Imagine a music video so good, you can’t stop watching it. Yeah, we have all been there!
Well, some Nigerian music videos have taken that feeling global, racking up millions of views on YouTube! Back in the early days of YouTube, way back in 2005, uploading videos was not as easy as it is today. But now, YouTube has become a launchpad for millions of artistes around the world.
Nigeria’s music scene has long been a powerhouse in the global entertainment industry, and now it’s taking over the world with Afrobeats. We’re talking fire beats, stunning visuals, and a sound that turns heads and gets people dancing. So, we decided to bring this report home to find out which Nigerian music videos reign on YouTube!
We have analyzed over 30 Nigerian music videos to bring you the top 20 most-watched of all time. Get ready to discover amazing music and maybe even find your new favourite jam to play on repeat! This whole thing is proof of how YouTube and the internet have revolutionized the music industry, giving a worldwide stage to artistes who might not have been heard otherwise.
There is always a debate amongst fans…who has the most viewed music video on YouTube in Nigeria?
We will answer that question as you keep reading!
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Let’s talk about insights!
While the hit “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee has become part of Youtube’s “billion views club,” with 8.4 billion views, making it the most viewed music video in the world, the top 20 Nigerian music videos have a combined total of around 5 billion views. That’s still a mind-blowing number, and it shows the huge potential of the Afrobeats movement.
From this analysis, the most recent release is “Cough” by Kizz Daniel. This music video was released on the 16th of December, 2022. The king of hits did an amazing thing with the video for “Cough.” and Director K is the music video director behind this flawless work of art which earned it the 19th spot on this list. On the other hand, the oldest music video on this list was released on the 3rd of March, 2014 by the super-talented Yemi Alade. Yemi Alade’s breakout single ‘Johnny‘, was shot by multi-talented director, Clarence Peters, and has over 163M views on YouTube.
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Although we can see that the Afrobeats genre of music is dominating the ranking, the representation of the gospel music genre is also worth mentioning in this report. “Way Maker” is a contemporary gospel song that is listened to all over the world. It was written and recorded by Sinach in the year 2015. Within the shortest possible time, it spread all over Nigeria and Africa, and now beyond the shores of Africa. The music video has over 258M views on YouTube.
Is there a best time to release music?
In case you have ever wondered whether there is a perfect time to release a song, take a look at the date/month of release and the performance of the music video. Of course, no one solution works for everyone, but the timing can influence how people react to your music. Each month has its pros and cons, from the holiday season “gbedu vibe” to the “soft and sweet” feeling of February. From our analysis, we can see that February and December are the months with the highest number of views with a total of 1.24 Billion and 79 Million respectively.
Now let us settle the lifelong debate by looking at the numbers;
SPOTLIGHTING ARTISTES
1. The rise of Rema
Rema’s music video for “Calm Down” took the world by storm, since it came out in February 2022, as the second song on his first album “Rave & Roses” directed by Director K. The song quickly became super popular and the most-watched music video ever made by a Nigerian artiste on YouTube!
But “Calm Down” is just the beginning for this star. At 23, his hit single boasts over 585M YouTube views and a billion Spotify streams. Rema’s journey began in 2019, as a young talent signing with Mavin Records and the release of his debut EP, simply titled “Rema.”
Fast forward to today, and Rema is a global star. He has performed at the BRIT Awards, secured a nomination for “International Song of the Year” alongside industry giants, and shattered records. Notably, Rema made history as the first African artiste to achieve a billion streams on Spotify, got awarded the ‘Best Afrobeats’ award at the MTV VMAs, and holds the record as the longest-charting African artiste in the Billboard Top 100. His achievements also secured him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for his chart-topping success in the MENA region.
REMMMMAAAAAA! We want to keep partying!
2. Nigerian Music Video Queens
While male artistes dominate Nigerian music, talented women have their crowns. Here are some of the leading ladies:
– Ayra Starr: (Rush – 334M views): Ayra Starr isn’t afraid to take on the music world by its horns. Her single, “Rush” released in September 2022, exploded on social media, particularly TikTok. This song was part of her debut album “19 & Dangerous,” which currently sits at number 4 on the list of most-watched Nigerian music videos on YouTube.
