Nigerian superstar Davido remains ahead of Asake on Spotify‘s all-time most-streamed African artists chart. The latest verified data confirms Davido at 3.81 billion streams, with Asake at 3.73 billion — a margin of roughly 80 million streams that keeps the established hitmaker in sixth place, one spot ahead of his younger rival.
The figures also reveal significant movement further down the ranking. Ayra Starr, the “Rush” and “Bloody Samaritan” singer, has slipped one position to eighth place with 3.64 billion streams, overtaken by Asake’s upward surge. Algerian rapper Soolking also dropped, now sitting ninth with 3.62 billion. The arrows tell the story: Asake is the only artist in this trio with an upward trajectory, while both Ayra Starr and Soolking show downward trends.
Asake’s climb is remarkable for its speed. The Mr Money With The Vibe star only broke into the mainstream in 2022, yet he has already vaulted past two established acts and is now breathing down Davido’s neck. His formula — rapid-fire album releases, heavy global playlist support, and a sound that marries log-drum Amapiano with street-pop chants — continues to pay dividends.
For Ayra Starr, the slip is a momentary setback in an otherwise stellar rise. The Mavin Records princess has amassed 3.64 billion streams on the back of global hits and a Grammy-nominated debut album, The Year I Turned 21. Her position remains formidable, and industry observers expect her to reclaim momentum with upcoming releases.
Davido, for his part, continues to benefit from a deep catalogue of enduring hits — “Fall,” “If,” and “FIA” remain steady earners — even as his release calendar has been quieter. The narrow gap, however, is unlikely to remain static. One well-timed album from either artist could redraw the landscape overnight.
What remains undeniable is Nigeria’s dominance of the chart, with eight of the top ten slots held by its artists. The hierarchy, once settled, is now a living, breathing contest — and Asake is the reason everyone is watching.
