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The 10 Producer-Artist Duos That Never Missed

Tomide Marv — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:24:34 +0000

The biggest stars rarely make their biggest music alone. Behind many era-defining Nigerian artists is a producer who knew how to bring their ideas to life, shape signature sounds, unlock career-making performances and create songs that outlived the moment.

From the partnerships that introduced superstars to the duos that reinvented genres, these are 10 producer-artist pairings that made hits and together changed the direction of Nigerian music.

1. and

Few producer-artist duos have ever owned a calendar year the way ��’T�ܲԱ�� and Iyanya did in 2012. After Iyanya’s early career struggled to gain traction following his Project Fame win, ��’T�ܲԱ�� helped redesign his sound around danceable, percussion-heavy music. The breakthrough came with “Kukere,” before they doubled down with “Ur Waist,” “Flavour,” “Sexy Mama” and several records from Desire, the album that turned Iyanya into one of the country’s biggest pop stars.

2. and

Davido’s rise to superstardom cannot be discussed without Shizzi. They started with “Dami Duro,” the 2011 hit single that took Davido from a wealthy newcomer to the hottest young artist that year. From there came an uninterrupted run of anthems, including “Gobe,” “Skelewu,” “Aye,” “Tchelete (Goodlife),” “Fans Mi,” “The Sound,” “Like Dat” and several standout album cuts across Davido’s catalogue.

3. and

Before Burna Boy became a Grammy-winning global superstar, LeriQ helped craft the sound that introduced him to the world. As the primary producer behind L.I.F.E (2013), LeriQ made a rich fusion of reggae, dancehall, hip-hop and Afro-fusion that powered songs like “Like To Party,” “Yawa Dey,” “Run My Race” and “Tonight.” Their collaboration continued through Redemption and later records like “Way Too Big” and “Monsters You Made.”

4. and

ID Cabasa was more than 9ice’s producer. He was his mentor and music producer during the singer’s early years at Coded Tunes. Cabasa produced much of Certificate and the critically-acclaimed Gongo Aso album, helping make classics like “Gongo Aso,” “Street Credibility,” “Photocopy,” “Party Rider” and other songs that solidified 9ice as one of Africa’s most outstanding indigenous artists.

5. and

K-Solo and Timaya built one of the most impactful artist-producer partnerships of the mid-2000s pop era. They worked closely on True Story and Gift and Grace. K-Solo produced many of the songs that pushed Timaya’s voice to the mainstream, including enduring hits like “Dem Mama,” “Ogologoma,” etc.

6. and Da Grin

Although their work relationship was tragically brief, Sossick and Da Grin permanently changed Nigerian hip-hop. Sossick produced influential songs like “Pon Pon Pon” and other popular jams on C.E.O., the album that cemented Da Grin’s legendary status before his untimely death in 2010.

7. and

Few Nigerian producer-artist partnerships have lasted as long or produced as many hits as Pheelz and Olamide. Beginning with YBNL, Pheelz became the main producer behind Olamide’s evolution. He produced many albums, including Baddest Guy Ever Liveth, Street OT, Eyan Mayweather and The Glory. Together they delivered famous songs such as “Durosoke,” “First of All,” “Anifowose,” “Melo Melo,” “Lagos Boys” and “Bobo.”

8. and

The story of Wizkid’s rise begins with Samklef. As one of the chief producers behind Superstar (2011), Samklef crafted some of the album’s biggest songs like “Don’t Dull,” “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Pakurumo.” Those songs introduced Wizkid as a fresh, youthful voice capable of balancing pop appeal with street credibility. Their partnership may not have lasted for years, but its impact can’t be erased. The sound they created became one of the foundations of modern Afropop, and Superstar remains one of the most influential debut albums in Nigerian music history.

9. and

Masterkraft and Flavour have spent nearly two decades refining modern Igbo highlife for mainstream audiences. Across albums such as Blessed, Thankful and Ijele: The Traveller, Masterkraft produced many of Flavour’s biggest songs and has helped preserve the rich musical traditions that make up the singer’s discography.

10. and

Their artist-producer partnership began on Stories That Touch (2015), where SESS is the album’s primary producer and helped sharpen Falz’s witty, conversational rap into something more musically adventurous. They made songs like “Ello Bae,” “Soft Work,” “Karishika” and “Soldier” (with Simi), before continuing their chemistry on the Chemistry EP with Simi, the 27 album and the widely-acclaimed Moral Instruction, which SESS largely produced.

ALSO READ: How Nigerian Music Walked Into Football’s Biggest Stage

How Nigerian Music Walked Into Football’s Biggest Stage

Tomide Marv — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:04:56 +0000

Ask a certain generation of Nigerians about their first memory of hearing their local music in a video game, and some will name (2006) in a pirated version of PES/Winning Eleven. For some, it was “For Instance” and other songs. Officially, Konami never put them there.

PES/Winning Eleven is Konami’s football game series, the one that reigned in Nigerian game centres through the 2000s alongside FIFA. It came pre-installed with composed instrumental music and stadium staples, like Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” There were no Nigerian songs on it. The 2Baba and other local songs were a bootleg among Nigerians to create a familiar sound while gaming.

This is the unofficial origin of Nigerian music in football and football gaming. The song didn’t get there through a licensing deal. It was through piracy. Bootleggers who copied and resold the game swapped its audio, so a whole generation grew up with a Nigerian song built into their football game. Nigerian music got into football through the back door, facilitated by the very people playing it.

But music has always gone hand in hand with football, and it’s through EA’s FIFA franchise, which launched in 1997, that it became part of gaming. FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 was the first game in the series to license real pop music (not commission its own). Blur’s “Song 2” blared over the intro. That was the beginning. Under Steve Schnur, who has run EA’s music operation for most of the years since, the FIFA soundtrack became a tastemaker. The soundtracks became the reason a teenager in Lagos or London might discover Phoenix through FIFA 09 or Sigur Rós through FIFA 11. EA chose the songs and, in doing so, shaped global taste in music. “That’s a FIFA song” became its own category of music.

Africa began showing on that official stage before the decade was out. (sung partly in Nigerian Pidgin) on the 2009 FIFA 10 soundtrack. This makes her the first Nigerian artist on an official FIFA game.

The next year, EA built a dedicated soundtrack for its 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa game, and Schnur singled out the Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji among other African artists. But that was world-music curation for a tournament staged in Africa, not Nigerian pop music. Afropop, soon to be everywhere on the current soundtrack, was still warming up.

The big breakthrough came on FIFA 20. London-based on the official soundtrack. There was also “Awa Ni” by American duo The Knocks with Nigerian artist Kah-Lo on it. They became the first of a new generation, and the wave came fast behind them. FIFA 21 brought Fireboy DML’s “Scatter,” with Rema, Skepta and Burna Boy appearing on the game’s VOLTA street-football playlist. By FIFA 23, the presence had swelled: Seun Kuti, Pheelz, BNXN, Olamide, Bad Boy Timz. In the space of four years, Nigerian music went from “Oou, we made it” to expected.

Then it wobbled. When EA dropped the FIFA name and launched the rebranded EA Sports FC 24, Nigerian music was left entirely off the main soundtrack. The only Nigerian on it was Obongjayar, and only through a guest feature on a British rapper’s track. FC25 brought Nigerian music back the next year, with Rema and Shallipopi’s “Benin Boys,” Omah Lay, and Obongjayar again. Then FC26 dropped it once more, leaving Obongjayar—on his fifth appearance across four editions—as the lone Nigerian-born name while bigger stars came and went. The relationship, in other words, is real but not guaranteed. Each year, EA decides again whether Nigerian music is in or out.

