THE SHORT VERSION / Detty December playlist
The best Detty December playlist mixes recent Afrobeats and amapiano hits with Ghanaian anthems. Start with Wizkid and Tems' “Essence”, Burna Boy's “Last Last”, Rema's “Calm Down”, Davido's “Unavailable” with Musa Keys, Tyla's “Water” and Black Sherif's “Kwaku the Traveller”. Then add December mixes from DJs such as DJ Selex, DJ Wasty Kay and DJ Lord OTB.
- Songs
- 20 picks
- Genres
- Afrobeats, amapiano, Ghana
- Must-play
- Essence, Last Last
- Ghana pick
- Kwaku the Traveller
- DJs
- Selex, Wasty Kay, Lord OTB
- Updated
- Every December
The 20-song Detty December playlist
- Wizkid ft. Tems: "Essence" (2020): the song that took Afrobeats global.
- Burna Boy: "Last Last" (2022): the heartbreak anthem everyone still screams.
- Rema: "Calm Down" (2022): Afrobeats' biggest global crossover.
- Davido ft. Musa Keys: "Unavailable" (2023): Afrobeats meets amapiano.
- Tyla: "Water" (2023): South African amapiano-pop that ruled every December since.
- Black Sherif: "Kwaku the Traveller" (2022): Ghana's modern anthem.
- Asake: "Sungba" (2022): the remix with Burna Boy made it a party staple.
- Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno: "Buga" (2022): guaranteed dance floor.
- Ayra Starr: "Rush" (2022): a singalong at every show.
- Fireboy DML: "Peru" (2021): a December favourite, especially the Ed Sheeran remix.
- CKay: "Love Nwantiti" (2019): the TikTok-era classic.
- King Promise: "Terminator" (2023): Ghana's smooth crowd-pleaser.
- Victony & Tempoe: "Soweto" (2022): amapiano-flavoured groove.
- Burna Boy: "City Boys" (2023): for the entrance.
- Asake & Olamide: "Amapiano" (2023): two Lagos legends together.
- Omah Lay: "Soso" (2022): late-night, slower vibe.
- Tems: "Free Mind" (2020): the wind-down track.
- Odumodublvck: "Declan Rice" (2023): pure energy for the crowd.
- Mr Eazi: "Leg Over" (2016): from the man credited with "Detty December".
- Wizkid: "Ojuelegba" (2014): the Lagos classic every crowd knows.
The DJs to follow for December mixes
Every year, Lagos and Accra DJs drop "Detty December" mixtapes built for the season. Search for new mixes from:
- DJ Selex: known for high-energy Detty December mixtapes.
- DJ Wasty Kay: Ghana-based, with December party mixes.
- DJ Lord OTB: Ghanaian DJ whose December mixes circulate widely.
Find the latest mixes on Audiomack, YouTube, Mixcloud and Boomplay. New mixes usually drop in late November and December.
How to build your own Detty December playlist
- Start with 5 anthems everyone knows (tracks 1 to 5 above).
- Add the current year's hits: check the Afrobeats charts in November.
- Include Ghana and Nigeria equally if you're doing both cities.
- Sequence by energy: warm-up, peak, then wind-down.
- Download offline: data drops in big crowds.
Frequently asked questions
What songs are played at Detty December?
Expect current Afrobeats and amapiano hits plus classics like Wizkid's 'Essence', Burna Boy's 'Last Last', Rema's 'Calm Down', Davido's 'Unavailable' and Black Sherif's 'Kwaku the Traveller'.
Is there a Detty December song?
Several artists have released songs with 'Detty December' in the title, but there's no single official anthem. The season's soundtrack is whatever Afrobeats hit is biggest that year.
Where can I find Detty December mixes?
Search Audiomack, YouTube, Mixcloud and Boomplay for Detty December mixes from DJs such as DJ Selex, DJ Wasty Kay and DJ Lord OTB. New mixes drop in late November and December.
