I do this for all lovers.
Whether you’re boo’d up with the love of your life, on a baecation, navigating a long-distance relationship, or simply manifesting self-love, there’s a perfect love song waiting for you.
As always, I’m here to serve! I’ve curated the perfect Nigerian love songs for every mood. Struggling to find the right words to express your love? Missing someone so much it feels impossible to breathe? Trying to get their attention but feeling a little shy? Or maybe you just want a song to hold onto a special memory? Whatever it is, this #BumpThis playlist has something for you.
Here are the 10 best Afrobeats love song for every mood:
In the Mood for Baecation
“Love On Weekends” – Show Dem Camp (ft. Tomi Agape Ladipoe)
Weekends are the perfect time for love—no work stress, just personal time for personal things. Whether it’s a cosy stay-in or a romantic getaway, this song perfectly captures that “just me and you” vibe.
With Tomi Agape’s soothing chorus and rap verses from Ladipoe, Ghost and Tec, “Love On Weekends” highlights the beauty of presence, communication, physical touch, and pure enjoyment. If you haven’t heard it before, consider it the perfect addition to your weekend playlist—especially if you’re in love.
“Money and Laughter” – BOJ (ft. Amaarae and Zamir)
In this song, the feeling of being high on love is undeniable. BOJ is in awe of his love interest—her beauty leaves him in awe, and all he wants is to make her life more comfortable, showering her with luxurious gifts. This track is all about being the kind of person who’s ready to drop everything for their partner—whether it’s money or time, they’re there to make them happy.
This is a feel-good love song. Picture “Money and Laughter” as you and bae shooting water guns in a stunning Bora Bora pool. Amaarae and Zamir’s features bring the perfect mix of teasing, hippy vibes, and playful energy that adds a naughty edge, exactly what lovers (and the girlies) enjoy.
In a Happy Mood
“Ife Wa Gbona” – Tiwa Savage (ft. Leo Wonder)
“Ife Wa Gbona” translates to “Our love is hot” in Yorùbá. In this record, Tiwa Savage and Leo Wonder embody two lovers deeply in love, hand in hand, ready to face life’s ups and downs together—through the fire, the rain, and everything in between.
The vibe is just right, and the lyrics? Perfect for expressing your feelings. If you’re ever in need of the perfect words for a “I’m so happy to have you in my life and I don’t want it to end” speech, this song has you covered.
“You Are Like Melody, My Heart Skips A Beat” – M.I Abaga (ft. Lorraine Chia)
In this track, M.I. Abaga starts by offering all the sweetest words to a beautiful woman, but by the second verse, he makes it clear that his intention isn’t just to flatter. While he does compliment her, it’s filled with an intimacy that goes deeper than mere words. As a listener, you can almost feel his emotions as he pours out his heart.
Lorraine Chia’s chorus is pure magic, weaving poetry and melody into every note. M.I. was clearly deep in his feelings when creating this record. The nine-word title is no accident—it’s a complete sentence that reflects the joy and depth of his affection for his partner.
In a Lonely Mood
“Kokoro Ife” – Gabriel Afolayan
In 2015 Gabriel Afolayan (then known as G-Fresh!) gave us one of the greatest contemporary Nigerian love songs. Loneliness seems to have gripped him so tightly that he can barely catch his breath as he sings about wanting his lover back. Her love has transformed his life, and he can’t bear the thought of it ending.
In just four minutes and thirty-five seconds, Afolayan pours out his heart, expressing how much he misses her, his intense desire for love, and his dreams of her.
If ringtones were still a thing, “I Miss You” would have a designated Nigerian anthem—and that anthem would be “Kokoro Ife.” It’s a song drenched in deep passion and classic, real lover’s music.
“Wait For You” – Johnny Drille
This song is for those moments when you’re far away from your lover, missing them deeply, and needing to reassure them that you’re not going anywhere. Johnny Drille truly poured his heart into this one. The brilliance of the song might just be the result of his early, hungry artist days, but either way, “Wait For You” is a standout. It was one of his first releases after Project Fame, and it remains one of his best.
Highly recommended for anyone in a relationship.
P.S. Ignore the naysayers who say long-distance relationships are a recipe for disaster. If you’ve got something real, this track is the perfect addition to your playlist. Let it nurture your love as your heart grows fonder.
In the Mood for Youthful Exuberance
“Flashing Lights” – Tekno
In “Flashing Lights,” Tekno steps away from the fast-paced tempo of his usual hits and delivers a stripped-down, mid-tempo dancehall love jam. With lines like, “See me, I like the kind of vibe that’s for the fun / You made me feel like something new under the sun,” he captures your attention, making you stop everything to listen to his sweet words.
Not only does he compliment his lover’s fun and infectious energy, but Tekno also credits her with helping him become a better version of himself. This is the kind of playful lamba only Tekno could craft—cheesy, cute, and full of romance, just as any romantic Nigerian man would say.
“Joro” – Wizkid
In “Joro” Wizkid sings with the fear of losing his lover heavy on his mind. Whether it’s a comforting lie or his true feelings, he weaves sweet melodies so softly that “yes” seems to be the only response to everything. It’s an absolute eargasm. In his signature pidgin English, he expresses how thoughts of her keep him up all night, then subtly adds a playful twist, “wini-wini, wana-wana,” hinting that he wants to keep her up all night too. (We all know what he means, don’t we?)
This is the kind of track you step, grind, and twerk to—all while being in the mood for love.
In the Mood for Romance
“Adore Her” – Ladipoe (ft. Funbi)
Love at first sight is the kind of magic that makes a rapper drop lines like, “I’m gonna leave this place with your number, like you’re gonna leave that church with my name.” Ladipoe is confident he’s found his missing rib, and Funbi, catchy hook makes the song even more memorable.
If you’re overthinking whether or not to confess your feelings to someone, this track is your motivation. Even Ladipoe acknowledges that it might sound crazy, but it’s worth the risk. He closes with the audacious lines: “Is it just a kind of spell that I’m under? / Got me feeling crazy, girl, I must say.”
“Forever Sweet” – DOTTi The Deity
When the guitar strings and keyboard chords kick off this song, you might think it’s a soft ballad perfect for those mushy moments, like flying kites with your loved one. But then, the gangan and omele drums come in, turning it into a full-blown owambe party. This track is the kind of celebration suited for marriage or someone you see a lifetime with.
DOTTi The Deity, passionately sings in both Yoruba and English, calling his lover his “forever sweet Valentine.” On this day, there’s no better reminder of everlasting love than this song, a perfect ode to a love that lasts forever.
