Following a record-breaking digital year and the global release of YouTube’s 2025 Top Lists, YouTube hosted a high-level industry gathering yesterday in Lagos that brought together some of Africa’s most influential artists, creators, and cultural leaders for the YouTube Celebration of African Music & Culture. The event recognized the talent and cultural momentum defining the continent today, convening key voices in music, fashion, film, and digital storytelling.

The celebration welcomed a high-profile guest list drawn from the 2025 YouTube Top Lists and the wider creative ecosystem, including Chella, Ckay, Wurld, Seyi Shay, Qing Madi, FOLA, YCEE, fashion designer, Mowalola, Denola Grey, Ronami Ogulu, Onos Ariyo, Bolaji Kareem (Director, West Africa at EMPIRE), Olamide Olowe, Dodos, Eni Popoola, Madam Joyce, and many others. The celebration also featured DJ sets by DJ Obi, DJ Lambo, DJ Spinall, Latsthedj, Dj Axara setting the tone for the night.

This year, Nigerian creators didn’t just dominate local screens, they exported culture to global audiences at an unprecedented scale. Olamide, for instance, sold out the 12,500-capacity OVO Arena in London, while Ayra Starr performed to 60,000 people at Global Citizen in New York. The industry is experiencing a digital revolution. Independent producers like Omoni Oboli and Itelediconstudio are leveraging YouTube to build massive, direct-to-consumer empires.

“We’ve seen the incredible stats, the millions of hours watched and the massive global audiences Nigerian creators built in 2025. But data only tells half the story,” said Addy Awofisayo, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa at YouTube. “Bringing these cultural architects together in one room was important. It’s about honoring the talent, resilience, and creative vision driving Africa’s global momentum.”

The celebration served as a victory lap for the artists, storytellers, and executives behind the numbers, spotlighting the impact of African creativity on the world stage.