Wizkid Essence earns global acclaim as it ranks No. 22 on Rolling Stone’s top 250 songs of the 21st century, marking a milestone for Afrobeats
Wizkid Essence has once again affirmed its legendary status as the Nigerian superstar, alongside Tems, earned the No. 22 spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 250 greatest songs of the 21st century.
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The 2020 track from Wizkid’s acclaimed album Made in Lagos has been hailed globally for its hypnotic rhythm, sultry Afrobeats sound, and soulful blend of Afro-pop and R&B.
Featuring Tems’ spellbinding vocals on the chorus, “You don’t need no other body,” Essence became a cultural milestone that reshaped the global perception of African music.
Rolling Stone praised Wizkid Essence as “bewitching, shimmering, and impossibly soulful,” celebrating its tropical basslines and magnetic groove that have kept the song alive on international playlists.
The magazine noted Tems’ “electric and plaintive” delivery and Wizkid’s effortless flow that invites listeners into a lush sonic space.
Upon its release, Wizkid Essence became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, earning critical acclaim as the anthem that pushed Afrobeats into the global mainstream.
The track’s remix featuring Justin Bieber elevated its reach even further, winning Best Collaboration at the 2022 BET Awards and Song of the Year at the 15th Headies Awards.
It also received a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance and made history as the first African song to win the iHeartRadio Titanium Award for surpassing one billion spins in the United States.
Beyond Wizkid and Tems, other Nigerian acts featured on Rolling Stone’s prestigious list Burna Boy’s Last Last (#95),
Rema’s Woman (#228), Tems’ Free Mind (#232), and Davido featuring Musa Keys’ Unavailable (#243) highlighting the unstoppable rise of Afrobeats on the world stage.
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With Wizkid Essence continuing to inspire artists and fans across continents, it stands not just as a song but as a defining symbol of African excellence and global cultural fusion.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