ALSO READ: 10 Performances from the 2020s that turned Nollywood Actors Into Stars

The 20 Catchiest Nigerian Choruses of the 21st Century

Tomide Marv — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:33:11 +0000

The chorus is an important element in music. A great chorus barges into your head, settles in and refuses to leave. You hear it once, and before you know it, you’re humming it everywhere.

Nigerian pop has produced hundreds of memorable choruses over the last 25 years, but some have become unforgettable. These are the choruses that launched dance crazes, inspired remixes, crossed borders, filled stadiums and are still bangers today. From timeless classics to global anthems, here are 20 Nigerian choruses that have outlived the moment that created them.

1. “” — Olu Maintain (2007)

The “Yahooze” chorus was impossible to escape in 2007. It’s built around repetition and a dance craze of the same name, turning simple lyrics into a nationwide anthem. The infectious chorus “Ya-hoo-ze, yahooze / Ya-hoo-ze, yahooze” is just sounding out the song’s title, but the melodious, staccato of Maintain’s voice makes it catchy. It was a staple at parties for years after its release.

2. “” — P-Square (2007)

“Do Me” is P-Square’s magnum opus of club anthems. “So make you do me (do me 6x)” is a repeated, playful plea that complements the duo’s dance-pop production in this song. The driving bassline and Waje’s unique background vocals gave the chorus and the track as a whole its selling point. It was one of the defining pop songs of its time.

3. “” — Styl-Plus (2008)

At one time, this song was the graduation anthem across the country. It taps into the triumph of completing a university education in Nigeria. The chorus is also the most catchy part: “Four years don waka / We still dey carry go / Nobody waka / Nobody go solo.” The catchiness comes from the group’s layered vocal delivery. Its pidgin English relatability makes it a nostalgic sing-along that guarantees a loud response at any reunion or graduation party.

4. “” — 9ice (2008)

The booming “Gongo Aso” chorus became a popular catchphrase almost overnight. The aggressive, percussive flow and the indigenous flavour of the Yorùbá lyrics in the chorus was everywhere. And people loved it. Unarguably, a top-2 song of the year it came out.

5. “” — Wande Coal (2009)

Yes, this song is a relentless, uptempo party track driven by Wande’s incredible vocal agility and well-placed ad-libs. But the chorus is the party fuel. “Bumper to bumper, make you follow me…” gives you something to party and dance to till date. A Wande Coal and Afropop classic song.

6. “” — Bracket (2009)

Bracket struck gold with this chorus: “With you everything is welli-welli / Your love dey make my heart do yori yori.” It’s a made-up phrase meant to express an overwhelming feeling of love, and its repetition makes the chorus catchy. Its simplicity is its strength; the chorus is easy to remember and hard to forget.

7. “” — Dagrin (2009)

The repetitive “Mo lenu bi, pon, pon, pon, pon” line, backed by booming Hip-Hop production, created a chorus that audiences could instantly shout back, whether at concerts or on the streets. It’s a chest-thumping track that commands the room the second it plays. The late Dagrin revolutionised indigenous Yorùbá rap, and “Pon Pon Pon” remains his undisputed magnum opus.

8. “” — Ice Prince feat. Brymo (2011)

The instantly memorable “Oleku, tell me something wey I no fit do..” chorus is one of the greatest in Nigerian pop music history. It’s melodic, easy to sing, and balances Ice Prince’s cool-headed rap verses with a chorus everyone can sing along to. erformed by Brymo, the chorus of this rap song contributed to its status as a continental mega-hit.

9. “” — P-Square feat. May D and Akon (2011)

“Chop my money, chop my money / I don’t care, ‘cause I get am plenty” goes the chorus of this smash hit by P-Square. It’s the repetition and the sheer audacity of inviting someone to spend all your cash, chanted over a pulsing club beat, that makes it an inescapable singalong for the fans, big spenders and aspirational hustlers.

10. “” — Wizkid (2014)

Named after the Lagos neighbourhood, “Ojuelegba” is Wizkid’s ode to struggle and triumph. Its chorus is carried by emotion more than his vocal work. Its melody and repeated title make an unmistakable chorus: “Ni Ojuelegba o, they know my story / From Mo’Dogg’s studio, I been hustle to work.” This uplifting chorus is central to the song’s lasting impact.

11. “” — Olamide (2015)

Olamide created a cultural moment with “Bobo.” Its chant-heavy chorus and the accompanying “shakiti bobo” dance made it a club and street hit. The chorus became one of the most prominent from his commercially dominant run and the mainstream at large in the mid-2010s.

12. “” — Runtown (2016)

“Mad Over You” gave Runtown one of his biggest hits. The mellow, sway-inducing chorus is romantic and undeniably singable. “I dey mad over you, girl / I dey mad over you, girl” is a repeated declaration of affection that’s easy to remember. Straight banger.

13. “” — Tekno (2016)

The cheeky lyrics: “They say you like wahala o…I get am for here…Folake give me love o” — and the bouncing melody rides over the production with remarkable ease. It’s definitely one of the biggest songs of 2016.

14. “” — Davido (2019)

Davido’s “If I tell you say I love you…” chorus is conversational, romantic and catchy. The lines flow smoothly and feel like something people actually say, rather than just lyrics. That accessibility makes this chorus one of the biggest sing-alongs in Afrobeats history.

15. “” — CKay (2019)

The “Ah ah ah…” is one of the simplest yet most effective choruses in Afropop. The lyrics mix English, Pidgin, and Igbo. The vocal performance is a humming melody that creates a hypnotic, catchy chorus universally accessible.

16. “” — Rema (2021)

“Calm Down” has one of the most unmistakable choruses of modern Afropop. The repeated “Baby, calm down, calm down…” hook is simple and melodic. This chorus was on so many lips that it went global; got a remix with Selena Gomez, and set records as the most successful African song of all time on the Billboard Hot 100.

17. “” — Ladipoe feat. BNXN (2021)

The chorus says: “I like the way I’m feeling now / No come use your reggae spoil my blues and rhythm now.” Rapper Ladipoe teamed with singer BNXN for a feel-good song whose chorus became everyone’s favourite part. It’s about having interrupted joy and chasing away bad energy.

18. “” — Ayra Starr (2021)

“Rush” is one of the most popular songs of the 2020s. “E dey rush, e dey rush well, well / E dey rush” makes up the chorus. The slang “e dey rush” (meaning abundance or overflow) made this song sit on everyone’s lips. The simple yet punchy chorus is celebratory and confident; a young Starr revelling in momentum and gratitude. It went viral on TikTok and earned her a Grammy nomination.

19. “” — Burna Boy (2022)

Burna Boy turned heartbreak into a big hit song. “Last, last, e don cast / Na everybody go chop breakfast” on the beat drop makes a party go crazy. The chorus is honest, catchy and made around everyday language that listeners quickly embraced. “Chopping breakfast” is Nigerian slang for getting your heart broken. Its emotional relatability made it one of the defining global Afrobeats records of the decade.

20. “” — Kizz Daniel feat. Tekno (2023)

“Buga” is built around one irresistible instruction: show yourself off. The chorus is repetitive and celebratory; the “lo lo lo” refrain and its accompanying dance made it impossible to ignore even for older folks. It’s a song for crowd participation.

