At Afrobeats‘ global peak, several albums were the most streamed on major platforms. Every album is a moment in time when African sound demanded the world’s attention. On iTunes, Davido’s Timeless reigned supreme. When it was released in March 2023, it became the first African album to debut at number one on the US iTunes albums chart. It also entered at Number 2 on Apple Music USA and dominated several African Apple Music charts within 24 hours of its release. On Boomplay, the same album, Timeless, also topped the Afrobeats charts, shattering Nigerian records for debut‑week streams.
Pandora, for its part, and Apple Music pointed out Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe) as their most-streamed Afrobeats album. Originally released in 2020 and expanded in 2021, the deluxe edition featured tracks from Buju and Justin Bieber. The album helped cement Wizkid’s international status, as it received Grammy nominations and became a global bestseller on Apple Music.
On Audiomack, Asake’s Masterpiece was the top album. The album had hit singles like “Lonely at the Top,” which was one of the most streamed songs on Audiomack and held the’ long‑standing No. 1 spot for twelve weeks. YouTube Music and Spotify jointly led with Rema’s Rave & Roses Ultra—the deluxe (Ultra) edition of his debut album. Released in April 2023, the edition propelled the album to new heights; it was the first African album to reach two billion Spotify streams and held record-leading streaming positions on both platforms.
The Story Thread
Davido’s Timeless was the classic Afrobeats album on streaming services like iTunes and Boomplay. Its fusion of amapiano, Afropop, and highlife gained massive momentum. The album broke records hours after release, most single‑day streams on Apple Music, biggest debut week on Audiomack and Boomplay in Nigeria, and record‑breaking chart positions globally. Meanwhile, Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe) dominated Apple Music and Pandora. Despite being released earlier, the deluxe version remained active, especially in markets that favour Afrobeats with R&B production and A-list features. Its more extended chart longevity made it a streaming leader, X (formerly Twitter).
Asake’s Masterpiece soared on Audiomack. The album’s singles, especially “Lonely at the Top,” resonated with Audiomack listeners and radio listeners alike. The longevity of the album spoke to Asake’s cultural influence, especially in Nigeria’s independent scene. Rema’s Rave & Roses Ultra wrapped up the narrative on YouTube Music and Spotify. It had exploded to become the world’s most-streamed Afrobeats album by mid‑2023, shattering streaming milestones Davido’s Timeless had yet to reach. The deluxe version surpassed two billion Spotify streams and topped the YouTube Music chart for Afrobeats albums as well.
Looking Ahead
Together, these albums illustrate Afrobeats’ maturation, from crossover hits to long-term global art. Timeless announced Afrobeats’ commercial maturity. Made in Lagos (Deluxe) gave it broad stylistic scope and long-term visibility. Work of Art proved the potency of independent artistry in Nigeria. And Rave & Roses Ultra confirmed the genre’s global streaming dominance.
Even as every platform had a different album as favourite, they all led to one fact: Afrobeats is no longer local. It controls global playlists, demands to be featured on major charts, and showcases the growing influence of Nigerian artists. Websites differ on the best picks, but the story is simple: these albums paved the way for Afrobeats’ path to global acceptance.
