Nigerian music has always been at its heart a celebration of love—whether it’s the passion, the heartbreak, or the pure joy that comes with it. Love songs in Nigeria take on a unique form—infused with braggadocio, groove, and energy that makes you move to the rhythm of romance.
From the soulful ballads of Sunny Nneji’s Oruka to the heartfelt serenades of Simi’s Smile for Me, Nigerian artistes have always had a knack for telling love stories in the most captivating ways. Since 2019, a new wave of Nigerian artistes have emerged, reshaping the love song landscape while drawing inspiration from their predecessors. Meanwhile, seasoned artistes continue to release songs that prove why they’ve long reigned in the genre. In this list, we’ve curated the 20 best love songs of the new era:
BONUS: Adewale Ayuba, “Koloba Koloba”
It’s easy to get lost in the euphoria that Fuji induces, and Ayuba is a master at making that happen. In Koloba Koloba, he boldly professes his love, despite the hostility from his lover’s father who’s unwilling to give his daughter’s hand in marriage. The tune comes across as a playful, vibey wedding anthem, which found a larger audience after blowing up on TikTok.
20. DJ Tunez Ft Terry Apala, Wizkid and Seyi Vibez, “Apala Disco”
Traditionally, love songs tend to follow the smooth, soulful lines of R&B, soul, and slow ballads. But Nigerian love, in its truest form, is louder, flirtatious, and braggadocious. Only a Nigerian would tell you ‘Wetin dey worry you?’ while trying to win your heart. Apala music, with its serenading elements, captures this perfectly—like most traditional Yoruba genres.
DJ Tunez brings together Wizkid and Seyi Vibez to create a modern Apala masterpiece. However, it’s Terry Apala, the reigning crooner, who truly makes this song special, bringing just the right energy alongside his co-singers.
19. Davido ft Fave, “Kante”
Davido’s versatility as an artist lies in his effortless ability to collaborate with a wide range of artistes, and his pairing with Fave is a prime example of that. This unexpected collaboration is one we didn’t know we needed, but it has undeniably reshaped the conversation.
Fave, with her sharp lyrical prowess, not only asserts herself as a leading female voice in Afrobeats but as a commanding artiste in her own right. Kante is reminiscent of the vibe hit track like Essence and Chemistry embodies but it may not have garnered the success that tracks like this do, but it doesn’t understate its quality.
18. Rema, “Calm Down”
Calm down cleverly blends emotional decorous lyric and tune with a danceable groove, as Rema pursues a woman he admires. A playful yet soothing melody that has also achieved significant chart success, topping music charts worldwide and becoming one of Nigeria’s biggest songs of all time.
17. Omah Lay, “You”
2020 was a pivotal year for Afrobeats, and much of this can be credited to the fact that with social gatherings like clubs and weddings off the table, artistes were given the freedom to fully explore their creativity, without the pressure to churn out the typical club bangers. Fans, too, had the time to really absorb music, and this shift gave rise to artistes who would go on to shape the genre in a profound way. Omah Lay is a standout example of this, which is evident on the unique love tune, “You” like the rest of his debut EP Get Layd—an EP that many now consider one of the greatest ever.
16. Joeboy, “Baby”
2019 was a tough year to debut in the Afrobeats scene, with labels churning out fresh talents like Fireboy and Rema. Yet, Joeboy managed to carve his own space, becoming a standout in that wave of new artistes. His debut hit ‘Baby’ was inescapable—it took over airwaves and playlists, quickly becoming the song that everyone was singing.
Joeboy, as fans know all too well, is fond of keeping things short—much to their dismay. ‘Baby’ is no exception. The song is quick, but this infectious love ballad always gets that second spin… maybe even a third.
15. Obongjayar x Sarz, “Gone Girl”
Gone Girl captures a relationship teetering on the edge of ruin, much like the 2014 film that inspired it. But unlike the film’s dark twist, the singer here is determined to make amends and salvage what’s slipping away.
Heartbreak is an unavoidable theme in love songs, but this track delves into the moments leading up to that heartbreak. There’s a unique energy in this song—like many Afrobeats tracks—that makes you dance your heart out, even as the protagonist wails through the impending loss.
14. Wande Coal ,”Again”
Wande Coal has long been a pioneer of timeless love songs, from his Mo Hits days with iconic tracks like “Ololufe.” Many thought he had reached his peak, but in 2020, he teamed up with the talented producer Melvitto to create a masterpiece.
The result was a track that showcases incredible writing and vocal performance, blending with a true Afrobeats sound, catchy tunes, and captivating rhythms. The song has stood the test of time, gaining renewed popularity through TikTok trends, with fans urging for an extended version as they can’t get enough of this beautifully crafted track.
13. Ckay, “Love Nwantiti’
Before Love Nwantiti, there was a mental cap on how far Afrobeats songs could go, but Ckay shattered that limit. It’s the most successful love song in the Afrobeats streaming era, breaking records and becoming a global sensation on social media. But its impact isn’t just in the numbers. Listening to Love Nwantiti feels like being swept away in a whirlwind romance.
The song pulses with an irresistible rhythm, effortlessly blending Afrobeats and R&B into a hypnotic groove that seeps into your soul. You don’t just crave the melody—you crave the feeling of love it evokes.
