Billboard has formally declared 2Baba’s timeless hit “African Queen” because the best Afrobeats track of all time, almost 20 years after its launch.

In a listing unveiled yesterday titled 50 Greatest Afrobeats Songs of All Time, the worldwide music authority celebrated tracks which have outlined and formed the style, spotlighting songs that achieved not simply business success but in addition cultural affect and world attain.

Main the listing, 2Baba’s “African Queen” (2004) was described as “a love letter to a technology of ladies from the continent,” praised for its soulful lyrics, tender admiration, and iconic video. Greater than only a hit, the observe grew to become a cultural second, transcending music to redefine African pop for the fashionable period.

Billboard additionally highlighted the importance of the track in 2Baba’s profession. When the legendary Plantashun Boiz disbanded in 2004, followers anticipated greatness from the younger star, however “African Queen” far exceeded expectations. It didn’t simply announce 2Baba as a solo powerhouse — it shifted Afrobeats into a brand new period of world recognition.

The track’s affect stretched past Africa when it featured on the soundtrack of the 2006 Hollywood movie “Phat Girlz” starring Mo’Nique, sealing its status as a world traditional.

Billboard’s High 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time

1. 2Baba – African Queen (2004)
2. Wizkid – Ojuelegba (2014)
3. Flavour – Nwa Child (Ashawo Remix) (2011)
4. Rema – Calm Down (2022)
5. Wizkid feat. Tems – Essence (2020)
6. CKay – Love Nwantiti (2019)
7. D’banj – Oliver Twist (2011)
8. Davido – Fall (2017)
9. Burna Boy – Ye (2018)
10. P-Sq. – Chop My Cash (Remix) (2012)
11. Styl-Plus – Olufunmi
12. 9ice – Gongo Aso
13. R2Bees ft. Wande Coal – Kiss Your Hand
14. Davido – Dami Duro
15. Yemi Alade – Johnny
16. D’banj – Fall In Love
17. Wande Coal – Bumper to Bumper
18. Fuse ODG ft. Itz Tiffany – Azonto
19. Sarkodie ft. Castro – Adonai
20. Phyno ft. Olamide – Fada Fada
21. Tiwa Savage & Don Jazzy – Eminado
22. Burna Boy – Final Final
23. Olamide – Bobo
24. Afro B – Drogba (Joanna)
25. Wizkid – Pakurumo
26. Mr Eazi & Efya – Pores and skin Tight
27. Wande Coal & DJ Tunez – Iskaba
28. Fireboy DML – Peru
29. Amaarae & Moliy – Unhappy Girlz Luv Cash
30. Burna Boy ft. Zlatan – Killin Dem
31. Ayra Starr – Rush
32. The Mavins – Dorobucci
33. Runtown – Mad Over You
34. P-Sq. – Personally
35. Tekno – Pana
36. Maleek Berry – Kontrol
37. Oxlade – Ku Lo Sa
38. Lojay & Sarz – Monalisa
39. Skales – Shake Physique
40. Davido ft. Musa Keys – Unavailable
41. Asake – Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)
42. Libianca – Individuals
43. Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno – Buga
44. Ice Prince ft. Brymo – Oleku
45. Olu Keep – Yahooze
46. Victony & Tempoe – Soweto
47. Jazzman Olofin ft. Adewale Ayuba – Elevate Da Roof
48. Timaya – Dem Mama
49. Nonso Amadi – Tonight
50. Bizarre MC – Ijoya

Curiously, Wizkid is the one artist with two entries within the high 10 — along with his breakout anthem “Ojuelegba” taking the quantity two spot, and his Tems-assisted world hit “Essence” sitting at quantity 5.

The remainder of the listing options heavyweights like Ayra Starr, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Wande Coal, Phyno, Mr Eazi, Fireboy DML, in addition to Ghanaian stars Fuse ODG, R2Bees, and Sarkodie — displaying simply how extensive and influential Afrobeats has grow to be over time.

From 2Baba’s soulful declaration of affection to Rema’s modern-day world dominance, the listing is a celebration of how far Afrobeats has come — and a reminder that its roots stay evergreen.