Billboard announce the best 50 Afrobeats songs of all time

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.

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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

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A Celebration of Legacy and Global Growth

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.