Want to understand how African pop got here? Start with these ten records. They aren’t the only great albums, but each one changed something.
- Fela Kuti & Africa 70, Zombie (1976): the defiant Afrobeat classic whose title track mocked Nigeria’s military, and the root of everything that came after.
- 2face Idibia, Face 2 Face (2004): home of “African Queen”, the love song that united the continent.
- Burna Boy, African Giant (2019): the album that announced Burna as a global force and earned his first Grammy nomination.
- Burna Boy, Twice as Tall (2020): the Grammy winner for Best Global Music Album.
- Wizkid, Made in Lagos (2020): smooth, warm and home to “Essence” with Tems, a crossover smash in the US.
- Tiwa Savage, Celia (2020): the queen of Afropop at her most assured.
- Ayra Starr, 19 & Dangerous (2021): the debut that made her the voice of a new generation, led by “Bloody Samaritan”.
- Rema, Rave & Roses (2022): the album that gave the world “Calm Down”.
- Asake, Mr. Money with the Vibe (2022): Fuji chants, amapiano log drums and choirs, and a blueprint for the streets-to-stadiums sound.
- Davido, Timeless (2023): a career-defining comeback packed with hits like “Unavailable”.
What did we miss?
Lists like this are made to be argued about. Tell us which album you’d add.
