Popular Chord Progressions

C (I – V – vi – IV)

C – G – Am – F

I = C E G

V = B D G (1st)

vi = A C E

IV = A C F (1st)

💡 Bright, emotional, global pop / Afro vibe.

Used by: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ed Sheeran.

C (vi – IV – I – V)

Am – F – C – G

vi = A C E

IV = A C F (1st)

I = G C E (2nd)

V = B D G (1st)

💡 Emotional Afro-R&B / soulful progression.

Used by: Drake, Joeboy, Fireboy DML.

C (i – VII – VI – VII) (in A minor)

Am – G – F – G

i = A C E

VII = B D G (1st)

VI = A C F (1st)

VII = B D G (1st)

💡 Dark, cinematic, emotional trap feel.

Used by: Metro Boomin, Travis Scott, Rod Wave.

C (I – IV – V)

C – F – G

I = C E G

IV = A C F (1st)

V = B D G (1st)

💡 Classic highlife / reggae / rootsy feel.

Used by: Fela Kuti, Bob Marley.

C (IV – V – iii – vi)

F – G – Em – Am

IV = A C F (1st)

V = B D G (1st)

iii = B E G (1st)

vi = A C E

💡 R&B / Soul, smooth & expressive.

Used by: Tems, Oxlade.

C (I – vi – IV – V)

C – Am – F – G

I = C E G

vi = A C E

IV = A C F (1st)

V = B D G (1st)

💡 Old-school pop / highlife — live-band friendly.

Used by: Kojo Antwi, Lionel Richie.

C (I – V – IV)

C – G – F

I = C E G

V = B D G (1st)

IV = A C F (1st)

💡 Afro-Hip-Hop / minimal progression.

Used by: Burna Boy, Rema.

C (i – VI – III – VII) (in A minor)

Am – F – C – G

i = A C E

VI = A C F (1st)

III = C E G

VII = B D G (1st)

💡 Cinematic trap / emo-Afro feel.

Used by: Bryson Tiller, Burna Boy.

C (i – VII – IV – VI) (in A minor)

Am – G – D – F

i = A C E

VII = B D G (1st)

IV = A D F (1st)

VI = A C F (1st)

💡 Melancholic, energetic trap / drill feel.

Used by: Black Sherif, Central Cee.

C (I – IV – V) (major)

or (i – VI – VII) (minor)

C – F – G (major)

Am – F – G (minor)

Major:

I = C E G

IV = A C F (1st)

V = B D G (1st)

Minor:

i = A C E

VI = A C F (1st)

VII = B D G (1st)

💡 Highlife / Trap-Soul hybrid depending on mood & tempo.

Used by: Fela, Kanye West (“Runaway”), Black Sherif.

C (I – IV – V – IV)

C – F – G – F

I = C E G

IV = A C F (1st)

V = B D G (1st)

IV = A C F (1st)

💡 Hiplife / Afrobeat Ghana core progression — bright & lively.

Used by: Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba.