Davido's recent collaboration with Chris Brown, "Blow My Mind", recently reached the 10 million views milestone on streaming platform YouTube. The Nigerian superstar celebrated with a video showing a cartooned photo of himself and Chris Brown with their minds blown accompanied by the caption, “10 Down!! 990 to go!!!”
We take a look at the most successful and viewed African music videos on YouTube as Davido chases the big 100 milestone.
10. Die Antwoord – Banana Brain
South Africa/92M views
Die Antwoord, a South African alternative hip-hop duo well famed for their eccentric style enjoys a night of gunfire, drugs and make-out sessions in their insane video for “Banana Brain.”
Banana Brain is the first single off their 2016 released fourth LP, Mount Ninji and Da Nice Time Kid.
Nigeria/ 92M Views
Runtown is one of those names who has made a huge impression on the Afrobeats scene following the release of his debut album, Ghetto University in 2015.
Despite his record label troubles that has seen his career stumble a bit, Runtown continues to show proof of his staying power and one of the records that best highlights his talent is ‘Mad Over You,’ the delightful anthem that continues to rise on the YouTube charts.
Nigeria/ 92M views
The Okoye twins, Peter and Paul, formerly members of the now-defunct group P-Square gave Africa not only some of its finest anthems but also colorful videos with well-choreographed dance moves that had us glued to our screens.
Of their many visual offerings, ‘Personally’ stands out for its tribute to the late Pop icon Michael Jackson and its comical scenes featuring Nollywood star, Osita Iheme popularly known as Pawpaw.
Nigeria/106M
Another artist whose incredible talents have seen him work with the likes of international stars Ciara and Drake is Tekno.
Tekno’s ‘Pana’ is one of the biggest songs out of Africa in the last decade and recently hit the 100M views mark.
Nigeria/107M Views
Yemi Alade or Mama Africa as she likes to be called lands on this list not just as the sixth most viewed African video of all time but also the most-watched African female video on YouTube.
Despite making her debut on the scene close to a decade ago, it wasn’t until 2014 when she released ‘Johnny’ that she had the biggest break of her career.
Nigeria/141M Views
With 130 Million views amassed in two years, Davido‘s ‘Fall’ has usurped his previous records for the video of ‘IF’ and ‘FIA’ and is credited as the song that has propelled his newly attained global status enjoying constant airplay on American radio stations.
4. Die Antwoord – I Fink U Freeky
South Africa/142M Views
South African Alternative hip-hop group Die Antwoord, which is translated in Afrikaans to mean ”the answer”, comprises of rappers Ninja and Yolandi, a male and female duo alongside their producer, god. They released their debut album in 2009 and have always attracted a following with their unique video expressions.
In 2012, they released the single, ‘I Fink U Freeky’ with compelling visuals that worked on the concept of semiotics used to create disturbing scenes that portrayed the spread of poverty in South Africa.
149M Views
Die Antwoord has always had a thing for the spectacular and around the time they made their Hollywood debut in the movie, Chappie, the South African group released the single, ‘Ugly Boy’.
It was accompanied by a visually disturbing cut that is stuffed with weird imagery and featured a number of celebrity cameos from Dita Von Teese, Jack Black, The ATL twins, Cara Delevingne, and Flea.
2. Die Antwoord – Baby On Fire
227M Views
Released in 2012, Die Antwoord’s ‘Baby’s On Fire’ video is the most-watched South African YouTube video with over 220 million views.
In the video, Ninja plays the role of the overbearing big brother to Yolandi Visser who is out to kill her drag-racing boyfriend.
1. Magic System – Magic In The Air
Ivory Coast/262M Views
Magic System’s ‘Magic In The Air’ featuring Moroccan singer Chawki is the most viewed African Music video on YouTube amassing over 250 million views.
Released to coincide with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the song became an instant hit at stadiums and all through the global event and continues to beat off competition to retain its spot five years after it was released.
Header Image Credits: 20Oceans Vibe/