American music magazine Billboard has unveiled its Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time, with Nigerian legend 2Baba’s 2004 hit “African Queen” claiming the top spot, sparking widespread buzz across social media platforms. Released on August 19, 2025, the list, curated by Billboard’s staff, celebrates the genre’s evolution from its 2000s roots to its global dominance, highlighting tracks for their cultural impact, stylistic representation, and commercial success, as reported by Billboard. Wizkid stands out as the only artist with two top-10 entries: “Ojuelegba” at number two and “Essence” featuring Tems at number five, while Flavour’s “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix),” Rema’s “Calm Down,” and CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” round out the top five. The list, dominated by Nigerian artists, also includes D’banj’s “Oliver Twist,” Davido’s “Fall,” Burna Boy’s “Ye,” and P-Square’s “Chop My Money Remix” featuring Akon, with Ghanaian stars Fuse ODG and Sarkodie appearing lower at 18 and 19.
Billboard noted that 2Baba’s track, from his debut album Face 2 Face, set a foundation for Afrobeats’ romantic and celebratory themes, influencing the genre’s global crossover. Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba,” a cultural anthem, and “Essence,” a Grammy-nominated hit with over 299 million Spotify streams, underscore Nigeria’s dominance. The list’s criteria, limiting artists to a maximum of three entries, ensured diversity, spotlighting pioneers like Styl-Plus (“Olufunmi” at 11) and 9ice (“Gongo Aso” at 12).
The trending conversation on social media platforms reflects pride in Afrobeats’ global rise, with users celebrating Nigeria’s cultural export while some critique the absence of certain tracks or artists like Tyla’s “Water,” which Billboard excluded for not being purely Afrobeats. The list, concluding with its top 10 reveal on August 19, also acknowledges the genre’s fusion of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional African rhythms, distinct from Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat. As Afrobeats continues to shape global music, with institutional recognition like Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart launched in 2022, this ranking has reignited discussions about the genre’s legacy and future.