10 Times Nigerian Artists Turned Money Into Catchy Lyrics��

Tomide Marv — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:34:56 +0000

Nigerian musicians don’t flex in the abstract. They give you the exact number and dare you to do the maths. This pattern is common in our contemporary music, especially Afropop; it loves money.

Anyway, for the moneymakers and everyone aspiring to be wealthy, here are ten lines where Nigerian musicians counted their money out loud, or likened their visions and ideas to huge sums of money.

1. “30 billion for the account o” — Davido, “If” (2017)

The line sits in the song’s chorus, which is about impressing a love interest with cash. The 30 billion, now adopted as his gang name, is just an exaggeration. It’s not a real balance, which is the whole point of the boast.

Hol’up! Before you proceed, have you bought your ticket to the NairaLife Conference 2026?

2. “Monday to Saturday, outside for my daily 2k” — Zerrydl, “FIND MONEY” (2024)

Zerrydl opens his verse with this line about his hunger for cash. It frames the song as a daily hustle jam, which is why the modest 2k figure is the point.

3. “One million dollar / E lo lo ma je tin ba se si naira / Eh, owo!” — Olu Maintain, “Yahooze” (2007)

If you were around when “Yahooze” was the hottest single in town, you probably know this line. And you also know its context, especially when you look closely at the song title. The “One million dollar” line was so popular that it became a catchphrase for the era’s “yahoo boy” opulence culture — even though Olu Maintain has always publicly insisted the song is about hard work, not internet fraud.

4. “I got plenty dollar in my name / I got plenty naira in my name” — P-Square, “Chop My Money (Remix)” (2011)

The line is to impress the women flicking around them, to announce that they’re super-rich and all bills are on them.

5. “Billion dollar baby” — Seyi Vibez, “BD Baby” (2022)

This line is worth the flex. What Seyi Vibez is saying is that he’s a wealthy figure. It’s self-exaltation.

6. “Billion dollar dream, but I’m still broke.” — Superwozzy,�� “Billion Dollar Dreams” (2019)

Rapper Superwozzy makes a blunt admission that ambition has outrun the bank balance. This sentiment is a recurring one across Nigerian Street-Hop.

7. “I remember when I was praying for a million naira / Ego nsego na loud akaligo a million naira” — Jeriq, “Billion Dollar Dream” (2022)

This one is the intro and title track of Jeriq’s debut album. The rapper looks back on the days he wanted a million in his bank account. Now, he can blow that amount of money on exotic marijuana.

8. “Pounds sterling lawa n fi n se tissue.” — Olamide, “Who U Epp” (2016)

This line is Olamide’s boast that even foreign currency like pounds sterling is casually disposable, like tissue paper.

9. “Half a million dollars, when I smile for the picture.” — Burna Boy, “Bundle By Bundle” (2025)

What this means is that whenever Burna Boy smiles for a picture, he’s flashing his diamond-studded tooth valued at $500k at your camera.

10. “Me, I don touch money, I like am / Dollar signs load am” — Adekunle Gold, “Coco Money” (2025)

Here, AG Baby is flexing that he’s now rich and that the dollar is his preference. For more emphasis on his love for money, he states, “Bitch, better have my money”, a nod to Rihanna’s song of the same title.

ALSO READ: 14 Nigerian Music OGs and the Stars They Helped Discover

14 Nigerian Music OGs and the Stars They Helped Discover

Tomide Marv — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:47:17 +0000

Behind every era-defining Afrobeats superstar is an OG: a veteran artist, producer or executive who recognised their potential and provided the backing needed to unlock success. They use their leverage, record labels and co-signs to launch the next generation of talent.

From the early foundation laid by mid-2000s pioneers to the modern global platforms built by contemporary icons, these talent pipelines have shaped the evolution of Nigerian and African music. This is a list of Nigerian music OGs and the artists whose careers were transformed under their guidance.

1.

ID Cabasa is a veteran music producer and the founder of Coded Tunes. He’s instrumental in shaping the indigenous street-hop sound in Nigeria from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s.

: After collaborating closely with ID Cabasa on his breakthrough album Gongo Aso (2008), 9ice had huge continental success and won multiple awards. He went on to release other successful albums and establish his own label, Alapomeji Ancestral Records.

: Benefiting from Coded Tunes’ platform and ID Cabasa’s production, Seriki established himself as a notable indigenous rapper. He built a solid core fanbase with his street-relatable lyricism and released acclaimed projects, including his debut album, Seriki’s Diary.

: He was discovered and nurtured under Coded Tunes. He also released his debut album, Rapsodi (2011), to critical acclaim under the same label. He subsequently founded YBNL Nation and became one of Africa’s most successful hip-hop artists and music executives.

2.

Olamide, AKA Baddo, is a multi-award-winning rapper and the founder of YBNL Nation. He has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most influential artists and music executives by consistently discovering and launching the careers of mainstream superstars.

: After signing to YBNL Nation in 2014, Lil Kesh dominated the airwaves with back-to-back hit singles like “Shoki” and “Efejoku.” He later left to establish his own imprint, YAGI Records, and continued releasing music.

: After getting exposure under YBNL, Chinko Ekun gained mainstream recognition, especially for his off-the-top freestyles. He later left YBNL and released the 2018 smash hit “Able God” under Dek-Niyor Entertainment. The track won him ‘Best Street Hop Artiste’ at The Headies.

: Initially signed to YBNL, where he released his acclaimed debut album Gold (2016), Adekunle Gold transitioned into a global star. He has since released multiple chart-topping albums, secured an international record deal with Def Jam, and performed at major global festivals such as Afro Nation.

: He joined YBNL in 2022 and has achieved unprecedented chart dominance with his fusion of Amapiano, Afrobeats and Fuji. He has released four highly successful albums, releasing the latest under his Giran Republic imprint. He has also earned two Grammy nominations and sold out major global arenas, including the O2 Arena in London and Barclays Centre in New York.

3.

Banky W is a veteran R&B singer and co-founder of Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He played a pivotal role in transitioning Nigerian contemporary music to the global stage during the early 2010s.

: Under E.M.E, Wizkid released his seminal debut album Superstar (2011) and Ayo (2014) that laid the foundation for his global superstardom. He later founded Starboy Entertainment, toured globally and has become one of the most-streamed African artists in history.

: After his stint at E.M.E., where he gained initial mainstream exposure, Skales founded OHK Music Records and signed with Baseline Music. He released the massive 2014 hit “Shake Body,” which became an international club anthem, and has maintained a consistent career with multiple studio albums.

4.

Don Jazzy is a legendary music producer and the founder of Mavin Records. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful record executives in African music history.

: After joining Mavin Records, Tiwa Savage released multiple successful projects and singles, and established herself as the “Queen of Afrobeats.” She eventually signed a global deal with Universal Music Group, collaborated with international stars like Beyoncé, and performed at King Charles III’s coronation concert.

: Since her debut under Mavin Records in 2021, Ayra Starr has become a leading figure in the global Afrobeats movement. She has earned two Grammy nominations for her hit “Rush” and “Gimme Dat”, released successful albums, and toured extensively alongside major international artists.

5. D’Prince

D’Prince is a singer and the founder of Jonzing World, an imprint operating in partnership with Mavin Records. He has successfully pivoted from a performing artist to a highly effective A&R and record executive. He discovered Rema and worked in partnership with Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records.

: He was launched by Jonzing World in partnership with Mavin Records in 2019. Since then, Rema has achieved global fame. His 2022 song, “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez became the highest-charting African song on the Billboard Hot 100. He has performed at Coachella and several prestigious global concert venues. His 2024 album HEIS earned a nomination for Best Global Music Album.

