For much of this decade, Afrobeats has made a habit of owning the global summer. Almost every year has produced a record that escaped its home market to become the soundtrack to festivals, beach parties, road trips, TikTok trends and club nights around the world. Some arrived as instant hits. Others took months, or even years, to find their moment. But they all came to define a summer.
That streak appeared less certain heading into 2026. After years of producing crossover anthems with remarkable consistency, questions began to emerge about whether Afrobeats could still deliver the season’s next unavoidable global hit.
Then came Victony’s Slick. The song has steadily gathered momentum across streaming platforms, DJ sets and social media, quickly emerging as one of the strongest contenders for this year’s global summer hit. Whether it ultimately earns that status remains to be seen, but its rise makes this the perfect time to revisit the songs that have defined every global summer of the 2020s.
Jerusalema – Master KG Ft Nomcebo Zikode (2020)
Released in 2019, Jerusalema became a worldwide phenomenon in 2020 thanks to the viral #JerusalemaChallenge. At a time when much of the world was indoors, the song united millions through dance and became Africa’s defining global hit of the summer.
Essence – Wizkid ft. Tems(2021).
Essence became one of Afrobeats’ biggest crossover moments, capturing audiences far beyond Africa. Its global success attracted a Justin Bieber remix, earned a Billboard Hot 100 entry and cemented the song as one of the defining hits of the summer.
Love Nwantiti – Ckay (2021)
Two years after its release, TikTok transformed Love Nwantiti into one of the biggest crossover hits of the decade. Its success stretched across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, making it one of Afrobeats’ defining global records.
Sad Girlz Luv Money (Remix) – Amaarae ft. Moliy & Kali Uchis (2021)
The remix elevated an already beloved record into an international streaming success. It also marked a major milestone for Ghanaian pop and African women making waves in global music.
Last Last – Burna Boy (2022)
Sampling Toni Braxton while turning heartbreak into a celebration, Last Last became Burna Boy’s biggest anthem at the time. Festivals, clubs and radio couldn’t get enough of it.
Calm Down – Rema (2022)
Its biggest achievements would come later, but 2022 was where Calm Down’s global journey truly began. It has since become one of the most successful Afrobeats songs ever recorded.
Unavailable – Davido ft. Musa Keys (2023)
Released as the lead single from Timeless, Unavailable dominated dance floors with its infectious hook and signature choreography. It became one of the defining records of the year.
Water – Tyla (2023)
No African song travelled further in 2023. Powered by a viral dance challenge, Water introduced Tyla to a global audience and earned her a historic Grammy Award.
Soso – Omah Lay (2023)
While others relied on high energy, Soso thrived on emotion. Its honesty and replay value made it one of the year’s most enduring records.
Ozeba – Rema (2024)
Experimental, chaotic and undeniably addictive, Ozeba proved Afrobeats could keep evolving without losing mainstream appeal.
Favourite Girl (Remix)– Darkoo ft. Rema (2024)
The remix quietly became one of the year’s biggest streaming successes. Sometimes the biggest summer hits don’t arrive with the biggest headlines.
Shake It to the Max (FLY)– Moliy & Silent Addy (2025)
Few songs captured the carefree spirit of summer better. From TikTok to festivals, Shake It to the Max became a dance phenomenon across continents.
With You– Davido ft. Omah Lay (2025)
Smooth melodies and undeniable chemistry helped With You become one of the most replayed Afrobeats records of the season.
TaTaTa– Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott (2025)
A blockbuster collaboration that paired Burna Boy’s unmistakable style with Travis Scott’s global reach. The result was one of 2025’s biggest crossover moments.
Slick– Victony (2026)
The story is still unfolding. But if its current momentum continues, Slick could become the latest addition to a remarkable run of Afrobeats global summer hits.
Summer hits don’t follow a formula. Some explode overnight, others take the scenic route. What they share is the ability to capture a moment and travel far beyond the borders where they were made.
Whether Victony’s Slick ultimately joins this list is a question only time can answer. But if the early signs are anything to go by, Afrobeats may just have another global summer on its hands.
