There is a very specific, rose-colored fog settling over social media right now. where everyone is collectively yearning for 2016. It’s become the internet’s favorite "happy place." A time before the world felt quite so heavy, when our biggest collective worries were lighter, and the vibes were undeniably, consistently up. Why 2016? Psychologically, it represents the calm before the storm of the late 2010s and early 2020s. But culturally, it was a massive shifting point, especially for Afrobeats.
While the world was doing the Mannequin Challenge, the Nigerian music scene was undergoing a quiet revolution. We were moving away from the frenetic pace of the early 2010s and settling into something smoother, cooler, and globally palatable. This was the birth of the "Pon Pon" sound, that mellow, mid-tempo, Ghanaian-influenced rhythm that made you want to lean back rather than sweat it out. The music sounded so good and exciting, Wizkid was pivoting to a global sound, Davido was experimenting with trap fusion, and producers like phantom and heavyweights like Tekno were rewriting the rules of what a "hit" sounded like. We aren't just missing the year; we are missing the soundtrack. These songs stood as cultural reset buttons and to deeply understand why the nostalgia is so loud right now, you just have to look at the charts from back then. It was hit after hit, with zero skips.
So, let’s unlock the time capsule. If you need a reason to smile today, or just want to remember what it felt like to scream "folake give me love" at the top of your lungs in a crowded club, here are the Top 20 Songs that Shaped Afrobeats in 2016.
1. Pana - Tekno
The undisputed anthem. If 2016 had a national anthem, this was it. Tekno was on a run that arguably hasn't been matched since. The slow build, the catchy hook, it was inescapable.
2. Mad Over You - Runtown
This track changed the BPM of the industry. It solidified the "Pon Pon" sound and proved that you didn't need high-tempo noise to shut down a party. Smooth, romantic, and lethal on the dancefloor.
3. Mama - Kizz Daniel
Kizz (then Kiss) Daniel could do no wrong. This was the wedding song, the club song, and the radio song all wrapped in one.
4. Iskaba - Wande Coal & DJ Tunez
"Nobody be like Wande Coal." This track is pure serotonin. Even now, if Iskaba drops, the energy in the room shifts instantly.
5. Who You Epp - Olamide
The slang that took over the streets. Olamide turned a casual question into a viral moment that had every rapper jumping on a cover.
6. Bhad Baddo Baddest - Falz, Olamide & Davido
A summit of heavyweights. This gave us one of the most quotable Davido lines in history ("Mr. Dele na my boy...").
7. Ariwo Ko - Adekunle Gold
While everyone was going pop, Adekunle Gold was grounding us with highlife fusion, reminding us that empty barrels make the most noise.
8. Daddy Yo - Wizkid
The beginning of the Starboy global era. This track introduced a new, reggaeton-infused flow that teased what was coming on Sounds from the Other Side.
9. Bank Alert - Psquare
Nostalgia within nostalgia. Psquare gave us that classic sound that reminded us why they were the biggest duo on the continent.
10. Oya Dab - DJ Enimoney ft Olamide
The Dab was the dance of the year, and Baddo gave it a home in Lagos. You couldn't go five minutes without seeing someone hit the dab to this.
11. Coolest Kid in Africa - Davido & Nasty C
Davido tapped into the South African trap wave, linking up with a young Nasty C to create something that felt gritty and international.
12. Pree Me - Burna Boy
Before the Grammy runs, Burna was pouring his heart out. This was a moody, introspective banger that hinted at the "African Giant" to come.
13. Soft Work - Falz
"We h’epp you to spend the money..." Falz was at the peak of his storytelling prowess here. A smooth track for the easy life.
14. Eleko - Mayorkun
The debut that launched a su⁶perstar. Mayorkun came out swinging under DMW, proving he wasn't a one-hit wonder.
15. Fada Fada - Phyno & Olamide
The ghetto gospel. This song transcended religion and region; it was played in churches and clubs with equal fervor.
16. Mungo Park - Korede Bello
Playful, catchy, and dominating the airwaves. Korede Bello had the Mavin pop formula down to a science.
17. Standing Ovation - Tiwa Savage & Olamide
Two kings and queens of their respective lanes. High energy and pure Lagos street vibes.
18. Kontrol - Maleek Berry
Maleek Berry stepped out from behind the production boards to drop this summer heater. The melody was infectious.
19. Hola Hola - Sugarboy
You couldn't escape this hook. It was the ultimate party starter that signaled the night was about to get loose.
20. Ohema - DJ Spinall & Mr Eazi
The "Banku" sound in full effect. Mr Eazi’s laid-back delivery paired with Spinall’s curation was a match made in heaven.
