As of October 2026, there are 24 Nigerian artists who have hit and crossed the one-billion-stream mark on Spotify across all credits (lead tracks + features). 

SEE ALSO: Burna Boy Adds Rolling Loud India to Packed 2026 International Performance Schedule

Meet 24 Nigerian Artists With Over 1 Billion Spotify Streams

With approximate figures compiled from chart trackers and reports, here’s the current list of Nigeria’s Spotify billionaires:

1. Wizkid – 11.91 billion

2. Burna Boy – 11.19 billion

3. Rema – 6.8 billion

4. Tems – 6.38 billion

5. Asake – 4.5 billion

6. Ayra Starr – 4.36 billion

7. Davido – 4.22 billion

8. Omah Lay – 3.78 billion

9. CKay – 3.1 billion

10. Fireboy DML – 2.75 billion

11. BNXN – 2.29 billion

12. Seyi Vibez – 2.11 billion

13. Mr Eazi – 2.1 billion

14. Kizz Daniel – 1.82 billion

15. Olamide – 1.82 billion

16. Victony – 1.59 billion

17. ODUMODUBLVCK – 1.56 billion

18. Ruger – 1.29 billion

19. Young Jonn – 1.22 billion

20. Oxlade – 1.14 billion

21. Shallipopi – 1.06 billion

22. FOLA – 1.04 billion

23. Joeboy – 1.01 billion

24. Adekunle Gold – 1.00 billion (just joined)

How the Spotify Billions Are Made

These figures bring together every stream where the artist is credited, whether as the main act or a featured guest. Hence, Wizkid’s total sits so high, with a huge portion coming from collaborations and his own catalogue. Burna Boy’s numbers are powered more by his lead catalogue and consistent global touring pull. 

A few years ago, hitting one billion streams as a Nigerian artist felt like a rare achievement. Now it’s becoming almost expected for the top tier, and the list keeps getting longer. Hence, newer names like FOLA have nearly doubled their numbers in months, while veterans continue to pull from deep back catalogues.

Wizkid, however, remains the clear leader and first African artist to push past the 10- and 11-billion marks. Burna Boy is right behind him and still one of the strongest pure lead-artist performers.

Streaming numbers will keep shifting as new albums, viral moments, and collaborations can move the rankings quickly.

SEE ALSO: Olamide to Headline 20,000-Capacity O2 Arena as 6th Nigerian Artist to Perform at Venue

The post Full List of Nigerian Artists with Over 1 Billion Spotify Streams in 2026 appeared first on NBG Africa.

In an interview on ONE 54, Adekunle Gold explained that checking their genotype was one of the first things they did before they decided to take their relationship further.

The Sade singer said:

“There is so much awareness that needs to be done and that is one the things we do. If you have sickle cell forget love, you can’t be together because it makes no sense. You are about to bring a child to the world and they are about to be sickly so what is the point.”

Adekunle explained that he would not have married Simi if she had sickle cell. He revealed that when he and Simi met, the first thing they did was confirm her genotype to ensure that they were a match.

He noted that Simi is AA and he is SS, adding that they have children and that they are doing well. He also stressed the importance of couples checking their genotype before getting married.

READ ALSO: See Old Tweets From Simi and Adekunle Gold That Have Come Back to Haunt Them

AG Says He Protects His Family From Online Attacks

The musician also spoke about how much he loves his family. Adekunle Gold said he would rather people criticise him than target his children.

Adekunle singer recalled an incident in which someone shared false information claiming that his daughter, Adejare, had died. Adekunle said he reported the person to the authorities instead of taking matters into his own hands.

He said:

“Someone has put out a fake news about my family losing our daughter. I can take anything, talking about me all day I’m cool, I signed up for this not my daughter. So, when I saw the news obviously I did the right thing. I reported it to the authority and they took it to court. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment with the option of a fine and that was it. The whole internet went crazy about it but I did the right thing. I didn’t even do what other people would do by telling boys to beat him up. I just went through the right channel to report and he was dealt with.”

AG said he chose to follow the proper legal channel after the incident rather than encouraging anyone to attack the person responsible.

The post Adekunle Gold Reveals Why He Wouldn’t Have Married Simi Under Certain Circumstances appeared first on NBG Africa.

Adekunle Gold (AG), known for his bold style and artistic flair, recently expanded his creative empire beyond music. Under his Tuffman lifestyle and fashion brand, he launched a custom jewellery collection called ‘WAVE’ earrings on June 6, 2026.

