In the past two decades, Afrobeats music has enjoyed a massive commercial boost with the artiste making waves globally thanks to the ingenuity of the artistes driving the sound. From Billboard-dominating songs to Grammy wins and record-breaking concerts, Nigeria’s sound is soaring.
As the music industry continues to evolve and thrive, and Afrobeats aims to maintain its upward mobility, 2025 promises to be another eventful year for music lovers. From anticipated releases to celebrity beef, here are some likely events that fans can expect to shape the year.
Another Grammy Win
This year, it is believed that another Grammy award will be coming to Nigerian for the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category come Sunday, February 2. As the 67th edition of the awards ceremony is set to hold at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Nigerian artistes – Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tems, Yemi Alade, Rema and Asake – are poised to shine on the global stage with nominations that highlight their incredible contributions to music.
Rise Of New Genres
The Nigerian music scene is known for its diversity and creativity, with new genres and sub-genres emerging every year. This year, expect to see the rise of new and exciting genres that blend traditional Nigerian sounds with international influences.
Whether you are a fan of Afro-EDM, Afro-Rock, Afro-Soul, Afro-fusion or Street-Hop, there is something for everyone, as artistes continue to experiment and push the boundaries.
Growth of Independent Artistes
The rise of independent artistes has been a significant trend in the Nigerian music industry. The trend has no doubt democratised the landscape, offering more opportunities to succeed without the backing of a record label.
The proliferation of social media platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube, and music streaming services has equally leveled the playing field for independent artistes. With the ability to produce, promote and distribute their own music, artistes are no longer at the mercy of record labels.
Like Odumodublvck, Bella Shmurda and late Mohbad who achieved significant success without the backing of major record label but leveraged on social media platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube, and music streaming services to build massive following, release their own music and connect directly with their fans, this year, expect more independent artistes to emerge, leveraging on digital platforms to reach their audiences.
More Focus on Music Production
With the growth of the music industry, there will be a greater emphasis on music production quality. Artistes and producers will invest more in creating high-quality sounds, and you can expect more innovative production techniques to emerge.
Increased Collaboration with International Artistes
Nigerian artistes have been collaborating with international artistes for years, and 2025 will likely see even more of these collaborations. From features to joint albums, Nigerian artistes will continue to bridge the gap between African and global music.
Hit Songs
Afrobeats’ global rise has been driven by a series of hit songs that played notable roles in breaking barriers and bringing mass international attention to Nigerian music. After a slow 2024 that only delivered a paltry return of hit singles with no cross over hit, Nigerian stars will be looking to remedy this situation in 2025.
Fans can also expect exciting collaborations as Nigerian stars will maintain the culture of combining their talents to deliver notable records.
Expansion Of Music Festivals, Concerts
Music festivals and concerts have become a staple of the Nigerian music industry. In 2025, expect even more festivals and concerts to emerge, featuring both local and international artistes.
Greater Emphasis On Music Videos
Music videos have become an essential part of the Nigerian music industry. In 2025, expect even more emphasis on high-quality music videos, with artists investing more in visuals and storytelling.
Rise of Female Artistes
Female artistes have been making waves in the Nigerian music industry, and 2025 will likely see even more female artistes emerge. From Tiwa Savage to Yemi Alade, Teni, Ayra Starr, Tems, female artistes will continue to break barriers and push the boundaries of Nigerian music.
Exciting Albums
This year will be a busy one for fans who shjould expect to get new albums from several stars. The chances of fans getting multiple hit records in 2025 are higher as Davido, Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Kizz Daniel, Tiwa Savage, OdumoduBlvck, Ruger, and Adekunle Gold are all set to release new albums.
Break Out Stars
Each year brings with it a new collection of talents whose music will take them from obscurity to stardom. This year is expected to deliver a new class of break-out acts that will stake a claim as one of the stars who will define the future of Nigerian music.
Celebrity Feud
As undesirable as they might be, Nigerian artistes don’t shy away from engaging in disputes among themselves. From stars engaging in a face-off to old foes renewing their rivalry, fans can expect that some celebrity dispute will unfold in 2025.
Increased Focus On Mental Health
The Nigerian music industry has been affected by mental health issues, with several artistes speaking out about their struggles. In 2025, expect even more focus on mental health awareness and support for artistes.
Growth Of Music Streaming Platforms
Music streaming platforms have revolutionised the way people consume music. In 2025, expect even more growth in music streaming platforms, with Nigerian artistes benefiting from increased visibility and revenue.
These predictions offer a glimpse into the exciting future of the Nigerian music industry. As the industry continues to evolve, expect even more innovation, creativity and growth in the years to come.
