Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, Davido, and Rema Make Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century List

Five Nigerian songs have been named among Rolling Stone’s “250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century,” a recognition that highlights the growing influence of Afrobeats and Nigerian pop on global music culture.

The list, released in October 2025, spans two decades of global music and includes artists from across genres and continents. Nigerian acts Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, Davido, and Rema all earned spots, reinforcing the country’s dominant role in shaping contemporary African sound.

Leading the Nigerian entries is Wizkid’s “Essence” featuring Tems, which ranks No. 22 on the list. Released in 2020, the song became a crossover anthem and one of the first Nigerian records to chart on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200. Its success helped cement Afrobeats in the global mainstream and propelled Tems into international recognition.

Also featured is Burna Boy’s “Last Last” at No. 95, a 2022 hit that blends personal heartbreak with a universal appeal. Sampling Toni Braxton’s He Wasn’t Man Enough, the song resonated globally for its raw honesty and catchy refrain, “Everybody go chop breakfast,” a Nigerian slang expression meaning “everyone will experience heartbreak.”

Rema’s “Woman”, which ranked No. 228, represents the genre’s younger generation. The 2020 single combines Afrobeats and pop-rap influences, capturing Rema’s energetic style and the creativity driving Nigeria’s Gen Z music scene.

Tems appears a second time on the list with “Free Mind” at No. 232. The soulful track, from her debut EP For Broken Ears, showcases her signature minimalist production and introspective songwriting. It has become a global favourite, particularly for its lyrical vulnerability and timeless sound.

Rounding out the Nigerian entries is Davido’s “Unavailable” featuring Musa Keys, ranked No. 243. Released in 2023, the song merges Afrobeats and South Africa’s Amapiano style, symbolising the growing cross-regional collaborations within African music. Its infectious rhythm and the challenge of the accompanying dance helped it become one of the biggest African songs of the year.

The inclusion of five Nigerian songs in a list dominated by American and European artists marks a significant cultural milestone for Africa’s creative industry. It also reflects how Nigerian music has transcended borders, moving from local clubs and radio stations to international charts and global award stages.

In its announcement, Rolling Stone praised the diversity of modern sound, noting that the list features songs “from Nigeria to Mexico, from Seoul to San Juan,” illustrating how non-Western music has reshaped global pop in the 21st century.

With Essence, Last Last, Free Mind, Woman, and Unavailable now recognised among the century’s defining tracks, Nigeria continues to assert its place as one of the world’s leading music powerhouses.

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