Do early 2000s Afrobeats songs bring back a wave of nostalgia? Take a trip down memory lane with these classic hits that ruled the clubs, lit up parties, and created unforgettable moments.
If you ever partied in the early 2000s, you remember the energy—neon lights, bootcut jeans, metallic tops, and the unmistakable pulse of Afrobeats filling the air. It was a time of cultural evolution when artists didn’t just make music; they poured their souls into it, singing from the heart or, in most cases, crafting epic soundtracks with genuine lyrical depth. From radio anthems to club bangers and wedding jams, this was the golden age of African music—a time when 2Baba, P-Square, and D’banj ruled the airwaves.
Afrobeats was, and still is, a movement—one that fused traditional African sounds with hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall to create pure magic. The late ‘90s to early 2010s gave us music that still hits differently today—songs that instantly transport you back to simpler times.
Whether you grew up dancing to these hits or are just discovering them, this list is your ultimate guide to the classics.
1. Olufunmi – Styl-Plus
Before Afrobeats became a global movement, Styl-Plus was already giving us soulful, R&B-infused jams like “Olufunmi.” A heartbreak anthem turned classic, this song introduced smooth harmonies and emotion into mainstream Nigerian music.
2. Do Me – P-Square
Few songs defined the club scene in the 2000s and “Do Me” was one of them. With its electrifying beat and flirtatious lyrics, P-Square proved they were masters of making party bangers, given how well received this track was.
3. Gongo Aso – 9ice
“Gongo Aso” was 9ice’s hallmark to making timeless hit songs; the first thing that comes to mind when this song plays is to dance and since its release, this track has remained a solidified party classic. It was 9ice’s unique delivery and Yoruba-infused flow that made this track an anthem.
4. Dance For Me – Duncan Mighty ft. Sandazblack
Duncan Mighty’s “Dance For Me” remains one of the artist’s best hits till date. It was this track that solidified his status as a Port Harcourt heavyweight. A mix of highlife and Afrobeats, this was an instant groove.
5. Fall in Love – D’banj
When D’banj dropped “Fall in Love”, he redefined the concept of what a love song should be. At a time when most Afrobeats tracks were about flexing, D’banj came through with pure romance. “Fall in Love” was a simple yet infectious love song that still sparks nostalgia. An even more memorable thing about this track was the appearance of Genevieve Nnaji in the visuals.
6. Kiss Your Hand – R2Bees ft. Wande Coal
There is no doubts that R2Bees can create cross-country magic with artists, in “Kiss Your Hand’, Ghana meets Nigeria on this romantic ballad; where Wande Coal’s velvet voice over R2Bees’ slick production made this one a continental favourite and is still a favourite.
7. See Me So – 2Baba
2Baba made music like the legend that he is today, he made music that spoke of love, made reflective anthems, and coupled melodies like it was nothing. “See Me So” is his message of introspectiveness. On this track, he uses his signature mellow sound to portray his personality and views. Even in his reflections, the artist made classics that rumbled through speakers in parties.
8. Temptation – P-Square
Another P-Square classic, “Temptation” blended emotional storytelling with an irresistible beat—an Afrobeats specialty. Early 2000s was the peak of P-Square’s music career, where every song and album was an added collection for every DJ.
9. Pere – Mo’Hits All Stars
The Mo’Hits combination was a recipe for storytelling and melodious magic. “Pere” tells the tale of how a woman manages to have all of Mo’Hits stars all curled up in her fingers. Wande Coal’s ending verse of the song is perhaps one of the most brilliant concepts of closing off a song.
10. Yori Yori – Bracket
Bracket’s expertise lies in making love songs, the types that often addresses falling head over heels in love with a woman. Very few songs captures the utter surrender to love, and “Yori Yori” has a benchmarked spot.
11. Ahomka Wo Mu – VIP
The legendary Ghanaian group VIP delivered a timeless hit with Ahomka Wo Mu—a song that needed no translation to get you moving. More than just a track, it became an anthem. Its influence lived on through artists like Wizkid and Patience Ozokwor, who sampled the classic, turning their versions into hits and reaffirming the enduring magic of Ahomka Wo Mu.
12. In The Music – Omawumi
Omawumi burst onto the scene with a voice that commanded attention, and “In The Music” was proof that her melodious sound and epic lyricism was just about enough to earn her a spot in the very saturated industry, even as a female.
