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10 popular African musicians and the global records they’ve broken

Sub-Saharan African artists have, over the past several decades, relentlessly shattered conventional barriers, audaciousy rewritten the annals of music history, and firmly cemented the continent's boundless creativity on the world stage. This isn't merely a fleeting trend or a moment in the spotl...

Pulse Ghana

published: Jul 16, 2025

Sub-Saharan African artists have, over the past several decades, relentlessly shattered conventional barriers, audaciousy rewritten the annals of music history, and firmly cemented the continent's boundless creativity on the world stage. This isn't merely a fleeting trend or a moment in the spotlight; it's a testament to unwavering talent and relentless ambition.

From the infectious rhythms of chart-topping hits that dominate international airwaves to groundbreaking award wins at the most prestigious global ceremonies, and from monumental, sold-out performances in iconic venues to collaborative efforts that transcend borders, these contemporary icons are doing more than just making waves, they are meticulously building enduring legacies.

They have transformed the perception of African music from a niche genre to a powerful, universally celebrated force. This journey has involved overcoming significant hurdles, advocating for authentic representation, and fearlessly blending traditional sounds with modern innovation. What follows is an exploration of some of the most pioneering achievements that have not only garnered international acclaim but have fundamentally redefined what it truly means to be an African artist flourishing in the vibrant and ever-evolving global music industry.

African artistes and the records they’ve broken

Below are some of the most groundbreaking achievements that have redefined what it means to be an African artist on the global scene.

1. Wizkid: First African artist in Spotify’s Billions Club

In 2016, Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid became the first African artist to enter Spotify’s Billions Club, thanks to his feature on One Dance by Drake. The song also made him the first African artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a major turning point for Afrobeats on the global stage.

2.Sarkodie: Elevating African rap on global platforms

Sarkodie has consistently raised the bar for African rap. In 2019, he became the first artist to win the BET Hip Hop Award for “Best International Flow.” Long before that, he made history as the first African rapper to win BET’s “Best International Act”, a milestone that spotlighted the continent’s lyricism on a mainstream platform.

3.Rema: Afrobeats Billion-Stream record breaker

Rema’s smash hit Calm Down, especially its remix with Selena Gomez, became a global sensation. The track earned two historic titles:

• First African and Afrobeats song by a male artist to hit 1 billion views on YouTube.

• First African artist-led song to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.

This accomplishment is more than numbers , it signals Afrobeats’ irreversible arrival on the world stage.

4.Burna Boy: Stadium-selling icon

With his Love, Damini world tour, Burna Boy became the first Nigerian artist to sell out both Madison Square Garden (2022) and Citi Field Stadium (2023). These shows proved that African music could fill iconic venues and draw global crowds.

5.Davido: First African artist to perform at a FIFA World Cup Final

In December 2022, Davido became the first African artist to perform at a FIFA World Cup held outside the continent, joining Aisha and Trinidad Cardona for “Hayya Hayya” at the Qatar 2022 closing ceremony. It was a unifying moment for African culture on the planet’s biggest sporting stage.

6.Tyla: Grammy and Billboard game-changer

7.CKay: The viral hitmaker

8.Tems: Music star to Sports franchise owner

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