Top 20 most-streamed Nigerian artists on YouTube Music in Q1 2025

Nigerian gospel powerhouses Nathaniel Bassey and Mercy Chinwo have etched their names among the most-streamed Nigerian artists on YouTube Music for the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant moment for gospel music on the global stage.

According to data compiled by Debut Hub, Nathaniel Bassey pulled in an impressive 52.8 million streams, while Mercy Chinwo followed closely with 46.4 million, placing both artists firmly within the top 20 most-streamed Nigerian acts globally.

Mercy Chinwo’s timeless anthem “Excess Love” continues to be a fan favorite, having racked up over 133 million views on the platform. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Bassey’s spirit-lifting discography is resonating across continents, with hit songs like “Yahweh Sabaoth” (25 million plays), “TOBECHUKWU” featuring Mercy Chinwo Blessed (39 million plays), and “Jesus Iye” (32 million plays) leading his streaming numbers.

This achievement highlights a growing global appetite for Nigerian gospel music, as artists once confined to local church stages now command massive digital audiences. Their inclusion among Nigeria’s most-streamed acts signals a broader cultural shift where gospel sounds are being embraced alongside Afrobeats, Afro-pop, and hip-hop on major platforms.

Rema tops Most-Streamed Artist in Q1 2025

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At the top of the chart is Afrobeat sensation Rema, who retains his crown as YouTube Music’s most-streamed Nigerian artist for Q1 2025, raking in a staggering 223 million streams.

His smash hit “Calm Down”, featuring Selena Gomez, continues to dominate globally, crossing an astounding 2.5 billion plays.

Rema’s global footprint reflects not just the success of Afrobeat but also the increasing international appeal of Nigerian music and storytelling.