In a landmark acknowledgment of Afrobeats’ meteoric rise, the Grammy Awards released a list of the top 10 Afrobeats evolution songs, celebrating the genre’s journey from its Nigerian roots to global dominance. The Recording Academy’s feature, published on July 1, 2025, highlights the contributions of artistes like Wizkid, Asake, and Rema, while sparking debate among fans for omitting heavyweights like Davido and Burna Boy.
The Academy traces Afrobeats’ evolution from its mid-2010s breakthrough, driven by pioneers like 2Baba, to its current chart-topping status. Unlike Fela Kuti’s jazz-infused Afrobeat, Afrobeats—popularised in the early 2010s by British-Ghanaian DJ Abrantee—blends pop, reggae, R&B, and hip-hop with African rhythms. The genre’s global appeal, incorporating influences from Angolan kuduro to Caribbean soca, led to the creation of the Best African Music Performance Grammy category in 2024.
The curated list features iconic tracks that shaped Afrobeats’ trajectory. 2Baba’s “African Queen” (2004) set the stage for the genre’s commercial potential, while P-Square’s “Do Me” (2007) elevated production standards with vibrant music videos. Wande Coal’s ‘Bumper 2 Bumper” (2009) and Dagrin’s “Pon Pon Pon” (2009) brought vocal versatility and Indigenous-language rap, influencing subgenres like streetpop. Fuse ODG’s “Azonto” (2014) marked Afrobeats’ UK breakthrough, hitting the Top 10 charts, while Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” (2014) became a global anthem, remixed by Drake and Skepta.
Runtown’s “Mad Over You” (2016) fused Ghanaian highlife with Alkayida rhythms, inspiring countless hits, while Niniola’s “Maradona” (2017) pioneered Afro-house, earning a Beyoncé sample. Asake’s “Sungba” (2022), with its amapiano flair, and Rema’s “Ozeba” (2024), introducing the chant-heavy “mara” subgenre, reflect Afrobeats’ ongoing sonic evolution.
The list has ignited discussions among fans. While many praise the recognition of pioneers like 2Baba and newer stars like Asake, others criticise the exclusion of Davido and Burna Boy, both global Afrobeats ambassadors. The Academy’s selection criteria remain unclear, fuelling speculation about what defines an “evolution song.” Still, the feature underscores Afrobeats’ cultural and commercial impact, cementing its place on the world stage.
The Grammy spotlight aligns with Afrobeats’ growing influence, as seen in Burna Boy’s role in the F1 movie and performances by Davido, Tems, and Burna Boy at Afro Nation Portugal. As the genre continues to evolve, blending diverse global sounds, its future looks brighter than ever, with Nigerian artistes leading the charge.