: He was discovered and signed to Jonzing World in 2021. Ruger released his debut EP Pandemic in 2021, with the hit single “Bounce.” He achieved continental success with subsequent releases like “Dior” and “Asiwaju” before launching his own label, Blown Boy Entertainment, in 2024.

6. and (Kennis Music)

Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo “D1” Adeneye are veteran broadcasters and the founders of Kennis Music. They revolutionised the Nigerian music industry in the late 1990s and 2000s by providing structure, promotion and distribution for local artists.

: After the Plantashun Boiz disbanded, 2Baba signed with Kennis Music and released Face 2 Face (2004), which gave us the mega-hit “African Queen.” He became the first winner of the MTV Europe Music Award for ‘Best African Act’ and is now recognised globally as an Afrobeats pioneer.

Eedris Abdulkareem: Under Kennis Music, Eedris released a string of beloved albums and singles including “Jaga Jaga” and “Mr. Lecturer” (2004). He became one of the most prominent voices in Nigerian hip-hop and notably carried the Olympic torch for Nigeria in 2004.

: After his exit from The Remedies, Tetuila found massive solo success with Kennis Music, releasing hits like “My Car.” He became a staple of early 2000s Afropop across the continent.

: With Kennis Music’s backing, Paul Play successfully transitioned from a producer and backup vocalist to a mainstream R&B star. His hits like “Angel of My Life” and “Mo So Rire” got him multiple industry awards and solidified his legacy in Nigerian R&B.

7.

Femi Kuti is a widely-recognised Afrobeat musician, a multiple Grammy nominee and the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He has spent decades touring globally and advocating for social justice through his music.

: Benefiting from his father’s mentorship and playing in his Positive Force band, Made Kuti launched his solo career. He has released a critically acclaimed album For(e)ward (2021) and secured a Grammy nomination alongside his father for their joint album Legacy +. Made Kuti has established himself as a highly skilled multi-instrumentalist carrying the Afrobeat torch.

8.

Timaya is an OG dancehall and Afropop artist and the founder of Dem Mama Records. He has maintained consistent mainstream relevance in the music industry for nearly two decades.

: He was signed to Dem Mama Records in 2018 and introduced his “Continental Boy” sound to the mainstream. He collaborated with Timaya on hits like “Kom Kom” and released his debut album Citizen of the World (2021). King Perry has carved out a niche in the dancehall and Afropop space.

9.

Burna Boy is a Grammy Award-winning global music superstar and the founder of Spaceship Records. Burna is widely recognised as global ambassador of Afrobeats and known for selling out major stadiums worldwide.

: After getting Burna Boy’s co-sign and feature, BNXN got more mainstream exposure. He also has an appearance on projects like Wizkid’s Made in Lagos. He has won a Headies award, released a successful debut album, and became one of the most sought-after featured artists in Afrobeats.

10.

Moses Bliss is a famous gospel singer, worship leader and founder of Spotlite Nation. He’s known for gospel hits like “Too Faithful” and “Daddy Wey Dey Pamper.”

: After receiving a co-sign and signing with Spotlite Nation in 2023, Ebuka Songs gained widespread recognition in the gospel music scene. His breakout single “I Will Pray” became a big hit and has given him global performance engagements and awards within the Nigerian Christian music community.

11.

Steve Babaeko is an advertising executive, entrepreneur and the founder of X3M Music. His record label provided a structured and professional platform that nurtured one of Nigeria’s foremost alternative, soul and R&B talents.

: After signing to X3M Music in 2014, Simi released breakout singles like “Tiff” and “Jamb Question,” which appeared on her award-winning sophomore album Simisola (2017). She has since founded her own independent label, Studio Brat.

12. and

iLLBliss (a veteran rapper and music executive) and Clarence Peters (a renowned music video director and producer) co-founded Capital Hill Music and The Goretti Company. Through their partnership, they provided crucial management, audio production and visual direction for a new generation of Nigerian artists.

: Under the management of The Goretti Company, Phyno transitioned from a behind-the-scenes producer to a frontline artist. He released his classic debut album, No Guts No Glory, in 2014. He completely took indigenous Igbo rap to the mainstream, founded his own imprint, Penthauze Music, and has remained a continental heavyweight with multiple hit albums.

13.

BNXN is an award-winning singer, songwriter and the founder of T.Y.E (To Your Ears) Entertainment. Having navigated his way from an independent internet talent to a mainstream global star, he used his imprint to launch an emerging artist like taves.

: He benefitted from BNXN’s co-sign and officially signed to his T.Y.E imprint in partnership with Atlantic Records UK briefly. After gaining mainstream attention, capitalised on this momentum by releasing successful singles like “Eleyele” and “Folake.” He has since established himself as a rising star in the global Afro-R&B space.

14.

Davido is a multi-award-winning global Afrobeats superstar and the founder of Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). He’s been instrumental in identifying and launching the careers of several mainstream African artists through his label’s extensive reach and resources.

: Discovered on social media and signed to DMW in 2016, Mayorkun found immediate mainstream success with his debut single “Eleko.” Since then, he has�� won the Headies ‘Next Rated’ award and released a critically acclaimed album, The Mayor of Lagos (2018).

: He signed to DMW alongside Mayorkun in 2016. Dremo served as the primary rap act for the label. He released his Codename EP series and has maintained a consistent presence in the Nigerian hip-hop scene through solo releases and collaborations.

: After joining the DMW camp, Peruzzi became widely recognised for his exceptional songwriting and heavy vocal contributions to the label’s biggest collaborative hits. He has simultaneously built a highly successful solo career, released acclaimed projects like Huncho Vibez, Rum & Boogie and SABALI.

Why Are We Obsessed With Labelling Every Song?

Tomide Marv — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:07:28 +0000

When Rema put out his sophomore album HEIS in 2024, the internet reached for a label almost immediately. Some called it Mara, some filed it under EDM, and some claimed it was the comeback of the Pangolo or hyper-fast street music of the Terry G era. It’s none of those. He’s an Afrofusion artist who dedicated a single project to a different sonic style. But one album is an experiment; it doesn’t make a new genre, let alone spark a resurgence of a style that was never a formal genre to begin with.

That’s the pattern running across Nigerian contemporary music right now: a talking drum under a synth line, a chorus that switches into Yorùbá or other local languages before sliding back into English or not at all. These are called texture in music, and they don’t reclassify a song. A guitar interpolation from the 1970s doesn’t make a song Highlife. It’s Highlife because the artists follow the genre’s specific logic, and this goes for other music genres.

None of this is a knock on modern production. A Dance, Fuji, Juju or Highlife song can run through modern mixing, drum machines and whatever the studio has, but modernity doesn’t nullify a genre; what does is half-measures that pull the aesthetic without its structure. Commitment is the real test here. An artist can make a modern, current-sounding song and still be, principally, playing by an older genre’s rules. The Cavemen are a prime example of this, having successfully committed to the modern interpretation of Highlife rather than just borrowing its elements. In contrast, a trending track like is playing a different game: it borrows the elements of the ‘80s Boogie and Electronic music (like Chris Okotie and Mike Okri did), but overlays it with modern Yorùbá flavours. Both are great, but only one is building a genre. However, what’s happening right now, at large, isn’t that.

So this cluster of nostalgia-driven songs doesn’t have a real name yet, and it shouldn’t. What’s happening is closer to sketching the sound than building and completing. Artists are testing ideas from a place of curiosity and nostalgia, not from a settled artistic position. As we saw with Rema’s HEIS, one album is a brilliant evidence of curiosity, not the birth of a movement. Before this can be called a resurgence or even a new genre, there needs to be consistency: an artist returning to the same well more than once. A handful of one-off experiments running in parallel shouldn’t get mistaken for a pattern.

