BBC World Service listeners recently suggested the African songs that summed up the continent to them.

This was to mark the 50th anniversary of the African Union – formerly the Organisation of African Unity.

BBC’s DJ Edu who compiled the songs voted into a special five-minute mix of 50 songs from 50 countries went on to picked the five songs that he personally felt represented Africa:

They included; African Queen by 2Face Idibia which Edu felt was a very special song. “If you play it anywhere in Africa, people know it. For me, it was the song that introduced African music to the world – you’d be on holiday in Jamaica and you’d hear it,” he said.

Also rounding the top five was Antenna by Fuse ODG a British musician of Ghanaian origin, Daima by Eric Wainaina from Kenya, Agolo by Benin-born Angelique Kidjo, and Motherland by Yvonne Chaka Chaka who is known as the “Princess of Africa”, and is a true ambassador of South African music.

[img]http://4.bp..com/_ikpsIoS-wzs/S_RdUXUMW4I/AAAAAAAAAgc/rIqof51TmKg/s1600/2face+Idibia.jpg[/img]

Source:http://naija366.com/2faces-african-queen-listed-among-africas-most-famous-anthems/

That's definitely true.

I would definitely add Sweet Mother by Prince Nico Mbarga

That song made me realise that music really has a spirit.

Whenever I hear that song, even just reading about it makes me feel so special and proud to be an African and a woman.

2face!! Thank you o jare.

Yeah

Those of u that usually rate D bang higher than 2baba why wasn't he listed?

bros dat ur song deserve am abeg. But psquare omogemi for still day that list na.

style$co:
That song made me realise that music really has a spirit.

Whenever I hear that song, even just reading about it makes me feel so special and proud to be an African and a woman.

2face!! BlackFace Thank you o jare.

Fixed!

2Face, am so proud of you. You too good. No wonder all Nigerian girls want to bear your name. Those who couldn't got close by having kids in your name for themselves. Who no like better thing! Ochenyilo!!!

Joromi by Victor Uwaifoh should be on that list also.

Rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dbanj"s Oliver twist is far better jor.

kITA TITA: I would definitely add Sweet Mother by Prince Nico Mbarga

I agree with you but definitely not tuface

For me, it was the song that introduced African music to the world

what the hey?

what kind of ignorance is this?

i fear for this generation abeg.

bbc's DJ Edu

who is this person?

Abu Mikey: Joromi by Victor Uwaifoh should be on that list also.

. African best and not Nigerian best mentioned here.

What about Dbanj's Oliver Twist?? I tot dey said it was a Universal hit.. Abi na only d beat dem gbadun ni?? Who carez so far Eja nla reman bigger for d Fisherman...

There's this African musician who's not the best but made best through the lyrics.
Oliver twist is a hit song, well, within the shores of Nigeria made popular by channel stations. I remember when oliver twist was aired, we listened to it just like one of those song made by Mo'hits. Two weeks later, it was heard it was no. 9 at... That was the begining of its reign. Well, its reign was short lived. Go to England, ask an average citizen of oliver tist by D'banj, he'll feel dumb.
P-square is great. Infact they have a great song, most time poor lyrics but damn cool. There's is also shortlived but the singers are recurrent. There's two of there songs which is not well appreciated by 9ja but guy, it rocks. Good lyrics, good cordination, i rank it second, "I Love You", "Forever".

But there is this guy, he has this song that never dies. About 9 yrs now yet it rocks even through the tommy of a pregnant lady and the baby dances to it's rythym. Very good lyrics, very good cordinates. As rranked by an org in US(Bizzbook) the most popular and most played African songs at weddings, "no one like you"(pquare), "African queen"(the bald guy). In ranking this three, Twist is nowhere near them. As MI said "He's not in the league, help me tell them."
Well, since psquare and d other is left out, make ur choice. Psquares songs are shortlived, sometimes poor Lyrics but very awesome. The bald guy fucking got the best lyrics, after 9 yrs of releasing, children sing as though they were in the video. Well, I've forgotten the bald guys name remind me.
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.
. Hit the like button jor.

Is dt in 1824?

I don't think i have ever heard about the kenyan person on that list.

Also rounding the top five was Antenna by Fuse ODG a British musician of Ghanaian origin.

Fuse in African most famous anthem list? U got to be kidding me! I totally disagree with this particular pick. This song will not have d capacity to spark nostalgia in years to come cos its just a Typical club song dat wont last 3months in ones head abi its because he is a British of Ghanian descent? If am not mistaken thats d reason why he made d list.

kITA TITA: I would definitely add Sweet Mother by Prince Nico Mbarga

Africa's most famous not Nigeria's most famous.

ifihearam: Rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dbanj"s Oliver twist is far better jor.

Education is not that expensive. It says most famous not best.

Welldone Nigeria

Hope KNAAN's song is dia!

Pls I dnt undastand dis post oº°˚˚°ºoo!!!! More xplanation!

Hmmm

2Face Idibia you remain an Idol to African at all time. that fact is spot on( that song"African Queen" brought african music to the world). Yes dats fact cos African Queen was also the first song to be aired on MTV Base when it was launched in Africa. 2baba u be my baba all my life

ifihearam: Rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dbanj"s Oliver twist is far better jor.

tah! My radio station never even play this your song before abi na Dbanj you talk self.
Ontop of the world would have been better.

@ OP that is nice to hear.

Reyspin: What about Dbanj's Oliver Twist?? I tot dey said it was a Universal hit.. Abi na only d beat dem gbadun ni?? Who carez so far Eja nla reman bigger for d Fisherman...

We are talking about classical musics with a well defined meaning and interpretation...musics that touches d body,soul,heart n brain...

its a pity!!!!

I'm surprised Brenda Fassie's vuli ndela does not make the list.
that song is by far an anthem compared to fuse's and chaka chaka's songs.

African queen remains one of the few songs that has come to stay and will eventually outlive 2baba.He remains one of the best in Nigeria and Africa.