– Sinach: (Way Maker – 258M views): Sinach isn’t just a singer – she’s a gospel music icon. Her song, “Way Maker”, released in 2015 is her most popular track and holds the record for the 9th most-watched Nigerian music video of all time. “Way Maker” is a powerful and uplifting song that has resonated with millions around the world.
– Yemi Alade Afrobeat Royalty (Johnny – 163M views): Yemi Alade is a veteran of the Nigerian music scene. Debuting in 2009, she skyrocketed to fame with the release of “Johnny” in 2014. This hit song not only established her as a force to be reckoned with but also holds the YouTube record for the 18th most-watched Nigerian music video of all time. With its captivating visuals and powerful vocals, “Johnny” is a classic Afrobeats anthem that continues to captivate everyone!
3. Artistes Topping the Charts More Than Once
A few artistes have managed to bag multiple entries on the most-watched YouTube video list. Here are some of the hitmakers who keep their fans coming back for more:
– CKay: The King of Remixes (Love Nwantiti – 706M views combined): CKay isn’t just a musician, he’s a master of reinvention. His song “Love Nwantiti” had 475M views in its original form (currently the 2nd most-watched Nigerian music video). But CKay wasn’t satisfied with just one hit. He released an acoustic version of the song, showcasing his vocal talent and offering a fresh perspective.
This acoustic version has 231M views on its own, solidifying CKay’s place as the “Love Nwantiti” king and ranking 10th on the overall list. The most impressive thing is that Ckay produced both of these songs that topped the chart. Ckay, take your flowers please!
– Burna Boy: The Afrofusion Giant (1.05 billion views combined): Burna Boy is a powerhouse in the Afrobeats world, and his YouTube views mirror his popularity. He has four entries on the list, starting with “On the Low” (380M views, 3rd most-watched). The video has stunning visuals that perfectly complement the song’s mood.
Then there’s “Last Last” (269M views, 7th most-watched), which showed us a fresh dose of Burna Boy. His earlier hit “Ye” (262M views, 8th most-watched) continues to be fan’s favourite, while his collaboration with global superstar Ed Sheeran on “For My Hand” (146M views, 20th most-watched) proved that he had international fans.
– Davido: Omo Baba Olowo (463M views combined): The King of 30BG isn’t shy about celebrating his success, and his music videos prove that! His international breakthrough, “Fall” (284M views, 5th most-watched), is one of the songs that propelled him to global fame. Another hit, “If” (179M views, 16th most-watched), showed Davido’s smooth vocals which shocked a lot of Nigerians.
– Wizkid: Starboy (454M views combined): Wizkid, a true “Starboy,” has consistently released hits that keep fans glued to their screens. “Joro” (272M views, 6th most-watched) is a smooth and sensual track that has racked up millions of views. His collaboration with Tems, on “Essence” (182M views, 15th most-watched), is another proof that Wizkid creates music that transcends borders.
4. The Video Directors that stood out!
The magic of a music video isn’t just about the music – it’s about the visual storytelling that brings the song to life. Here, we took a look at some directors whose names appeared more than once on the list!
– Clarence Peters: Clarence Peters is a legend in the Nigerian music video scene. His work has graced the screens of some of the biggest names in Afrobeats, including Burna Boy’s “Ye (262M views),” Yemi Alade’s popular anthem “Johnny” (163M views), Tekno’s megahit “Pana” (210M views), Rudeboy’s “Reason with me” (210M views) and Runtown’s “Mad over you” (164M views ). Clarence is known for his innovative concepts and stunning visuals, consistently pushing the boundaries of what a music video can be.
– Prior Gold Pictures: Prior Gold Pictures is a media and production services company focused on music videos, creative visuals and television. They captured the energy of Wizkid and Tems’ global hit “Essence” (182M views), a video that perfectly complements the song’s playful and sensual vibe. They also brought their touch to Kizz Daniel’s “Cough” (159M views), adding a visually captivating element to this popular song.