12. Asake, “Remember”
Asake’s “Remember” is a ridiculously catchy and vibey track that has become a go-to love song in this new era. While it might blur the lines between a genuine love confession and a playful, sneaky invitation, with lines like “Abena wa, wa, ka ma lo to my Condo… I get koko…” It’s not just a melody; it’s an experience—a heartfelt reassurance of love that stands out as one of the most beautiful love songs in Nigerian music.
11. Adekunle Gold ft Lucky Daye, “Sinner“
Adekunle Gold has stayed true to his roots in love songs, even as he explores different genres and style. His hit track, “Sinner,” stands out with a feature from R&B star Lucky Daye and showcases Gold’s masterful storytelling, enriched with subtle biblical references, making it a standout piece in his discography.
10. Tems ft Brent Faiyaz, “Found”
Listening to a Tems song feels like reading a private diary or eavesdropping on a conversation you shouldn’t be part of— and that’s exactly what makes her special. She bares it all in her songwriting—raw, vulnerable, and unflinchingly honest.
Found dives deep into the uncertainty, messiness, and emotional baggage that come with loving someone. With a standout feature from Brent Faiyaz, the two singers unleash their killer vocals, turning the track into a soulful, emotional journey.
9. Chike, “Roju“
“Boo of the Booless” might just be the sleeper hit album of the 21st century. Almost every track could make this list, and no one would bat an eye. Roju stands out as a burgeoning classic, instantly bringing to mind Flavour’s “Ada Ada” and Sunny Nneji’s “Oruka”. It’s one of those songs that has earned its place as a staple for Nigerian Weddings.
8. Oxlade, “Ku Lo Sa”
It would be criminal to discuss great Afrobeats songs, especially love songs, without mentioning Oxlade’s Ku Lo Sa. The track impresses not only with its captivating lyrics but also with a vocal performance that stands as one of the best by any African artist. Oxlade’s vocal dexterity is on full display here, hitting falsettos and notes that few in the genre have dared to attempt.
The raw emotion in his voice and lyrics powerfully tackle one of the most relatable themes in the Nigerian dating scene: long-distance love. Ku Lo Sa, which Oxlade revealed was the last song he recorded for his debut project, went on to become one of the most iconic performances in Colors studio history and remains one of the biggest songs in Afrobeats, amassing over 400 million streams on Spotify alone.
7. Chike ft Simi, “Running To You”
After the success that met Boo of the Booless, it was only right that Chike made a duet with the reigning queen of the genre, the result which is one of the best songs created in the decade. The vocals , the synergy- folks, these are what love songs are made of. It’s a perfect blend of passion and emotion, showing us exactly what a timeless love song should sound like.
6. Ayra Starr, “Rhythm & Blues”
After the online backlash from her fun hit ‘Sability’, Ayra Starr had something to prove—and with ‘Rhythm and Blues’, she created a quintessential Afrobeats love song that defines her lyricism and songwriting. It’s a true proclamation of what an Ayra Starr track will (and should) sound like.
5. Wizkid ft Tems, “Essence”
It was impossible to predict the level of success that Essence would achieve, propelling both Wizkid and Tems into global stardom. However, the quality of the track was never in question. As the standout hit from the iconic 2021 album Made in Lagos, Essence isn’t just one of the best R&B tracks of the decade—it’s also the ultimate love song.
The chemistry between Wizkid and Tems is electric, with their voices blending effortlessly to create a track that feels intimate and sincere. it’s easy on the ear, with a smooth, irresistible groove that effortlessly blends Afrobeat with R&B.
4. Magixx ft Ayra Starr, “Love Don’t Cost A Dime”
Duets featuring a male and female artiste have always been a perfect formula for creating a timeless love song, and classics like Wizkid and Tiwa Savage’s Malo or Falz and Simi’s Chemistry have set the bar high. Magixx and Ayra Starr, two of the brightest talents from the Mavin camp, came together to deliver Love Don’t Cost a Dime, a modern classic in its own right. A Love song so convincing that one could ALMOST believe that truly in the Lagos dating scene ‘love don’t cost a dime’.
3. Ladipoe x Simi, “Know You”
Nobody does love song duets like Simi. Her perfect chemistry with every artist she collaborates with makes her the ultimate songbird and recipe for love duets. ‘Know You’ became one of the escapist anthems that gave us a sense of normalcy during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. The back-and-forth between Ladipoe’s stripped-down rap and Simi’s sultry, unique voice created a synergy that will be long yearned for in future duets.
2. Wizkid ft Tay Iwar & Projexx, “True Love“
“True Love” blends Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall in a way that makes it feel both intimate and striking. Wizkid, Tay Iwar, and Projexx each bring something unique to the track, but the synergy between them is what makes it so special. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t just sound good—it feels good. Every listen wraps you in a warm, familiar embrace, like the kind of love it’s describing.
1. Fireboy, “Like I Do”
It’s no secret that Fireboy’s debut album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps marked a pivotal moment in shaping the future of new-gen Afrobeats. He delivered love songs that left a mark on the Nigerian music scene—tracks like Jealous, Need You, Energy, and What If I Say could all easily have made this list. But Like I Do stands out as something truly special.
Fireboy’s exceptional songwriting and unique melodies came together with the incredible producer P.Priime to create a one-of-a-kind love song that will undoubtedly cement both of their names in the history of Afrobeats.
WRITTEN BY: Akinbobola Ebiseni, Precious Emmanuel, Alsonelson
