Billboard’s Top Afrobeats Songs of All Time: A Celebration of Sound and Legacy

Billboard recently unveiled a landmark ranking of the 50 Greatest Afrobeats Songs of All Time. Topping the list at #1 is 2Baba’s “African Queen” (2004), a timeless love anthem that introduced global audiences to Afrobeats and solidified the genre’s foundation.

Here’s how the rest of the Top 10 stacks up:

Rank	Artist – Song	Why It’s Iconic
1	2Baba – “African Queen”	A foundational classic; MTV Europe & MOBO award-winning and featured in the Hollywood film Phat Girlz.
2	Wizkid – “Ojuelegba”	A raw, Lagos-born anthem that broadened Afrobeats’ appeal internationally.
3	Flavour – “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)”	A vibrant highlife–Afrobeats hybrid that dominated airwaves.
4	Rema – “Calm Down”	Viral megahit and the first Afrobeats track to top Billboard’s Pop Airplay; spent a record-breaking 64 weeks on the chart.
5	Wizkid ft. Tems – “Essence”	Tipped as the “song of the summer,” pushed Afrobeats deeper into global consciousness.
6	CKay – “Love Nwantiti”	TikTok-fueled sleeper hit; amassed record streaming numbers and global covers.
7	D’banj – “Oliver Twist”	Early crossover success, especially in the UK; introduced the world to Afrobeats-style pop.
8	Davido – “Fall”	Longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history; first to be certified gold in the U.S.
9	Burna Boy – “Ye”	Afro-fusion superstar’s anthem; earned massive streams and became a summer classic.
10	P-Square – “Chop My Money (Remix)”	A dynamic remix featuring Akon; a youth-party staple.

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How Fans Reacted

The list sparked vibrant conversations across social media. Many Nigerians applauded Billboard for recognizing Afrobeats’ pioneers while celebrating new-school acts breaking global boundaries.

• Joyful Nostalgia: Older fans hailed the crowning of “African Queen” as number one, calling it the “perfect love anthem that shaped a generation.”
• Wizkid FC & 30BG Banter: As expected, debates ignited between Wizkid and Davido’s fanbases. Wizkid FC pointed out his double appearance in the Top 10, while 30BG loyalists emphasized the historic Billboard success of “Fall.”
• Burna Boy’s Core Fans: Some argued “Ye” deserved a higher slot, considering its role in cementing Burna Boy as a global headliner.
• Surprised Reactions: Younger fans who grew up in the streaming era expressed surprise at the dominance of early 2000s classics like Flavour’s “Nwa Baby” and P-Square’s “Chop My Money.”
• Calls for Inclusion: A few critics questioned why recent Afrobeats juggernauts like Asake’s “Lonely at the Top” or Olamide’s hits didn’t make the Top 10.

What stood out most was the sense of pride, Nigerians, Africans, and the diaspora alike used the opportunity to celebrate how far the genre has traveled, from street corners in Lagos to Billboard’s global recognition.