This year, the soundtrack was provided not only by the usual music big names like the Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Samini, Shatta Wale and others but also by exciting new acts who have taken the game by storm like Yaw Tog, Amerado, Gyakie and Black Sherif.
Check out our list of the best Ghanaian songs of the year featuring Yaw Tog, Amaarae, Black Sherif, Kwesi Arthur, Gyakie, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, KiDi, Darkovibes and more below.
1. Black Sherif ‘First Sermon‘
Black Sherif is undoubtedly Ghana’s breakout star of 2021. On this joint titled “First Sermon,” Sherif narrates his life and struggles on the song that earned the rising star a Sarkodie co-sign and took the music industry by storm, announcing the newcomer as one to watch.
2. Black Sherif ‘Second Sermon’
Rising star Black Sherif definitely had to make a second appearance on this list, as the second instalment of his “Sermon” series spread like wildfire. This one quickly did numbers that made the still buzzing “First Sermon” look like child’s play, with the music video for this song currently sitting at 8 million views on YouTube. Black Sherif is quickly cementing his place as one of Ghana’s next superstars.
3. Gyakie & Omah Lay ‘Forever’ (Remix)
Gyakie‘s 2020 hit single “Forever” began its uphill climb early in the year when it debuted on Billboard’s Top Triller Global chart at number four. The song took off from there and became a viral hit, hitting charts in both Ghana and Nigeria and also leading to the young star landing a deal with Sony Music and resulting in the song’s official remix, this time around featuring Nigerian star Omah Lay.
4. Yaw Tog, Stormzy & Kwesi Arthur ‘Sore‘ (Remix)
At the top of the year rapper, Yaw Tog dished out the highly anticipated official remix of his smash hit single “Sore,” this time around joining forces with UK superstar Stormzy and Ground Up rapper Kwesi Arthur for a beefed-up version of the heavy drill anthem.
5. KiDi ‘Touch It‘
Off his second studio album The Golden Boy, KiDi came through on his dancehall steeze with his second single of 2021, “Touch It.” An easygoing melodic bop, this song quickly grew to become one of the biggest tunes of the year.
6. Kweku Darlington ‘Sika Aba Fie’ ft. Yaw Tog & Kweku Flick
Budding Ghanaian rapper Kweku Darlington recruited his fellow drill emcees, Kweku Flick and Yaw Tog on this brand new record titled “Sika Aba Fie.” Translating as “money has come home,” “Sika Aba Fie” is a fun, singalong drill record and a fan favourite.
7. Mr Drew ‘Shuperu’ ft. KiDi
Singer Mr. Drew is another rising star that made his mark in Ghana music in 2021. The Highly Spiritual signee showed that he’s coming into his own as a hitmaker, with this one titled “Shuperu”, which has a guest appearance from Lynx Entertainment singer KiDi.
8. Amaarae ‘Sad Girlz Luv Money’ ft. Moliy
2021 has definitely been one hell of a year for Amaarae, as her song “Sad Girlz Luv Money” off her debut album The Angel You Don’t Know went from niche favorite to international hit, landing on several global charts such as the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart, the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and more, putting the eccentric talent in the global spotlight.
9. Kofi Kinaata ‘Thy Grace’
Kofi Kinaata is well known for his songwriting chops, having won the Songwriter of the Year award four times at the annual Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) so far. Therefore it’s no surprise Kofi dished out one of the best tunes this year, a highlife cut where he candidly and passionately sings of the grace of God.
10. Kuami Eugene ‘Dollar On You’
It’s no news that Lynx Entertainment star singer and producer Kuami Eugene has had an incredible run of hits right from 2020 up until now. One of the standouts from his string of singles is “Dollar on You,” a self-produced afrobeats tune that presents a simple mantra — put your body on him and he’ll put his dollar(s) on you.
11. King Promise ‘Slow Down’
Singer King Promise came through with “Slow Down,” the perfect afro-R&B fusion. A co-production by Nigerian singer and producer Nonso Amadi and star producer and hitmaker Killbeatz, “Slow Down” is an earworm you can’t listen to just once.
12. Sefa ‘Echoke’ ft. Mr Drew
Newcomer and Black Avenue Muzik signee Sefa also made her mark this year with this infectious hit single titled “E Choke”, featuring fellow rising star Mr Drew. Together, the two emerging stars delivered a fun dance anthem, and one of the biggest Ghanaian songs of the year.
13. Sarkodie ‘Coachella’ ft. Kwesi Arthur
This list definitely wouldn’t be complete without a cut or two from King Sark! In June Sarkodie dished out this bop ahead of the release of his seventh studio album No Pressure. A tag team effort laced with a melodic hook by rapper Kwesi Arthur, “Coachella” is a feel-good hip-hop anthem perfect for setting that party mood.
14. Kwesi Arthur ‘Winning’ ft. Vic Mensa
Kwesi Arthur dropped a hip-hop anthem titled “Winning,” featuring Vic Mensa. The Ghanaian-American rapper has appeared on a string of features with several Ghanaian artists this year, but this one right here may just be the most lit. Vic goes beast mode on his verse, complimenting the equally energetic performance by Kwesi perfectly.
15. Fameye ‘Praise’
Singer and songwriter Fameye came through with one of the best cuts this year. The song is simply titled “Praise,” and it’s a smooth ballad where the singer renders heartfelt praises to his maker on the midtempo Liquid Beatz production, backed by the pleasing harmonies of a full choir, resulting in a tune that’s as beautiful as it is uplifting.
16. King Promise ft. Headie One ‘Ring My Line’
King Promise also earned himself a second appearance on this list, as his single “Ring My Line” featuring British rapper Headie One made its mark as one of the hottest tunes of the year. He shifts from the usual romantic afrobeats tunes and delivers a cocky, hustle-focused anthem that shows he’s all about the craft!
17. Darkovibes ‘Je M’appelle’ ft. DaVido
Afro-fusion act Darkovibes scored a hit with this absolute banger featuring Nigerian superstar Davido, an infectious afrobeats tune titled “Je M’apelle.” Darkovibes even gets the DMW Boss to sing in his native language Ga, on the MOG Beatz-produced record.
18.Sarkodie ‘Non Living Thing’ ft. Oxlade
The release of Sarkodie’s No Pressure album saw several songs shine through the pack. This one right here titled “Non Living Thing” is one of those standout tracks. Here Nigerian singer Oxlade delivered a stellar vocal performance as well as the perfect setting for Sark’s bars on love, life, and heartbreak.
19. M.anifest ‘Game Over’ ft. Adekunle Gold
In November, rapper M.anifest dished out his fifth full-length project titled Madina to the Universe. Now MTTU is chock-full of gems, but this one right here just has to take the cake. Featuring Nigeria’s Adekunle Gold also known as AG Baby, “Game Over” is a passionate tale of infatuation, told over a smooth afro-fusion production by Yung D3mz.
20. Kwesi Arthur x Teni ‘Celebrate’
Kwesi Arthur ends the year on a high with a song that’s an absolute vibe, featuring Nigerian singer Teni. Dropped just in time for the holiday festivities, this afrobeats tune is a shoo-in to be a “Detty December” anthem.
Source: Ghana/ Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM