24th July 2024 3:27:51 PM
3 mins readSince 1999, Nigerian music has made significant strides on the international stage, thanks to a steady flow of talent, industry growth, and global interest. Here’s a list of 20 Nigerian songs that have achieved notable international success:"African Queen" - 2BabaThis iconic track not only marked a high point for 2Baba but also made waves across Africa and the US, even featuring in the 2006 Hollywood film Phat Girlz.
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"Nwa Baby" - FlavourInitially popular in Nigeria, this song gained further acclaim in South Africa, elevating Flavour to international prominence."Oliver Twist" - D'banjConsidered a pioneering Afrobeats crossover hit, D'banj’s track made its mark on the UK Official Singles Chart.
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"Ojuelegba" - WizkidThis track played a crucial role in Wizkid’s rise, especially with Drake’s freestyle boosting its global recognition and contributing to their joint hit "One Dance.""Fall" - DavidoAfter a brief setback, Davido's "Fall" became a major hit in the UK and US, gaining widespread radio play and international acclaim.
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"YE" - Burna BoyBurna Boy’s "YE" saw a surge in international popularity, especially after Kanye West’s EP of the same name, helping Burna Boy achieve platinum status in the US."Last Last" - Burna BoyThis track became a global sensation, featuring prominently on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Official Singles Chart, and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Global Performance.
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"Essence" - WizkidPraised by Kanye West as one of the greatest songs in music history, "Essence" achieved massive success, including multiple Grammy nominations and 3X RIAA platinum certification."Calm Down" - RemaThe song gained international fame, especially with its remix featuring Selena Gomez, and became the first Afrobeats track to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams.
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"Love Nwantiti" - CKayCKay’s viral hit found success on TikTok and charted in over 30 countries, including topping charts in Portugal, France, and Switzerland, with platinum certifications in the US and UK."Ameno Amapiano" - Goya Menor feat NektunezThis track, initially popular in Nigeria, gained global fame through TikTok, becoming one of the biggest hits to emerge from Nigeria.
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"Peru" - Fireboy feat Ed SheeranFireboy’s collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the remix of "Peru" saw it enter the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, with a memorable performance at the 2023 BET Awards."Kulosa" - OxladeOxlade’s "Kulosa" became a global hit, with TikTok users worldwide recreating his dance moves from the song’s iconic performance.
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"Buga" - Kizz Daniel & TeknoThe collaboration between Kizz Daniel and Tekno resulted in a massive 2022 hit that even had the Liberian president dancing along."Soweto" - Victony & TempoeVictony’s "Soweto" achieved significant international success, propelling him into the global mainstream spotlight."Rush" - Ayra StarrAyra Starr’s "Rush" not only earned her a Grammy nomination but also achieved diamond certification in France.
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"Soso" - Omah LayOmah Lay’s "Soso" became his most significant hit, reaching audiences beyond Nigeria."Sungba" - Asake feat Burna BoyAsake’s remix of "Sungba," featuring Burna Boy, solidified his rise in the global music scene."City Boy" - Burna BoyBurna Boy’s "City Boy" continued his streak of global hits and received a Grammy nomination.
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"Unavailable" - DavidoDavido’s "Unavailable" further cemented his presence in the international music arena.These tracks illustrate the growing influence of Nigerian music on a global scale.
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