In recent years, the African music industry has seen a significant increase in the number of views on YouTube. Many African artists have gained international recognition and have amassed millions of views on their music videos. In this list, we will be taking a look at the top 20 most viewed African music videos on YouTube. These videos showcase the diversity and talent of African artists, and have captured the hearts of audiences all over the world. From Afrobeats to Amapiano, these videos represent some of the most popular and influential music coming out of Africa in 2022.
Below are the top 20 most watched African music videos on YouTube.
See also: Top 10 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos on Youtube
Top 20 Most Viewed African Music Videos on Youtube (Updated: 2023)
22. Die Antwoord – Banana Brain (South Africa)
Over 120 million views
Banana brain is the first video from Die Antwoord’s album ‘Mount Ninji and da Nice Time Kid, the video was released on August 31, 2016 and since then has accumulated over 118 million views on youtube as of June 2023.
21. Wizkid – Come Closer
Over 132 million views
Come closer was released as the third single from Wizkid’s third studio album, Sounds from the Other Side. In September 2020, Wizkid became the first African artist to be certified Gold (both) as a featured and lead artist in the United States, as Come Closer sold 500,000 units.
20. Diamond Platnumz Ft Koffi Olomide – Waah!
Over 137 million views
Diamond Platnumz united with Congolese Soukus singer, Koffi Olomide to deliver this east African banger. The video was directed by Kenny for Zoom Extra and currently has over 125 million views on youtube.
19. Runtown – Mad Over You (Nigeria)
Over 152 million views
This here is the one song that propelled Runtown internationally. Back in 2017, this song was the most popular song in Nigeria. The song currently has a staggering 149 million views and is currently the 19th most viewed African music video on Youtube.
18. Yemi Alade – Johnny (Nigeria)
Over 155 million views
Yemi made her debut in the music scene in 2009, but it wasn’t until 2013 that she released Johnny. The hit song ‘Johnny’ currently holds YouTube record for the most watched African Female (secular) video of all time And the 17th most watched African music video of all time.
17. Davido – If (Nigeria)
Over 166 Million views
With a record view of over 163 million, IF by Davido is the 17th most watched African music video on youtube.
16. Die Antwoord – ‘I Fink u Freeky’ (South Africa)
Over 183 million views
Die Antwoord is a South African hip hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008. The group comprises of rappers Ninja and Yolandi Visser and producer God. Their song ‘i fink u freeky’ was released in 2012 and currently is the 16th most viewed african music video on Youtube, with over 180 million views on youtube.
15. Rudeboy – Reason With Me (Nigeria)
Over 179 million views
Paul Okoye’s – known professionally as Rudeboy – song “Reason With Me” generated the highest views on YouTube in Africa in 2019. As of today the song is the 15th most viewed African music video on youtube with over 170 million views.
14. Tekno – Pana (Nigeria)
Over 197 million views
Undoubtedly the greatest song of tekno’s career.
Pana is the fifth most viewed Nigerian music video on youtube and the 13th most viewed African music video on YouTube with a whopping 194 million views.
13. Burna boy – Last Last
Over 201 million views
Burna Boy’s Last Last” was released through Atlantic Records on 13 May 2022 as the first single from his sixth studio album, Love, Damini. The song which samples American singer Toni Braxton’s 2000 single, “He Wasn’t Man Enough” currently has over 200 million views on youtube.
12. Die Antwoord – Ugly Boy (South Africa)
Over 196 million views
With over 192 million views, Ugly Boy by Antwood is the third most viewed South African music video on Youtube and the eleventh most viewed African music video on YouTube.
11. Innoss’B Ft Diamond Platnumz – Yope Remix (Congo)
Over 210 million views
Innoss’B
Innoss’B is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, percussionist, and dancer from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. The remix of his song Yope is the 11th most most watched African music video on youtube.
Innoss’B was born to a musical family – his mother was a church singer, his father was a pop music dancer and he first performed with his brothers in the group Maisha Soul. They trained at Yolé!Africa, a youth cultural center in Goma founded in 2000 by internationally acclaimed filmmaker and activist Petna Ndaliko Katondolo.
10. Burna Boy – Ye (Nigeria)
Over 235 million views
“Ye” is currently the 10th most watched African music video on youtube with over 214 million views. “Ye” was released in 2018, as the sixth single from his third studio album Outside and was produced by Nigerian record producer Phantom.
9. Wizkid – Joro
Over 241 million views
Released in 2019, Wizkid’s Joro was produced by Nigerian record producer Northboi. The song which is currently the 9th most viewed African music on YouTube was certified Gold by Music Canada in 2022.
8. Sinachi – Way Maker (Nigeria)
Over 231 million views
Sinach, is a Nigerian-born gospel music singer, songwriter, and senior worship leader at Loveworld. Her song, “Way Maker”, is her most popular song till date judging from its views. Way Maker currently holds YouTube record for the most watched African Female video of all time And the third most watched Nigerian music video of all time, waymaker is also the most viewed Nigerian gospel music video on youtube.
Sinach
Osinachi Joseph, known professionally as Sinach, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader at Loveworld. She has released several gospel hit songs, including “Way Maker”, “I Know Who I Am”, “Great Are You Lord”, “Rejoice” and “Jesus is Alive”. Sinach received a Bethlehem Hall of Faith certificate of commemoration during her visit to Israel in December 2017.
