Billboard’s list of the Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time, which features 2Baba’s African Queen at the top, has Nigerian music fans in a frenzy. Second place went to Wizkid’s Ojuelegba, and third place went to Flavour’s Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix). Wizkid’s Essence with Tems took fifth place, while Rema’s Calm Down came in fourth.
According to Billboard, the list was created to “celebrate the game changers of the genre,” with songs chosen for their financial success, global reach, local appeal, and cultural influence.
Many Nigerians responded to the ranking by expressing their pride in the honor.
@horlaitan553 remarked on X, “Out of everyone here wiz is the only person that has two songs in top 10 and 5 simultaneously and also one song in top 2”
@Amaka wrote, “Even now, Flavor’s Nwa Baby still gives me chills”
Hits like Davido’s Fall at number eight, P-Square’s Chop My Money (Remix) at number ten, D’banj’s Oliver Twist at number seven, and CKay’s Love Nwantiti at number six were also on the list.
In contrast to Afrobeat, which was invented by Fela Kuti in the 1960s and combines African rhythms with jazz, funk, and political themes, Billboard clarified that the project was meant to showcase Afrobeats with a “s.”
Other Nigerian oldies on the list are Fireboy DML’s Peru (28), Olamide’s Bobo (23), Tiwa Savage’s Eminado (21), Yemi Alade’s Johnny (15), and 9ice’s Gongo Aso (12).
See the First Ten Songs on the List;
2Baba, “African Queen” (2004)
Wizkid, “Ojuelegba” (2014)
Flavour, “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)” (2011)
Rema, “Calm Down” (2022)
Wizkid feat. Tems, “Essence” (2020)
CKay, “Love Nwantiti” (2019)
D’banj, “Oliver Twist” (2011)
Davido, “Fall” (2017)
Burna Boy, “Ye” (2018)
P-Square, “Chop My Money (Remix)” (2012)
See Full List Here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-afrobeats-songs/3-flavour-nwa-baby-ashawo-remix-2011/
