Billboard, the renowned American music magazine, has named 2Face Idibia’s iconic hit “African Queen” as the greatest Afrobeats song of all time, cementing its legacy in African music history. The list, compiled by Billboard’s editorial team, ranks the top 50 Afrobeats tracks and celebrates the genre’s global impact.
Wizkid stands out as the only artist with two entries in the top ten—his classics “Ojuelegba” at number two and the international sensation “Essence” featuring Tems at number five. Following closely are Favour’s lively “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)” at number three and Rema’s worldwide hit “Calm Down” securing fourth place.
Other Nigerian heavyweights dominate the top ten, including 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 influence of Ghanaian artists is also recognised, with Fuse ODG’s “Azonto” featuring Itz Tiffany and Sarkodie’s “Adonai” featuring Castro ranked 18th and 19th respectively, underlining the genre’s pan-African reach.
Notable classics like Styl-Plus’ evergreen “Olufunmi” and 9ice’s “Gongo Aso” also feature prominently, ranked 11th and 12th. Yemi Alade marks the highest-ranked female-led act with her hit “Johnny” placed at number 15.
Billboard’s list not only honours the chart-topping hits but reflects Afrobeats’ rich musical heritage and ongoing evolution. The ranking celebrates artists who have propelled African sounds onto the global stage, shaping the continent’s vibrant musical landscape.
“African Queen” remains a timeless anthem, a testament to 2Face’s artistry and the enduring power of Afrobeats across generations worldwide.
