The journey to wrapping up the year musically often begins with Spotify Wrapped, which typically arrives at the start of December and sets off a wave of reflection, comparison, and conversation. For us at Mugibson.com, however, the year-end chart goes beyond personal listening habits. It is an attempt to understand which songs truly moved the year forward, particularly those by emerging artists who either broke through in 2025 or showed clear momentum toward doing so in the near future.
Related: 10 New Artists Who’ve Won Our Hearts this 2025
This list is informed by several factors. Mainstream appeal, cultural visibility, streaming performance, chart movement, and the overall motion of an artist across the year all played a role. But numbers alone were never enough. As we looked across the 25 songs below, one thing remained especially clear: the continued power of TikTok in shaping modern hits. From discovery and virality to revival and longevity, the platform has become one of the most influential forces in determining how songs travel, who hears them, and how long they last.
Still, virality without substance rarely holds. For a song to endure, it must connect. Melody, production quality, storytelling, and, where applicable, choreography and repeatable moments all mattered. This year alone, we saw songs return to the spotlight long after their original release, including Connie Francis’ 1962 classic Pretty Little Baby, which found new life through short-form video. At the same time, sustained radio airplay continued to play a critical role, extending the lifespan of records and reinforcing the careers of artists who could balance digital momentum with traditional reach.
In many ways, 2025 felt like a year of overlap. Older songs lingered longer than expected, while truly new breakouts arrived more slowly. Yet when fresh records did connect, they felt more significant, more intentional, and more rewarding. Across Africa and particularly within Uganda, music showed up with confidence and clarity. There are familiar names on this list, unexpected entries, true newcomers, and even one nepo artist included not out of favoritism, but because consistency and delivery still count.
In 2025, African and Ugandan music showed up like never before. There are a few usual suspects on this list, some surprises, new comers, and one nepo artist not just because I like their music like that but also because they’ve consistently delivered bangers, one after another. Some of the tracks on this list were immediate hits, some grew on the people over months, having taken quite some time to find their audience. A few quietly refused to leave playlists once they arrived. All of them mattered. Below they are:
Joshua Baraka & JAE5 – WRONG PLACES
Produced by JAE5, “Wrong Places” has been that song. Easily passing for song of the year, the bop sits at the intersection of Joshua Baraka’s introspective delivery and the globally palatable Afrobeats framework layered by JAE5. Lifted off the singer’s body of work JUVIE, the song carries star power and embodies the true element of music, which is bringing people together, while also generating cultural viral moments (especially the “I’ll pass you the lighter”, part.
Fresh off his concert at Ndere Cultural Center, a number one album, chart toppers, an Afro Nation performance, an Africa Now appearance on Apple Music Radio, a nomination at the TikTok Awards, plus star-studded international and continental collaborations and guest appearances, it has surely been an incredible year for the young star. Upwards and onwards.
Chella – MY DARLING
From underrated to being the only African song to make it onto TikTok’s coveted Global Songs of 2025 year-end list, Chella’s “My Darling” had an exceptional run. Charting at number 19, the song’s universal appeal came from its infectious melodies and simple, catchy lyrics, which drove massive user interaction, lyric acting videos, and engagement across platforms.
Numbers-wise, it became the most-streamed Nigerian song on YouTube Music, surpassing 100 million streams. On Spotify, it quickly amassed over 61 million streams by November. Listeners first heard a snippet on TikTok and went searching for the full song, pushing it to number one on the Global Shazam chart, unseating Doechii’s Anxiety at the time.
Read Also: Viral Hit ‘My Darling’ by Chella Dethrones Doechi’s ‘Anxiety’ on the Shazam Global Chart
Laika – BELIEVER
Released as track five on her six-track EP IT WAS ALL A DREAM, Laika leaned fully into her inner lover girl on “Believer”. Paired with her sultry voice, compelling visuals, and sleek audio production by Nessim, the song landed as a natural banger in every sense.
Laika sings about yearning for her lover, the one she loves talking to on the phone all day, whose love flows like rain. Of the 165,957 streams the song has so far, I must personally account for at least 15,000 of them for I really spun this record and had it on replay this year.
Elijah Kitaka – “EKYANGE”
Sampling the late Fred Kanyike’s song, Elijah Kitaka delivered “Ekyange” while paying homage to the original sound and infusing it with his signature style. The singer, who has consistently shown up with solo bangers and standout collaborations, offered a record that fits every moment: a chill evening, a bright wedding day anthem, or a dance-along at a get-together. “Ekyange” is a song for all seasons. Supported by its retro-inspired music video, the pairing made it one of Uganda’s most dominant records of 2025 and one destined to age into a classic.
