August 2025

28 The Rise of Global Beats How Afrobeat and K‑Pop Are Dominating Western Charts in 2025 Afrobeat and K‑Pop are redefining mainstream music in 2025. They now shape radio, charts, social platforms, and live crowds. This piece explores how each genre commands Western atten - tion through fresh soundscapes, chart success, and cultural res - onance. Afrobeat’s Meteoric Growth Nigerian artist Burna Boy released No Sign of Weakness on July 10, 2025. It debuted strong. It blends country, ’90s hip‑hop, tech‑house, rock, and Nigerian electronic influences. The al - bum hit Spotify record heights in Nigeria and across Africa. It also sparked a North American tour starting this November, boosting global reach. Meanwhile, Davido’s single “Offa Me,” featuring Victoria Monét, hit number 2 on the UK Afrobeats chart and number 5 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart in April 2025. It continues to drive Afrobeat into major markets year-round. Streaming metrics show Afrobeat songs breaking into main - stream playlists in North America and Europe. These styles blend rhythmic percussion, catchy chants, and genre fusion to attract wide audiences. They outperform expectations on plat - forms like Spotify and Apple Music. Photo by | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images