Tag: Davido

The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 nominations are out, and the competition is fiercer than ever. With 343 nominees across 40 categories, this year’s edition highlights Africa’s biggest icons, rising talents, and diaspora voices shaping global music culture.

AFRIMA 2025 made history with 10,717 entries, the highest in its 12-year existence. After a rigorous 10-day screening by a 13-member international jury, the final nominees list was unveiled, representing all five African regions and the diaspora. The award ceremony will run from November 25 to 30, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, culminating in the main event on November 30. Fans will also have their say when public voting opens on September 10 via the official AFRIMA website.

Artists with the Most Nominations

Five Nominations Each

• Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Album of the Year (No Sign of Weakness), Song of the Year, Artiste of the Year
• Davido (Nigeria) – Album of the Year (5ive), Best Collaboration, Song of the Year
• DJ Maphorisa (South Africa) – Key nods in production and collaboration categories
• El Grande Toto (Morocco) – Album of the Year (Salgoat), Best Male Artist North Africa
• Mia Guissé (Senegal)
• Moliy (Ghana) – Leading the female Afropop charge

Four Nominations

• Shallipopi (Nigeria) – Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for “Laho”
• Amr Diab (Egypt)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Tyla (South Africa) – Riding global fame with Amapiano fusion
• Uncle Waffles (Eswatini) – Reinforcing female dominance in the DJ scene

Three Nominations

• Ipupa (DRC)
• Ferre Gola (DRC)
• Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• Emma’a (Gabon)
• Jaylann (Morocco)
• Juma Jux (Tanzania) – Song of the Year for “Ololufe mi”
• Mawhoo (South Africa)
• Nasty C (South Africa)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Also contending for Artiste of the Year

Two Nominations

• Ayra Starr (Nigeria) – Facing Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema in the Artiste of the Year category

AFRIMA 2025 extends beyond the continent, celebrating African talent abroad. Notable nominees include:

Male: DJ Snake, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Odeal
Female: Aya Nakamura, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia

The 2025 AFRIMA nominations prove once again that African music is not just thriving, it’s leading global soundscapes. With icons like Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema battling it out alongside rising stars like Shallipopi, Moliy, and Ayra Starr, this year’s awards promise unforgettable moments. As voting begins on September 10, fans will play a crucial role in deciding who takes home Africa’s biggest music honors.

Billboard has officially released its list of the 50 greatest Afrobeats songs of all time, highlighting some of the most iconic and groundbreaking tracks that have shaped the genre. Afrobeats, which has its roots in Nigeria and Ghana, has now become a global sound influencing artists worldwide. The list features a mix of legendary classics and recent international smashes that propelled the genre beyond Africa.

Spotlight on the Top 10 Afrobeats Songs of All Time

1. African Queen – 2Face Idibia (2004)
This timeless love ballad remains one of the most iconic songs in African music. 2Face’s “African Queen” put Nigerian music on the global map and is celebrated as a masterpiece that helped pave the way for Afrobeats’ worldwide success.

2. Ojuelegba – Wizkid (2014)
Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” tells the story of struggle and triumph, capturing the spirit of Lagos. The remix featuring Drake and Skepta further expanded its global reach, solidifying Wizkid as one of the biggest Afrobeats stars.

3. Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) – Flavour (2005)
Flavour’s highlife-infused anthem became a cultural staple, known for its infectious rhythm and relatable lyrics. It cemented Flavour’s place as a household name in African music.

4. Calm Down – Rema (2022)
Rema’s “Calm Down” took the world by storm, especially with the Selena Gomez remix. It became one of the most streamed Afrobeats songs globally, highlighting the new wave of Nigerian artists pushing Afrobeats into the mainstream.

5. Essence – Wizkid ft. Tems (2021)
Dubbed the “song of the summer,” “Essence” is the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Tems’ soulful delivery and Wizkid’s smooth style created a masterpiece that captured hearts worldwide.

