Runtown, P-Square, The Mavins Make Billboard’s Best Afrobeats Songs List

Billboard’s countdown of the greatest Afrobeats songs of all time is gaining momentum,  and Nigerian veterans are securing their spots. 

The music publication released entries No. 40 to No. 31 this week, following last week’s unveiling of songs ranked from No. 50 to No. 41. The ongoing list, curated by Billboard staff and contributors, aims to honor tracks that have shaped the genre’s rise to global acclaim.

Among those featured is genre-bending singer Runtown, whose 2016 breakout hit “Mad Over You” lands at No. 33. The track not only cemented his status in the Nigerian music scene but also earned him multiple nominations at the Headies Awards in 2017.

Also making the cut is “Dorobucci”, the 2014 anthem by The Mavins, a collective of artistes under Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records. Ranked at No. 32, the hit captured the collaborative magic of Tiwa Savage, Di’Ja, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Dr SID, and D’Prince during what many fans consider a golden era for the label.

P-Square’s high-energy single “Personally” takes the No. 34 spot. Released in 2013, the track became a nationwide phenomenon thanks to its catchy rhythm and music video, which paid homage to Michael Jackson. Billboard notes that P-Square “played a huge part in introducing the U.S., the U.K., and other markets to the beauty of African music.”

Other notable entries include Davido’s global sensation “Unavailable” featuring Musa Keys (No. 40), Tekno’s “Pana” (No. 35)—his first solo entry on the list—Oxlade’s viral phenomenon “Ku Lo Sa” (No. 37), and Ayra Starr’s Grammy-nominated “Rush” (No. 31), which solidified her as one of Afropop’s leading ladies.

View Billboard’s full list here.