The Recording Academy has released a list of 10 landmark songs that, in its view, shaped the evolution of Afrobeats and influenced the creation of the Best African Music Performance Grammy category. The list celebrates the genre’s growth from local innovation to global phenomenon—but has sparked debate with the notable exclusion of global superstars Davido, Burna Boy, and D’banj.
Instead, the Grammy list highlights contributions from artists like 2Baba, Wizkid, Asake, Rema, and Niniola, whose songs are described as pivotal to the sound, identity, and international reach of Afrobeats.
The Academy distinguished Afrobeats (with an “s”) from Afrobeat—the genre pioneered by Fela Kuti in the 1970s—emphasising that Afrobeats represents a broader fusion of sounds that emerged in the early 2010s and gained popularity through platforms like DJ Abrantee’s UK radio shows.
However, the foundation for the sound, the Academy noted, was laid in the late 1990s and early 2000s by Nigerian artists blending reggae, American R&B, hip-hop, and indigenous rhythms to create a new sonic identity.
The 10 songs selected include:
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“African Queen” – 2Baba (2004): A romantic anthem that introduced Afrobeats to global audiences and remains one of Nigeria’s most iconic pop exports.
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“Do Me” – P-Square (2007): A dance-driven hit that set a new benchmark for Nigerian pop’s video and audio production standards.
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“Bumper 2 Bumper” – Wande Coal (2009): A club anthem that shaped vocal trends in Nigerian music and signalled Mo’Hits Records’ dominance.
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“Pon Pon Pon” – Dagrin (2009): A trailblazer for indigenous rap, elevating street culture and paving the way for acts like Olamide.
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“Azonto” – Fuse ODG feat. Tiffany (2014): A UK chart-topper that spotlighted Ghanaian dance styles and helped internationalise the genre.
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“Ojuelegba” – Wizkid (2014): A heartfelt track that won global acclaim, later remixed by Drake and Skepta, and helped launch Wizkid onto the world stage.
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“Mad Over You” – Runtown (2016): A mid-tempo love song with Ghanaian influences that became a diasporic hit and cultural trendsetter.
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“Maradona” – Niniola (2017): A bold, rhythmic track that introduced Afro-house into Afrobeats and inspired Beyoncé’s “Find Your Way Back.”
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“Sungba” – Asake (2022): A breakout single that merged Afrobeats with amapiano and announced a new superstar to the scene.
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“Ozeba” – Rema (2024): A genre-bending record featuring “mara,” a chant-heavy, fast-paced sound that signals a post-amapiano Afrobeats future.
The Recording Academy said the selections were based on each song’s role in expanding Afrobeats’ influence and musical diversity, from South African house and Angolan kuduro to Caribbean soca and trap-inflected R&B.
The list, however, has stirred online debate over the omission of Davido—known for hits like “Fall”, “If”, and “FIA”—and Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning artist whose albums African Giant and Twice As Tall played major roles in globalising Afrobeats.
Some critics argue that while these artists have had undeniable commercial success, the list may have prioritised songs that marked turning points in sound evolution rather than personal achievements.
Still, for many fans and industry insiders, the Grammy’s recognition of Afrobeats’ journey reflects the genre’s solidifying status on the global music stage—and hints at how African music is reshaping global pop culture.
Not mad at the list