Burna Boy started his music career in Nigeria, but has since gone global, performing on the main stages of Coachella and the Grammys. His songs have been instrumental in the reemergence of Afrobeats on the global stage.
Across every song, album and feature, he’s given fans music that speaks to confidence, heartbreak, African pride, political unrest, Lagos chaos and luxury in equal measure. Whether he’s raging through “Last Last”, or gliding across “Bank On It”, his catalogue is focused and diverse.
So, I asked the listeners who matter most, the Outsiders, to rank forty of the very best Burna Boy songs.
Here are the 40 greatest burna boy songs of all time ranked by fans.
40. “Solid” feat. Blxst and Kehlani (2022)
Here, Burna Boy features American singers Blxst and Kehlani to deliver a romantic special.
“It’s a good vibe.” — Gboyega, Burna Boy fan since “Ye.”
Standout lyrics: “You the type I really vibe with / So I forever keep it solid.”
39. “Agbada” (2018)
Burna Boy put out this song following the release of his Outside album.
“I relate to this track on a level just a few can understand. This track has street tales that are basically my life’s soundtrack.” — Mike, Burna Boy fan since “Like to Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Tuck agbada inside trouser.”
38. “Hallelujah” (2017)
Burna Boy takes us to church here as he goes into praise and worship mode.
“I’m not even religious but I just like this song. It’s simple and the video is good too.” — Basit, Burna Boy fan since “Won Da Mo” featuring D’Banj.
Standout lyrics: “Mi affi give the most high praise / For the air I breathe.”
37. “Smoke” feat. Onosz (2011)
This is a freestyle Burna Boy did alongside Onosz on a sample of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “No Woman No Cry.”
“I was still in secondary school, and I had not started smoking weed when I first heard this song, but it had that high feel to it. It’s a smoke session soundtrack. Top song.” — Bami, Burna Boy fan since Best of Burn Series, Vol. 1.
Standout lyrics: “How you like to smoke some weed, yeah, yeah.”
36. “Alone” (2022)
This Burna Boy song appeared on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever album.
“We used it to do a memorial for one of my lecturers who died, and it has stuck since then. It just reminds me to always appreciate everything I have, because you never know how it feels till you lose something.” — Iyegbekosa, Burna Boy fan since “Ye.”
Standout lyrics: “Count every blessing, count every lesson / E fit no dey tomorrow, so I count every second.”
35. “Fa So LaTi Do” (2016)
This track is from his Redemption EP, which reunited him with old-time producer Leriq.
“Burna Boy was experimenting with sounds this period and this is the chillest vibe from him.” — Mide, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “If I get them drawers, baby / You gon’ wish I’m yours, baby.”
34. Big 7 (2023)
This is the second single from Burna Boy’s seventh album, I Told Them…, and it marks his latest nickname, Big 7.
“It gets me hyped.” — Williams, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Been wavy since morning.”
33. “Jealousy” (2015)
Here, Burna Boy sings about the negative impact of jealousy and keeping it real despite thee evny of others.
“It’s his song that I can sing from start to finish. It’s simple and groovy.” — Joba, Burna Boy fan since “Tonight.”
Standout lyrics: “Olowo lo n sore olowo.”
32. “Pree Me” (2016)
This is the first single from Burna Boy’s Redemption EP.
“I really love this song. It came out around 2016, and that was the time I was down. I was depressed and was almost a junkie. I couldn’t even fit into the things my family did at home. This song was all I had.” — Tomnay, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Lately I have been in my toes / Enemies been in a mission.”
31. “Check and Balance” (2014)
This is a single Burna Boy released after the success of his “Don Gorgon” in 2014.
“I like this jam because dancehall Burna Boy is my favourite.” — Promise, Burna Boy fan since “Trumpet” featuring Davido.
Standout lyrics: “I’ve been looking I’ve been searching / Man a hustle man a working.”
30. “Devil in California” (2018)
This is Burna Boy in one of his best melancholic forms.
“Burna Boy is in his feelings. This is the Burna Boy I relate to the most whenever I’m in my feelings.” — Rinde, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “I’ve been living on the edge but I won’t fall off.”
29. “I Told Them” feat. GZA (2023)
Here, Burna Boy features GZA, a legendary rapper from the infamous rap group Wu-Tang Clan.
“I love ‘I Told Them’ because it resonates with my life.” — Kehinde, Burna Boy fan since “Run My Race”
Standout lyrics: “I told them I’m a genius / I had to show them what the meaning is.”
28. “City Vibration”
This is one of the few songs Burna Boy dedicates to his home city, Port Harcourt.
“It’s telling how Niger Delta militias took law into their own hands before Yar’Adua’s amnesty. The region that provides the most oil for the country is not in its best state, a sad reality of our society. This is his root. While I love how he has evolved across genres, I still want to vibe to the reggae-fusion version of Burna Boy.” — Oluwaseyi, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Know say Niger Delta boys no trust no minister / That’s the reason why dem’a burst the cylinder.”
