Celebrate motherhood with these 21 heartfelt Afrobeats songs, from timeless highlife classics to modern hits.
Mothers hold a sacred place in Afrobeats, a genre built on rhythm, soul, and storytelling. Across generations, artists have used their music to honor the women who raised them, weaving love, sacrifice, and gratitude into their lyrics.
It’s almost a tradition—somewhere in an Afrobeats artist’s catalog, there’s a heartfelt tribute to “Mama,” “Iya,” or “Mummy.” These songs aren’t just sentimental fillers; they’re emotional pillars, often released with deep intent, whether for Mother’s Day or as a personal ode.
From Highlife to Afrobeats, celebrating mothers remains timeless. These 21 tracks blend nostalgia and gratitude, proving that while the sound evolves, family stays at its core.
1. Prince Nico Mbarga – Sweet Mother
Originally released in 1976, Sweet Mother is a highlife classic by Cameroonian-Nigerian singer Prince Nico Mbarga and his band, Rocafill Jazz. A timeless anthem, the song blends Igbo rhythms with Congolese Soukous guitar, all wrapped in Pidgin English. Prince Nico Mbarga crafted a sound that radiates pure joy, with the unforgettable line, “Sweet mother, I no go forget you,” carrying the weight of deep gratitude. In 2004, the BBC named it Africa’s favorite song—and it’s easy to see why. Warm, universal, and deeply nostalgic, Sweet Mother still echoes across generations.
2. Tilda & The Rocafil Jazz Int. – Sweet Mother
Tilda & The Rocafil Jazz International’s Sweet Mother is a remake of the late Prince Nico Mbarga’s 1976 classic. A Cameroonian singer and dancer, Tilda was an original member of Rocafil Jazz and reintroduced the song in 2010. While some preferred the new version, others felt it had a different feel. While not pure Afrobeats, its spirit belongs in the canon of African tributes to motherhood. With heartfelt lyrics honoring a mother’s unwavering care, the track blends West African highlife with Congolese Soukous guitar, giving it a timeless warmth.
3. King Sunny Ade – Iya Mi
King Sunny Ade, the Juju legend, gave us Iya Mi (My Mother) in the 1980s, a track that’s both personal and universal. With his signature guitar work and rich Yoruba vocals, he paints a picture of gratitude to the woman who shaped him. It’s a song that feels like a conversation, intimate yet grand, and its influence on Afrobeats is undeniable. KSA’s ability to blend tradition with innovation makes this a standout tribute.
4. Christy Essien-Igbokwe – Seun Rere
Christy Essien-Igbokwe’s Seun Rere (Do Good), released in 1981, isn’t just about motherhood—it’s about the lessons moms pass down. This Nigerian pop classic urges listeners to live right, a message rooted in maternal wisdom. Its cultural weight grew when her granddaughter remade it in 2022, proving its staying power. While not Afrobeats in the modern sense, its values align with the genre’s family-first ethos.
5. 2Baba – Unconditional Love
In 2017, 2Baba dropped Unconditional Love, a raw, soulful Afrobeats track for his mom. The song’s title says it all—it’s about the kind of love only a mother gives, no strings attached. With its mellow beat and 2Baba’s heartfelt delivery, it’s a tear-jerker that resonates with anyone who’s felt that bond. It’s a modern classic, showing how Afrobeats can carry deep emotion.
6. Asa – So Beautiful
Asa’s So Beautiful, from her 2007 debut album, is a folk-tinged Afrobeats gem dedicated to her mother. Singing in English and Yoruba—“Yeye ni wura” (Mother is gold)—she captures the beauty and worth of the woman who raised her. The song’s tender melody and Asa’s soft vocals make it a Mother’s Day favorite, a quiet but powerful love letter.
7. Flavour ft. Chidinma – Mama
Flavour teamed up with Chidinma in 2014 for Mama, a highlife-infused Afrobeats track from his Thankful album. Produced by Masterkraft, it’s a vibrant celebration of maternal sacrifice, perfect for Mother’s Day playlists. The duo’s chemistry shines, with Flavour’s energy and Chidinma’s sweet tone blending into a song that’s both joyful and reverent.
8. Wizkid – Mummy Mi
Wizkid’s Mummy Mi (My Mother), from his 2014 album Ayo, is a personal vow to honor his mom. The Afrobeats star promises to always be there for her, a sentiment that hit harder after her passing in 2024. With its catchy rhythm and sincere lyrics, it’s a fan favorite that shows Wizkid’s softer side.
9. Yemi Alade ft. Iyanya, Olamide, Tekno & Selebobo – Mama Oyoyo
Released in 2016, Mama Oyoyo brought together Afrobeats heavyweights Yemi Alade, Iyanya, Olamide, Tekno, and Selebobo for a vibrant tribute to mothers. Inspired by a nursery rhyme, the track radiates gratitude and warmth, its festive energy making it a Mother’s Day favorite. A true celebration of motherhood, it highlights how Afrobeats thrives on unity—with moms at the heart of it all.
