube Music Monthly Audience stands at an impressive 75.8 million, showcasing his enduring cross-generational appeal.
Amr Diab – 65.5m Monthly Audience


Amr Diab is a pioneering force in Arabic pop music, celebrated for creating Mediterranean music, a signature blend of Western and Middle Eastern sounds. With classics like Nour El Ain and Tamally Maak, his music has reached audiences across the globe. He’s also known for collaborations with Cheb Khaled (Alby) and Greek singer Angela Dimitriou. As of July 29, 2025, Diab holds a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 65.5 million, solidifying his legacy as one of the Arab world’s biggest musical icons.
Tyla – 63.6M Monthly Audience


With a whopping 63.6 million Monthly Audience, Tyla’s rise in the global music scene has been nothing short of spectacular. Her Grammy-winning single Water took social media by storm, with the video going viral and launching her career to new heights. This success made her the highest-charting African female solo artist on the Billboard charts, a huge milestone. The song has racked up an impressive 689 million plays on YouTube Music, proving just how much listeners connect with her sound.
Tyla is also credited with popularizing “popiano,” a fresh, upbeat mix of pop and South Africa’s amapiano dance music. Her self-titled debut album dropped in 2024 and made a strong impression, debuting at number 24 on the US Billboard 200. With 31 awards won from 105 nominations, including big wins like Best New Artist and Best International Act at the BET Awards, Tyla is clearly a force to be reckoned with in music today.
Davido – 57.8m Monthly Audience


Davido’s reported 57.8 million Monthly Audience (with some sources suggesting even 58.5 million) highlights his lasting impact on the global music stage. Known for timeless hits like Fall, which has over 310 million views on YouTube, and If with more than 203 million views, his total YouTube views surpass a staggering 2 billion.
Beyond his solo success, Davido has built an impressive track record of international collaborations, working with big names like Chris Brown on Blow My Mind, Popcaan on Risky, and Musa Keys on UNAVAILABLE. His recent album Timeless and singles such as Unavailable and Feel have earned him multiple Grammy nominations, cementing his status as a global Afrobeats icon.
Throughout his career, Davido has been a consistent favorite at major African music awards, often taking home the coveted Artist of the Year title, a reflection of his influence, talent, and enduring popularity.Moliy – 45.3 Monthly Audience
Diamond Platnumz – 38.2 Monthly Audience


Diamond Platnumz remains one of Africa’s most influential stars, with a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 38.2 million as of July 29, 2025. His channel boasts 10.2 million subscribers and over 3 billion views, making him the first Sub-Saharan African artist to cross the 10 million subscriber mark.
Known for hits like Yope Remix (254M views), Waah! (179.7M), and Inama (153.7M), Diamond blends Bongo Flava with Afro-pop and global sounds. His collaborations with artists like Davido, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, and Fally Ipupa reflect a clear strategy to expand his reach and stay culturally relevant.
More than just numbers, his success symbolizes the digital rise of African music, and he proudly calls it “Africa’s success.”
Burna Boy – 30.9m Monthly Audience


They don’t call him the African Giant for nothing. With a reported 30.9 million Monthly Audience, Burna Boy’s status as a global music powerhouse is undeniable. He’s a Grammy winner for Best Global Music Album with Twice as Tall and has repeatedly claimed the BET Award for Best International Act, proving his lasting influence on the world stage.
Burna Boy’s YouTube presence is massive, with over 3.4 billion views to his name. Hits like On the Low, which has over 512 million plays on YouTube Music, and Last Last with more than 423 million plays highlight his broad and passionate fanbase.
His collaborations read like a who’s who of global superstars, from Coldplay to Justin Bieber and Travis Scott, showcasing his ability to bridge genres and audiences. Even Rolling Stone recognized his incredible talent, ranking him among the 200 greatest singers of all time. Burna Boy isn’t just an artist; he’s a global cultural force.
Hassan Shakosh – 30m Monthly Audience


Hassan Shakosh is a leading figure in Egypt’s Mahraganat scene, a high-energy fusion of electronic beats and street-level folk influences. His bold, rhythmic style has made him a standout in the region’s evolving music landscape. As of July 29, 2025, he commands a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 30 million, underscoring his strong connection with fans across Egypt and the wider Arab world.
Ayra Starr – 26.9m Monthly Audience


Ayra Starr’s reported 26.9 million Monthly Audience on YouTube Music shows just how far she’s come since her breakout. While some platform snippets suggest a lower figure (around 5 million), her total 899 million+ YouTube views speak volumes about her global reach. Her 2022 hit Rush was more than a song, it became a global anthem, now sitting at 476 million views. Follow-up singles like Commas (138 million views) show her consistency in delivering chart-toppers.
In 2025, Ayra made history as the first Nigerian female to win a BET Award for Best International Act, alongside a MOBO Award for Best African Music Act. With collaborations featuring Giveon and CKay, her influence keeps growing. Ayra Starr is more than a rising star, she’s redefining what it means to be young, African, and globally unstoppable.
Fireboy DML – 26.1m Monthly Audience


Fireboy DML commands a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 26.1 million as of July 29, 2025. He gained international fame with his 2021 hit Peru, which racked up over 500 million streams and opened doors for major collaborations with global stars like Ed Sheeran, Madonna, and 21 Savage. His smooth blend of Afrobeats and soulful pop continues to earn him a growing global fanbase.
Ahmed Saad – 25.4m Monthly Audience