In March 2019, the visuals for “Way Maker” became the third Nigerian video to garnered 100 million views on YouTube behind Davido’s “Fall” and Yemi Alade’s Johnny”. “Way Maker” has been covered by multiple Christian artists such as Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Leeland, Bethel Music, and Mandisa. In September 2019, Sinach became the first gospel artist from Africa to tour India, headlining concerts with several thousands in attendance.
In May 2020, she became the first African artist to top the Billboard Christian Songwriters chart
7. Davido – Fall (Nigeria)
Over 265 million views
This song here was the one song that propelled Davido internationally. The song currently has a whopping 243 million views on youtube and is Davido’s most viewed video ever on youtube, and also the seventh most viewed African Music Video on YouTube.
DAVIDO
Born in Atlanta and raised in Lagos, Davido made his music debut as a member of the music group KB International.
Davido rose to fame in 2011 with the release of “Dami Duro”, the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo (2012).
In January 2016, Davido announced on Twitter that he signed a record deal with Sony Music.
Few months after signing with Sony, Davido founded the Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) record label. Dremo and Mayorkun are currently signed to the label.
In 2017 after he restructured his contract with Sony, Davido released five singles, including “If” and “Fall”. The former generated worldwide social media activity, while the latter became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history.
See Also: Top 10 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos on Youtube
Read also: Top 7 Nigerian Music Stars Who Were Born Rich
6. Die Antwoord – ‘Baby On Fire’ (South Africa)
Over 268 million views
Baby on fire by antwoord is the sixth most viewed African music video on Youtube and the second most viewed South African music video on youtube with a total of 263 million views. The video was Directed by NINJA and Terence Neale.
DIE ANTWOORD
Die Antwoord is a South African hip hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008. The group is composed of rappers Ninja and Yolandi Visser. Their image revolves around the South African counterculture movement known as zef.
In 2009, Die Antwoord released their debut album $O$ for free online and attracted international attention for their music video “Enter the Ninja”. After briefly signing with Interscope Records, in 2011 they founded their own label, Zef Recordz, and released their second and third studio albums: Ten$Ion (2012) and Donker Mag (“Dark Power”; 2014). In 2016, they released their fourth album Mount Ninji and da Nice Time Kid.
5. Burna Boy – On The Low (Nigeria)
Over 336 Million views
On the low by burna boy is the 5th most viewed african music video on youtube and the second most watched Nigerian music video on YouTube. The song was released on November 16, 2018. It is a fusion of Afrobeat and dancehall. The song was produced by Kel P and has been described as a mid-tempo love song. The accompanying music video for “On the Low” was shot and directed by Meji Alabi.
Burna Boy
Burna boy rose to prominence in 2012 after releasing “Like to Party”, the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally. His third studio album Outside marked his major-label debut.
In 2019, he won Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards, and was announced as an Apple Music Up Next artist. His fourth studio album African Giant was released in July 2019; it won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
In 2021, he finally clinched a Grammy for his Album Twice As Tall.
4. Ckay – Love Nwantiti
Over 397 million views
“Love Nwantiti” which was originally released as part of Ckay’s 8-track E.P became one of the best performing songs on the E.P and earned itself a remix with afro pop star Joeboy and Ghanaian singer Kuami Eugene which was released in 2020 and became a big hit all over the world thanks to tiktok. Love Nwantiti is the fourth most viewed African music video on youtube, it’s also the first Nigerian music video to cross 300 million views on YouTube
3. Magic System ft Chawki – Magic in the Air (Ivory Coast)
Over 424 Million views
“Magic in the Air” is a single released in 2014 by the Ivorian musical group Magic System, featuring Moroccan singer Chawki. The song was released on May 19, 2014, and it is currently the third most viewed West African music video on YouTube.
MAGIC SYSTEM
Magic System is an Ivorian musical group from Abidjan. The group was founded in 1996 and comprises Salif “Asalfo” Traoré, Narcisse “Goude” Sadoua, Étienne “Tino” Boué Bi, and Adama “Manadja” Fanny.
Magic System’s recordings in the Zouglou dance style have featured in the charts throughout Africa (selling over 1.5 million CDs), the West Indies, and in France, where the band became one of the most popular modern African artists.
2. Rema – Calm down
Over 478 million views
“Calm Down” is a hit by Nigerian artist Rema, found on his first studio album “Rave & Roses” (2022). It dropped on Feb 11, 2022 via Jonzing World and Mavin as the album’s second single and topped charts in Europe, hitting #1 on Belgian Ultratop 50, Dutch Top 40, and Dutch Single Top 100. The song is currently the most viewed Afrobeat song on youtube and the second most viewed music video on youtube.
1. Master KG – Jerusalema Feat. Nomcebo (South Africa)
Over 562 million views
Master KG’s Jerusalema is the most Viewed African music video on YouTube. It’s also the most Viewed South African music video on YouTube.
The song was released on 29 November 2019 after it garnered positive response online, with a music video following on 21 December. He later included the song on his second album of the same title, released in January 2020. After it went viral during mid-2020, garnering international reaction due to the #JerusalemaChallenge. A remix featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy was released on 19 June 2020, propelling the song onto the US Billboard charts.
A second remix featuring Venezuelan singer Micro TDH and Colombian singer Greeicy was released on 17 September 2020.
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