Wizkid Crowned Nigeria’s Top Artiste of 2025 by Apple Music Nigeria, ‘Morayo’ Named Album of the Year

Nigerian global music icon, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has secured yet another major milestone in his illustrious career after emerging as Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Artiste of 2025. In addition to this achievement, his highly acclaimed project, Morayo, was named Album of the Year, reinforcing his dominance and influence across both the Nigerian and global music landscape.

The prestigious recognition, released as part of Apple Music’s annual year-end charts, highlights artistes whose performance, streaming numbers, cultural impact, and audience engagement have shaped the music scene throughout the year. Wizkid’s strong performance in these categories placed him ahead of some of the industry’s most competitive acts, further solidifying his status as one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians.

A Strong Year for Wizkid

The year 2025 has been particularly remarkable for Wizkid, who returned with renewed energy following a relatively quiet period in previous years. With the release of Morayo, the singer reclaimed his position at the forefront of Afrobeats, attracting praise from fans, critics, and industry leaders.

Apple Music highlighted that Wizkid’s consistency, cross-continental appeal, and impressive streaming numbers played significant roles in his rise to the top of the year-end chart. According to the platform, he recorded some of the highest daily and weekly streams in Nigeria, while also maintaining strong performance metrics in the United States, United Kingdom, and parts of Europe.

The recognition marks the fourth time Wizkid has appeared among the top five Nigerian artistes on Apple Music’s annual charts, but this is the first time in recent years that he has reclaimed the No. 1 spot.

‘Morayo’: A Blend of Emotion, Artistry, and Global Sound

Wizkid’s award-winning album, Morayo, has been described as one of his most personal bodies of work. Named after his late mother, the project carries themes of love, grief, appreciation, and artistic maturity. Critics have pointed out that the album represents a “new depth” to Wizkid’s sound, showcasing his growth as an artiste who has mastered the ability to balance commercial appeal with emotional storytelling.

The album features a seamless blend of Afrobeats, R&B, soul, and subtle elements of global fusion, making it accessible to audiences outside the continent. Several tracks from the album dominated both local and international streaming platforms for months, while listeners praised its “no-skip quality” and cohesive production.

Many music analysts have also noted that Morayo stands out for its refined musical direction, deliberate arrangement, and high-quality sound engineering — characteristics that make it deserving of its Album of the Year title.

Industry Reactions and Influence

Wizkid’s double recognition has generated widespread reactions across the music industry. Several producers, record label executives, and fellow artistes extended congratulations, describing his win as a testament to his longevity and influence.

Industry watchers say his success this year reflects the growing global acceptance of Afrobeats, as well as Wizkid’s position as one of the genre’s key ambassadors. His ability to consistently evolve, experiment with new sounds, and maintain relevance across different audiences has contributed to his sustained prominence.

The recognition also signals a competitive year in the Nigerian music space, as artistes such as Davido, Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Burna Boy delivered strong performances. However, Wizkid’s metrics — including total streams, replay value, playlist placements, and international traction — ultimately secured his lead.

Impact on Afrobeats and Global Music Culture

Wizkid’s achievement is considered a major win for the Afrobeats genre, which continues to expand its global reach. As one of the pioneers of the movement’s international explosion, his consistency helps maintain global interest in Nigerian music.

Apple Music’s report also suggests that Nigerian artistes have become central to streaming patterns across Africa and large parts of the diaspora. With millions of streams recorded across the year, Nigerian music continues to influence international playlists, festival line-ups, and collaborative projects.

Wizkid’s performance in 2025 further strengthens the argument that Afrobeats is no longer a regional sound but a global cultural force.

Fans Celebrate Across Social Media

Following the announcement, social media platforms were filled with celebratory reactions from fans, widely known as the “Starboy FC.” Hashtags related to Wizkid’s wins trended across Nigerian Twitter (X), Instagram, and TikTok, with fans describing the achievement as “well deserved” and “a crowning moment for a strong musical year.”

Some fans highlighted that despite criticisms and industry competition, Wizkid remains one of the most consistent Nigerian artistes with a strong international brand.

What’s Next for Wizkid?

Sources within Wizkid’s camp hint that the singer may be preparing for a major world tour following the success of Morayo. There are also speculations of a possible deluxe version of the album or a new collaborative project.

Industry insiders believe that if Wizkid maintains his current momentum, 2026 may present even bigger opportunities — potentially including global awards consideration and international festival headlining slots.

For now, Wizkid’s fans and the Nigerian entertainment industry celebrate a significant milestone in his career, one that underscores his relevance, artistry, and lasting impact on music both at home and abroad.