Ray G – OW’EISHE
I like to tell myself that if I wedded this year, Ray G’s “Ow’eishe” is the song I would request as my soon-to-be bride walked down the aisle. The track speaks to affection for one’s love interest, praising them for being modest, beautiful yet humble, and polite. It is no surprise that this track became my most-played song on Apple Music according to my 2025 Replay. “Ow’eishe” was part of a larger project, the EP CHECKMATE, fully delivered in Runyankore. The project became the number one most-streamed EP on Apple Music in August, marking a significant milestone in Ray G’s career.
Tracy Melon – OGENDA KUKILABA
Off what has been an incredible year for her, Tracy Melon of Trry Music continued to win hearts not only in Uganda but across the continent. Her handmade, alive, and roomy delivery on “Ogenda Kukilaba” was irresistible. Produced by Brex Pro, the rare composition brought Zouk back into the mainstream, this time as a hushed, laid-back record that felt like roses laid over honeyed melodies.
Read Also: Tracy Melon, Where Have You Been All Our Lives?
The track’s success was amplified by Tracy Melon’s already strong TikTok presence, which encouraged thousands of user-generated videos, sing-alongs, and duets. This became her second Apple Music Top 100 entry, and first top 10 placement, and later “Tovayo” which also peaked at number 4.
Kunmie – ARIKE
“Arike” by Kunmie gives off the same warmth as Fireboy DML’s Energy. The heartfelt Afrobeats ballad feels sincere and deeply personal. Kunmie’s delivery blends Yoruba folk cadence with modern storytelling, exploring intense love and vulnerability as he serenades his muse, Arike. Without viral choreography or an extravagant rollout, the song soared simply because it felt true. In a year filled with noise, Kunmie chose clarity. Later, he released a remix of the track featuring Simi, further extending its life.
Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – NGISHUTHENI
“TikTok is where music truly comes to life,” said Toyin Mustapha, TikTok’s head of music partnerships for the UK, Ireland, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Speaking after the release of TikTok’s Songs of the Summer 2025 list, he highlighted Ngishutheni as the top track. Delivered in isiZulu and loosely translating to “take my picture”, the Amapiano-infused hit celebrates confidence and enjoyment. With Master KG’s proven hit-making pedigree (with records like “Jerusalema”, “Skeleton Move”), it felt inevitable that “Ngishutheni” would dominate, and it did.
Shallipopi – LAHO
The king of street music continued his victory lap with “Laho”, arguably one of the biggest songs of his career. From the moment its snippet dropped, the futuristic track became a fan favorite. Fueled by meme culture, slang, and internet humor, the song performed strongly across digital platforms, spawned multiple remixes, and expanded the Nigerian MC’s presence and fan base in his home country and beyond. It stays among the cultural defining bops of the year.
Kaba – “Kapeke”
Released in May this year, Kapeke’s “Kaba” also commonly referred to as “Tema Nsingo” has been an anthem and continues tp be a cultural moment music wise once it’s played. This is tied to its signature dance that sees people pair up, mimicking a dramatic slaughtering motion, of where they wave hands against their peers’ necks (or what the fans call “Okutema Ensingo” derived from the song’s chorus). Produced by his frequent partner in crime Trapex Boomin, the track sees Kapeke showcase his street trap and rap skills. KABA is one of those unavoidable tracks and moments in Kampala’s club circuit, street culture and music conversations. This track’s performance has showcased and reaffirmed Kapeke as one of the most innovative singers when it comes to sound in Uganda. He most recently was a part of yet another blistering record “Nze Alina” alongside Winnie Nwagi, Spice Diana, Dax Vibez and Feffe Bussi.
Dax Vibez & Elijah Kitaka – “Good Idea”
Dax Vibez’s “Good Idea” featuring Elijah Kitaka sits here as of the standout anthems of 2025, having amassed over 4.1Million views. The collaboration additionally benefited from strong radio airplay and main stream plays in hangout spots, at social gatherings like weddings hence a solid DSP performance. It also marks as a high point in a remarkable year it has been for Elijah Kitaka, who had many chart toppers to his name; including “Dawa”, and others.
MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – SHAKE IT TO THE MAX (FLY) REMIX
Easily the song of the summer and with a viral dance trend to go along with it, “Shake It to the Max” (Remix) was a song that was hard to escape this year. It was everywhere!! TikTok, strategic playlist placement, the radio and of course the charts. The track was such a party honeypot, when it got a remix alongside Skillibeng & Shenseea, it went to new heights. Music journalist Anna Gaca notes that what this track captivating was how way MOLIY sends the request up from the floor knowing she’s not about to take any bullshit: “You looking for love, and I’m looking for jollof.” Picture a breakup song that knows she’s hot and a diva who always politely insists on one more take—hey, mister DJ, run that back.