Call it what it actually is for now: Afro and the mix of other genres it fuses. Contemporary artists are using traditional Nigerian sound as a mood board — borrowing a synth here, or a Yorùbá folk chant there, much like Solana does on “OKUNKUN.” That’s allowed. A working title only needs to change once a dedicated subculture forms around a sound. The audience has to identify with it completely, not just to enjoy it as a temporary flavour inside a broader genre. Cruel Santino achieved a version of this with his experimental, industrial-Alté Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN album. He built a universe of Punk and video game soundscapes that his audience aggressively identifies with. That’s what creating a subculture actually requires. But for the broader industry right now, that’s a level of dedication that’s yet to happen, and it begs another discourse that even goes beyond just music.

Why are creators and consumers obsessed with labelling everything in the first place?

For a logical reason: cultural exchange. A label functions like a shipping tag. It’s easier to move something across borders and languages when it travels with a name attached. “Afrobeats” moves in a way that “a song from Lagos” never will. A label compresses the whole of a cultural context into something a stranger can grab onto fast, and that matters when the goal is export.

ALSO READ: What We Demand When We Ask Celebrities to “Speak Up”

The 40 Greatest Wande Coal Songs, Ranked

Tomide Marv — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:00:54 +0000

If there’s one thing Nigerians will forever agree on, it’s that , AKA Black Diamond, has vocal cords made of pure, unadulterated gold. The man is the blueprint for modern Afrobeats. If your fave tries to hit a falsetto today, just know Wande walked so they could fly.

Now, with many listeners currently vibrating to the sounds of his brand-new 2026 album, KING COAL, it’s only right that I pay homage to the elder statesman of Afropop. So, I took on the task of ranking his top 40 greatest Wande Coal songs of all time. All lovers of King Coal’s music should gather here.

40. “Ebelebe” (feat. Wizkid) (2023)

After years of fans asking for another collaboration, Wande Coal and Wizkid finally reunited on “Ebelebe” in 2023, and the chemistry hadn’t aged a day. It’s a bouncy Afropop song with mostly melodies and little lyrics about women and good times. Only a few artists understand melody like these guys.

39. “Dem Go Pay” (2025)

Wande Coal trolls his pocket watchers, flexes his rich circle and demands his dues in this song. If you’re coming to him for any service, you’d better come along with handsome cash in hand.

38. “Will You Be Mine” (with LeriQ) (2018)

On this LeriQ-produced love song, Wande Coal leans into the kind of songwriting that first made him one of Afrobeats’ romantic voices. Wande’s vocals float over gentle instrumentation. Every line has room to breathe, letting his buttery R&B vocals become pure magic.

37. “Adura” (2015)

This is a spiritual bop from the Wanted album. It’s great because Wande Coal took us to church but still made sure our shoulders were bouncing. A prayer point has never grooved this hard.

36. “Tur-key Nla” (2017)

Wande Coal makes a song for women with thick thighs. It’s an unfiltered club wrecker.

35. “Iskaba” (with DJ Tunez) (2016)

Teaming up with DJ Tunez, he made a song that became almost impossible to escape in clubs, parties and weddings. His catchy hook does most of the heavy lifting, proving that he has an unmatched gift for writing melodies that stick. It’s one of his biggest hits.

34. “Monster” (2015)

One of the best songs from Wanted, this tells us how money, hustle and success bring out the toughness in a man. The song’s memorable chorus and wide appeal make it bang.

33. “Iyawo Mi” (2015)

“Iyawo Mi” is Wande Coal making promises of love and turning romance into an irresistible jam.

32. “My Way” (2015)

Produced by Maleekberry, “My Way” is Wande Coal professing love and making promises of all he’ll do for his lover. He has made plans and he’s convincing her to let them do it his way.

31. “Superwoman” (2015)

“Superwoman” is a tribute to the strength and beauty of women. Its songwriting and rich vocals have earned it a place among the finest love songs in his catalogue.

30. “Same Shit” (feat. AKA) (2015)

“Same Shit” blends afropop and hip-hop without either artist overshadowing the other. Wande sings about making money, living rich and lifestyle, while late South African rapper AKA emphasises it with a sharp verse.

29. “Wanted” (2015)

This title track of Wanted captures Wande Coal at a turning point in his career. After leaving Mo’Hits and navigating music without a label, he returned with an album that reaffirmed his presence in Afropop. It’s a fitting centrepiece for the album.

28. “Ballerz” (2017)

“Ballerz” became one of Wande Coal’s biggest post-Mushin 2 Mo’Hits hits, embracing the extravagant spirit of enjoyment. Its catchy hook and playful lyrics made it an instant favourite at parties and on the radio.

27. “Sexcellence” (2015)

This is spicy and sensual Wande Coal. Although technically a freestyle, it’s great because it shows off his mature, grown-and-sexy persona. Despite the song’s hyper-fast tempo, he gets seductive without missing a single step.

26. “Come My Way” (2021)

The song is built on confidence and the message that authenticity will always outlast trends. It reflects Wande Coal fully comfortable in his own lane.

25. “Ode Lo Like” (2019)

This song title translates to “They like fools” in Yoruba. It’s a light social commentary and mid-tempo groove about people like those they can take for granted. It can be applied to almost every relationship or transaction.

24. “Kpe Paso” (feat. Olamide) (2023)

This song brings Baddo and Wande together to give us an instant owambe classic. Wande Coal’s melodies stay ever sharp and Olamide’s street charisma is unmistakable. Fuji-pop at its finest.

23. “Ashimapeyin” (2015)

On “Ashimapeyin”, which means “We will call you,” Wande Coal celebrates ambition and success and tells haters he isn’t currently on their time and would call them when there’s a need for them, AKA never.

22. “Baby Hello” (2014)

This is a fast-paced Wande Coal that attempts to call on his love interest. The way Wande rides this beat proves that every lung is built differently.

21. “Dearly” (feat. Qing Madi) (2026)

This is no doubt a beautiful generational bridge. This song links up with the Gen-Z vocalist Qing Madi to make one of the best love songs of the year. It shows his ability to evolve while remaining one of Afropop’s most compelling singers.

20. “Amorawa” (feat. Burna Boy) (2013)

Before Burna Boy became a global superstar, he teamed up with Wande Coal on “Amorawa,” a lively Afropop-dancehall song that carries the message of “real recognises real.” You can call this members-only music if you like.

19. “Aye Dun” (feat. Skuki) (2014)

Wande Coal tasted and knew he’s never going back to poverty. In between success and enjoyment, the song reflects gratitude for life’s wins. “Life is sweet”, as the title says in English.

18. “Rotate” (2013)

“Rotate” is Wande Coal’s instruction to whine your waist. It’s driven by groove, and the production takes centre stage. One of his standout singles from the early 2010s.

17. “Again” (2020)

Few comeback records have landed as perfectly as “Again.” It was released after a long stretch without a major solo hit, and it became one of Nigeria’s biggest records of 2020. It introduced him to a new generation while reminding older fans why they fell in love with his music. Easily one of the defining songs of his career.

16. “Gentility” (with melvitto) (2019)

Production by melvitto. Vocal performance by Wande Coal. This is a sleeper hit that randomly blew up on TikTok years later. “Gentility no be stupidity” is a life motto.

