The evolving list spotlights era-defining anthems, social media hits, and modern chart-toppers that shaped Afrobeats’ global rise.
Billboard has begun unveiling its list of the 50 greatest Afrobeats songs of all time, starting with the release of entries ranked No. 50 to No. 41. The rest of the countdown will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Curated by Billboard staff and contributors, the list celebrates the growth and international influence of Afrobeats—a genre that has steadily earned its place on the world stage.
Its timing aligns with the recent release of Spotify’s 2025 Global Impact List, which highlights Nigerian songs that have achieved international resonance in the first half of the year.
In the past decade, Afrobeats has surged into global awareness, marked by milestones such as the launch of Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart, the addition of a Best African Music Performance category at the Grammys, and the introduction of a Best Afrobeats category at the MTV VMAs.
The Billboard list blends timeless hits, viral sensations, and recent chart favorites. It also clearly separates Afrobeats from Afrobeat—the latter being a distinct genre pioneered by Fela Kuti in the 1960s. Afrobeat fused West African percussion, highlife, and fuji with jazz, funk, and politically charged lyrics.
Unsurprisingly, Nigerian artistes dominate the initial rollout, many of whom played central roles in shaping the genre.
Among the standout entries are Weird MC’s “Ijoya” (No. 50), a staple of early 2000s parties; Timaya’s “Dem Mama” (No. 48), a politically tinged track; and Victony and Tempoe’s viral smash “Soweto” (No. 46).
Also featured are the 2022 crowd favourite “Buga” by Kizz Daniel and Tekno (No. 43), and Asake’s breakout hit “Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)” (No. 41), which helped launch him onto the global stage.
With more entries still to come, expectations are high for classics like Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence,” Davido’s “Fall,” Burna Boy’s “Last Last,” Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down (Remix),” Naeto C’s “Ten Over Ten,” D’banj’s “Oliver Twist,” and Styl-Plus’ beloved ballad “Olufunmi.”
View the list here.