Billboard has released its list of the Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time, ranking Nigeria’s 2Baba’s timeless hit African Queen at number one.
Ghana secured four spots on the list through some of its most iconic songs:
- Sad Girlz Luv Money by Amaarae & Moliy (No. 29)
- Adonai by Sarkodie ft. Castro (No. 19)
- Azonto by Fuse ODG ft. Itz Tiffany (No. 18)
- Kiss Your Hand by R2Bees ft. Wande Coal (No. 13)
Nigeria also dominated the top five with Wizkid’s Ojuelegba (No. 2) and Essence featuring Tems (No. 5), Flavour’s Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) (No. 3), and Rema’s global smash Calm Down (No. 4). CKay’s viral anthem Love Nwantiti followed at number six.
Billboard explained that the ranking was curated to “commemorate the game changers of the genre,” spotlighting Afrobeats’ global rise and cultural influence. The publication noted that its selections focused on “foundational, influential, and popular songs within Afrobeats,” distinct from Afrobeat, the 1960s genre pioneered by Fela Kuti.
Criteria for selection included stylistic representation, local popularity, regional reach, cultural impact, and commercial success.
Other classics in the top 20 feature Styl-Plus’ Olufunmi (No. 11), 9ice’s Gongo Aso (No. 12), Davido’s Fall (No. 8), P-Square’s Do Me (No. 13), and Burna Boy’s Ye (No. 9)—solidifying the genre’s biggest icons.
Below is Billboard’s full Top 50 Afrobeats Songs of All Time list:
- 2Baba – African Queen (2004)
- Wizkid – Ojuelegba (2014)
- Flavour – Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) (2011)
- Rema – Calm Down (2022)
- Wizkid ft. Tems – Essence (2020)
- CKay – Love Nwantiti (2019)
- D’banj – Oliver Twist (2011)
- Davido – Fall (2017)
- Burna Boy – Ye (2018)
- P-Square – Chop My Money (Remix) (2012)
- Styl-Plus – Olufunmi (2003)
- 9ice – Gongo Aso (2008)
- R2Bees ft. Wande Coal – Kiss Your Hand (2009)
- Davido – Dami Duro (2011)
- Yemi Alade – Johnny (2013)
- D’banj – Fall in Love (2008)
- Wande Coal – Bumper to Bumper (2008)
- Fuse ODG ft. Itz Tiffany – Azonto (2013)
- Sarkodie ft. Castro – Adonai (2014)
- Phyno ft. Olamide – Fada Fada (2016)
- Tiwa Savage & Don Jazzy – Eminado (2013)
- Burna Boy – Last Last (2022)
- Olamide – Bobo (2015)
- Afro B – Drogba (Joanna) (2018)
- Wizkid – Pakurumo (2011)
- Mr. Eazi & Efya – Skin Tight (2015)
- Wande Coal & DJ Tunez – Iskaba (2016)
- Fireboy DML – Peru (2021)
- Amaarae & Moliy – Sad Girlz Luv Money (2020)
- Burna Boy ft. Zlatan – Killin Dem (2019)
- Ayra Starr – Rush (2022)
- The Mavins – Dorobucci (2014)
- Runtown – Mad Over You (2016)
- P-Square – Personally (2013)
- Tekno – Pana (2016)
- Maleek Berry – Kontrol (2016)
- Oxlade – Ku Lo Sa (2022)
- Lojay & Sarz – Monalisa (2021)
- Skales – Shake Body (2014)
- Davido ft. Musa Keys – Unavailable (2023)
- Asake – Peace Be Unto You (PBUY) (2022)
- Libianca – People (2022)
- Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno – Buga (2022)
- Ice Prince ft. Brymo – Oleku (2010)
- Olu Maintain – Yahooze (2007)
- Victony & Tempoe – Soweto (2022)
- Jazzman Olofin ft. Adewale Ayuba – Raise Da Roof (2004)
- Timaya – Dem Mama (2005)
- Nonso Amadi – Tonight (2016)
- Weird MC – Ijoya (2006)