Blaqbonez Names His Top 5 Greatest Afrobeats Songs, Sparks Debate

Nigerian rapper, Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, has ignited a fresh debate in the Afrobeats community after naming his top five greatest songs of all time in the genre.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Lagos Podcast, Blaqbonez crowned 2Face Idibia’s legendary track African Queen as the greatest Afrobeats song ever. He also included Wizkid’s Ojuelegba, Burna Boy’s Ye, Davido’s If, and M.I’s Safe on his list.

A Controversial Selection?

While his choices reflect some of Afrobeats' most iconic tracks, fans were quick to point out notable omissions. Global smash hits such as D’banj’s Oliver Twist, Wizkid and Tems’ Essence, Tyla’s Water, CKay’s Love Nwantiti, and Rema’s Calm Down—songs that played a pivotal role in expanding Afrobeats’ reach worldwide—were absent from his list.

The Legacy of These Tracks

Blaqbonez’s list leans heavily toward songs that shaped the Nigerian music scene, rather than those that had a major impact globally. African Queen is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s biggest love anthems, while Ojuelegba helped introduce Wizkid to the international market. Ye became Burna Boy’s breakout hit globally, If solidified Davido’s presence in the industry, and Safe by M.I was a defining moment for Nigerian rap.

Fan Reactions and Industry Opinions

The rapper’s list has sparked debate on social media, with some agreeing that his picks represent core Afrobeats classics, while others argue that a list without Essence or Calm Down feels incomplete.

Ultimately, the conversation highlights the evolution of Afrobeats—from a predominantly Nigerian genre to a global movement. While Blaqbonez’s choices reflect his personal preferences, they also remind us of the rich history and depth of Afrobeats, where different songs mean different things to different generations.

So, what do you think? Did Blaqbonez get it right, or are there glaring omissions from his list?