Africa's Top 25 Happiest Songs of 2016 ~ #TheYamboSelection

This is the third annual edition of #TheYamboSelection, presenting here the full list of Africa's Top 25 Happiest Songs of 2016. The same criteria are used this year (January to December 2016) as were used last year to select and rank, out of the songs released or published during the year, those that project and/or elicit the highest quotient of happiness in the listener/audience.

With all the talent that keeps popping up all across Africa, it has been no less daunting a task this year to put together this list. Having more to pick from does not necessarily mean a greater leeway in doing so, one finds, as there's even more, regrettably, to let go that should be in. But all lists of quality do have a 'genetic' limit of sorts, one hazards to add, in the sense of how long, how elongated, they can possibly be -- and still remain optimal and (common)sensible. So, as we look ahead, one senses that this list is fast approaching a certain limit one cannot breach.

As before, the focus in this series of lists is the song, not the singer, with the added requirement that only songs in video form qualify. In addition, the song must broadly fit the standard definition of popular (or pop) music; that is, music in any of these distinct genres, or any combination of them: Hip Hop, RnB, rap, reggae or rock. We are not dealing here with gospel, classical or traditional music; although borderline cases or creative partial 'fusions' with them will always be considered.


CLICK HERE to read the whole Introduction to the criteria used to make the list below.




HERE, THEN, THE LISTING AND RANKING OF AFRICA's TOP 25 HAPPIEST SONGS OF 2016:
[Click on a Song's title to watch the video]

25. Biko by Davido ft. Lola Rae (2016):

24. Temper by Skales (2016):

23. Muziki by Darassa ft. Ben Pol (2016):

22. Farmer Remix by Ykee Benda ft. Shebbah Karungi (2016):

21. Awoo Ewaa by Oritse Femi (2016):

20. Ekelebe by J. Martins ft. Ferre Gola (2016):

19. One Time by Lola Rae (2016):

Click to read a review of the song

18. Wait (Refix) by Solidstar ft. Patoranking x Tiwa Savage (2016):

17. Ayanma by Sky P (2016):

16. Benefactor by Akothee (2016):

15. HiiNiYa by Nonini ft. Jegede (2016):

14. Fallen in Love by Chidinma (2016):

13. Karidjatou by Serge Beynaud (2016):

12. Feel Good by Navy Kenzo (2016):

11. Ya Paty by Fabregas Le Metis Noir (2016):

10. Bang Bang by Timaya (2016):

9. Movie Star by Mi Casa ft. Eddy Kenzo (2016):

Click here to read a review of the song

8. Sugar by 9ice (2016):

7. Disco Disco by Eddy Kenzo (2016):

6. Turn Up by DJ Jimmy Jatt ft Mr. Flavour (2016):

5. Salome by Diamond Platnumz ft. Rayvanny (2016):

Click here to read a review of the song

4. Elengi by Innoss'B ft. Koffi Olomide (2016):

Click here to read a review of the song

3. Jinja by Fuse ODG (2016):

Click here to read a review of the song

2. Tere Tere by Toofan (2016):

Click here to read a review of the song

1. Count Ur Blessings by Mixzy (2016):

Click here to read a review of the song 


READ: Africa's 40 Happiest Songs of The Year, 2015

READ: Africa's 25 Happiest Songs of The Year, 2014

READ: World Happiness Report 2015

DO ALSO READ: "The Happiness Contagion", which I posted on December 9, 2008