Top African songs of 2022

Towards the end of every year, Music In Africa’s editorial team – comprising editors and contributors from across the continent – compiles a playlist with a selection of some of the biggest tracks of the past 12 months. The below playlist is divided into six regions, with each region bearing five tracks that made an impression on the local music scene and the journalists who selected them.

Anglophone West Africa

Anglophone West Africa continues to lead the continent’s strides globally, with Nigeria leading the charge and Ghana in tow. A number of music industry organisations have reported that Nigerian music fans are listening to more music than any other country. Their sound of choice? Afrobeats, which draws first from indigenous sounds, and expands to embrace influences from all corners of the world. The architects of 2022’s biggest hits comprise a healthy assortment of pop veterans and new voices.

‘Ku Lo Sa’ by Oxlade (Nigeria)

‘Buga’ by Kizz Daniel & Tekno (Nigeria)

‘Calm Down’ by Rema (Nigeria)

‘Kwaku the Traveller’ by Black Sherif (Ghana)

'Last Last' by Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Francophone West Africa

This year has been particularly vibrant for the Francophone West Africa music scene. Many French-speaking countries, such as Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea, have drawn from their native rhythms to create enjoyable and popular Afropop songs. In addition to winning accolades and nominations at different awards platforms, all of the songs listed below are well-known online.

‘C’est Dieu’ (remix) by KS Bloom ft. Chidinma (Senegal)

‘Reuguine Tass’ by Wally Seck ft. Viviane Chidid (Senegal)

‘C’est Dosé’ by Serge Beynaud (Côte d'Ivoire)

‘C’est La même Phase’ by Roseline Layo (Côte d'Ivoire)

‘Yeuk Yeuk’ by Viviane Chidid (Senegal)

Southern Africa

South Africa continues to produce some of the continent’s most notable releases, with amapiano still dominating the local music scene. Artists such as Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna and Mellow & Sleazy are leading the amapaino movement, while music makers like Master KG, K.O, Makhadzi and 9umba continue to shape the future South African sound.

‘Khusela’ by Kabza De Small ft. Msaki (South Africa)

‘SETE’ by K.O ft. Young Stunna & Blxckie (South Africa)

‘Kulakwe’ by Makhadzi ft. Master KG (South Africa)

‘uMlando’ by 9umba, TOSS & Mdoovar ft. Sir Trill, Sino Msolo, Lady Du, Young Stunna and Slade (South Africa)

‘Dali Nguwe’ by Wanitwa Mos & Master KG ft. Nkosazana Daughter, Basetsana & Obeey Amor (South Africa)

East Africa

This was the year the East African music industry breathed a collective sigh of relief after COVID-19 restrictions were eased across the region. Action returned to both the alternative and popular music scenes, giving fans a chance to engage with their favourite artists in a live setting again. Many mainstream acts in the region continued to rack up streams and earned performance opportunities within and outside their countries.

‘Mtasubiri’ by Diamond Platnumz ft. Zuchu (Tanzania)

‘Kuna Kuna’ by Vic West ft. Fathermoh, Savara, Brandy Maina & Thee Exit Band (Kenya)

‘Action ‘n’ Energy’ by John Frog (South Sudan)

‘Bega Bega’ by Pallaso (Uganda)

‘Funga Macho’ by Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)

Central Africa

There is a wide variety of artists and music genres in Central Africa, making it one of the most vibrant African music scenes. There have been several releases from both new and established artists. Fally Ipupa, Innos'B, Locko and Ko-C are among the artists from Central Africa who stood out among the top five.

‘Muselu’ by Innos'B ft. Djizzo (DRC)

‘Quand J’aurais L’argent’ by Ko-C ft. Innos'B (Cameroon)

‘Toffole’ by Ariel Sheney ft. Koffi Olomidé (Côte d'Ivoire/DRC)

‘Bokoko’ by Roga Roga (Congo-Brazzaville)

‘Bloqué’ by Fally Ipupa (DRC)

North Africa

The new generation of North African artists has brought previously marginalised genres in the region – like hip hop, pop and electro – to the forefront. Despite the challenges of the past few years, many North African musicians made strides in 2022. They include DJ Snake (Algeria), Soolking (Algeria), Balti (Tunisia), ElGrandeToto and Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt).

‘Disco Maghreb’ by DJ Snake (Algeria/France)

‘Suavemente’ by Soolking (Algeria)

‘Gueule Tapée’ by ElGrandeToto (Morocco)

‘Tanteet’ by Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)

‘Allo’ by Balti (Tunisia)