American music magazine Billboard has unveiled its inaugural ranking of the “50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time,” spotlighting the genre’s greatest hits and pioneers. The full list was officially released on August 19, 2025, following staged weekly reveals.
Topping the list is 2Baba’s evergreen love anthem “African Queen” (2004), praised for its timeless impact and for introducing Afrobeats to global audiences.
Notably, Wizkid is the only artist with two tracks in the top 10, “Ojuelegba” at No. 2 and “Essence” featuring Tems at No. 5, underscoring his influence in the genre.
Other tracks rounding out the top five include Flavour’s “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)” at No. 3 and Rema’s “Calm Down” at No. 4. The broader top 10 includes CKay’s “Love Nwantiti”, D’banj’s “Oliver Twist”, Davido’s “Fall”, Burna Boy’s “Ye”, and P-Square’s “Chop My Money (Remix)” featuring Akon.
The list was curated with input from Billboard editors and contributors across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It focuses not just on charts and statistics but also on cultural impact, stylistic diversity, and historical influence, capping a maximum of three songs per artist.
