Afrobeats has always been good at love songs: sweet, direct, and often better with someone to sing them to. These ten cover first crushes, long devotion and everything in between, from Nigeria and Ghana.
1. Love Nwantiti by CKay (2019)
CKay released “Love Nwantiti” in 2019 on his EP CKay the First. The remix with Joeboy and Kuami Eugene followed in 2020, and in 2021 the song exploded on TikTok. It reached number one in India, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, number three in the UK and number two on the Billboard Global 200.
2. Essence by Wizkid featuring Tems (2020)
No list of Afrobeats love songs is complete without it. “Essence”, from Made in Lagos, sees Wizkid and Tems express their desire for each other over a slow, sensual groove. It became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Jealous by Fireboy DML (2019)
“Jealous” first appeared on YBNL’s YBNL Mafia Family album in 2018 and was re-released as a single in March 2019. Produced by Cracker Mallo, it was Fireboy DML’s breakthrough and led into his debut album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps.
It won Listener’s Choice at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards.
4. Mad Over You by Runtown (2016)
A love ballad that blends highlife, R&B and Pon Pon, “Mad Over You” came out in November 2016, produced mainly by Del B. It gave Runtown his first appearance on a Billboard chart.
5. Sugarcane by Camidoh (2021)
Ghanaian singer Camidoh released “Sugarcane” in November 2021, produced by Phantom. The 2022 remix with Mayorkun, King Promise and Darkoo took off on TikTok and carried it well beyond Ghana.
6. Assurance by Davido (2018)
Davido released “Assurance” on 30 April 2018, dedicated to his girlfriend and timed for her 23rd birthday. Produced by Speroach Beatz, it is a straightforward promise of commitment, and it later appeared on his album A Good Time.
7. Sade by Adekunle Gold (2014)
Adekunle Gold’s breakthrough was a highlife cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life”, renamed “Sade” and released in December 2014. It earned him a Headies nomination and a deal with YBNL.
A love song to one woman, it made his name.
8. Orente by Adekunle Gold (2015)
“Orente” was his first official single after signing to YBNL in March 2015, and it led into his debut album, Gold, which reached number seven on the Billboard World Albums chart.
9. Joromi by Simi (2017)
Simi released “Joromi” ahead of her album Simisola in 2017. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard World Albums chart. In January 2019 she married Adekunle Gold, which makes their songs on this list a nice pairing.
10. Duduke by Simi (2020)
Released in April 2020 and produced by Oscar, “Duduke” is a love song to Simi’s unborn child, a symbol of love and hope. It is tender and quiet, and a lovely way to close this list.
Find these artists and their albums in the AfroYard artist directory.
