Filmmaker Nnegest Likké — who is of Ethiopian, Nigerian and African American heritage — told Premium Times earlier this year that 2baba’s tender ballad “African Queen” resonated worldwide after she placed it in her 2006 comedy Phat Girlz. According to Likké, the song’s simplicity and warmth helped it cross cultural boundaries and connect with broad audiences.
Last month Billboard crowned “African Queen” the top entry on its list of the 50 greatest Afrobeats songs — a recognition that reflects how early Afropop tracks began appearing in Hollywood productions. Over the past several years, that trend has accelerated: songs from the same list, including Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence,” Skales’ “Shake Body” and Yemi Alade’s “Johnny,” have since surfaced in television and film soundtracks.
Beyond its placement in the third and final season of And Just Like That…, “Essence” has also been heard on shows like the CW’s drama All American and AppleTV+’s beloved sports comedy Ted Lasso. Tems’ earlier song “Higher” appeared on All American, while Ted Lasso featured 1da Banton’s “No Wahala” and Tekno’s “Enjoy” during its concluding season. Other Afropop and alté tracks — from Odunsi (The Engine) and Runtown to Juls and Tiggs Da Author — have similarly punctuated scenes across Netflix, HBO and beyond.
Below is a curated list of 15 memorable on-screen moments in which Afropop songs set the mood — arranged newest to oldest. This compilation focuses on songs that were licensed for film and television, not tracks that were recorded specifically for soundtracks (a separate list could explore that angle).
“Essence” — Wizkid feat. Tems in And Just Like That… (2025)
During a literary reception attended by Carrie Bradshaw and her neighbor Duncan Reeves, a soft pulse of Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence” underscores the scene, lending a contemporary Afropop warmth to the social gathering as characters navigate introductions and old relationships.
“London Town” — Mr Eazi in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
As Dr. Ivo Robotnik emerges beneath London’s cobblestones, Mr Eazi’s “London Town” featuring Giggs supplies the scene with an energetic Afrobeats groove drawn from the artist’s 2018 project Life is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London.
“Game Changer” — Flavour in Power Book II: Ghost (2024)
Flavour’s 2023 track “Game Changer” provides festive energy to a wedding sequence, following the traditional Igbo greeting and accompanying a joyous celebration for characters Cane Tejada and Noma Asaju.
“Heartbreaker” — Blaqbonez in All the Queen’s Men (2023)
Blaqbonez’s flirtatious cut “Heartbreaker,” featuring Nasty C, turns up the heat at Marilyn “Madam” DeVille’s Club Eden, punctuating a high-energy strip-club scene — a moment the artist later playfully referenced on X.
After a lengthy inpatient treatment, Mia heads home in a car with her father to the melancholic strains of Omah Lay’s “I’m a Mess,” a reflective choice that underscores the scene’s emotional gravity.
“No Wahala” — 1da Banton in Ted Lasso (2023)
After AFC Richmond secures a key win, the team continues the celebration at Sam Obisanya’s restaurant, Ola’s. 1da Banton’s relaxed “No Wahala” sets the soundtrack for the festivities, while “Essence” later surfaces to emphasize Sam’s Nigerian roots.
“Higher” — Tems in All American (2023)
During Golden Angeles University’s BSU West African Students Association Fashion Show, Spencer James and Olivia Baker share an intimate dance to Tems’ soulful “Higher,” a moment that blends romance with cultural pride.
“Gbona” — Burna Boy in Top Boy (2022)
Burna Boy’s “Gbona” plays as Jamie savors the freedom of release and reunites with his crew, a moment Netflix promoted by sharing the clip and cheekily captioning it “Top Burna Boy.”
(Netflix excerpt shared via the platform’s official Facebook account.)
“Shake Body” — Skales in Sex Education (2021)
Image Credit: Sam Taylor/NETFLIX
In a standout moment from season three, Eric Effiong dances and packs to Skales’ upbeat “Shake Body” as he prepares to travel to Nigeria for a family wedding — one of several scenes in episode six that showcase an array of Nigerian and West African music, from Odunsi and Runtown to Wizkid and Tiwa Savage.
The episode interweaves classic Afrobeat and highlife too, featuring Fela Kuti’s “Oyejo,” Prince Nico Mbarga’s “Sweet Mother,” and live instrumentals of Burna Boy and Davido tracks, creating a rich cultural tapestry.
“Assurance” — Davido in Coming 2 America (2021)
Davido performs “Assurance” at the royal wedding for Lavelle Junson-Joffer and Princess Mirembe, infusing the celebration with Afropop vibrancy. Davido later said on the Ionwannatalk Podcast that he was compensated $15,000 per day while on set. Multiple Afropop tracks appear on the film’s soundtrack, including Tiwa Savage’s “Koroba” and Tekno’s “Waka Waka.”
“Daddy Yo” — Wizkid in Pacific Rim Uprising (2018)
Wizkid’s “Daddy Yo” sets the tone for a raucous pool party scene as Jake Pentecost reflects on the Jaegers’ past victories. John Boyega — who co-produced the film — said he intentionally included the track to bring Afrobeats into the Jaeger world.
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“Johnny” — Yemi Alade in Chewing Gum (2017)
After Tracey Gordon’s secret is exposed, Yemi Alade’s playful breakup anthem “Johnny” scores the aftermath as she hastily packs her belongings — a fitting, tongue-in-cheek musical choice for the scene.
“Skelewu” — Davido in Queen of Katwe (2016)
In a flashback, a young Robert Katende wins a chess match and earns school fees while Davido’s infectious “Skelewu” plays, an unexpected placement that delighted fans and prompted Davido to react enthusiastically on social media.
“Rapid Fire” — Cruel Santino, Shane Eagle, Tomi Agape & Amaarae in Ballers (2015)
An understated intro of “Rapid Fire” leads into a press conference scene where Spencer Strasmore drops explosive roster news. Season five’s episode mixes multiple African artists across key moments — from Teni to Odunsi — giving the series a distinctly contemporary Afropop sound.
“African Queen” — 2baba in Phat Girlz (2006)
2baba’s romantic classic “African Queen” scores several pivotal scenes: it accompanies Jazmin Biltmore and Dr. Tunde Jonathan as they explore their chemistry in Palm Springs, and it returns during the film’s finale when Jazmin travels to Nigeria for her happy ending.
Likké has said she feels privileged that the song helped introduce Afrobeats to broader audiences, praising its enduring appeal and questioning which contemporary hits will still resonate decades from now the way “African Queen” has.
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