The design features stylised pop-tabs inspired by everyday beverage can openers, such as those on soda cans. These pop-tabs, however, feature a signature wave motif inside. 

SEE ALSO: ‘See You in Court’: Tolani Baj Draws the Line on Copying Her Bag Designs 

AG described the project as a personal passion that began as a sketch he couldn’t stop thinking about. 

“I’ve spent most of my life creating things people can hear. This time, I’ve created something you can wear. WAVE started as a sketch I couldn’t stop thinking about. I kept tweaking it until it got to this,” he wrote on his social media accounts.

Priced at ₦103,000 for silver pairs and ₦63,000 for single earrings, the WAVE Silver Pairs and Singles are currently available only for pre-order. 

Limited-edition pieces in silver and gold finishes went on sale via Ash Luxury and Tuffman, quickly drawing buzz and memes labelling them “malt-opener earrings” for their clever street-to-luxury appeal.

However, some critics have called AG out for idea theft.

Wavythecreative: ‘The Pop Tab King’

Akhuetie Osemudiamen Victor is a Nigerian creative director, model, designer, and stylist, better known as Wavythecreative. For years, he has built a distinctive niche in upcycled fashion where he transforms real, collected beverage can pop-tabs into handmade jewellery and garments.

His creations include pop-tab earrings, rosaries, and full clothing integrations, which he often showcases in a “Styling My Designs” series on Instagram and TikTok.

“So there’s been a lot of confusion between his brand and my brand… But this all started in 2020/2021, when I used to call them ‘pop-tabs’ from most cans, from the ground, from anywhere I could find them. Then I made my 1st pop-tab earrings… Everybody associated this with me; everybody associated me with this. So from that point till now, I’ve been trying to post the brand out there as much as I can, posting pictures… I’m not trying to fight anybody for the idea or say I did it first. I’m just, I just want to make the difference between his brand and my brand,” he said in the video.

“Adekunle Gold is trying to shadow everything that I’ve tried to build, and it’s not fair. So I just want to make it clear,” he added.

As far back as November 2025, he branded himself the “Pop Tab King”, as he shared collections of handcrafted pieces made from tabs he personally gathered and curated over time under his “Wavy” branding.

Wavythecreative asserts he has been actively designing and promoting these accessories for over three years.

When AG’s WAVE earrings dropped, he posted detailed timelines, archival photos, videos, and process evidence, directly tagging Adekunle Gold. He highlighted similarities not just in the CanTab concept but also in the “WAVE”/“Wavy” naming and claimed his outreach attempts in AG’s DM were met with blocks and comments on AG’s posts were deleted.

Supporters of Wavythecreative see this as a bigger artist overshadowing a grassroots creative and criticise the alleged lack of acknowledgement or credit. On the other hand, defenders of Adekunle Gold note that can-tab jewellery has appeared in global DIY, street fashion, and upcycling scenes for years.

They argue the AG’s version is a more polished, commercial interpretation with a personal “Big Fish makes waves” branding tie-in, rather than a direct copy of Wavy’s raw, handmade style.

As of the latest updates, Adekunle Gold and his team have not issued a detailed public statement. The WAVE collection continues to be promoted, with strong reported interest and sales.

Wavythecreative, meanwhile, keeps sharing more evidence to clarify his timeline and contributions.

The post Adekunle Gold WAVE Earrings Design Spark Idea-theft Rumours appeared first on NBG Africa.

“Dear God, if you give us Dagrin back, we’ll give you Jonathan in return.”

Then, four days later, another one: “Dinner Set =»300mil… Die Goodluck, Die.”

And another: “So witches, wizards and babalawo’s don’t have powers except in our movies? Foolish people… make GEJ mad. You can’t? Very simple task.”

He was a young, anonymous Twitter user blowing off steam about a president he clearly had no love for. Nobody arrested him. Nobody filed a cybercrime charge. He grew up, made music, became famous, married Simi, had a daughter named Déjà, and became one of the most beloved artists in Nigeria.

Then someone made a joke about his daughter. And that person is now in prison.

What Happened to Swanky

A Twitter user identified as ‘Swanky_concept’ posted what Nigeria’s internet has broadly described as a tasteless banter post, implying that Adekunle Gold’s daughter, Déjà, had died. He posted a candle emoji. He wrote condolences to the Adekunle Gold family. It was dark humour. It was cruel. It was the kind of thing that Nigerian Twitter has always trafficked in, loudly and without consequence, for years.