With a YouTube Music Monthly Audience of 25.4 million, Ahmed Saad is one of Egypt’s most-streamed artists. Known for his powerful vocals and catchy Arabic pop hits, he remains a dominant figure in the Middle Eastern music scene.
Tamer Hosny – 24.5m Monthly Audience


Tamer Hosny boasts a Monthly Audience of 24.5 million on YouTube Music. A veteran in the Arabic pop world, he rose to fame in 2002 with a chart-topping joint album with Sherine. Since then, he has become a household name across the Middle East and North Africa, both as a singer and actor.
Goya Menor – 22.4m Monthly Audience


Goya Menor has built an impressive presence on YouTube Music, with a Monthly Audience of 22.4 million as of July 29, 2025. He rose to fame with the viral smash Ameno Amapiano (Remix), which dominated clubs, airwaves, and social media feeds worldwide, cementing his place as one of Nigeria’s standout viral hitmakers.
Shallipopi – 22m Monthly Audience


Shallipopi commands a Monthly Audience of 22 million on YouTube Music, as of July 29, 2025. Known for his raw Street Pop sound and bold lyrical style, he continues to rise in the Nigerian music scene. His collaboration with Rema on Benin Boys has further amplified his appeal, blending street credibility with crossover success.
Wizkid – 16.1m Monthly Audience


With a steady 16.1 million Monthly Audience on YouTube Music, Wizkid isn’t just a star, he’s a legend who helped pave the way for Afrobeats on the world stage.
His career exploded globally with One Dance alongside Drake, but it was Essence featuring Tems that became a cultural reset, the first Nigerian song to hit the Billboard Hot 100. That track now boasts over 460 million plays, while hits like Joro have pulled in 367 million+.
Wizkid’s shelves are heavy, he’s the most awarded African artist across the BET, Billboard, MOBO, Soul Train, and iHeartRadio awards. From Beyoncé to Justin Bieber, his collabs keep proving his unmatched global pull. Calm, consistent, and always classy, Wizkid remains the blueprint.
Omah Lay – 11.5m Monthly Audience


Meanwhile, with a reported 11.5 million Monthly Audience on YouTube Music, Omah Lay is steadily carving out a powerful space in Afrobeats, one emotional lyric at a time.
Known for his soulful voice and haunting storytelling, he burst onto the scene with “Bad Influence” and never looked back. His hit Soso has racked up over 217 million views, while Understand holds strong with 158 million+.
With 2.43 million YouTube subscribers and over 1.1 billion total views, Omah Lay’s rise feels personal for fans. His collab with Justin Bieber on Attention only amplified his reach, showing that his sound, raw, moody, and magnetic, resonates far beyond Africa. He isn’t just riding the wave; he’s shaping it.
Asake – 9.01m Monthly Audience


With 9.01 million Monthly Audience on YouTube Music and 28.3 million monthly video views (according to Chartmetric), Asake is one of the most electrifying voices in Afrobeats right now.
His breakout debut, Mr. Money with the Vibe, made history as the biggest opening-day African album on Apple Music, a bold entry into the game. Blending Fuji, street anthems, and amapiano, Asake created his own lane with what fans call “Street-Pop.”
His runaway hit Lonely At The Top has racked up 73 million+ YouTube views, while “Terminator” keeps dancefloors busy across the globe. From selling out London’s O2 Arena to shutting down New York’s Barclays Center, Asake is proving he’s not just viral, he’s global. And with collabs alongside Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy, he’s only just getting started.
Tems – 7.9m Monthly Audience


With a reported 7.9 million Monthly Audience on YouTube Music (and 14.72 million listeners on Spotify), Tems continues to be a genre-defying force redefining modern African music. A standout figure from Nigeria’s alté movement, her rich, soul-bending vocals and introspective songwriting have earned her global reverence.
Tems’ breakout came via the chart-smashing Essence with Wizkid, a record that marked a seismic shift in Afrobeats’ global perception. From there, she’s become a go-to collaborator for music royalty: Drake (Fountains), Future and Drake again (Wait For U), Beyoncé (Move), and Rihanna, with whom she co-wrote the Oscar-nominated Lift Me Up.
Her accolades include a Grammy win for Best Melodic Rap Performance, plus Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, achievements few African artists, let alone female, have matched. In 2024, she unveiled her long-anticipated debut album, Born in the Wild, cementing her place as one of the most compelling voices of her generation.
Victony – 7.44m Monthly Audience


Victony’s reported 7.44 million Monthly Audience highlights his steady rise as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic young talents. Originally emerging as a rapper, he transitioned into a genre-blending artist, fusing Afropop, R&B, and hip hop. His breakout hit Soweto became a global sensation, racking up over 164 million YouTube views, with a remix featuring Rema and Don Toliver that pushed it onto international charts.
His 2024 sophomore album Stubborn has been praised for its bold experimentation and lyrical introspection. With over 1.1 billion total streams, Victony is earning both critical acclaim and mainstream attention.
Why these numbers matter
The YouTube Monthly Audience metric levels the playing field for global and African artists who shine in the visual and viral space. For African stars, whose music often flourishes through dance challenges, community remixes, and YouTube Shorts, it offers the most accurate picture yet of global reach.
This metric doesn’t just count streams; it measures influence, across official uploads, fan videos, vlogs, performances, and creative mashups. It’s a mirror of how audiences live with music, not just how they stream it. And as we’ve seen, Africa’s biggest stars are not just competing on the world stage, they’re winning. Africa is watching. And so is the world.
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