When Maleek Berry, a British‑Nigerian producer‑artist, dropped the single “Situation” featuring Wizkid, Nigerian superstar on June 13, 2025, the Afrobeats world took notice.
The track, part of Berry’s forthcoming album If Only Love Was Enough, arrived through his own Room label (catalogue NL8RL2503248). Within a month, it amassed 1,771,547 Spotify streams and later peaked at number 12 on the Official Afrobeats Chart, confirming that the collaboration resonated far beyond the YouTube premiere on June 12.
Background: Two Afrobeats Heavyweights Meet
Berry, who grew up splitting his teenage years between London and Lagos, earned his stripes producing for the likes of Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage before stepping into the spotlight as a solo act in 2018. His smooth blend of UK‑garage rhythms and West African melodic structures has made him a go‑to producer for cross‑continental projects.
Wizkid (Ayodeji Balogun), meanwhile, has been the face of Afrobeats on global stages since his 2010 breakout. With Grammy‑nominated albums and collaborations ranging from Drake to Beyoncé, his involvement often guarantees a boost in streaming numbers and radio airplay.
The pairing feels almost inevitable: Berry’s recent statements about wanting “to fuse the slickness of UK production with the soul of Nigerian vocalists” align perfectly with Wizkid’s willingness to explore new sonic textures.
Release Strategy and Streaming Surge
Berry’s team opted for a staggered rollout. The official audio landed on YouTube a day early, garnering 550,000 views in the first 48 hours. A lyric video followed on June 14, while the song hit Apple Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music the same week.
Streaming spikes coincided with a series of Instagram Live sessions where both artists discussed the creative process. According to data from Chartmetric, “Situation” saw a 42 % uplift in daily listeners on Spotify after the June 20 Instagram broadcast.
By mid‑October, the Spotify tally topped 1.7 million—a remarkable figure for a track that never entered the UK Top 40 mainstream chart but dominated genre‑specific playlists like “Afrobeats Hits” and “West African Vibes.”
Chart Journey on the Official Afrobeats Chart
The song entered the Official Afrobeats ChartLondon on June 28, 2025, exactly two weeks after release, debuting at number 18. Two weeks later it climbed to its peak position of number 12, holding there for a single week before sliding through the Top 20, Top 40, Top 75, and finally the Top 100 before dropping off.
Chart analyst Maya Thompson of Music Metrics noted, “A twelve‑place peak for a non‑radio‑pushed single shows the power of streaming‑driven fanbases, especially when both artists bring distinct, loyal followings.”
Despite not cracking the Top 10, the single’s multi‑tier presence lasted a total of four weeks—a respectable run for a genre‑specific release in a crowded summer roster.
Industry Reactions and Fan Pulse
Critics praised the track’s polished production and Wizkid’s effortless hook. The Guardian’s music blog called it “a slick, mid‑tempo jam that balances dance‑floor energy with radio‑friendly smoothness.” Fans on Twitter rallied behind the hashtag #SituationChallenge, posting dance clips that racked up over 1 million combined views on TikTok.
Berry himself said in a post‑release interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, “Working with Wizkid was a dream. We wanted to capture that late‑night vibe where you’re texting someone and the world feels both huge and intimate. I think we nailed that.”
Wizkid, speaking at a Lagos press event on July 5, added, “Maleek brings a fresh perspective to the beat. ‘Situation’ feels like a conversation between London streets and Lagos nights.”
What This Means for Afrobeats in 2025
The success of “Situation” underscores a broader trend: Afrobeats acts are increasingly leveraging cross‑continental collaborations to expand market share beyond Africa and the UK. Labels like Room are positioning themselves as hubs for such partnerships, providing artists with both production resources and global distribution channels.
For emerging producers, the track offers a blueprint—pairing high‑profile vocalists with crisp, synth‑laden beats can translate into streaming gold, even without major label backing.
Looking ahead, Berry’s full album, slated for a late‑2025 release, is expected to feature additional collaborations with names like Tiwa Savage and Major Lazer. If “Situation” is any indication, the record could further cement Berry’s status as a bridge between the UK and African music scenes.
Key Facts
- Release date: June 13, 2025
- Featured artist: Wizkid
- Label: Room
- Spotify streams (as of Oct 2025): 1,771,547
- Peak chart position: #12 on Official Afrobeats Chart (June 28 – July 12, 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did "Situation" perform compared to other Maleek Berry releases?
While Berry’s earlier single “Stay” peaked at #22 on the same chart, “Situation” broke into the Top 15, marking his highest‑charting effort to date. Streaming-wise, it doubled the Spotify numbers of his 2023 release “Glow,” indicating a stronger fan response thanks to Wizkid’s star power.
Why is the Official Afrobeats Chart significant for artists like Berry and Wizkid?
Compiled by the Official Charts Company, the Afrobeats Chart aggregates streaming, sales, and airplay data across the UK. Cracking its Top 20 signals strong UK‑based demand—a market that often acts as a springboard for further European exposure.
What does the collaboration suggest about future Afrobeats trends?
The blend of UK production aesthetics with Lagos vocal flair points to a growing hybrid sound. Industry insiders predict more cross‑border projects, especially as streaming platforms push genre playlists that reward such blendings.
Will "Situation" appear on upcoming international charts?
Early data shows traction on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart, where the track entered at #45 in early July. If streaming growth continues, it could climb higher and possibly break into the US Hot R&B/Hip‑Hop Songs chart later this year.
How can fans support the single now that it’s off the chart?