15. “So Mi So” (2018)

“So Mi So’ leans into Wande Coal’s playful side, pairing flirtatious lyrics with breezy Afropop production by Juls. It rewards repeat listens with its infectious chorus.

14. “Been Long You Saw” (2015)

This track is one of the hidden gems from his Wanted album. “Been Long You Saw” captures the excitement and awkwardness of reconnecting with his fans after a long absence.

13. “Who Born the Maga” (feat. K-Switch) (2009)

“Who Born the Maga” became one of the standout records from Mushin 2 Mo’Hits. It’s built around humour and catchy street-inspired songwriting that warns against being taken for a fool. It’s one of his fan favourites.

12. “The Kick” (feat. Don Jazzy) (2013)

Produced by Don Jazzy, “The Kick” was one of the songs that signalled Wande Coal’s successful transition into a new phase of his career after leaving Mo’Hits. The song’s production and memorable hook gave him one of his biggest solo hits of the decade. It’s among his greatest because it blends mainstream appeal with the vocal finesse that has always been his trademark.

11. “See Na Like This” (2009)

Social commentary Wande sheds light on the struggles of the average Nigerian. It’s great because it shows his depth and reflects the Nigerian reality, past or present.

10. “Kiss Your Hands” (feat. Ikechukwu) (2010)

This Wande Coal jam is an African crossover that shook the continent. It’s built around romance and easygoing melodies, and it shows how far his sound travelled across West Africa.

9. “Go Low” (2015)

“Go Low” sets the dance floor on fire. If you were outside in the early 2010s, this song had you in a chokehold. The transition in the beat midway is legendary.

8. “Ten Ten” (2009)

This song is one of the many reasons Mushin 2 Mo’Hits became a modern Afropop classic. Wande Coal turns everyday expressions into a fun, youthful and endlessly replayable song.

7. “Taboo” (2009)

“Taboo” is one of the finest slow-burning moments on Mushin 2 Mo’Hits. On the hypnotic song, Wande Coal gets into his lustful mood and delivers a sensual song about women, swinging hips and waist beads.

6. “Plan B” (2015)

“Plan B” showcases Wande Coal’s knack for turning romantic uncertainty into compelling pop music. Though it isn’t one of his biggest commercial hits, it’s one of his strongest cuts because of its rich songwriting and melody.

5. “Se Ope” (2009)

This is a thanksgiving bop. It earns its spot as an uplifting song that feels both personal and universally relatable, because Nigerians will never stop needing a song to aggressively thank God at parties.

4. “You Bad” (feat. D’Banj) (2009)

Pairing Wande Coal with D’Banj was always going to produce fireworks, and “You Bad” delivers that. D’Banj brings his larger-than-life charisma, while Wande anchors the song with sweet appreciation for baddies. Their contrasting styles make the collaboration exciting. It’s one of the defining records of the Mo’Hits era and one of Wande’s most entertaining collaborations.

3. “Bumper to Bumper” (2009)

Few songs introduced Wande Coal to mainstream audiences quite like “Bumper to Bumper.” It was released before Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, and the single became a nationwide hit thanks to its unforgettable chorus. It established him as one of Nigeria’s brightest new stars. Its cultural impact alone makes it one of the most important songs in his catalogue.

2. “Private Trips” (2012)

This song leans into romance and intimacy. It’s sexy, and Wande proves he can make a pop track that still keeps its Nigerian soul intact.

1. “Ololufe” (2009)

If one song captures Wande Coal’s genius as a singer, it’s “Ololufe.” It’s a timeless love song with heartfelt lyrics, rich harmonies, and memorable melodies that’s top of the list at weddings, parties and sing-alongs years after its release. It’s arguably one of the greatest Nigerian contemporary love songs ever recorded.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nigerian Albums of 2026 So Far, Ranked

10 Times Nigerian Artists Have Asked Us To Dance Like Poco Lee

Tomide Marv — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:30:57 +0000

Typically, in Nigerian music, the spotlight is reserved for vocalists and producers who shape the sound. Yet, if you listen closely to the lyrics of some of the genre’s biggest hits over the last few years, a different kind of superstar emerges. His name is .

Born Iweh Pascal Odinaka, Poco Lee helped popularise the Zanku and Gbese dance movements and became the heartbeat of Nigerian street-hop and party culture. Over time, he transitioned from a viral street dancer to a reputable hypeman and cultural voice.

Today, dropping his name in a track has gone from a casual shoutout to a stamp of approval. From Wande Coal to Davido and Ayra Starr, artists cite Poco Lee as a seal of approval for elite footwork and overall coolness. Below are ten moments Poco Lee was immortalised in song lyrics.

10. “Dollar” — B-RED feat. Davido & Peruzzi

Lyrics: “You make me dance like I’m Poco Lee.”

B-Red teams up with Davido and Peruzzi to deliver a big-ballers anthem. And what’s an extravagant party without dance steps to match? The mention of Poco Lee here serves as a flex as the dancer represents the peak of Afrobeats party culture.

9. “ZaZoo Zeh” — Portable feat. Olamide and Poco Lee

Lyrics: “Poco Lee gbemi trabaye / Jeka jo zeh o / Poco Lee ogba dancer o.”

This song is Portable’s introduction. It name-drops the dancer to honour him, rightfully, as Poco Lee is regarded as the link between Portable and Olamide, who features alongside both of them in the song. This proves Poco Lee’s influence is in the mainstream street-hop.

8. “Desperado” — Cheque

Lyrics: “Move like Poco.”

Cheque’s “Desperado” gives a nod to Poco Lee. The dancer is synonymous with hustling his way from the Lagos streets to global stages. I mean, if you hustle hard and eventually make it, why not dance like the guy even your fave artists love to be around?

7. “Small Money” — Nasboi

Lyrics: “Make you dance and party like Poco Lee.”

Poco’s core relevance is being the life of the party. The reference to him here is clear: if you aren’t dancing with his level of energy, you aren’t doing it right.

6. “GBESUNMO” — Wande Coal feat. Ruger and BNXN

Lyrics: “Dance like Poco Lee.”

On Wande Coal’s new album (King Coal) is “GBESUNMO” featuring new-school artists BNXN and Ruger. BNXN references Poco Lee, and it’s basically a call to move the body like the popular dancer.

5. “Diamonds” — Mayorkun (feat. Fireboy DML)

Lyrics: “Dancing like Poco Lee.”

It’s the same here, a call to dance. Mayorkun and Fireboy use the line “Dancing like Poco Lee” to farm his aura. Poco Lee’s effortless footwork is an equivalent of the flashy, soft-life fantasy the song is selling, because if there are people who know how to make looking cool seem easy, Poco Lee is one of them.

4. “MJ (Remix)” — Bad Boy Timz (feat. Mayorkun)

Lyrics: “So de le gbese bi ti Poco Lee?”

Bad Boy Timz and Mayorkun brilliantly juxtapose the King of Pop (Michael Jackson) with the King of Afrobeats Dance by asking, “So de le gbese bi ti Poco Lee?” (Can you step like Poco Lee?). This line solidifies Poco Lee’s status as a modern-day dance legend on par with international icons.

3. “Awuke” — Davido (feat. YG Marley)

Lyrics: “Move body like Poco jo.”

This song has a clear instruction to “Move body like Poco jo.” Davido, an acquaintance of Poco Lee, uses his name to inject a Lagos street-hop element into a cross-continental banger.

2. “Oshe” — Wande Coal (feat. Wizkid)

Lyrics: “Move like Poco Lee.”

