10 Highest Charting African Albums on the Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists. To celebrate the recent success of African Music and  Afrobeat all over the world, we have compiled a list of the 5 highest charting African albums on the Billboard 200.

5 Highest Charting African Albums on the Billboard 200

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1. The Promise of a Future – Hugh Masekela

Hugh Masekela’s eighth studio album: “The promise of a future” is the highest charting African album on the Billboard 200.  The album was released in 1968 via Uni Records label and features Masekela’s version of a famous instrumental composition “Grazing in the Grass”, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was re-released on CD in 1993 on the One Way label and according to reviews it is a Classic work from Hugh Masekela, that pushed him over the top!

2. Made in Lagos – Wizkid

Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” takes second place among the highest charting African Albums on the Billboard 200. The album which debuted at no 80 on the chart, peaked at 28, making it the highest charting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200. The album was released on 30 October 2020 by Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records and contained the global hit song Essence, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the longest-charting African album ever in Billboard’s History, spending more than 67 weeks on the World album chart.

3. Twice As Tall – Burna Boy

Twice as Tall is Burna Boy’s fifth studio album and one of the highest charting African albums on the Billboard 200 after peaking at number 54. It was released on August 14, 2020, by Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Warner Music. The album became the first Nigerian album to have one million pure YouTube streams from Nigeria. It also debuted on the UK albums chart at 11, France at 29 and The Netherlands at 10.

4. Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba

Pata Pata is a 1967 album by Miriam Makeba and one of the highest charting African albums on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 74.  The album contained 11 songs including a single of the same name that became a worldwide hit, peaking at number 12 on the billboard hot 100. The song is considered by many to be Makeba’s signature hit and it has since been recorded by many artists.

5. Soul Makossa – Manu Dibango

Soul Makossa is a seven-track album released by the Cameroonian music legend  Manu Dibango in 1972 It is one of the highest charting African songs after peaking at 79 on the chart. The album contained a single of the same name, which became a hit single, peaking at number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973. The song is best known for the chanted vocal refrain “ma-ma-ko, ma-ma-sa, ma-ko ma-ko-sa”, which was adapted and used in songs by many prominent artists such as Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”  and Rihanna’s hit single “Don’t Stop the Music”.

6. The World of Miriam Makeba – Miriam Makeba

The World of Miriam Makeba is Mirim Makeba’s third studio album and one of the highest charting African songs on the Billboard 200, peaking at 86. It was released by RCA Victor and credited  Hugh Masekela as the conductor. The album contained 12 songs. The album was one of Makeba’s Best, having cross-racial appeal in the US and across the world.

7. Syncro System – King Sunny Ade

Synchro System is a 1983 album by Nigerian jùjú band King Sunny Adé and His African Beats. It was the second of King Sunny Adé’s three releases for Island Records and one of the highest charting African songs on the Billboard 200, peaking at 91. The album earned King Sunny Ade, a  Grammy Award nomination, making him the first Nigerian to be nominated for the prestigious award.

8. African Giant – Burna Boy

Burna Boy’s fourth studio album, African Giant is one of the most cohesive and original Nigerian albums of all time. The album peaked at 104 on the Billboard 200, making it one of the highest charting African albums on the Chart. It also won the Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.

9. Sounds From The Other Side – Wizkid

Sounds From The Other Side is Wizkid’s debut album on the international scene, Although the album was not as successful also other projects in Wizkid’s discography, it, however, broke into the billboard 200, debuting at 107 and  58 on the Canadian Albums Chart.  The album arguably pioneered Afrobeats on the international scene and on different music charts across the world.

10. Juju Music – King Sunny Ade

Juju Music concludes the list of the highest charting African album on the Billboard 200, peaking at 111 on the chart. It was the major major label debut of Nigerian jùjú band King Sunny Adé and His African Beats.  When the album was released, it was described by The New York Times as the week’s best new dance music. According to all Music, the album  gave King Sunny Adé “unprecedented exposure on the Western market and introduced a slew of music lovers to the sounds of Afro-pop.”

Summary

Here is a recap of  the top 10 Highest Charting African Albums on the Billboard 200

1. The Promise of a Future – Hugh Masekela
2. Made in Lagos – Wizkid
3. Twice As Tall – Burna Boy
4. Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba
5. Soul Makossa – Manu Dibango
6. The World of Miriam Makeba -Miriam Makeba
7. Syncro System – King Sunny Ade
8. African Giant  – Burna Boy
9. Sounds From The Other Side – Wizkid
10. Juju Music – King Sunny Ade
11. A Better Time – Davido