When Nigerian music legend 2Baba sat down in a recent interview and calmly declared Burna Boy as his number one artist in Nigeria, the internet did not just nod it exploded. His exact words, “On a personal level, Burna Boy is my number one… among all the others he is the senior,” carried the weight of decades of artistry. Suddenly, timelines were split again: Burna Boy, Wizkid, or Davido, who truly deserves the crown?

This debate isn’t new. For over a decade, the “Big 3” of Afrobeats have dominated conversations in clubs, on campuses, in taxis, and now in boardrooms. Fans fight over streams, awards, sold-out tours, and social media clout. But beyond noise, one truth remains clear, all three have earned their bragging rights.

  • Wizkid gave the world “Ojuelegba” and stood shoulder to shoulder with Drake on One Dance, cementing Afrobeats on global charts.

  • Davido dropped Fall, one of the longest-charting Nigerian songs in US Billboard history, and has turned every city from Lagos to Atlanta into a Davido concert ground.

  • Burna Boy stormed the gates with African Giant, lifted a Grammy with Twice As Tall, and shut down stadiums worldwide with the swagger of an African Goliath.

But how exactly do you measure the best in music? Is it charts, brand deals, or something deeper?

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5 Ways Greatness Is Measured in Music

  1. Artistic Depth & Originality

  2. Commercial Success (charts, streams, sales)

  3. Cultural Influence (society, fashion, identity)

  4. Performance Strength (live shows, touring power)

  5. Longevity & Legacy

Let’s weigh the Big 3 against these five pillars.

1. Artistic Depth & Originality

  • Wizkid: Known for smooth, minimalistic Afrobeats that cross into R&B. His Made in Lagos album was praised by Rolling Stone for its artistry and subtlety.

  • Davido: A master of hits, his sound blends Afropop with highlife energy. He may not be as experimental, but his knack for anthems like If and Unavailable shows instinctive artistry.

  • Burna Boy: Critics hail him as the most “sonically daring” of the three. African Giant and Love, Damini fused afro-fusion, reggae, and global sounds while staying deeply African.

Edge: Burna Boy

2. Commercial Success

  • Wizkid: Essence became the first Nigerian song to crack the US Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, pushing him into mainstream US radio.

  • Davido: Fall is still one of the longest-charting Nigerian songs in Billboard history, and Timeless broke streaming records on Spotify and Boomplay.

  • Burna Boy: Last Last peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Afrobeats chart, and his albums consistently top Apple Music charts globally.

Edge: Davido and Wizkid share this closely, Burna follows, though all dominate.

3. Cultural Influence

  • Wizkid: Inspired a generation of “Starboy” followers, influencing fashion (skinny jeans, minimalist drip) and the calm aura many Afrobeats stars copy.

  • Davido: His “30BG” is a movement, his philanthropic gestures and social media presence make him the most accessible star to fans.

  • Burna Boy: Carries the Pan-African, unapologetic African identity torch, making him the cultural voice of Afrobeats globally.

Edge: Burna Boy for global cultural weight, Davido for grassroots Nigerian connection.

4. Performance Strength

  • Wizkid: Sold out the O2 in London three nights straight, a historic feat. His stage vibe is mellow but magnetic.

  • Davido: High energy, crowd-friendly. Madison Square Garden, O2 Arena, and his Lagos December shows prove his live dominance.

  • Burna Boy: The first African artist to headline and sell out a stadium in the UK, and now filling arenas from Paris to New York. His stage craft, live band, and charisma are unmatched.

Edge: Burna Boy

5. Longevity & Legacy

  • Wizkid: Has been relevant since 2010, with global impact still soaring fifteen years later.

  • Davido: Consistently at the top since Dami Duro in 2011, never really fading from the charts.

  • Burna Boy: Broke into global dominance later (2018 onwards) but his Grammy, cultural stance, and back-to-back projects set him up for legacy.

Edge: Wizkid and Davido for duration, Burna for intensity of impact.

The Verdict

So who is truly the best? The answer lies in what you value:

  • If you want artistic innovation and live power, Burna Boy takes it.

  • If you measure consistency and hit-making, Davido edges it.

  • If you weigh longevity and global acceptance, Wizkid leads the pack.

But perhaps 2Baba’s point wasn’t about numbers. It was about heart. Burna represents the kind of African artistry 2Baba has always stood for conscious, bold, unrepentantly African. That’s why he said Burna is “number one.”

Call to Action

The Big 3 are not rivals to tear down, they are pillars lifting Afrobeats to global dominance. Instead of fighting over who wears the crown, maybe it is time we celebrate the fact that Nigeria owns the throne in world music.

So here’s the question for you: Who’s your number one , Wizkid, Davido, or Burna Boy and why? Drop your take below, let’s keep this conversation alive.

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