Aaronx – PERMISSION
What Aaronx has done career wise is what I call hitting the road and hitting it while running. From his breakout year with “Njalwalwa” in 2024, the Tunez Records signed singer this year fully entered his bag, delivering a number of hits. Among them being the Daddy Andre produced “Permission”. The track is not only an earworm but one of those with classic potential for it has a really exciting replay value to it. With over half a million streams on Spotify and 2.4 Million views on YouTube just one this song, a popping collaboration with Vinka “Only You”, Aaronx is doing all the right moves and we can only watch out for him come 2026.
Vyroota – TANIMBA
Building on from the momentum of his previous hit singles and collaborations, Vyroota has had an explosive year and fanned the flame with Gloria Bugie collaboration “Ready”, created one of the most iconic Zouk tracks in “Tanimba”, and a few weeks back closed it off with R&B catchy ballad “Ku Nsi”; not forgetting his show stopping performance at Roast and Rhyme. Judging from how the crooner has had an incredible musical year, with his vulnerable lyrics, fragile voice and song writing, the flame that holds the candle that is Vyroota’s career is only getting bigger, brighter and hotter.
Axon, Denim Cartel, Soundlykbb & Tai Dai – NI**AS IN FASHION
When the EP “Cartel Bizness” first arrived, it seemed like those projects that could easily be slept on. That was until music fans discovered Soundlykbb’s signature sound and his emblematic skill set as a modern hitmaker. The slick, combustible banger made its way to the Apple Music Top 100’s top 10, eventually peaking at 8, making it BB’s second appearance and Tai Dai’s first as Axon has previously charted as a producer and featured composer on tracks by Kohen Jaycee and Joshua Baraka which are no strangers to the chart. With the success of the EP, we can only anticipate what could be cooking music wise from Troy Elimu and Axon who are the masterminds behind CARTEL BIZNESS. At the moment, Ni**as In Fashion” is flirtatiously and audaciously enjoying a lot of main stream success, and we love to see it.
Alex Warren – ORDINARY
Your wedding or proposal videographer deserves a bonus or raise if he at any one point while editing the content (reels, or images) of your wedding and used this deeply emotional intimate ballad as the background track. “Ordinary” was inspired by Alex Warren’s love for his wife. It is little wonder the song is so perfect, surreal, honest and relatable, for all lovers. The other catch factor to it is the song’s s sweeping melodies that capture the bittersweet beauty of loving someone so completely that even the smallest, everyday moments with them become extraordinary. The song garnered strong listener retention, hence posting solid streaming numbers across global platforms and earning a spot on this list of the Best songs of 2025.
CIZA, JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela – ISAKA (6AM)
South Africa continues to do what I’ll call “showing off”. Just as they had the world dancing to amapiano over the past five plus years, they have most recently reworked the genre and expanded it to bring to life a new sub genre “3 step” amapiano. Names like Jazzworx and Thukuthela have sound tracked this space, with many of their tracks topping charts, dominating airplay on radio and party shakers at groove. Among these, being their CIZA joint effort “Isaka (6am)”. It’s alluring and infectious groovy energy made it not only an amapiano favorite among music lover, but its mad replay value is what makes it an undisputed banger and mood changer.
Sheebah – SOMEBODY
Can we really have a list of the year’s standout tracks of 2025 and skip a Sheebah song? Having had an almost quiet first half of the year and made fewer quiet moves than usual, to focus on her new journey as a mother, Sheebah came back strong with a string of features and hits, including “Somebody”, “Wesibadde”, “Nyweera” and most recently “Dance for the Lord” (Remix); reminding us exactly why she holds her crown. What her 2025 releases all carry in common is besides having the right dose of attitude, is the Kampala dose of swagger, and Tiktok traction they each carry hence staying with you.
Davido, Odumodublvck & Chike – FUNDS
Ever wondered what happens when highlife fusion meets quintessential vibrancy and street rap swagger? Davido, Odumodublvck & Chike’s ‘Funds’ is what happens. The star power of all the 3 stars on “Funds” combined with a powerful accompanying music video as directed by Dammy Twitch. The record was released last year in December as lead up to the Afrobeats titan’s fifth studio album “5ive” that dropped in April, and is on the themes of wealth, Davido’s affluent lifestyle, and promising to dash lots of cash on a lady (extravagant spending), and pride in spending money on them. The song notably samples Brenda Fassie’s classic hit “Vul’ Indlela” and goes toe for toe with Davido’s brilliant collaborative effort “With You” featuring Omah Lay with many arguing it’s the better Davido song of the year, when compared to his other collaborations.
