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Ayra Starr leads Spotify’s 2025 impact list

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Spotify has announced Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, known as Ayra Starr, as the leading artiste in its Global Impact List for 2025.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, shared the news in a statement on Tuesday.

Okumu revealed Ayra Starr’s dominance on Spotify’s Global Impact List, leading 30 Nigerian songs and connecting with audiences worldwide.

The top 10 list includes Ayra Starr, Rauw Alejandro, and Rvssian’s “Santa”; Tems’s “Love MeJeJe”; Burna Boy, Coldplay, Elyanna, Little Simz, and TINI’s “WE PRAY”; and more.

Other songs featured are Ayra Starr and Giveon’s “Last Heartbreak Song”; 21Savage, Burna Boy, and Metro Boomin’s “Justlike Me”; Tems and Tyla’s “No.1”; and others.

Okumu highlighted Nigerian artistes breaking boundaries, saying Spotify is proud to amplify their global reach.

She explained that Nigerian music’s influence has gone global, with Ayra Starr leading the charge in Spotify’s 2025 Global Impact List.

The list showcases 30 Nigerian songs with the strongest international connections this year, reflecting Nigeria’s growing global influence.

Okumu called Ayra Starr a chart-topping force, reshaping the global music scene with her international success.

Ayra’s hits top Nigerian charts, with her music becoming global anthems that resonate worldwide.

“As a Spotify RADAR and EQUAL alumna, Ayra Starr was Nigeria’s most-streamed female artiste in 2024,” Okumu said.

While only two of her tracks, “Last Heartbreak Song” and “Bad Vibes”, are on the Global Impact List, Ayra’s collaborations like “Santa” highlight her wide-reaching influence.

The success of “Santa”, featuring Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, showcases Ayra’s ability to connect across diverse markets.

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Ayra Starr’s six entries on the list, including “Commas”, “GOOD FEELiNGS”, and “Hypé”, show her versatility and global appeal.

Her album The Year I Turned 21 was one of the top 10 most-streamed albums of the year, cementing her global presence.

Okumu emphasised the power of collaboration in amplifying Nigerian music’s global impact, noting 22 of the 30 songs are collaborations.

She explained that collaborations are essential for Nigerian artistes aiming for international success, with 19 involving artistes from other countries.

Songs like “Santa”, “WE PRAY (TINI Version)”, and “Another Vibe” demonstrate the power of such cross-continental partnerships. (NAN)

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Tems wins ‘Best Recording of the Year award’ at 17th Headies

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Award-winning singer Tems has won the Best Recording of the Year award at the 17th Headies awards for her captivating single “Burning”.

The song, featured on her 18-track album “Born in the Wild”, showcases her exceptional artistry and musical prowess.

Tems was up against stiff competition, beating out fellow nominees Seyi Vibez, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr ft Giveon, Sarz, and Lojay.

The award, one of the most prestigious in Nigerian music, was announced and received by Tems’ mother.

Since its inception in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards, The Headies has grown into the most respected music award platform in Nigeria, celebrating the country’s biggest talents year after year.

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Davido Named Best Digital Artiste at 17th Headies Awards

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Award-winning Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido won the Best Digital Artiste of the Year at the 17th annual Headies Awards.

A well-deserved crown, considering his outstanding influence across streaming platforms and online spaces.

Davido’s collaborative track, “Ogechi Remix” with Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel, also received multiple nominations.

The Headies, which celebrates excellence in the Nigerian music industry, held its 17th edition on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.

 

The event gathered some of the industry’s biggest stars in a night of high-profile performances and recognitions.

Other major winners included Zerry DL, Tems, Funke Akindele, and Rema.

Full list of winners:

Rookie of the Year

Zerry DL — Winner
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona

Soundtrack of the Year

“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — Winner
“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)
“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)

Best Recording of the Year

“Burning” – Tems — Winner
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

“Billions” – Lojay — Winner
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

“I’m Done” – Liya — Winner
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade

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Special Recognition Award Recipients

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick

Songwriter of the Year

“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) — Winner
“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)

Humanitarian Award Recipients

 

Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)

Producer of the Year
“OZEBA” – London — Winner
“Happiness” – Sarz
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs

Afrobeats Album of the Year

HEIS – Rema — Winner
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Music Video of the Year

“EGWU” – Director Pink — Winner
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch

Afrobeats Single of the Year

“Big Baller” – Flavour — Winner
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)

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Headies Next Rated

Odumodublvck — Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Nasboi

Best Digital Artiste of the Year

Davido — Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake

Best East African Artiste of the Year

Juma Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)

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2Baba Introduces Natasha to Mother, Others in Viral Video

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Music legend 2Baba has officially introduced his new partner, lawmaker Natasha Osawaru, to his family in a video that has since gone viral.

The introduction follows a rocky chapter in 2Baba’s personal life, including a widely publicised breakup with his longtime partner, Annie Macaulay, and an emotional plea from his mother urging Natasha to distance herself from the singer.

Earlier this year, 2Baba’s mother, Rose, made headlines when she tearfully appealed to Natasha to “release” her son from what she described as a troubling relationship.

“This message is for Miss Natasha Osawaru of Edo State. I’m calling on all mothers in Nigeria to help me beg her to free my son,” she stated.

The matriarch’s heartfelt message sparked widespread attention, with many wondering if the family would ever accept Natasha as a part of 2Baba’s life.

However, it appears that Rose has had a change of heart.

According to recent videos, Natasha met with 2Baba’s family, including his mother, in a private gathering that seemed to signify a new chapter in their relationship.

The meeting also included other key family stakeholders.

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