Nigerian singer Burna Boy has reclaimed the title of Africa’s best-selling artist of all time, according to new data from music analytics platform Chartmasters, capping a run of commercial and streaming milestones for the Grammy-winning Afrobeats star.
Chartmasters said Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, has amassed 14.46 million Equivalent Album Units globally, a metric that combines studio albums, compilations, physical and digital single sales, and streaming activity converted into album-equivalent terms. The figure edges out fellow Nigerian star Wizkid, who stands at roughly 14.43 million units, in a top-of-the-chart race the data platform described as one of the closest in the ranking’s history.
The milestone follows a breakout year driven largely by “Dai Dai,” Burna Boy’s collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira and the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track made him the first male artist, and the first African act, to top Spotify’s newly launched Global Music Video Chart, and it has also topped Apple Music’s Global Songs Chart. On Billboard’s Hot 100, “Dai Dai” has climbed to a new peak of number 13, with industry watchers projecting a top-10 debut in the coming week.
The song’s success has also lifted Burna Boy’s streaming footprint. He has extended his record as the African artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, now above 53 million, according to figures cited by Nigerian entertainment outlets, while “Dai Dai” remains the most-streamed music video of 2026 on YouTube, with close to half a billion views.
Beyond recorded music, Burna Boy has built a reputation as one of the industry’s biggest live draws, becoming the first African act to headline and sell out venues including London Stadium, Madison Square Garden and the Stade de France. He also holds records for the highest-grossing African tour and the highest-grossing single concert by an artist from the continent.
Music industry analysts say Burna Boy’s ascent reflects the broader commercial rise of Afrobeats on the global stage, as African artists increasingly top international charts once dominated by acts from the United States and Europe.
