Afrobeats cements its place at the heart of global pop
Afrobeats has firmly established itself as a dominant force in global pop culture, with Nigerian artists now a regular presence on the world's biggest charts, stages and awards.
Leading the charge is Burna Boy, who has become the African artist with the most entries on the US Billboard Hot 100. He added to that tally through a collaboration with Colombian star Shakira on an official 2026 World Cup song, which was voted by Billboard readers among the best World Cup songs.
Tems has also enjoyed a landmark period, earning multiple nominations at the BET Awards, adding to her Grammy honours and scoring a UK chart success through a high-profile collaboration. Together with peers such as Wizkid, Asake, Rema and Tyla, they have kept African music at the centre of global attention.
The genre's reach was on full display at the 2026 World Cup, where Nigerian artists including Rema and Burna Boy performed as the tournament got under way, showcasing Afrobeats to a vast international audience.
Once dismissed as a niche export, Afrobeats now shapes mainstream pop, drives streaming numbers worldwide and provides a powerful cultural calling card for a continent whose creative industries are increasingly commanding global respect.
