Billboard announce the best 50 Afrobeats songs of all time
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Billboard Unveils the 50 Greatest Afrobeats Songs of All Time
In a landmark celebration of African music, Billboard has released its definitive ranking of the 50 best Afrobeats songs of all time, paying homage to the genre’s global dominance and cultural impact over the years.
The announcement, made in Billboard’s latest publication on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, is part of a special editorial project that sees the media giant reveal its staff-curated picks in batches of ten each week, counting down to number one. The list recognizes pioneers, hitmakers, and global ambassadors who have shaped Afrobeats into a worldwide phenomenon.
Billboard described the project as both a tribute and a timeline—highlighting the genre’s evolution from street anthems in Lagos clubs to international stages where Afrobeats now commands a massive following.
After weeks of anticipation, Billboard has now unveiled the full list from 50 down to number one, and it features classics, contemporary hits, and global crossovers that define the heartbeat of Afrobeats.
Billboard’s 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time
50.Ijoya — Weird MC 49.Tonight — Nonso Amadi 48.Dem Mama — Timaya 47.Raise Da Roof — Jazzman Olofin & Adewale Ayuba 46.Soweto — Victony & Tempoe 45.Yahooze — Olu Maintain 44.Oleku — Ice Prince & Bruno 43.Buga — Kizz Daniel & Tekno 42.People — Libianca 41.Peace Be Unto You (PBUY) — Asake 40.UNAVAILABLE — Davido ft. Musa Keys 39.Shake Body — Skales 38.Monalisa — Lojay & Sarz 37.KU LO SA — Oxlade 36.Kontrol — Maleek Berry 35.Pana — Tekno 34.Personally — P-Square 33.Mad Over You — Runtown 32.Dorobucci — Mavins 31.Rush — Ayra Starr 30.Killin Dem — Burna Boy & Zlatan 29.Sad Girlz Luv Money — Amaarae & Moliy 28.Peru — Fireboy DML 27.Iskaba — Wande Coal & DJ Tunez 26.Skin Tight — Mr Eazi & Efya 25.Pakurumo — Wizkid 24.Drogba (Joanna) — Afro B 23.Bobo — Olamide 22.Last Last — Burna Boy 21.Eminado — Tiwa Savage & Don Jazzy 20.Fada Fada — Phyno ft. Olamide 19.Adonai — Sarkodie ft. Castro 18.Azonto — Fuse ODG ft. Itz Tiffany 17.Bumper To Bumper — Wande Coal 16.Fall In Love — D’Banj 15.Johnny — Yemi Alade 14.Dami Duro — Davido 13.Kiss Your Hand — R2Bees ft. Wande Coal 12.Gongo Aso — 9ice 11.Olufunmi — Styl-Plus 10.Chop My Money (Remix) — P-Square 9.Ye — Burna Boy 8.Fall — Davido 7.Oliver Twist — D’Banj 6.Love Nwantiti — CKay 5.Essence — Wizkid ft. Tems 4.Calm Down — Rema 3.Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) — Flavour 2.Ojuelegba — Wizkid 1.African Queen — 2Baba
The list bridges generations, from Weird MC’s 2000s anthem “Ijoya” to recent global smashes like Rema’s “Calm Down” and CKay’s “Love Nwantiti”. Icons such as 2Baba, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and D’Banj dominate the upper ranks, underlining their undeniable influence on Afrobeats’ global trajectory.
Crowning the chart is 2Baba’s timeless hit “African Queen”, a song Billboard describes as the “cornerstone of Afrobeats’ international recognition,” cementing its place as a cross-generational classic.
With Afrobeats now commanding stadiums across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Billboard’s ranking serves as both a history lesson and a celebration of how far the sound of Africa has traveled.
