The Afrobeat Kings: Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido

The Afrobeat Kings: Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido

Afrobeats has exploded beyond Africa, dominating American charts and global playlists alike. At the front of this movement are three of the genre’s biggest stars: Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido. Each has carved his own musical lane, carrying African rhythms into worldwide arenas. Noneillah ranks them based on lyrical depth, catalog, and current impact.

1. Burna Boy – The Storyteller King

Burna Boy has elevated Afrobeats by blending it with dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and traditional African rhythms.

🔹 Musical Style & Flow: Burna Boy’s flow is unique—smooth yet powerful, with melodies that feel rooted in Afro-fusion. He brings a raspy richness to his delivery, making every track soulful.

• Example (from “Anybody”):
  “Me I no dey find their validation, yeah / Everybody say dem dey run, but who dey run well?”

  • Analysis: He mixes humor, confidence, and commentary with a rhythm that flows naturally, giving his songs substance.

🔹 Catalog Strength: Albums like African Giant and Twice as Tall earned him international acclaim, even winning a Grammy. His catalog combines anthems for the clubs with deep songs about African identity.

🔹 Impact: Right now, Burna Boy is leading the Afrobeat wave globally, sweeping both African and American charts.

Verdict: Burna is the crown jewel of modern Afrobeats—a balance of artistry, commercial hits, and cultural storytelling.

2. Wizkid – The Melody Genius

If Burna Boy is the storyteller, Wizkid is the melody magician. His music is smoother, leaning toward R&B-infused Afrobeats.

Musical Style & Flow: Wizkid’s flow is light, melodic, and emotionally charged. He doesn’t overcrowd his verses with lyrics; instead, he lets rhythm and melody take control.

• Example (from “Essence” feat. Tems):
  “You don’t need no other body / Only you fi hold my body.”

  • Analysis: Simple, sensual lines transformed into a global anthem. Wizkid knows how to craft music that sticks to the soul.

Catalog Strength: From Made in Lagos to Ayo, Wizkid’s catalog leans on timeless melodies. His songs age well, and his ability to dominate both African and Western charts proves his global ear.

Impact: Wizkid, along with Burna Boy, is at the forefront of Afrobeat’s global explosion. His music is less political than Burna’s, but his emotional delivery resonates widely.

Verdict: Wizkid is the melody-driven superstar, making Afrobeats soft, sleek, and irresistible.

3. Davido – The Hitmaker

Davido came into the Afrobeats game as a powerhouse, dropping hit after hit with catchy hooks and danceable beats.

Musical Style & Flow: Davido’s style is loud, energetic, and built for the clubs. He thrives on chants, call-and-response, and high-energy performances.

• Example (from “Fall”):
  “Money fall on you / Banana fall on you.”

  • Analysis: The lyrics are simple, but the beat and delivery turned the track into a global smash. Davido’s genius is in creating crowd-pleasers.

Catalog Strength: Songs like “If”, “Fall”, and “FIA” once ruled Afrobeats and even crossed into American playlists. But in recent years, his dominance has slowed compared to Burna Boy and Wizkid.

Impact: About three years ago, Davido was the face of Afrobeats in America. Today, while still respected, his music doesn’t dominate global charts at the same level as his peers.

Verdict: Davido is a pioneer and hitmaker, but at this moment, he has ceded ground to Burna Boy and Wizkid.

Final Breakdown

• Burna Boy → The storyteller with depth, range, and Grammy-winning catalog.

• Wizkid → The melody-driven genius whose smooth flow captures global hearts.

• Davido → The hitmaker who once dominated Afrobeat’s rise but has slowed in recent years.

Together, these three artists represent the trio that globalized Afrobeats. Burna Boy and Wizkid are currently sweeping the charts, while Davido remains a respected figure whose earlier work laid the groundwork for Afrobeat’s worldwide takeover.

Burna Boy, Wizkid & Davido: Lyrical & Flow Comparison

Afrobeats isn’t always about rapid-fire lyricism—it thrives on rhythm, melody, and emotional delivery. But when we look closely, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido each have distinct lyrical approaches that explain why they dominate (or once dominated) the Afrobeat wave.

1. Burna Boy – The Storytelling Lyricist

Burna Boy’s lyrics often blend social commentary with swagger, painting pictures of both African pride and personal success.

Example (from “Anybody”):
“Anybody wey wan fight you / Make them come, they already know.”

• Analysis: Burna flips a simple chant into a defiant anthem. His lyrics carry confidence and cultural weight, often addressing struggle and resilience while still being catchy.

