Nigerian singer Jaywon has sparked a heated debate after declaring that his 2012 hit single, This Year, deserves far more recognition than it has received.
The singer, whose real name is Iledare Oluwajuwonlo, accused both Afrobeats and gospel artists of copying the template of the record while Billboard ignored its lasting impact.
The controversy began when Billboard released its list of the Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time earlier this week.
The ranking placed 2Face Idibia’s African Queen at number one. The list also featured some of Afrobeats’ most popular anthems, including Wizkid’s Ojuelegba, Flavour’s Nwa Baby, Rema’s Calm Down, and CKay’s Love Nwantiti.
Jaywon was not impressed. He took to his social media page on X to air his frustrations and defend the cultural weight of This Year.
“This Year by Jaywon had more viral moments and cultural impact than some tracks Billboard decided to rank,” he wrote.
The singer argued that the song’s influence remains unmatched, even more than a decade after its release. He pointed out that, unlike many tracks on the Billboard list, This Year has continued to trend every December, becoming a theme song for celebrations, crossovers, and New Year’s prayers.
“Trending since 2012 and still going strong. Tell me, who else has pulled that off? Hate is inevitable. Year after year, both gospel and Afrobeats acts copy the same vibe, yet we remain unshaken,” he posted.
Jaywon did not hold back. He insisted that no track on Billboard’s list can rival the cultural impact of his song. He went as far as daring critics to “cry harder” if they disagreed.
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For many Nigerians, This Year is more than just a hit single. The record, often described as a prophetic anthem, has become a soundtrack to end-of-year festivities.
Churches play it during crossover services. Party DJs spin it at December concerts. Families sing along to it during New Year’s Eve gatherings. Its chorus, filled with hope, prayer, and celebration, continues to resonate with fans from different walks of life.
This timeless appeal, Jaywon argues, is what makes the record stand out. Unlike some of the Billboard picks, which may dominate charts briefly before fading, This Year enjoys annual revivals and fresh moments of virality. The singer believes that alone should have earned it a place among the greatest Afrobeats songs ever.
The exclusion has reignited discussions about how Afrobeats’ history is being documented by global platforms.
While Billboard’s list aims to celebrate the genre’s global rise, critics say it often overlooks songs that hold deep cultural meaning within Africa.
For instance, This Year might not have charted internationally like Calm Down or Love Nwantiti, but its spiritual and celebratory tone has given it an evergreen status in Nigeria and beyond.
Jaywon’s frustration also highlights a recurring theme in the Afrobeats community: the struggle between global recognition and local cultural relevance.
Artists often feel that songs which shaped communities at home are sidelined in favour of tracks that gained international streams and chart success.
Industry observers note that while Billboard relied on metrics such as global chart performance, streaming numbers, and cultural exports, songs like This Year demonstrate that influence cannot always be measured by numbers. Its yearly resurgence speaks to its emotional power and spiritual connection with audiences.
Jaywon, who rose to fame in the late 2000s, has built a career on blending Afro-pop rhythms with soulful, prayerful lyrics. This Year remains his signature track and has outlived many of his peers’ hits.
His insistence that it deserves a spot among Afrobeats’ greatest reflects both pride and frustration with how global institutions define the genre’s legacy.
As debates continue, one fact remains clear: This Year has etched itself permanently into Nigeria’s cultural calendar.
Every December, it returns like clockwork, uniting fans across churches, streets, and parties. Few Afrobeats songs can claim that kind of longevity.
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Whether Billboard acknowledges it or not, Jaywon’s This Year is already an all-time anthem in the hearts of millions.