10. Phyno ft. Onyeka Onwenu – Ochie Dike (Mama)
Phyno’s Ochie Dike (Mama), meaning Heroic Mother, from his 2016 album The Playmaker, is a powerful tribute to mothers as pillars of strength. Featuring the legendary Onyeka Onwenu, the song—sung in Igbo—blends Phyno’s gritty rap with Onwenu’s timeless vocals over a rich Afrobeats beat. The result is a cultural heavyweight—both modern and deeply rooted in tradition.
11. Adekunle Gold – Mama
Adekunle Gold’s Mama, from his 2018 album About 30, is a heartfelt tribute to his mother’s sacrifices—like selling her jewelry to support his dreams. With his smooth vocals and poignant lyrics, the track delivers an emotional punch, making it a Mother’s Day staple. Raw and deeply personal, it’s a testament to the boundless love of a mother.
12. 9ice – Anytime
9ice’s Anytime, from his 2009 album Tradition, isn’t just about his mother, but her presence looms large. He reminisces about fetching water with her—a simple memory loaded with meaning. Infused with Yoruba influences and an infectious Afrobeats groove, the track is a nostalgic tribute to the woman who helped shape him.
13. D’banj – Iya Mi
D’banj’s Iya Mi (My Mother), from his 2005 debut No Long Thing, is an early Afrobeats gem produced by Don Jazzy. It’s a heartfelt dedication, with D’banj expressing pure gratitude to his mother. The upbeat tempo and his signature charisma turn it into a classic, proving that tributes to moms have been woven into Afrobeats from the start.
14. Simi – Mama Yo
Simi’s Mama Yo, released in 2019 in collaboration with Three Crowns Milk, is a vibrant Afrobeats tribute to mothers. With her golden voice, she honors their strength and love over a bright, bouncy beat. Timed perfectly for Mother’s Day, it’s a feel-good anthem that celebrates the everyday heroism of moms—pure joy in song form.
15. Tekno ft. Wizkid – Mama
In 2017, Tekno and Wizkid delivered Mama—a heartfelt anthem rooted in hustle and ambition. Less sentimental and more about the grind, the track, produced by Spotless, blends a smooth mid-tempo beat with soulful piano keys. They trade verses on their rags-to-riches journey, paying tribute to the mothers who stood by them. “Mama, mama tell me say my pikin oh, one day you go blow,” they sing—a promise to make her proud.
16. Brymo – Mama
Brymo’s Mama, from his 2018 album Oṣó, is a quiet storm—brief yet profound. In just over a minute, he fuses alternative folk with Yoruba soul, reflecting on life’s struggles with raw vulnerability. “Mama… Papa no come this far / I wonder, how I go make am farther,” he muses, his voice heavy with contemplation. This isn’t a grand tribute but an intimate moment—like a late-night confession, drawing strength from a mother’s resilience. Short, yet unforgettable.
17. Johnny Drille – Sweet As a Mother’s Love
In 2021, Johnny Drille released Sweet As a Mother’s Love from his album Before We Fall Asleep. The Nigerian folk-rocker takes a unique approach, framing a mother’s love with the warmth of a romantic ballad. It’s an unexpected blend—family devotion with a lover’s tenderness—but it works, making for a heartfelt and unconventional tribute.
18. Ric Hassani ft. Mama Yachi – Sweet Mother
Ric Hassani’s Sweet Mother, from 2017’s The African Gentleman, puts a fresh spin on the classic tribute. Teaming up with Zambia’s Mumba Yachi, he blends log drums and shekere into a soulful Afro-pop groove. But there’s a twist—it’s not just about his mother; it’s about a woman who carries the same warmth and care. Hassani seamlessly ties romance to maternal roots, making love feel both familiar and deeply personal.
19. Stonebwoy – Mama
Mama is a heartfelt tribute to Stonebwoy’s late mother and the wisdom she instilled in him. Featured on Epistles of Mama—an album dedicated to her memory after her passing in 2015—the track brims with emotion. “Mama tell me, times like this will come, so I got to be strong,” he sings with a quiet resilience. It’s raw, personal, and unmistakably Stonebwoy—Ghana’s dancehall king channeling love and loss through rhythm and soul.
20. Abochi – Mama
Ghanaian Afro-pop singer Abochi delivered Mama in 2019, a heartfelt tribute wrapped in melody. “Mama, I dedicate this song to you, I just want to say thank you,” he sings, his voice gentle over a slow, emotional beat he produced himself. It’s a love letter in song form—simple, sincere, and deeply moving.
21. Kayswitch – Mama
Kayswitch, Nigerian singer and brother of D’banj closes out the list with his 2017 track Mama. Rooted in his signature reggae-infused sound, the song is a heartfelt tribute to his mother’s deep understanding and unwavering support. With gratitude in every lyric, Kayswitch reflects on the bond they share, making Mama a soulful appreciation anthem.
