2025 proved that the legendary hitmaker might be far from finished.
Spotify and Apple Music’s year-end reports landed this week, and the internet has been buzzing. As the reports rolled out, celebration and debates followed immediately. Fanbases delivered their arguments, as everyone had something to say about who really dominated the year. One thing is certain, however: the year-end reports from two of the most popular streaming platforms in Nigeria paint a clear picture of how Nigerians actually listened and who Nigerians listened to in 2025. And at the peak of that summit sits Wizkid.
Wizkid was the most streamed artist in Nigeria across both platforms, while his sixth studio album, Morayo, stands tall as the most streamed album on both platforms. He also had 25 songs in Apple Music Nigeria’s Most Streamed Songs of 2025. His hit single Kese (dance) was the most played song on Nigerian radio in 2025 with 1.87 billion impressions.
In a year where he didn’t release a solo single or an album, Wizkid’s dominance came purely from his presence by way of features and cultural influence. After a lacklustre 2024, which saw underwhelming contributions to Sheesea’s Work Me Out, Terry Apala’s Apala Disco, and a forgettable reimagining of Bob Marley’s timeless anthem One Love, Wizkid’s album Morayo failed to generate much fanfare beyond his core Wizkid FC fanbase, especially when the album was initially released.
However, the album gradually grew on listeners, and that was reflected in the numbers. TurnTable Charts’ Industry Digest for the first half of the year revealed that Morayo had amassed 235 million streams across all DSPs in Nigeria, while Kese (Dance) emerged as the most played song on Nigerian radio during the same period.
While Morayo continued to gain traction, Wizkid left his imprint across Nigeria’s music scene in 2025 by way of collaborations, lending his voice, talent and signature sound to anyone who cared to ask. In August, Kwality Kontent ran a piece ranking his feature from good to great. At the time, he had collaborated on eight records; that figure has since doubled, with Starboy being more than generous with features. At the time of this writing, he is scheduled to feature on Shallipopi’s third album, Auracle.
Without releasing a solo single or a full project, Wizkid ensured his presence was felt throughout the year. He remained a regular fixture on the charts and in the spotlight, with every new feature translating into streams, radio airplay and cultural moments.
It wasn’t just the quantity of features that defined Wizkid’s dominant 2025; it was the quality. On every collaboration, he delivered standout performances that elevated the records. From Olamide’s Billionaire Club to Tyla’s Dynamite, DJ Maphorisa’s Money Constant, DJ Tunez’s One Condition, Odeal’s Nights in the Sun, Gunna’s Forever Be Mine and most notably his excellent verse on Sarz’s Getting Paid, Wizkid came guns blazing on every record, almost like he had a chip on his shoulder. After a period where critics and fans alike suggested his creative juice had run dry and that he might be “finished”, he reminded listeners why he remains one of Nigeria’s most influential and talented artists.
Wizkid’s dominance in 2025 can also be attributed to his enhanced activity on social media, particularly X, where his fanbase is large and engaged. Unlike previous years, when he sometimes felt distant or out of reach, Wizkid’s consistent posts and interactions helped enhance his visibility. It wasn’t just about promoting music; it was about being visible and relatable and strengthening his connection with his fanbase, who in turn amplified the impact of every feature he touched with renewed vigour.
By lending his voice to a string of high-profile collaborations, maintaining an engaging presence on social media, and consistently appearing on charts and playlists, Wizkid kept himself at the forefront of Nigerian music throughout the year and reminded fans and music lovers of the artistry that has made him the leading man in Nigerian music for the past two decades.
With such a commanding year behind him, one can only imagine the impact when his next solo project arrives. In every sense, 2025 may have been feature-heavy, but it was undeniably Wizkid’s year.