13. No Condition is Permanent – African China
Asides making music that touched base with the average Nigerian, African China mastered storytelling in music and he portrayed his talent through pidgin. “No Condition is Permanent” was a street anthem that resonated deeply with everyday people, where he inspires hope into the African man, as the title implies.
14. Side By Side – Lagbaja
Very few artists had a spot of their own in the Nigerian music industry where no one rivalled them and Lagbaja was that one artist, always in a league of his own. “Side By Side” had a sultry, almost hypnotic feel—perfect for those who appreciated soulful music.
15. True Love – 2Baba
2Baba has always had a way with love songs, his use of visual storytelling and lyrical depth earned him the regard of being a smooth talker in matters of love. “True Love” was him at his best—smooth, romantic, and irresistibly catchy, where he sang about romantic loss and his search for his missing piece, a term he capped off as ‘true love.’
16. Strong Ting – Banky W
You’d probably think it was just Banky W’s vocals that did the work for him in “Strong Ting”, whereas it was his vivid playboy antics that made the song even more appealing. “Strong Ting” wasn’t just about romance; it was about passion and that feeling of being completely taken over by love.
17. Kondo – DaGrin
DaGrin’s music was raw, real, and unapologetically street. “Kondo” was a defining moment in Nigerian rap, proving that indigenous rap had a place in mainstream Afrobeats.
18. Say You Believe Me – Plantashun Boiz
Plantashun Boiz—consisting of 2Baba, BlackFace, and Faze—was one of the most influential groups in Nigerian music. “Say You Believe Me” is a captivating love tune of merged melodies from talented artists.
19. Good or Bad – J. Martins ft. Timaya
J. Martins didn’t just make music, he made music where you had a piece to take from. The artist had a special talent for making music that felt light-hearted yet carried a depth that made it stick, much like “Good Or Bad”
20. Oyoyo – J. Martins
“Oyoyo” was the kind of song that instantly lifted your mood. With its highlife influences and feel-good vibes, it was the perfect song for celebrations.
21. Shake Something – Jazzman Olofin
Long before bad boy Burna and his peers came onto the music scene, there was Jazzman Olofin making popping tunes. When he dropped “Shake Something,” it was an instant club banger. The fusion of Afrobeats and hip-hop gave the track a unique groove.
22. Fefe Ne Fe – Tic Tac ft. Tony Tetuila
This classic is widely credited with shaping cross-border collaborations between Ghanaian and Nigerian artists in the modern music scene. Recently, Wizkid reignited its legacy by sampling it on Gbese, produced by DJ Tunez.
23. Yahooze – Olu Maintain
Yahooze was a movement, a track that appreciated the ‘yahoo’ efforts with visuals that was a view of luxury. Few songs have had the cultural impact that “Yahooze” did. The slang, the dance—everything about this track became a sensation.
24. Alanta – Artquake
Before social media dance challenges, there was “Alanta.” The dance craze took over, with its signature shoulder-shaking moves becoming a staple at parties.
25. You Bad – Wande Coal ft. D’banj
Wande Coal was a master at making beautiful music. He and D’banj were an unstoppable duo during the Mo’Hits era, and “You Bad” was one of their standout collaborations. With Wande’s sonorous vocals, alongside D’banj’s vicious energy, “You Bad” still remains that anthem.
26. Lori Le – X Project
Some songs are simply built for the dancefloor, and “Lori Le” was one of them. The infectious melody and high-energy beat made it a party staple.
27. Shayo – Bigiano
Bigiano captured the carefree spirit of celebration with “Shayo.” It was a song about enjoyment and leaving your worries behind, all with a drinking spree. With Bigiano’s smooth storytelling through his lyrics, you’re able to capture easily the essence of the song.
28. Wind Am Well – Ikechukwu
Ikechukwu’s discography might not be as varied, but he brought energy and swagger to Afrobeats with “Wind Am Well.” The track had a raw, street-style vibe that made it an instant hit.
29. African Queen – 2Baba
Often credited with bringing Nigerian music to a global audience, this song’s smooth melody and romantic lyrics became iconic, featured in films like “Phat Girlz” (2006). Its release marked a turning point for Afrobeats’ international recognition.
30. Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) – Flavour
Flavour’s unique blend of Igbo Highlife and contemporary sounds in “Nwa Baby” captivated audiences, marking his rise as a star and contributing to the genre’s diversity.
