B Side, Music
Kunmie’s Viral Hit “Arike” Climbs the UK Charts
Every year, a handful of new artists break into the mainstream, but few do so by defying the conventions of their genre.
- Melony Akpoghene
- ●10th March 2025
Nigerian artist Kunmie is quickly establishing himself as one of 2025’s biggest breakout stars. His viral single “Arike” has surged up the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, currently sitting at No. 12— a career-defining moment for the rising talent.
The track has been chasing several milestones since it dropped. It amassed over seven million Spotify streams within a month of its release, recently debuted at No. 2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Songs Chart, and rose to No. 12 on the Official Nigeria Top 100, with 2.95 million on-demand streams.
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The success of “Arike” arrives on the heels of his four-track debut EP, Before We Became Strangers, a project that soared to the No. 3 position on Nigeria’s Apple Music Top Albums chart.
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Every year, a handful of new artists break into the mainstream, but few do so by defying the conventions of their genre. With “Arike” soaring and his EP establishing him as a fresh, authentic voice, Kunmie is poised to be one of 2025’s defining breakout artists.