This is a new collaboration between Wande Coal and Wizkid. The mention of Poco Lee here underscores his popular appeal. Even the OGs of modern Afrobeats recognise him as an undisputed face of Nigerian dance.

1. “Rush” — Ayra Starr

Lyrics: “Make you dance like Poco Lee.”

In her massive breakout hit, Ayra Starr sings, “Make you dance like Poco Lee.” It’s a good line that proves Poco’s influence isn’t limited to the streets or the boys; he’s the benchmark for pop icons across all demographics of the Afrobeats ecosystem.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nigerian Albums of 2026 So Far, Ranked

The 10 Best Nigerian Albums of 2026 So Far, Ranked

Tomide Marv — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:34:50 +0000

We are no longer looking at a landscape monopolised by a singular tempo. The first six months of the year have treated listeners to expansive, multi-genre music in which mainstream hits share equal space with unpopular sounds. As much as it’s a shared sentiment that there have been many duds disguised as music projects, there have been some gems.

As we hit the mid-year mark, I look back at these impressive music projects, from the chart dominators to the underdogs, to pick the best of the best in 2026 so far. Here are 10 albums and EPs, ranked.

10. THE RETURN (Eze Onyịkọ) — Aguero Banks

THE RETURN (Eze Onyịkọ), Aguero Banks’ new album, is a street-grounded project with its teeth deep in grit and self-reflection. Intimately, it explores survival, spirituality and hard-earned victory. With its suspenseful production, the album pairs hard-hitting bars with melodic assists from an elite roster of collaborators such as Chike, Ajebo Hustlers, and Wizard Chan. The East has long represented contemporary Nigerian Hip-Hop, and Aguero Banks is one of its vital voices.

Listen on: |

9. The Game Needs Us — BNXN and Sarz

Singer BNXN and producer Sarz’s collaborative 5-track EP comes with an ambitious title. It almost delivers up to its declaration, but falls short in its diversity. The laid-back sound relies on Sarz’s immaculate, stripped-back R&B and pop production, letting BNXN’s vocal performance take centre stage. Thematically, it’s based on the familiar narrative arc of modern romance, alternating between toxicity and emotional and sensual attachment. The centrepiece of the project is the choir-backed “Back Outside.”

Listen on: |

8. WELCOME 2 THE VILLE — Apex Village

Seven years after the release of their debut, Abuja-based collective Apex Village makes a definitive return with their sophomore album, WELCOME 2 THE VILLE. The ambitious 14-track project expands the group’s core vision, introducing new members such as Laime and Azanti. The tape explores UK drill to trap and Afrobeats sounds and it’s mainly produced by Thrill Max. positions the crew at the vanguard of Nigerian Hip-Hop’s generational shift.

Listen on: |

7. Mafia Busine$$ — Naija House Mafia

Naija House Mafia (Jamie Black, Sigag Lauren and Calix) is a pioneering group in Nigeria’s electronic movement that’s been a favourite in the rave scene for a while now. On their debut five-track project, the group delivers a mix of Afro-house, Gqom and 3-Step and Fulani folk music, while reimagining nostalgic Afropop classics. One sure thing is, the music will sweat you out and make you dance.

Listen on: |

6. Clarity of Mind — OMAH LAY

OMAH LAY’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Clarity of Mind, arrives with a high sense of renewal. It’s framed as a critical turning point for both the artist and the genre, and expected to be the calming force that takes listeners past the dark introspection of his previous work. But instead, the album falls back into the same orbit. Just that the music still bangs. It utilises OMAH LAY’s unique and evocative vocal style to give a soothing collection of songs centred on healing, clarity and solace. Some of the album moments are songs like “ARTIFICIAL HAPPINESS”, “JAH JAH KNOWS” and “MARY JANE.”

Listen on: |

5. ITEM VII — Ema Onigah

If you’re not familiar with Ema Onigah, he’s a young but seasoned singer-songwriter who has co-written for artists such as Tekno. On his new EP, he digs further into his rap cadence with an Afropop style. He shows how expressive he can be in his compositions, such as “Chance” and the most viral track, “With You.” This project is a showcase of an artist who’s constantly experimenting and trailblazing his own lane.

Listen on: |

4. Diamond In the Process — Jiire Smith

Operating outside the Lagos music scene, 22-year-old Abu Dhabi-based Nigerian singer-songwriter Jiire Smith puts out his debut EP, Diamond In A Process. It’s rooted in a soulful, intimate and deliberately unhurried R&B-Soul sound. The EP reflects the multicultural worldview shaped by his upbringing in Abuja and life in the UAE. The themes range from patience and discipline to love and grief. This is the soundtrack for the underdogs and those who are a work in progress.

Listen on: |

3. Agaba Romantic — Joeboy and Wizard Chan

Joeboy’s pop sensibilities and Wizard Chan’s mysticism collide to make Agaba Romantic, a 7-track collaborative inspired by desire, introspection, love and romance. The music blends influences from Afropop, Highlife, Reggae, and South-South gyration. It delivers some of the best songs of the year: “100 Meters” and “Fall Back In Your Arms.”

Listen on: |

2. Love Is a Machinery — Anendlessocean

Expanding on the romantic themes introduced in his 2024 EP Hexagon, Anendlessocean releases his most thorough and complete love album yet. He treats romance as a seed to be planted and nurtured. The songwriting and production of the album weave through mid-tempo soul, acoustic ballads, indie grooves, and Amapiano log drums to give a full, beautiful yet complex spectrum of devotion and love.

Listen on: |

1. M$NEY — Asake

Written from his new transatlantic base in Los Angeles, Asake’s 13-track fourth studio album, M$NEY, serves as a boastful celebration of financial freedom, success and identity that captures the artist fully leaning into his “Mr. Money” persona. Moving away from the loose experimentation of his previous project, LUNGU BOY, the album marks a notable return to his signature Afrofusion sound: a blend of Afropop and Amapiano log drums with House-music production. M$NEY is lyrically light, but packed with infectious, rotation-ready hits that make him Mr. Money With the Vibe.

Listen on: |

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The 20 Best Nigerian Songs of 2026 So Far, Ranked

Tomide Marv — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:55:58 +0000

Nigerian music moves at a breakneck pace. This first half of 2026 is no different: piled with multiple releases. Across Afrobeats, street-hop, alternative music, R&B, and rap, artists pushed their sounds in new directions, though most have faded, and only a few linger to sustain listeners.

This list highlights 20 songs that stood out above the noise between January and June 2026. In selecting them, I considered quality, songwriting, production, replay value, cultural impact and the conversations these records generated among listeners. Some became unavoidable hits; others earned their place through sheer craftsmanship, but all captured Nigerian music in the first six months of the year.

These are the best Nigerian songs of H1 2026.

20. “Oh My Days” — Islambo

Street sounds have dominated the airspace for a while now, and Islambo is one of its most exciting voices. In two minutes, he floats on a hypnotic Afrofusion production, dropping catchy, humorous, hustle-oriented puns and one-liners, interspersed with self-praise as a lamba craft master. He stays consistent with his predilection for street lingo and happy-hour music; “Oh My Days”, his first drop of the year, is proof.

19. “OGO” — Danny S

What’s a song for the street if you don’t pay homage to it? Danny S takes his tribute even further by using this song, “OGO” — meaning glory, which is now slang for the rich and successful — to name-drop popular areas in Lagos as evidence of his street credibility around the metropolis. This song has all the elements of a great street-hop track: a tight production, fun catchphrases, and relatability.