27. “Another Story” feat. M.anifest (2019)
This is one of Burna Boy and M.anifest’s two collaborations.
“I love the political message on this and the featured artist is perfect.” — Wisdom, Burna Boy fan since “Tonight.”
Standout lyrics: “Since 1960 dem dey play us wayo.”
26. “Rockstar” (2015)
This is Burna Boy’s final version of “Rockstar,” after he accused his former label, Aristokrat Records, of leaking an early version.
“There’s just something different about it. Plus, it came at a time when people weren’t really paying attention to Burna. Also, the calm production, visuals, and the South Africa era he was in back then made me like it.” — Olumide, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “I’m a rockstar, baby.”
25. “Yawa Dey” (2013)
This is one of the first singles Burna Boy released ahead of his debut album L.I.F.E.
“This is this early sound. I really fuck with his Aristokrat Records era music.” — Chibuzor, Burna Boy since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Tell dem no be by force / As I drive waka pass, I dey do my thing.”
24. “23” (2020)
Apart from being a motivational song, “23” is a special nod to successful American basketballer Michael Jordan, who’s popularly known for wearing a number 23 jersey in his playing years.
“The delivery and flow is great, and the way his vocals conveyed the emotions of this song is really beautiful.” — Toyosi, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Music make me feel I be Jordan.”
23. “Bank On It” (2020)
In this song, Burna Boy explores faith, perseverance and self-belief.
“This is my motivational song, telling me that I’m the shit. You can bank on me. I’ll never fail.” — Toyosi, Burna Boy fan since “Tonight.”
Standout lyrics: “Diferent type of evil available / And any one of them can kill you.”
22. “Giza” feat. Seyi Vibez (2023)
This is Burna Boy and Seyi Vibez’ s first collaboration.
“I love love street music and Seyi Vibez. Seeing Burna Boy work with him is big. They killed this song.” — Seun, Burna Boy since “Wetin Man Go Do.”
Standout lyrics: “Take a picture / Five hours ago for camera roll.”
21. “Killin Dem” feat. Zlatan (2018)
This is Burna Boy and Zlatan’s one and only song together.
“Anytime the beat drops, it’s a hit.” — Sayo, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “You’re not Ayefele, so what’s your excuse?”
20. “Last Last” (2022)
Coming out of a break-up with musician Steflon Don, Burna Boy sings about the inevitability of heartbreak.
“Around the time this song came out, one of my guys was going through heartbreak, and my friends and I trolled him with this song a lot. The song made me happy.” — Mikaelson, Burna Boy fan since “Gbona.”
Standout lyrics: “E don cast / Last last ), na everybody go chop breakfast.”
19. “Gwarn” (2017)
This is Burna Boy’s first collaboration with Ghanaian music producer Juls.
“The flows on the song are too seamless. He’s just going. The lyrics, the rhythm, the notes, highs and the lows are perfect.” — Chidinma, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “She said she love me something / Because when mi long something slide up in her.”
18. “Monsters You Made” feat. Chris Martin (2020)
Burna Boy collaborates with American singer Chris Martin, a member of the music band Coldplay.
“I like the song because of its Afrocentricism and its adoption of a revolutionary tone. It’s a protest song and a politically conscious track.” — Emerald, Burna Boy fan since L.I.F.E.
Standout lyrics: “So fuck dem classes in school / Fuck Mungo Park and the fools / That said they found river Niger / They’ve been lying to you / Ain’t no denying the truth / See what I’m tryin’ to do / Is draw the line for the mothers cryin’, we’re dying as youths.”
17. “Dangote” (2019)
Burna Boy sings about the daily struggles of Nigerians, from poverty to police brutality and the rat race.
“I really like it because it just felt different at the time and I found it very vibey.” — Maryam, Burna Boy fan since “Ye.”
Standout lyrics: “Dangote still dey find money.”
16. “Way Too Big” (2020)
Burna Boy praises himself, singing about how he has become a bigger-than-life figure in the Nigerian music industry and life generally.
“The way he moved on the beat is typical Burna Boy. For a song titled ‘Way Too Big,’ he brought a very high and contagious energy. It made me feel like a giant too. Lyrics on point as usual.” — Mark, Burna Boy fan since “Yawa Dey.”
Standout lyrics: “Way too big to be fucking with you.”
15. “Tonight” (2013)
This is one of the lead singles of his debut album, Leaving Impact Till Eternity (L.I.F.E.).
“It holds a special place in my heart. I fought so much for people to hear what I was hearing.” — Bamidele, Burns Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Ah, àwọn jonzing wọn gbọdọ wọlé / O ri Tomiwa / Àwọn jonzing wọn gbọdọ wọlé.”
