South African superstar Tyla has officially been named the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Artist of the Year for 2025. This historic achievement marks the first time an artist has defended the top spot for two consecutive years, having also led the year-end rankings in 2024.
Tyla’s dominance was fueled by a record-breaking year on the charts, including 11 distinct entries. Her global hit “Water” remained a powerhouse, becoming the first solo track to spend an entire year on the weekly charts, while her 2025 releases like “Push 2 Start,” “Chanel,” and the Wizkid-collaboration “Dynamite” solidified her position.
The 2025 list highlights the expanding reach of the genre beyond West Africa, though Nigerian powerhouses continue to command the majority of the top spots.
Chart Highlights
While Nigerian artists hold eight of the top ten spots, the inclusion of South Africa’s Tyla at #1 and Ghana’s Moliy at #10 reflects the diverse, continental growth of the Afrobeats sound.
American-Ghanaian singer Moliy made a massive impact with the remix of “Shake It to the Max (Fly),” which held the #1 spot on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for 27 weeks, the longest run of the year.
The extended list (ranks 11–25) features a blend of established stars like Tems and Ayra Starr alongside rising voices like Fola, Fido, and Odeal, signaling a vibrant future for the genre.
| Rank | Artist | Country |
| 1 | Tyla | South Africa |
| 2 | Wizkid | Nigeria |
| 3 | Rema | Nigeria |
| 4 | Davido | Nigeria |
| 5 | Burna Boy | Nigeria |
| 6 | Asake | Nigeria |
| 7 | Shallipopi | Nigeria |
| 8 | Seyi Vibez | Nigeria |
| 9 | BNXN | Nigeria |
| 10 | Moliy | Ghana |