Fyno UG – CHE CHE
Fyno UG’s consistency of over a decade paid off this year. This was after his Bassboi prudced record “Che Che” became an instant hit. Given his background as a songwriter, Fyno had for the longest of times been the guy behind the scenes, writing for B2C, Grenade Official and others, crafting his only came naturally. This was also thanks to Bassboi who had faith in the song’s hit potential, and his foretelling was right. Che Che loosely translates to telling someone to keep silent. In this song, Fyno UG reassures his love interest to not mention a thing, for everything she so desires, he will take care of. She wont have to ask, for he cherishes her that much, and can easily read through the lines, for his love for her is incomparable.
Omega 256 & Cindy Sanyu – SEE YOU TONIGHT
Having properly established herself in the mainstream with her smash hit :This Year”, Omega 256 kept the tide rising in 2025 with “See You Tonight”. The silky, irresistible groovy unites her with the Cindy herself. Together they cleverly sample Kat Deluna’s 2007 classic “Am I Dreaming”, and together not just one of the year’s biggest party anthems but also most memorable collaboration.
Elijah Kitaka – DAILY BUNDLE
Periodically, Elijah Kitaka likes to remind his fans that he is UNSUAL. This not only reflects in his fashion but music as well. Not even a second of the two minutes forty two seconds is wasted as Kitaka guides it with ruthless efficiency from one playful repetitive verse to another and delivering not just a charismatic love bop but another masterclass as a musical innovator. The uptempo groovy track is on its way to 1 million streams on Spotify alone in 3 months since release, even minus an official or even lyrics video.
Pawaboy AB – YANDALULA
Ugandan artist Pawaboy AB (born Kasule Abdulrashid), has been doing this music thing for quite a minute, but 2025 was rather a strong one for him, thanks to his smooth slow burning viral tune “Yandalula. It became a Tiktok favorite attracting over 234,000 fan/ user generated videos posted of them using the multi talented young star’s track as a background sound, proof that when a good song hits the people, it can surely spread like a wild fire, now this coupled with Tiktok’s powerful push, it only gets better in terms of visibility and virality.
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Ever listened to a song and it gave you “where have you been all my life” energy?? That’s what Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die with a Smile” did. The number of times I have listened to, sang along, and replayed this song in my mind this year should be illegal. Asides this ear worm of a ballad, the other Mars collaboration that probably stole the show was his global pop standout, “APT.” on which he featured former Black Pink member ROSÉ. Inspired by a Korean drinking game, “APT.” (Apartment) became an instant hit, thanks to its “playful” and “addictive” chorus. It did the numbers globally, dominated K-pop charts, garnered multiple awards (both nods and nominations), and 5 Guinness World Records. One could wonder why I started with “Die with a Smile” yet this was about “APT.”, well “APT.” became the second-fastest song in history to surpass the one billion streams mark in history after Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die with a Smile” (2024), also broke the record for the fastest song by a K-pop act to reach one billion streams in history plus Apple Music crowned it as 2025’s most-streamed song globally, most-identified on Shazam, most-spun on radio, and the track with the most-read lyrics of the year.
Ayra Starr – HOT BODY
Co-written by Ayra Starr and Deeno, closing the list is “Hot Body”. Its production palette leans between afrobeats and scorching R&B aspects, produced by The Elementsand Ragee (MAVIN’s in house producer who also made ‘Commas’), Hot Body wasn’t just a scorching, sweat-drenched piece of sensual alt-pop, it was the moment!
Enticing lyrics: “Look what a hot body can do/ look, focus, “body be dancing/ slow whine, summer body so fine.”, arrived in time to make it a perfect would-be summer anthem. This, supported by the lo-fi VHS textured music video, bouncier and percussion-heavy groove, with the backing of Ayra Starr’s magnetic allure is what makes Hot Body pop perfect.
For the full Playlist of the 50 Standout songs of the Year, be sure to listen via:
Album-wise, standout projects have been:
THINGS I’LL NEVER KNOW – Teddy Swims
INSTALLATION (EP) – Mike Kayihura & Kivumbi King
CATHARSIS – FOLA
IRON BOY – Black Sherrif
CAPTAIN – BNXN
JUVIE – Joshua Baraka