Kunmie Makes History: Fast-Rising Nigerian Artist Debuts at No. 2 on Spotify Global Viral Chart with ‘Arike’
Fast-rising Nigerian music star Kunmie is making waves in the global music scene, achieving a monumental milestone with the success of his hit single, “Arike.” The song, which was released on February 15, 2025, has rocketed to No. 2 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart, making Kunmie the first emerging Nigerian artist to ever reach such heights. This achievement marks a significant moment in his career, further establishing him as one of the most promising stars in the Nigerian music industry.
“Arike” has captured the attention of music lovers worldwide, largely due to its viral success on TikTok. The song has been used in over 186,000 user-generated videos, a testament to its popularity on the platform and the power of social media in shaping the success of today’s music. This viral sensation has been crucial in propelling the track onto the global stage, as TikTok continues to be a powerful tool for discovering new music and pushing artists into the global spotlight.
In addition to its success on the global stage, “Arike” has also claimed the top spot on the Spotify Nigeria Viral 50 chart, marking Kunmie’s first-ever chart-topping hit. The song now joins the ranks of other Nigerian global hits like CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” and Rema’s record-breaking “Calm Down,” both of which have also enjoyed impressive success on the Spotify Global Viral Chart. Kunmie’s achievement underscores the growing influence of Nigerian music in the global entertainment industry.
Since its release, “Arike” has amassed over 7 million streams on Spotify in under a month, solidifying Kunmie’s place as the breakout star of 2025. His meteoric rise is a testament to his talent and the power of the current digital landscape, where TikTok and streaming platforms like Spotify can catapult an artist to international fame. With the success of “Arike,” Kunmie is poised to be one of the defining stars of 2025.
The rising star has also recently released his debut EP, Before We Became Strangers, which features “Arike” as one of its four singles. The EP showcases Kunmie’s versatility as an artist and is a glimpse into the exciting future that lies ahead for him.
Kunmie’s Spotify success further highlights the influence of TikTok virality in driving the commercial success of Nigerian mainstream pop music. Since 2020, the social media platform has played a pivotal role in the global success of several Afrobeats tracks, including hits like Goya Menor’s “Ameno Amapiano,” CKay’s “Love Nwantiti,” and Rema’s “Calm Down.” As TikTok continues to shape the music landscape, it is clear that the platform will remain a key player in the success of Nigerian artists like Kunmie as they continue to break into global markets.
Kunmie’s rise to the top marks the beginning of what promises to be a stellar career, and with “Arike” leading the charge, the world is watching to see what this breakout star will do next.
