While Afrobeats may not have as many fatherhood tributes as it does songs about mothers, these ten tracks prove that when artists do choose to honor their fathers
In music, mothers often take center stage—immortalized in heartfelt lyrics and celebrated in countless songs, as seen in our earlier feature, 21 Greatest Afrobeats Songs Honoring Mothers. But dads, though just as influential, rarely receive the same musical devotion.
Thankfully, some artists have taken the time to pay tribute to the men who raised them, crafting deeply personal and often underrated odes to fatherhood. From heartfelt reflections on sacrifice to joyous celebrations of paternal love, Afrobeats has produced powerful songs that highlight the impact of fathers. Whether expressing gratitude, nostalgia, or longing for a father no longer present, these tracks remind us that fatherhood deserves its own soundtrack.
Here are 10 of the greatest Afrobeats songs that honor fathers.
1. Good Father – Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz International
Often seen as the sequel to his iconic Sweet Mother song, Good Father carries the same distinctive highlife melody, rich with flowing guitar riffs and warm percussion. The song pays tribute to hard-working dads, acknowledging their sacrifices and unwavering dedication. It’s a classic reminder that fatherhood, just like motherhood, deserves celebration.
2. Daddy Mi – Reminisce ft. Davido
Daddy Mi is a modern take on honoring fathers, blending Afrobeats and hip-hop in a deeply personal tribute. Reminisce and Davido don’t just praise their fathers—they express their desire to surpass their achievements and, in turn, provide for them. Davido’s crisp vocals open the song with warmth, while Reminisce delivers his signature Yoruba-infused rap, making this track both a heartfelt homage and an anthem of ambition.
3. Papa – Johnny Drille
Johnny Drille has a gift for crafting music that feels intimate and deeply emotional, and Papa is no exception. The song is a moving reflection on a father’s wisdom and guidance, carried by Drille’s tender vocals and a delicate arrangement of strings and violins. Through its lyrics, he reminisces about his dad’s words and unwavering love, making this a song that not only honors paternal influence but also captures the nostalgia of his childhood.
4. Charlie – Simi
On Charlie, Simi pours her heart out in a deeply personal tribute to her late dad. With a stripped-down instrumental, she pieces together her emotions as if speaking directly to him, weaving together grief, love, and the longing for one last conversation.
5. Dads Song – Teni
Off her Wondaland album, Dad’s Song is both a tribute and a deeply personal diary entry. Teni honors her late dad, Brig. Gen. Simeon Apata (retd.), a civilian war veteran who was assassinated when Teni was just two years old. The song opens with a spoken reflection on her journey before unfolding into a heartfelt musical letter. With her signature blend of emotion and melody, Teni crafts a poignant tribute—celebrating love, loss, and a father gone too soon.
6. The Kids Are Alright – Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr’s The Kids Are Alright is a song dedicated to her late father, and it opens with heavy instrumentation and is punctuated by a voice note from her mother urging her to “live life.” The track captures the bittersweet reality of growing up without a father while holding onto the lessons he left behind. It also includes voice notes from her siblings, each sharing how they’ve navigated life in his absence.
7. Paapa – Rex Omar
With its vibrant energy, Paapa by Ghanaian highlife icon Rex Omar contrasts with the more melancholic fatherhood tributes on this list. Sung in Twi, it goes beyond celebration, urging reflection on long-term goals over short-term gratification. Blending wisdom, foresight, and gratitude, the song delivers its message through an infectious melody.
8. Daddy’s Little Girl – Adina Thembi
Ghanaian songstress Adina Thembi’s Daddy’s Little Girl is a profoundly moving tribute to her late father. Off her Araba album, the song captures the pain of his absence and his lasting impact on her life. Her echoing vocals create an atmosphere of warmth and sorrow while the stripped-down instrumentation enhances the song’s emotional weight.
9. Father’s Day Song – Abochi
A sequel to his song Mama, Abochi’s Father’s Day Song challenges stereotypes about fatherhood. Instead of reinforcing the notion that men abandon responsibility, its lyrics celebrate dads who fight for their families. With a powerful chorus and uplifting message, the song shifts the narrative from criticism to appreciation.
10. I Want To See You My Father – King Ayisoba
King Ayisoba emerged in the early 2000s as a trailblazer of mainstream traditional music in Ghana. As one of the artists who brought Northern Ghanaian music to national prominence, he made a lasting impact with his hit song I Want To See You My Father, which dominated the airwaves between 2006 and 2007. The song won Most Popular Song of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards and remains influential today. With its raw honesty and distinctive kologo sound, the song serves as both a social critique and a reflection on fatherhood.