Adekunle Gold did not find it funny. He went to the police. Then to court.

Swanky pleaded guilty. He has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Two years. For a tweet. About someone’s child, yes, but still, it’s a tweet.

The Hypocrisy Question

This is where Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, placed the question plainly on X:

“This was Adekunle Gold in 2012, openly criticising then-President Goodluck Jonathan. Back then, it was rightly called free speech, and if he had been arrested for those tweets, we would have been on the streets demanding his immediate release. How then does someone who benefited from freedom of expression turn around years later to use the police, courts, and the brutal cybercrime framework against ordinary Nigerians over online banter and social media exchanges? You cannot enjoy free speech when you are powerless and criminalise it the moment you become influential.”

It is a hard argument to dismiss. Not because what Swanky posted was acceptable; it was not, but because the contrast is glaring enough to deserve an honest conversation rather than defensive deflection.

Adekunle Gold wished a sitting president dead. On multiple occasions. With specific language. He was a private citizen at the time, yes. But Swanky was also a private citizen. The difference is not the character of the speech. The difference is the power of the person who was offended by it.

What Nigeria Is Saying

The replies are divided, and both sides are making arguments worth hearing.

One user, @larrylere1, put the receipts side by side: ‘Some of you wished death on a sitting president, Jonathan, including this Adekunle Gold, and none was jailed. Soon the DSS will go for y’all, calling Tinubu a druggie, right?”

@LiNasha07 went further: “Power comes with receipts. Don’t turn influence into a shutdown button. Two years for a troll’s banter? That’s chilling and sets a dangerous precedent. Accountability, not criminalisation.”

On the other side, @creature wrote, “Every parent should inform their child to stay away from Sowore. How can someone justify a guy wishing someone’s child death?”

And @Ikennamagn offered the most legally grounded take: “Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution, but such expression must be done within the confines of the law. Our cyber act is the most active legislation because of its abuse by the people in power.”

That last sentence is the one that stings. Nigeria’s cybercrime law exists and has teeth. The question is not whether it can be used; clearly it can. The question is who it gets used against and who decides when speech crosses the line from banter to criminal matter.

SEE ALSO: Did Adekunle Gold and Simi Really Welcome a Set of  Twins?

The Uncomfortable Truth

Here is what is actually true simultaneously. What Swanky posted was wrong. No parent should have to see a candle emoji and fake condolences about their child, regardless of how famous they are. Déjà is a baby who did nothing to anyone, and using her as a prop for dark humour is indefensible.

Also true: Adekunle Gold posted worse, explicitly and repeatedly, about a real human being who was running a country. He faced zero consequences. He benefited from a society that treated political speech, even cruel political speech, as protected expression.

Also true: a young man with 17,000 followers is now spending two years in prison for something that, by the standards of Nigerian Twitter, is not far from the daily discourse Adekunle Gold himself once participated in freely.

The hypocrisy question is not really about Adekunle Gold the individual. It is about what happens when ordinary people become powerful, when the thing that was once called free speech, when it was directed at someone else, suddenly becomes a criminal matter the moment it lands at your door.

“You cannot enjoy free speech when you are powerless and criminalise it the moment you become influential,” Sowore wrote.

It is not a comfortable sentence. But for anyone who remembers those 2012 tweets, now resurfaced, timestamped, and sitting beside a two-year prison sentence, it is a hard one to argue with.

The post Is Adekunle Gold a Hypocrite? appeared first on NBG Africa.

In January 2026, Adekunle Gold posted on Snapchat: “Asked God for another child and He blessed me double.” This came after Simi had teased a baby bump in late 2025 by sharing a clip from his video “My Love Is the Same” with the caption “From my baby, for my babies.”

There were headlines suggesting the arrival of twins.  Fans celebrated the “double blessing” for one of Nigeria’s  most beloved couples, and congratulatory messages flooded timelines. For a moment, it felt like a fairytale expansion for the family that already included their first child, daughter Adejare “Deja” Kosoko, born in 2020.

SEE ALSO: 5 Nigerian Celebrity Duos Building Businesses Together

The Clarification

Reality arrived more quietly in April 2026. Simi announced the birth of their second child on Instagram. There were maternity photos and a simple, heartfelt caption: “+1, 3.10.26 God bless my little family #mommyof2.” 

The baby, a son, was born on March 10, 2026. No twins. Just one healthy addition, making them parents of two.