• Flow Strength: His raspy delivery makes even straightforward lines feel layered and soulful.

Verdict: Burna is the lyrical heavyweight of Afrobeats—balancing meaning with melody.

2. Wizkid – The Melody Poet

Wizkid prioritizes vibe over complexity. His lyrics are usually simple, but paired with his smooth flow, they become emotionally powerful.

Example (from “Essence” feat. Tems):
“You don’t need no other body / Only you fi hold my body.”

• Analysis: Wizkid uses repetition and minimal words to create intimacy. The strength isn’t in wordplay—it’s in how the delivery feels almost hypnotic.

• Flow Strength: He leans into melody-driven chants, giving his verses a timeless, almost R&B-like quality.

Verdict: Wizkid is the melodic genius—his lyrics may be simple, but his flow transforms them into global anthems.

3. Davido – The Hitmaker with Anthems

Davido’s lyrics are usually the simplest of the trio, but his energy and catchy hooks make him a crowd favorite.

🔹 Example (from “Fall”):
“Money fall on you / Banana fall on you.”

• Analysis: Lyrically, it’s not complex. But Davido’s strength is in his chant-style hooks that audiences sing along to instantly. He’s less about storytelling, more about creating party records.

• Flow Strength: His delivery is bold, punchy, and designed to get stuck in your head.

Verdict: Davido is the anthem machine—less lyrical, more vibe-driven.

Final Breakdown

• Burna Boy → Lyrical storyteller: depth, cultural pride, versatile flows.

• Wizkid → Melody poet: simple but powerful, flow-driven, emotionally resonant.

• Davido → Anthem hitmaker: straightforward lyrics, high-energy hooks, dance-floor dominance.

Together, these three represent the pillars of modern Afrobeats, each contributing something different: Burna brings depth, Wizkid brings vibe, and Davido brings party energy.

Noneillah’s Ranking: Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido

Afrobeats is global, and three names sit at the center: Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. While all three have shaped the sound and carried it to America and beyond, Noneillah ranks them based on who is dominating the charts now, who brings the strongest musical lane, and whose lyrics and flows resonate the most.

1. Burna Boy – The Crown Holder

Right now, Burna Boy is the number one Afrobeat artist in the world. His catalog (African Giant, Twice as Tall, Love, Damini) has range—from conscious storytelling to party anthems.

• Why #1: Burna’s lyrics have weight, and his flow blends African pride, global rhythms, and depth. He’s the Afrobeat artist sweeping both the African and American charts today.

• Signature Strength: He can go from motivational (“Anybody”) to global smash hits (“Last Last”). Burna makes music that works in the club and at protests—something no other Afrobeat star does as well.

Verdict: Burna Boy is at the top because his artistry feels timeless and current.

2. Wizkid – The Melody Genius

Wizkid runs second—but only by a slim margin. His album Made in Lagos solidified him as the voice of smooth Afrobeats, and “Essence” became a worldwide anthem.

• Why #2: Wizkid is sweeping the charts with Burna Boy, but his lane is softer and more R&B-driven. He doesn’t have Burna’s lyrical storytelling, but his melodies make him just as global.

• Signature Strength: His simplicity works like magic—turning short phrases into unforgettable hooks (“Ojuelegba”, “Essence”).

Verdict: Wizkid is the vibe-creator, the smooth operator of Afrobeats.

3. Davido – The Hitmaker of Yesterday

Davido once ruled Afrobeat’s crossover into the U.S. market. Songs like “If” and “Fall” made him the king of the moment. But today, Burna Boy and Wizkid are leading the lane.

• Why #3: Davido’s catalog is strong and full of anthems, but his momentum has slowed in the past few years. He still makes hits, but his dominance isn’t what it was three years ago.

• Signature Strength: Big hooks and high energy. Davido is less about lyrical depth, more about making tracks that move crowds instantly.

Verdict: Davido laid the groundwork for Afrobeat’s rise, but Burna Boy and Wizkid now carry the global torch.

Final Ranking

1. Burna Boy – The Storytelling King (dominates charts, deep catalog, versatile flow).

2. Wizkid – The Melody Genius (smooth, global vibe, unmatched melodies).

3. Davido – The Hitmaker (pioneer with past dominance, still respected but no longer leading).

Noneillah’s Take: Burna Boy and Wizkid are currently sweeping the charts, proving that Afrobeat is no passing trend but a global force. Davido may not dominate like he once did, but his legacy as a hitmaker helped open the door for Afrobeat’s worldwide takeover.