6. Love Nwantiti – CKay (2019)Initially a slow-burn hit, “Love Nwantiti” exploded through TikTok, becoming one of the most remixed and viral Afrobeats songs of all time. It solidified CKay’s place in the global music scene.

7. Oliver Twist – D’banj (2012)
A song that marked Afrobeats’ breakthrough into the UK charts, D’banj’s “Oliver Twist” was a game-changer. It proved Afrobeats could thrive on the international stage.

8. Fall – Davido (2017)
“Fall” became one of the longest-charting Nigerian pop songs on Billboard. Its fusion of Afrobeats and international pop influences helped Davido gain worldwide recognition.

9. Ye – Burna Boy (2018)
“Ye” is widely regarded as Burna Boy’s breakthrough international hit. With its catchy hook and relatable themes, it became an anthem that transcended borders and genres.

10. Chop My Money (Remix) – P-Square ft. Akon (2012)
This collaboration between Nigerian duo P-Square and Akon showcased Afrobeats’ crossover appeal. The track gained massive popularity and became a fan favorite across Africa and beyond.

Full Ranking: Positions 11–50 (with Release Dates)

11	Olufunmi	Styl-Plus	2003
12	Gongo Aso	9ice	2008
13	Do Me	P-Square	2007
14	Dami Duro	Davido	2011
15	Johnny	Yemi Alade	2013
16	Fall in Love	D’banj	2008
17	Bumper to Bumper	Wande Coal	2008
18	Adonai	Sarkodie ft. Castro	2014
19	Azonto	Fuse ODG ft. Itz Tiffany	2012
20	Fada Fada	Phyno ft. Olamide	2016
21	Eminado	Tiwa Savage & Don Jazzy	2013
22	Last Last	Burna Boy	2022
23	Bobo	Olamide	2015
24	Drogba (Joanna)	Afro B	2018
25	Pakurumo	Wizkid	2011
26	Skin Tight	Mr Eazi ft. Efya	2015
27	Iskaba	Wande Coal & DJ Tunez	2016
28	Peru	Fireboy DML	2021
29	Sad Girlz Luv Money	Amaarae & Moliy	2020
30	Killin Dem	Burna Boy & Zlatan	2018
31	Rush	Ayra Starr	2022
32	Dorobucci	Mavins	2014
33	Mad Over You	Runtown	2016
34	Personally	P-Square	2013
35	Pana	Tekno	2016
36	Kontrol	Maleek Berry	2016
37	Ku Lo Sa	Oxlade	2022
38	Monalisa	Lojay & Sarz	2021
39	Shake Body	Skales	2014
40	UNAVAILABLE	Davido ft. Musa Keys	2023
41	Peace Be Unto You	Asake	2022
42	People	Libianca	2022
43	Buga	Kizz Daniel & Tekno	2022
44	Oleku	Ice Prince ft. Brymo	2010
45	Yahooze	Olu Maintain	2007
46	Soweto	Victony & Tempoe	2022
47	Raise Da Roof	Jazzman Olofin & Adewale Ayuba	2004
48	Dem Mama	Timaya	2005
49	Tonight	Nonso Amadi	2016
50	Ijoya	Weird MC

Billboard’s list of the 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time is more than a ranking—it’s a history of Afrobeats itself. From 2Face Idibia’s classic African Queen to Rema’s global smash Calm Down, it captures how a genre rooted in African rhythms has become a universal language.

The diversity of the list, spanning pioneers like Weird MC and contemporary stars like Ayra Starr and Asake, proves that Afrobeats is not only here to stay but also destined to keep evolving as one of the world’s dominant genres.

Personally I will make some few changes to this List. Will you? Drop a comment

KANTE is the name of the 10th track on Davido’s fourth studio album, Timeless.

The album was released in March 2023, and the video for the track was released on May 8, 2024.

Davido demonstrated alongside Fave, showcasing their musical talents.