Adekunle Gold later addressed the rumors directly in an interview with Deborah Duncan on Great Day with Houston dismissing them as “internet rumors” and confirming they had welcomed a son.

The phrasing “blessed me double” was poetic license at best or deliberately open to interpretation.

Adekunle Gold and Simi who are friends-turned-collaborators-turned-life-partners, have built a relationship marked by mutual respect, shared artistry, and deliberate low-key living since their 2019 wedding.

The post Did Adekunle Gold and Simi Really Welcome a Set of  Twins? appeared first on NBG Africa.

Nigerian artists, Simi and Adekunle Gold were rumoured to be getting divorced; a screenshot of an alleged divorce petition went viral on social media and caused controversy. Could this be the result of Simi’s old social media posts resurfacing and igniting discussions?

Vincent Nwanze, who manages Simi, described the claim as untrue and said the document was not authentic.

“It’s fake and fabricated. First, stage names are not tenable in any court of justice worldwide, as indicated in the document. Even the suit number on the document is backdated to 2024 (SUIT NO HCL/FC/2024/0178),” he said.

The Alleged Divorce Petition

The alleged divorce petition claimed that the marriage had “irretrievably broken down.” According to the document, Adekunle Gold was requesting a divorce because of what it called “persistent emotional and professional control within the relationship”.

It claimed that Simi allegedly had substantial influence over important facets of both his personal and professional lives.

The divorce claim itself has been the subject of varied social media responses. Following a resurgence of conversation about the couple, media personality Do2dtun asked fans to respect Adekunle Gold’s career and family life and to cease criticising him online.

Regarding the divorce rumours, neither Simi nor Adekunle Gold has released any official statements. Despite the viral discussions, it is clear that the divorce papers were fabricated.

The post Are Simi and Adekunle Gold Getting a Divorce? appeared first on NBG Africa.

If you’ve been online lately, you’ll know how quickly social media can dig up posts from years ago and turn them into a trending conversation. In this case, some of Simi’s old tweets resurfaced and sparked outrage among users who interpreted the posts as inappropriate. While the singer has since responded, describing the tweets as harmless, the debate has continued to generate heated reactions across platforms.

As the conversation intensified, some critics began dragging Adekunle Gold into the situation, questioning him and directing harsh comments at his family.

ALSO READ: See Old Tweets From Simi and Adekunle Gold That Have Come Back to Haunt Them

Reacting to the situation on X, Do2dtun didn’t mince words. He praised Adekunle Gold’s impact on Nigerian music and reminded critics of the consistency and quality the singer has brought to the industry over the years. From delivering classic albums to headlining major shows, including shutting down a national theatre. Do2dtun insisted that AG’s artistry remains “exceptionally untouched”.

He wrote:

“I think it’s time for you guys to leave AG alone. He gave us classic albums; this guy shut down a whole national theatre. An amazing performer, his craft is exceptionally untouched.

“I see the most despicable comments about him and his family. Men, it’s enough. I believe if we all stand tall in many things in life, let us start with respecting people’s craft and life work. He remains unscarred, and he is still one of the biggest musicians to ever come out of Nigeria. Una carry issue turns to assault and extreme bullying. It’s enough.”

His comments have since sparked further discussion, with some social media users agreeing that the criticism has crossed the line, while others argue that public figures should always be ready for scrutiny.

For Do2dtun, however, the issue is clear, what started as criticism has evolved into what he describes as extreme bullying.

ALSO READ: Simi, This Ain’t Duduke

The post ‘It’s Enough’ — Do2dtun Speaks Out as Adekunle Gold Still Faces Heat Over Simi’s Old Posts appeared first on NBG Africa.

It all started after Simi commented on the viral Mirabel false rape allegation. She said rapists should be “castrated and burnt alive.” When asked about equal punishment for false accusers, she responded, “STFU.”

‘Banger boys’ on X (Twitter) started to troll her for her strong condemnation, bias, and double standards.

Their voices grew louder when it was confirmed that Mirabel had lied about being raped. They started with Simi and then went for her husband, Adekunle Gold. This was, I suppose, because the two have become one in marriage

Simi’s Resurfaced Tweets

Some of her tweets from 2012 and 2013 resurfaced online, and the most scandalous of them was about a 4-year-old boy, David.

She joked about him having a crush on her, coming close to her, acting like he wanted to kiss her, and resting his head on her lap before jokingly asking if she should “give him a chance.”

Another tweet referenced the same child allegedly trying to put his hand inside her clothing.

