Afrobeats is no longer just a sound; it’s a movement, a global force that continues to break barriers and reshape how African music is perceived around the world. Over the last 15 years, a handful of songs have stood out as cultural landmarks, defining moments that pushed the genre forward and gave it a seat at the global table.
From the days of African Queen, to the era of Holla at Your Boy, and now the age of Calm Down, Afrobeats has proven that it can evolve without losing its roots. In this article, we spotlight 10 songs that have played pivotal roles in reshaping Afrobeats as we know it today — analyzing their cultural impact, contributions to globalization, and their accolades.
1. Wizkid – Ojuelegba (2014)
Produced by Legendury Beatz, Ojuelegba is a soulful anthem narrating Wizkid’s rise from the streets of Lagos to international stardom. With its mix of Yoruba rhythms and smooth Afrobeats production, the track became more than a hit — it became a movement.
- Cultural Impact: Captured the essence of Lagos street life and hustle culture, resonating with dreamers everywhere.
- Globalization: Attracted international attention, with even Drake and Skepta jumping on a remix that connected Lagos to London.
- Achievements: Ranked No. 2 on Billboard’s 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time; still considered one of Wizkid’s defining records.
2. D’banj – Oliver Twist (2011)
D’banj and Don Jazzy’s chemistry created this global smash that blended Afrobeats with Azonto and pop energy. It was playful, infectious, and it took Nigerian music into new territories.
- Cultural Impact: Popularized the Azonto dance craze across Africa and the diaspora.
- Globalization: Broke Afrobeats into the UK charts — a landmark moment in Afrobeats’ international journey.
- Achievements: Peaked at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart; dominated global charts in 2012.
3. Davido – Fall (2017)
Produced by Kiddominant, Fall is a romantic jam laced with Afrobeats and highlife influences. Its hypnotic chorus and love-centered lyrics gave it universal appeal.
- Cultural Impact: Reinforced Afrobeats as a feel-good, love-driven genre.
- Globalization: Became Davido’s major international breakthrough, opening doors in the U.S.
- Achievements: Certified Gold and Platinum in Canada; long run on Billboard U.S. charts.
4. Burna Boy – Ye (2018)
Produced by Phantom, Ye blends Afrobeats, reggae, and dancehall into a triumphant anthem about African resilience and pride. The song’s accidental boost (when listeners searching for Kanye West’s album Ye found Burna’s instead) pushed it even further into the spotlight.
- Cultural Impact: A modern African anthem that championed identity, resilience, and confidence.
- Globalization: Cemented Burna Boy as a global Afrobeats ambassador.
- Achievements: Featured on Grammy-winning African Giant; BET Award recognition; massive streaming numbers.
5. Wizkid ft. Tems – Essence (2020)
Off Made in Lagos, this sultry track fused Afrobeats with R&B, powered by Tems’ soulful voice and Wizkid’s laid-back delivery.
- Cultural Impact: Shifted the global perception of Afrobeats to a smoother, soulful lane; elevated female voices in the genre.
- Globalization: Cracked major U.S. charts and went mainstream after Justin Bieber hopped on the remix.
- Achievements: Grammy nomination, Billboard Hot 100 debut, and multiple Platinum certifications.
6. Flavour – Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) (2011)
Flavour took highlife into the Afrobeats mainstream with this playful yet culturally rooted record.
- Cultural Impact: Became an anthem in clubs and social gatherings, while spotlighting Igbo culture.
- Globalization: Helped export highlife-Afrobeats fusion, showing the genre’s depth and diversity.
- Achievements: Ranked No. 3 on Billboard’s 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time; 89M+ YouTube views.
7. Mr Eazi ft. Efya – Skin Tight (2016)
Produced by DJ Juls, Skin Tight introduced Mr Eazi’s mellow “banku” sound — a Ghana-Nigeria fusion that birthed a new wave in Afrobeats.
🚨10 Years Ago Today, Mr Eazi & Efya Released “Skin Tight” ✨
— Billboard Ranked It as the 26th Best Afrobeats Song of All Time.pic.twitter.com/samebedija— HYPETRIBE (@hypetribeng) August 30, 2025
- Cultural Impact: Popularized the “pon pon” sound and fueled cross-border collaborations.
- Globalization: Expanded Afrobeats into Western markets, while Mr Eazi’s emPawa initiative shaped future stars.
- Achievements: Ranked No. 26 on Billboard’s list; inspired global remixes.
8. Runtown – Mad Over You (2016)
Produced by Del B, this love anthem drew heavily from Ghanaian highlife melodies, proving how soft, emotional Afrobeats could dominate the charts.
- Cultural Impact: Became a soundtrack to West African romance, inspiring countless covers.
- Globalization: Strengthened Afrobeats’ romantic lane internationally.
- Achievements: Ranked No. 33 on Billboard’s list; nominated for Headies Song of the Year.
9. Yemi Alade – Johnny (2014)
Produced by Selebobo, Johnny told the humorous yet relatable story of a cheating lover.
- Cultural Impact: Became one of the most powerful feminist anthems in Afrobeats, highlighting women’s narratives.
- Globalization: Opened Francophone Africa to Afrobeats while elevating female representation globally.
- Achievements: Ranked No. 15 on Billboard’s list; 100M+ YouTube views; MTV Africa Music Award for Song of the Year.
10. Rema – Calm Down (2022)
Produced by Andre Vibez, Calm Down is youthful, catchy, and global. Its remix with Selena Gomez pushed it into uncharted waters.
- Cultural Impact: Captured the youthful, fun-loving side of Afrobeats, sparking global dance trends.
- Globalization: Became the first true Afrobeats “mega-hit” to dominate streaming globally.
- Achievements: First African artist-led track to hit 1B Spotify streams; sold 8M+ units in the U.S.
Closing Thoughts
The journey of Afrobeats from 2010 to 2025 is nothing short of revolutionary. These songs did more than dominate the charts — they became cultural markers, inspiring pride in African identity and reshaping global pop culture.
From D’banj’s Oliver Twist opening the UK charts, to Rema’s Calm Down dominating Spotify worldwide, Afrobeats has evolved from a continental sound into a universal language. These songs prove that music can transcend borders, unite communities, and inspire generations — and Afrobeats is just getting started.