– TG Omori: TG Omori has already established himself as a go-to director for some of the hottest new artistes. His work on Ayra Starr’s viral sensation “Rush” (334M views) showcases his ability to translate the raw energy of a new artiste into a visually compelling experience. He also directed the collaboration between Kizz Daniel and Tekno, “Buga” (201M views) generating massive buzz with its high-energy dance sequences and vibrant colours.
5. Collaboration Over Competition?
The Nigerian music scene is not all about going solo – it’s about linking up and making magic together. Check out these songs that made the charts with collaborations.
– CKay ft. Joeboy & Kuami Eugene’s “Love Nwantiti” (475M views): This monster hit wouldn’t be the same without CKay’s beat, Joeboy’s smooth voice, and Kuami Eugene bringing the Ghanaian heat. Teaming up like this took “Love Nwantiti” to the next level, making it the second most-watched Nigerian music video on YouTube!
– Kizz Daniel & Tekno’s “Buga” (201M views): This high-energy banger is proof that when two Afrobeats giants join forces, it’s pure fire. Kizz Daniel and Tekno’s chemistry is off the charts, making “Buga” a guaranteed party starter.
– Wizkid ft. Tems’ “Essence” (182M views): Their voices blend perfectly, creating a vibe that resonates with a lot of Nigerians. “Essence” is a textbook example of how working together can take a song around the world.
– Going Global: The report also shows a trend of Nigerian artistes teaming up with international stars. Fireboy DML ft. Ed Sheeran – “Peru Remix” (205M views) became a megahit, showing how Afrobeats can connect with fans everywhere. Also, Burna Boy ft. Ed Sheeran – “For My Hand” (146M views) created a catchy mix of Afrobeats and pop. Ed Sheeran’s team-ups with Nigerian artistes (Burna Boy, Fireboy) was a banger. Could Joeboy be next?
6. The Big 3?
The question of who reigns supreme among Afrobeats giants Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid is a topic of endless debate among fans. While YouTube views can offer some insight, it’s not the whole picture.
The Verdict? It’s All About Your Taste! Ultimately, the answer to who’s on top depends on your individual preferences.
7. Beyond the Top 20
The top 20 list only tells part of the story. Here are some incredible artistes and songs that deserve a shoutout:
– Tiwa Savage: The Queen of Features: Spyro’s “Who is Your Guy (Remix)” featuring Tiwa Savage is the 23rd most viewed with 138M views, and this gives her a well-deserved title as the “Queen of Features.” Her collaborations elevate numerous songs, but her solo career is equally impressive. When the “Queen of Features” herself, hops on a track, magic happens. From 1da Banton’s “No Wahala”, Young Jonn’s “Stamina”, to her recent “Men are Crazy” with Simi, Tiwa Savage’s feature list is always a viral hit. Let’s face it, Tiwa Savage is a superstar.
– P-Square: A Breakup or a New Chapter?: The data throws an interesting curveball. Rudeboy’s solo “Reason with Me” (210M views), released in April 2019 (two years after the split), has more views than P-Square’s “Personally” (131M views) released in July 2013. This begs the question: did they make the right call by separating? Their legacy as a duo remains undeniable.
This list continues with more gems:
– Wizkid & Drake’s “Come Closer” (141M views)
– Korede Bello’s “Do Like That” (141M views)
– Spyro ft. Tiwa Savage’s “Who is Your Guy (Remix)” (138M views)
– Wizkid ft. Terri & Ceeza Milli’s “Soco” (138M views)
– Sinach’s “I Know Who I Am” (134M views)
– Maleek Berry’s “Kontrol” (131M views)
– P-Square’s “Personally” (131M views)
– Joeboy’s “Sip (Alcohol)” (130M views)
– Fireboy DML ft. Asake’s “Bandana” (130M views)
– Chidinma’s “Fallen in Love” (128M views)
In conclusion, this list just scratches the surface of the incredible talent exploding out of the Nigerian music scene. From chart-topping hits to viral sensations, Afrobeats is taking over the world, one catchy beat at a time.
Not to forget, the beautiful and well-detailed analysis was visualized using Microsoft Power BI. If you would love to learn Data Analytics and how to create similar visuals with Power BI, sign up here for the next Data Analytics course.
So tell us in the comments below – who’s your favourite Nigerian artiste and why? We can’t wait to hear from you!