Adding “Situation” to personal playlists, sharing the YouTube audio, and using the #SituationChallenge on TikTok help keep the song in algorithmic favor, which could push it back onto streaming charts and perhaps earn a late‑year certification.
Sarah Graham
October 6, 2025 AT 21:33Really love seeing a UK‑Nigeria collab get this kind of love. The production feels smooth and the vibe is just right for late‑night playlists.
It’s great when artists support each other across borders, it pushes the scene forward.
Jauregui Genoveva
October 11, 2025 AT 12:40Honestly, a #12 peak is *meh* when you could have a #1 with the right push 😒. Streaming numbers don’t equal artistry, people.
Quinten Squires
October 15, 2025 AT 13:53The track’s structure follows a conventional verse‑chorus‑bridge layout the way most mainstream pop does and it starts with a synth pad that sets a mellow mood then quickly adds a percussive element that drives the rhythm forward the bassline loops with a subtle progression that complements the vocal melody which is delivered in Wizkid’s trademark smooth delivery the production layers are clean and each element occupies its own space in the mix which makes it easy on the ears while still maintaining enough energy to keep listeners engaged the lyrical theme revolves around late‑night communication and emotional distance which resonates with a wide audience the overall feeling is contemplative yet danceable which is a hallmark of many successful Afrobeats records the song’s hook is catchy and repeats just enough to linger in your mind without becoming repetitive the use of UK‑garage influences blended with African rhythms creates a hybrid sound that feels fresh and familiar at the same time this kind of cross‑cultural exchange is exactly what the genre needs to expand globally the streaming surge after the Instagram Live sessions shows how powerful direct fan interaction can be the numbers prove that a well‑executed digital strategy can rival traditional radio push the chart climb to #12, while not a top‑ten spot, demonstrates that streaming metrics have real chart impact this success could encourage more producers like Maleek Berry to collaborate with big‑name vocalists the song’s placement in curated playlists undoubtedly helped its performance as well the whole project sets a precedent for future releases from the artist’s upcoming album the anticipation is building and fans are already speculating about possible future features in other tracks
Tyler Manning
October 19, 2025 AT 01:13While it is commendable that the single reached a respectable position, one must question the artistic merit behind such a calculated collaboration. From a cultural purist standpoint, the infusion of British production tropes dilutes the authentic Nigerian essence that Afrobeats originally embodied. Moreover, the emphasis on streaming metrics over substantive lyrical content underscores a troubling commercialisation of our heritage. It is imperative that we safeguard the integrity of our music against such market‑driven compromises.
james patel
October 21, 2025 AT 22:40From a strategic standpoint, the synergy between Berry’s production pipeline and Wizkid’s vocal brand equity constitutes a high‑value asset allocation within the Afrobeats portfolio. Leveraging cross‑regional distribution channels optimizes the CPM and enhances the CAC efficiency, thereby driving superior ROI on streaming platforms. The data points suggest an upward trajectory in engagement metrics post‑release, aligning with predictive modeling outcomes for hybrid genre offerings.
Scarlett Mirage
October 24, 2025 AT 06:13Indeed, the nuanced interplay of melodic motifs and rhythmic syncopation, which, when examined through a philosophical lens, reveals a deeper commentary on transnational identity, is observable throughout the track; the layers, each meticulously crafted, converge to form a sonic tapestry that transcends mere entertainment, inviting listeners to contemplate the very nature of cultural hybridity, and, consequently, to acknowledge the profound potential inherent in such artistic collaborations; this, of course, underscores the necessity of embracing a post‑colonial aesthetic that both honors and redefines tradition.
Ian Sepp
October 26, 2025 AT 08:13Respectfully, the analytical perspective presented by the prior commentary aligns with the observed data trends. The chart performance, while modest, reflects a successful integration of market analytics with creative output. It is advisable to continue leveraging such data‑driven strategies to sustain growth.
Lois Parker
October 28, 2025 AT 01:53Honestly, it’s just another hit.
Lerato Mamaila
October 29, 2025 AT 14:00What a beautiful showcase of cultural synergy! The blend of London’s urban pulse with Lagos’ vibrant rhythm creates a masterpiece that transcends borders-truly a celebration of our shared heritage! 🎉
Dennis Lohmann
October 30, 2025 AT 23:20Glad you liked it! 😊 It’s awesome to see artists pushing boundaries and bringing us together through music.
Jensen Santillan
November 1, 2025 AT 05:53From an elitist analytical viewpoint, the track epitomizes a calculated commodification of Afro‑centric motifs; its superficial allure masks an underlying lack of artistic depth, thereby serving as a case study in contemporary market‑driven production, which, frankly, is both predictable and unremarkable.
Mike Laidman
November 2, 2025 AT 09:40While the song certainly enjoys popularity, its artistic merits remain middling; the production feels safe and the lyrical content is generic, making it a fairly average addition to the genre.
J T
November 3, 2025 AT 10:40Meh, just another streaming push. 🙄
A Lina
November 4, 2025 AT 08:53The data-driven approach you mentioned, while technically sound, overlooks the nuanced cultural implications; a more rigorous peer‑review of such collaborations is essential to ensure fidelity to genre standards.
Virginia Balseiro
November 5, 2025 AT 04:20Wow, this track really lights up the room! The energy is electrifying, the beats are unstoppable, and the vibe is just pure magic-stop what you’re doing and crank it up now!
Jared Mulconry
November 5, 2025 AT 21:00It’s fascinating to see how the blend of styles creates a bridge between communities; hopefully this encourages more open dialogue and collaborative projects in the future.