18. “Omoge” — Falz

Falz is back with a new single to serenade women who love to boogie down. The production adds flair with bites from Sir Shina Peters’ “Omoge To Rewa” (1989) and Afro-Juju sound. It balances humour and romance with fun. Proper owambe material.

17. “ỌGBỤ EGO” — Aguero Banks

This is the ninth track on Eastern rapper Aguero Banks’ new album THE RETURN (Eze Onyịkọ), where he delivers a chorus and a verse about ambition and street philosophy. This is daily discourse about money and survival turned to motivation.

16. “Aura Salad” — SSSoundgawd and Mavo

“Aura Salad” is a direct link to where Nigeria’s new underground scene is headed. The music is freeform: rhymes, flows and melodies are unconventional and overall rides on personality-driven performances. SSSoundgawd and Mavo are at the forefront of this new movement that’s penetrating to this mainstream.

15. “FRE$H” — Victony

Victony is always experimenting with sound. On his latest, he hypes up his love-interest on a bubbly Afropop sound. The chorus is contagious, the whole songwriting is smooth and his confidence doesn’t overtip into arrogance — just a guy in a moment of lover’s rock and self-glaze.

14. “Jogodo” — Wizkid and Asake

Wizkid and Asake, two of Nigeria’s most influential stars, meet to give us a 4-track EP which houses “Jogodo.” With an unrelenting range of melodies and lyrical snapshot of big ballers’ lifestyle, they supply a good time. Nothing more to this than a fun time.

13. “Akonuche” — Priesst

Priesst is a rising rapper and singer who went viral this year with “Akonuche” single, a motivational song centering on goals, resilience and smart work. It’s one of the most resonant songs of the year so far.

12. “Yapa Yapa” — Jiire Smith

It’s upbeat and feels like disco here. “Yapa Yapa” gets Jiire Smith in a groove to talk about how people will always have things to say about you if you’re important. In recent times, the Nigerian R&B and Soul music scene has seen a surge in its pedigree of brilliant musicians. Jiire Smith is one of them, and this is his latest offering.

11. “OKUNKUN” — Solana and Killertunes

This Killertunes-produced Afro-fusion track, sung largely in Yorùbá, introduces singer Solana to the Nigerian audience who are looking for something fresh. “OKUNKUN”, meaning darkness in Yorùbá, explores themes of faith and resilience. It’s definitely one of the most talked about and unorthodox music releases of 2026.

10. “Dearly” — Wande Coal feat. Qing Madi

Wande Coal links with Qing Madi to make a track for Valentine’s Day and lovers. It’s an incredible display of their vocal dexterity. They trade verses and emotions to create a tender love record that cuts across any age group.

9. “ARTIFICIAL HAPPINESS” — OMAH LAY

OMAH LAY, our resident sad boy, explores the struggles of masking inner pain with temporary, superficial highs. It paints the picture of the reality of living a seemingly perfect or fun life on the outside while battling emptiness, depression and anxiety on the inside.

8. “Romeo and Juliet” — Abefe

Abefe is currently one of the most talked and trending artists on TikTok right now. After going viral with a snippet post of “Romeo and Juliet”, he finally puts it out. This sweet afropop borrows from the familiar love story of Romeo and Juliet to demonstrate devotion and desire through the Gen-Z lens. Abefe and his song are one of the best music finds on TikTok this year.

7. “Back Outside” — BNXN and Sarz

BNXN and Sarz get active again with the single “Back Outside”, the centrepiece of their collaborative The Game Needs Us EP. This is just them saying they’re back to doing what they love most: music. BNXN’s chorus, hook and verse are honeyed. Sarz’s production is elite.

6. “Fall Back In Your Arms” — Joeboy and Wizard Chan feat. Braye

This tender opening track from the Agaba Romantic EP is all about emotional safety, love and connection. The fusion of Joeboy’s pop instincts with Wizard Chan’s mystic energy and Braye’s soulful contribution makes it a comforting listen. This is collaboration done right.

5. “Tornado” — Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr continues to tease her Starrgirl era. This song is a braggadocious one, an Afropop-and-synth-pop hybrid laced with Latin percussion. She knows who she is and proves once again that she is one of the most compelling voices of her generation.

4. “Chanel” — Blaqbonez feat. Asake

Blaqbonez and Asake are old university mates who get back together on “Chanel” as music stars. They sing and rap about being stylish, locking down the No. 1 spot on the Official Nigeria Top 100. It’s a hit that still has more moments ahead of it.

3. “Big Bum Bum” — Kidd Carder feat. Mavo

This is a bouncy, playful, memorable song about a woman’s behind and nightlife. As direct as it is, Kidd Carder and Mavo don’t overcomplicate it. Just groove, lamba, loud speakers and slow whine.

2. “With You” — Ema Onigah

Ema Onigah is an exciting vocalist who blends rap and singing into a unique style. Here, he delivers a jam about romantic commitment, arguably his best yet. It’s versatile and catchy.

1. “Forgiveness” — Asake

So far in 2026, Asake has the best album, and “Forgiveness” is one of the unforgettable tracks on it. Though the beat is dance-ready, Asake gets into a reflective mood. He sings about divine grace, old friends, giving grace, moving forward and keeping focus on his passion. The log-drums are heavy and the flows are impeccable. Peak Asake.

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The 10 Producer-Artist Duos That Never Missed

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The 20 Catchiest Nigerian Choruses of the 21st Century

1. “” — Olu Maintain (2007)

2. “” — P-Square (2007)

3. “” — Styl-Plus (2008)

4. “” — 9ice (2008)

5. “” — Wande Coal (2009)

6. “” — Bracket (2009)

7. “” — Dagrin (2009)

8. “” — Ice Prince feat. Brymo (2011)

9. “” — P-Square feat. May D and Akon (2011)

10. “” — Wizkid (2014)

11. “” — Olamide (2015)

12. “” — Runtown (2016)

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13. “” — Tekno (2016)

14. “” — Davido (2019)

15. “” — CKay (2019)

16. “” — Rema (2021)

17. “” — Ladipoe feat. BNXN (2021)

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18. “” — Ayra Starr (2021)

19. “” — Burna Boy (2022)

20. “” — Kizz Daniel feat. Tekno (2023)

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10 Times Nigerian Artists Turned Money Into Catchy Lyrics��

1. “30 billion for the account o” — Davido, “If” (2017)

2. “Monday to Saturday, outside for my daily 2k” — Zerrydl, “FIND MONEY” (2024)

3. “One million dollar / E lo lo ma je tin ba se si naira / Eh, owo!” — Olu Maintain, “Yahooze” (2007)

4. “I got plenty dollar in my name / I got plenty naira in my name” — P-Square, “Chop My Money (Remix)” (2011)

5. “Billion dollar baby” — Seyi Vibez, “BD Baby” (2022)

6. “Billion dollar dream, but I’m still broke.” — Superwozzy,�� “Billion Dollar Dreams” (2019)

7. “I remember when I was praying for a million naira / Ego nsego na loud akaligo a million naira” — Jeriq, “Billion Dollar Dream” (2022)

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8. “Pounds sterling lawa n fi n se tissue.” — Olamide, “Who U Epp” (2016)

9. “Half a million dollars, when I smile for the picture.” — Burna Boy, “Bundle By Bundle” (2025)

10. “Me, I don touch money, I like am / Dollar signs load am” — Adekunle Gold, “Coco Money” (2025)

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The 40 Greatest Wande Coal Songs, Ranked

40. “Ebelebe” (feat. Wizkid) (2023)

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