This week’s Afrobeats throwback takes a look at 10 Nigerian songs since 2000 that has left a mark internationally and contributed to Afrobeats’ continuous international success.
10 ‘African Queen’ – 2baba
This classic record was not only a defining hit single for 2baba but a high point for Nigerian music. The song traveled to other African countries and even the US where it was featured in a Hollywood movie.
This single enjoyed a successful run in Nigeria before crossing over to other parts of Africa, especially South Africa where it enjoyed the notable success that made Flavour an international sensation.
8. ‘Oliver Twist’ – D’banj
This can be regarded as Afrobeats’ first notable cross-over record. The hit single from an African megastar crossed over to the United Kingdom where it made an appearance on the UK Official Singles Chart.
‘Ojuelegba’ is one of the singles that rocketed Afrobeats internationally. Drake’s freestyle on the record was a high point for Wizkid which opened him to more international exposure and heralded his contribution to the mega smash hit ‘One Dance’.
After an unsuccessful attempt at breaking into the international market in 2016, Davido returned home in 2017 and released a series of hit singles. ‘Fall’ is the second single of these releases and it became an international hit record in the UK and US where it enjoyed notable radio play.
In 2017, Burna Boy saw a fairytale rise to international success after Kanye West (YE) released an EP titled ‘YE’. The titular co-incidence rocketed Burna Boy’s ‘YE’ to an international audience. The single has achieved platinum status in the US where it played a major role in making Burna Boy an international superstar.
4 ‘Last Last’ – Burna Boy
Burna Boy’s heartbreak anthem soared internationally as it reached listeners in Europe and the Caribbean. The hit single soundtracked the summer of 2022 spending multiple weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at NO. 4 on the UK Official Singles chart. It also earned an RIAA platinum plaque as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Global Performance.
Dubbed the greatest song in the history of music by Kanye West, ‘Essence’ is one of the biggest songs in the history of Nigerian music.
The charted in multiple countries across Europe, reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, has gone 3X RIAA platinum and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Performance.
After captivating listeners in Nigeria, this single gradually made its way internationally where it received a Selena Gomez remix. The remix rocketed the song to international success where it has received plaques in France, Italy, the UK, the US, Spain, and Switzerland, amongst many other countries. The single also holds the record for the longest NO. 1 song on the US Afrobeats Chart.
1. ‘Love Nwantiti’ – CKay
CKay’s hit single rose to fame on Tik Tok before reaching listeners across the world in a fashion unprecedented in the Nigerian music industry.
The single charted in over 30 countries reaching NO. 1 in Portugal, France, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, and India. It has received plaques in over 15 countries with platinum plaques in the US and UK.
- ‘Peru’ – Fireboy feat Ed Sheeran
- ‘Kulosa’ – Oxlade
- ‘Buga’ – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
- ‘Soweto’ – Victony & Tempoe