A majority of the outrage was on the singer’s inappropriate comments involving a minor. The posts have been described as disturbing, with many calling for accountability and an investigation.

Adekunle Gold’s Old Tweets

As the controversy grew, attention shifted to Adekunle Gold and some of his own old tweets. In one tweet from 2013, he wrote about not liking girls who sit with their legs closed.

In another, he expressed a preference for girls who are “very vulnerable and defenseless.”

These posts were also described as inappropriate and inconsistent with his current public image.

Simi’s Response

Following the backlash, Simi issued a lengthy statement defending herself and explaining the context behind the tweets.

She said she was 23 years old at the time and was living with her mother while helping out at her daycare and pursuing her music career.

According to her, she frequently tweeted about her daily experiences, including funny moments involving children, but those comments were never intended to be sexual or inappropriate.

She added that she has never engaged in depraved behaviour and has always spoken out against rape and sexual assault.

Despite Simi’s explanation, people still have divided opinions about the couple’s old tweets.

Some believe public figures should answer for what they said in the past. Others say they made the tweets over 10 years ago and have grown since then.

This just shows how quickly online narratives can change. Simi and Adekunle Gold were once seen as one of Nigeria’s most loved couples, but their past posts are now shaping how people see them today.

The post See Old Tweets From Simi and Adekunle Gold That Have Come Back to Haunt Them appeared first on NBG Africa.

This list includes artists and content creators who are ethnically African, even though they may have other nationalities.

These men prove that African men are style trendsetters and have such an innate sense of style that could only have been inherited from their forefathers.

1. Wisdom Kaye (Nigerian-American)

With over 7.6 million followers on Instagram and millions of followers across other social media platforms, this Nigerian-born content creator is undoubtedly one of the most creative and fashionable content creators. This year, he was inducted into Business of Fashion, class of 2025.

His reels amass millions of views; his choice of outfits is so mystical and creative that you’ll be left agape. He mixes both high-end and low-end pieces to create magic. Case in point – the video where he styled fonts.

2. Damson Idris (Nigerian-British)

Who knows how to make a suit look so good and not boring if not Damson? No wonder he’s a Prada ambassador. Many men need to learn tailoring as well as wearing bright colours from him.

3. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (Nigeria)

Ebuka’s intentionality with his sartorial choices places him on this list every single time. He is not afraid to take a risk.

During the last Big Brother Naija show, he drew inspiration from key figures in Nigerian history and recreated their outfits. Now, that’s a stylish man right there.

ALSO READ: Who Are The Top 10 Most Fashionable African Women (2025)? – Bonang, Nana Akua, Veekee James, or…?

4. Chris Kabeya (Congolese-Canadian)

If you need style inspiration as a man, there is only one creator I’d ask you to follow, and that’s Chris Kabeya. He has the basics of men’s style on lock, including proportions, colours, prints, and the right outfit for every occasion.

5. Skepta (Nigerian-British)

Skepta is so stylish he has his own fashion brand, Mains, and has worked with some of the biggest brands as a creative consultant, such as Puma, Nike, Burberry, and many others. His taste in fashion is an A+.

Skepta was also awarded at GQ Man of the Year Awards 2025.

6. Davido (Nigerian-American)

Hate him or love him, but one thing you can’t deny is that Davido is fashionable. His outfits scream, ‘I love luxury and I am not afraid to make bold choices.’ You can never catch him in a bad or nonchalant fit. A truly fashionable king.

7. Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)

This list would most certainly be incomplete without Adekunle Gold, who spent the majority of last year sitting in the front row for the world’s biggest fashion brands, like Louis Vuitton. Adekunle Gold’s style is clean, classy, and inspirational.

8. Sarkodie (Ghana)

No one, I mean no one, can accuse Sarkodie of not having style. His fashion theme is simple: classy on some occasions, athleisure on others. He is not afraid to stunt on you in sneakers and designers, but he can pull off a good suit.

9. Wizkid (Nigeria)

The king of laidback style. If he’s not wearing his white ‘vest’ singlet, then he is in a designer outfit that exudes charm and effortless presence.

10. Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

While I don’t always agree with his fashion choices, I would definitely agree that he has more hits than misses; and what is fashion if not expressing yourself and taking risks? His style is bold and risqué, and we applaud him for it.

All these African men on the list deserve endless accolades for their style. Did your fave make it?

The post See The Top 10 Most Fashionable African Men in 2025 appeared first on NBG Africa.