The Grammys just sent the Afrobeats community into a frenzy with the release of its official list of the top ten Afrobeats songs of all time. While the list celebrates genre-defining anthems, it’s also raising eyebrows for some surprising exclusions.
Topping the list is Dagrin’s gritty street anthem Pon Pon Pon, followed by Fuse ODG and Tiffany’s Azonto, and Wande Coal’s unforgettable Bumper to Bumper. Of course, no one could ignore the timeless impact of 2Baba’s African Queen, which also made the cut alongside Do Me by P-Square and Ojuelegba by Wizkid.
Runtown’s Mad Over You, Niniola’s Maradona, Asake’s Sungba, and Rema’s recent hit Ozeba round out the selection each representing a different wave in the Afrobeats revolution.
But not everyone is clapping. Fans quickly noticed the absence of giants like Burna Boy, Davido, and Tems, sparking a heated debate across social media. Many are calling the list incomplete without hits like Ye, Fall, or Essence tracks that arguably helped take Afrobeats global.
Still, the Recording Academy praised the list as a reflection of the genre’s explosive evolution, noting its journey from grassroots popularity to international dominance. Love it or hate it, one thing is clear Afrobeats isn’t just a sound anymore, it’s a worldwide movement, and everyone has their own idea of what songs truly defined it.