See the video:

See Lyrics:

Hey, the way you hold my waist
I like as e dey go (big dutty girl)
Can’t dance to save myself but see as I dey roll, oh-na
Guilty pleasures, I take part in those (I take part in those)
Disconnect the internet, ’cause I’m (’cause I’m)
Feeling intellectual, hm

And I can tell you’re feeling the pressure (I can tell you’re feeling the pressure)
And I can tell you’re feeling the tension (I can tell you’re feeling the tension)
You move your lеgs like this and that
It can drive away depression (can drive away depression)
Like Kante, your skill is precious (like Kante, your skill is precious)
You can change the whole direction (you can change the whole direction)
You move your legs like this and that
It can drive away depression

Hold my waist
Hold my waist
Hold my waist
I like as e dey go
Baby, I like as e dey go, ay

Hold my waist
Hold my waist
Hold my waist
I like as e dey go
Baby, I like as e dey go, ay

Make your body come gum my body, make I cool my tension (tension)
Omoge, me, I no fit lie, your body dey call my attention
Big waist, fine face, I no go lie for you
I don gbess for you, omoge, I don gbess for you (I don gbess for you)

Follow me, make we chop life for Dubai
Anything you want, girl, I go buy
You dey put me for high tension, omo
This one na my confession, omo
We go do holiday for Mumbai (ayy-ayy)
Anything you want, girl, I go buy
You dey put me for high tension, omo
This one na my confession, omo

Omo, you gat me like, high up in the cloud
I wanna love you for life
I no go like to say good bye
Na you dey ease my disease
When the tention’s way too high
You know the buttons to press to ease up my stress (stress)
I cannot compare you
(I no fit compare you)

And I can tell you’re feeling the pressure (I can tell you’re feeling the pressure)
And I can tell you’re feeling the tension (I can tell you’re feeling the tension)
You move your lеgs like this and that
It can drive away depression (can drive away depression)
Like Kante, your skill is precious (like Kante, your skill is precious)
You can change the whole direction (you can change the whole direction)
You move your legs like this and that
It can drive away depression

Hold my waist
Hold my waist
Hold my waist
I like as e dey go
Baby, I like as e dey go, ay

Hold my waist
Hold my waist
Hold my waist
I like as e dey go
Baby, I like as e dey go, ay

Source: Musixmatch

Moments after an American stylist posted a cosy picture of herself and Davido, Anita Brown took to social media to explain the stylist’s situation. She said not everyone in America knows Davido is married. She elaborated by stating that Davido wasn’t widely recognized until the release of his latest album or until he was involved in a new controversy.

“Y’all Gotta Stop Acting Like Everybody Knows That Man Is Married. It’s So Many People In America Never Heard Of Him Until His Recent Album Or Because Of Drama. He Don’t Even Post His Wife. Celebs Like Clout, Why That Man Never Post His Wedding & His New Babies Or Post His Wife Enough For It To Be KNOWN. Y’all Gotta Stop Coming For These Females, It’s Getting Old. Put Some More Emphasis On YOUR WIFE, That’s What Real Respectable Husbands Do.“

Anita Brown via Threads (ninatheelite)

The Controversy

An American influencer/stylist who goes by Gorgeous Doll posted a picture of Davido and herself but instead drew backlash from netizens. To clarify, she explained that she’s just friends with Davido.

On her TikTok account on April 15, she explained the nature of her relationship with Davido:

“I did not know that this man was married. Anytime I was around Davido, it was for one or two things okay? It was either because I was styling him for an event because that’s what I do, whether it’s athletes or rappers. Another thing I would do is help him with bookings when he comes into Atlanta. I would call the club owners and tell them ‘Hey Davido is in town, do y’all want to book him?

At this point, I had never seen a wife, only baby mamas and I knew he had multiple baby mamas. I didn’t care because it wasn’t my business to ask and I never thought to ask ‘Are you married.“

Davido just announced the release of his first single of the year, which will be dropping by 12 noon midnight.