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14. “Soke” (2014)
From a lack of social infrastructure to poverty and the idea of suffering and smiling, Burna Boy gets political here.
“It’s social commentary. Next level lyricism.” — Habeeb, Burna Boy fan since “Tonight.”
Standout lyrics: “Now, moti lowo, ijo WA lese mi o.”
13. “Streets of Africa” (2018)
Here, Burna Boy wears his local pride and gets optimistic about being African.
“I like ‘Streets of Africa’ because it’s fun and has this beautiful cockiness and pride in it.” — Titi, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “How can I not be happy all day? / I’m from the streets from Africa.”
12. “Don Gorgon” (2014)
This is just Burna Boy bragging about his swag.
“It has one of the flyest music videos I have ever seen from Nigeria.” — Ore, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Na she go denge, mo so fun tele / Gege shi gege.”
11. “Common Person” (2022)
In this song, Burna Boy sings for the masses and finding and protecting one’s joy even in tough times.
“To me, this song is about self-love. I like it a lot.” — Doyin, Burna Boy fan since “On The Low.”
Standout lyrics: “I be common person but my happiness still be my own o.”
10. “Run My Race” (2013)
This is one of the biggest hits from Burna Boy’s first album, L.I.F.E.
“This was Burna Boy’s Versace fashion era. He was stunting on this track.” — Joseph, Burna Boy fan since “Run My Race.”
Standout lyrics: “Daddy, daddy, kowo wole / Mummy, kowo wole.”
9. “Won Da Mo” feat. D’Banj (2013)
This song came out in 2013. Burna Boy and D’Banj were both Globacom ambassadors. It marks their only song together.
“This is one of his best songs ever. It hits just as hard as it did when it first came out.” — David, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Awon temi cover mi, won da mo.”
8. “Gbona” (2019)
This is Burna Boy, saying to the world that he’s hot and in demand—he’s on fire.
“This song shows his skill level as a musician. So perfect. He has clearly mastered Fela’s Afrobeat, too. It’s clear in his fusion on this song.” — Deolu, Burna Boy fan since “Don Gorgon.”
Standout lyrics: “You no get money, you dey call police / Me I dey laugh you gan ni.”
7. “Ye” (2018)
This is aspirational music at its finest. This is Burna Boy’s breakout song to the global audience.
“This is the song that made me a Burna Boy fan.” — Bayo, Burna Boy fan since “Ye.”
Standout lyrics: “Plenty, plenty, plenty suffer we dey face, just to make sure money dey.”
6. “Anybody” (2019)
The language here may be a bit aggressive, but this is Burna Boy’s way of waking up anyone who’s still sleeping on his or her potentials.
“The groove on that song is just timeless. It mixes that old-school Afrobeats vibe with a fresh feel, and Burna Boy sounds so sure of himself on it. It’s like he’s speaking to everyone but still in his own world. Real Fela energy.” — Remi, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Anybody wey no like to soji, knack am something ehnehn / Knack am something.”
5. “Onyeka (Baby)” (2020)
This is a love song that also gives a special nod to late Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu.
“Difficult choice. I had to settle on ‘Onyeka (Baby)’ for how it modernises the highlife love song. The lyrics are playful and packed with Nigerian music references. The melody is percussion-led and just playful. Every now and then, I return to his Grammy’s performance of the song, phoning in from the National Theatre accompanied by joyous-looking drummers.” — Dami, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “You know Osondi Owendi eh.”
4. “African Giant” (2019)
This is the opening track of the eponymous African Giant album.
“It makes me feel cocky.” — Braimoh, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “Many, many people don try am / You can’t test the African Giant.”
3. “Heaven’s Gate” feat. Lily Allen (2018)
This is one of the lead singles from Burna Boy’s Outside album, and it features U.K. singer Lily Allen.
“You listen to this and feel invincible. Lily Allen really complemented Burna Boy’s energy on the jam. The way he incorporated patois in the flow and the bold delivery was perfect too.” — Uba, Burna Boy fan since “Won Da Mo” featuring D’Banj.
Standout lyrics: “Anyway, I thought you was a gee, but you’re any snake.”
2. “Like To Party” (2013)
This is Burna Boy’s first mainstream hit—the one that introduced him to many fans.
“My sister put me on this bop the summer it came out, and it has never left my summer playlist ever since.” — Nancy, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “So, I’m here with girl. Them that likes to party / And move some body.”
1. “On The Low” (2019)
This is the second single from Burna Boy’s fourth studio album African Giant.
“It’s a really catchy tune. I had it on replay for weeks when it dropped. The video only served to solidify its place as my favourite from Burna Boy. The dance performance from the vixen tied the song together perfectly.” — Bobga, Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”
Standout lyrics: “You know I feel a vibe, you feel a Vibe / So, baby whine it pon me.”
