Best African songs of 2018

During the course of 2018 we published news and reviewed many albums in English and French, and in the process shared many of the gems of African music with the rest of the world.

Now that the year is coming to an end, we have liaised with our team members in Dakar, Kinshasa, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg to share with you a playlist of the most impressive releases of 2018, which we have titled Music In Africa Best of 2018.

The songs below saw huge success in the year and many of them topped the charts in their respective countries as well as abroad. Some of the artists who have been included here even earned nominations for next year's Grammys – the pinnacle of recognition for any musician. Many of the songs you are about to hear were game changers and earned their composers and performers lucrative deals.

We also did our best to be inclusive of various genres such as Afrobeat, Afrobeats, hip hop, R&B, dancehall, bongo flava, gqom, electro and fusion, among others. In addition, we've divided the below list into regions based on our editorial presence across Africa. Now turn up the volume!

West Africa

‘Djadja’ by Aya Nakamura (Mali/France)

Fenfo by Fatoumata Diawara (Mali)

'Bum Bum' by Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

'Lova Lova' by Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

'This is Nigeria' by Falz (Nigeria)

'Ye' by Burna Boy (Nigeria)

'Weekend' by C.I.C (Liberia) feat. Iyanya (Nigeria)

‘Suh Different’ by Patoranking (Nigeria)

‘Assurance’ by Davido (Nigeria)

‘Sing My Name’ by MzVee (Ghana) feat. Patoranking (Nigeria)

'Soco' by WizKid (Nigeria)

'Deran Deran Alkheir' by Bombino (Niger)

‘Surrender’ by Mr Eazi (Nigeria) feat. Simi (Ghana)

‘Bend Down’ by MzVee feat. Kuami Eugene (Ghana)

‘Wish Me Well’ by Kuami Eugene (Ghana)

‘Original Gangster’ by Sess feat. Adekunle Gold, Reminisce (Nigeria)

‘Jogodo’ by Tekno (Nigeria)

‘Fuwa Sewa’ by Phyno (Nigeria)

Southern Africa

‘Ksazobalit’ by Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)

Sîfó by Nonku Phiri (South Africa)

'Move!' by Batuk (South Africa)

'Wuz Dat' by Boity and Nasty C (South Africa)

‘Fela In Versace’ by AKA (South Africa) feat. Kiddominant (Nigeria)

‘Sweetie’ by Jah Signal (Zimbabwe)

‘Skeleton Move’ by Master KG feat. Zanda Zakuza (South Africa)

‘Banomoya’ by Prince Kaybee feat. Busiswa & TNS (South Africa)

‘Kanjiva’ by Enzo Ishall (Zimbabwe)

'Abangani' by Sjava feat. Emtee and Saudi (South Africa)

'Sonini' by Sun-EL Musician feat. Simmy & Lelo Kamau (South Africa)

‘Dzamutsana’ by Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)

‘Huku’ by Sho Madjozi (South Africa)

'Ode to the Berg Wind' by Beatenberg (South Africa)

‘Do it Alone’ by Nutty O (Zimbabwe) feat. Etana (Jamaica)

‘Paper Bag’ by Winky D (Zimbabwe)

East Africa

'Atenshan' by Blinky Bill (Kenya)

'Ti Chuong' by Emmanuel Jal and Nyaruach (South Sudan)

'Take and Go' by Mankind (Kenya)

‘Ninogeshe’ by Nandy (Tanzania)

'Oya' by Buravan (Rwanda)

‘Duga’ by Natacha (Burundi) feat. Fally Ipupa (DRC)

‘Kwangwaru’ Harmonize feat. Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

‘Katika’ by Navy Kenzo feat. Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

'Time Table' by Ykee Benda (Uganda) ft Reekado Banks (Nigeria)

‘Short N Sweet’ by Sauti Sol feat. Nyashinski (Kenya)

'Hodari' by Mbosso (Tanzania)

'Chaguo La Moyo' by Otile Brown & Sanaipei Tande (Kenya)

Central Africa

'Juste Une Danse' by Fally Ipupa (DRC)

'Bonbon' by Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)

'Sista' by Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon)

'Tchizambengue' by Shan'L (Gabon)

'Bob Marley' by Dadju (DRC/France)

'Oyo' by Afrotronix (Chad)

'P*tain de M*rde' by Naza (Republic of the Congo/France)

'La Même' by Maître Gims (DRC)

'Faut Pas Me Toucher' by Singuila (Republic of the Congo/CAR/France):

'Booboo' by Locko (Cameroon)

North Africa

‘Jour J’ by DJ Kayz (Algeria/France) feat. Wassila & Scridge (France)

‘Andalé’ by L'Algérino (Algeria/France)

‘Mafiosa’ by Lartiste (Morocco/France) feat. Caroliina

‘Bad Boy’ by Marwa Loud (Morocco/France)

Indian Ocean

'Medley Reyone' by Alain Ramanisum (Mauritius/France)

'Irony' by Kristel (Madagascar)