The Recording Academy, organisers of the prestigious Grammy Awards, has officially recognised the global influence of Afrobeats, naming it one of the most dynamic music genres to emerge in the past decade.
In a recent feature published on the Academy’s platforms, the Grammys spotlighted the genre’s explosive growth, particularly from the mid-2010s to its present global reach. The Academy highlighted the contributions of Nigerian stars Wizkid, 2Baba, and Rema as central figures in the genre’s evolution.
“Afrobeats keeps evolving”, Recording academy
Tracing the genre’s journey, the Recording Academy wrote:
“From its popularisation in the mid-2010s to current global, chart-topping dominance by the likes of @wizkidayo, @burnaboy, and @heisrema, the sound of Afrobeats is constantly shifting.”
The statement marks one of the most high-profile acknowledgments of the genre’s growing presence in global music markets.
Top 10 Afrobeats songs of all time revealed
To honour the genre, the Academy also unveiled a list of what it described as the “Top 10 Afrobeats Songs of All Time.” The selection mixes early classics with recent hits that have shaped and defined the sound of Afrobeats both locally and internationally.
The list includes:
African Queen – 2Baba (2004)
Do Me – P-Square (2007)
Bumper 2 Bumper – Wande Coal (2009)
Pon Pon Pon – Dagrin (2009)
Azonto – Fuse ODG ft. Tiffany Owusu (2014)
Mad Over You – Runtown (2016)
Maradona – Niniola (2017)
Sungba – Asake (2022)
Calm Down – Rema (2022) (Note: This may have been meant by “Ozeba” as no known song by Rema bears that title)
Ozeba – Rema (2024)
This list highlights songs that have played major roles in shaping Afrobeats and pushing it to international stages.
Mixed reactions trail Grammy list
While many music lovers welcomed the spotlight on Afrobeats, reactions to the list have been mixed. Some fans applauded the Recording Academy for recognising both the trailblazers and new-generation artists who have kept the genre alive and evolving.
However, the selection has also drawn criticism. Social media users quickly pointed out the absence of major figures like Davido, whose contributions to the genre are widely acknowledged.
“Leaving Davido out of a top 10 Afrobeats list feels incomplete,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another user added, “You can’t talk about global Afrobeats without mentioning songs like If or Fall. The impact was massive.”
Calls for transparency in selection criteria
The list has also sparked debate over what standards were used to determine the top 10 songs. Some argued that the list seems to favour commercial success, while others believe historical and cultural impact should have weighed more heavily.
“Are they going by chart performance, streaming numbers, or influence on the sound?” asked a music analyst. “Because if it’s about cultural influence, there are plenty more deserving tracks that shaped Afrobeats as we know it.”
Afrobeats continues to soar
Despite the debate, the Grammy’s recognition signals a major milestone in Afrobeats’ global journey. The genre, which blends West African rhythms with elements of hip hop, dancehall, and R&B, continues to win fans worldwide and influence artists across continents.
From sold-out arenas in Europe and America to viral dance trends on social media, Afrobeats is not just a sound, it’s a movement. And now, with official recognition from one of music’s biggest platforms, its place on the world stage appears firmly secured.
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