Music: Nigerian music in 2015
2014
was a year filled with great albums, chart-topping hit singles and
creative music videos thus helping artistes with international awards
aside nominations. 2015 looks far better. Here is why.
Last year was a year of hit after hits, mesmerising dance steps overtaking each other and high rising recognitions of Nigerian artistes.
The year started off with hit bangers like Skelewu from Davido, Johnny from Yemi Alade, Eminado from Tiwa Savage and Alobam from Phyno which were all carryovers from 2013. And in continuous fashion, more hits churned out making the year a basket of varieties.
‘She no want designer, she no want Ferrari, She say na my love o…Oh baby, you go killi somebody’…These lyrics can’t be strange to any Nigerian, as it earned the overall rendition of the year! Aye, the most popular Nigerian song of the year, which is verifiable from the over twelve million views on Youtube, is closely followed by the Yemi Alade’s song, whose Johnny is still being looked for till date. Amazingly, the French version of the song makes the song even more popular in francophone countries. Though, it came later in the year, the DoroMavins swept most other songs off their feet with their volcanic hit, Dorrobucci, while Lil Kesh’s Shoki remix hyped the ante, making the song bigger than we ever thought.
Mc Galaxy’s Sekem is another infectious dance song and anthem hit the streets while Runtown’s Gallardo was nothing short of a show stopper. Headies award Next Rated artiste and Alubarika crooner, Patoranking served his dancehall banger ‘Girlie O’ the remix which raising the roofs and made him a certified star. Dr Sid’s Surulere cannot be ignored as it ultimately earned him a prestigious MOBO award nomination for ‘Beat African Act’.
Naija Street’s afrobeat inspired anthem, ‘Double Wahala’ came and changed the life of the Mercies of the Lord crooner, OritsheFemi’s life for good. The song was so honey-like that even the elites had no choice than to sing along. Other songs that made 2014 a special year was Nosa’s I go Always Pray For You, which earned him the song of the year award at the Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards, Olamide’s ‘Story for the Gods’, Tekno’s ‘Dance’, Wande Coal’s come back tune, ‘Baby Hello’, Skales ‘Shakebody’ and Seyi Shay’s ‘Murda’
The videos of these songs came to the see the light of day as they all struggled for prominence in the heart of the people. Kemi Adetiba’s video, ‘Sitting on the Throne’ was adjudged the best and the most creative video while other outstanding music video’s include Davido’s ‘Aye’, Joel’s ‘Oya now’, and Yemi Alade’s ‘Johnny’.
Moreover, in the year, highly anticipated albums of our music stars were released. From Sean Tizzle’s ‘The Journey’, Yemi Alade’s King of Queens, Praiz’s ‘Rich and Famous’ to 2face’s Ascension that topped charts within few weeks of release, PSquare’s ‘Double Trouble’ which churned out hits like Shekini and Collabo and Asa’s internationally released, afro soul album, Bed of Stone which is said to be enjoying massive sales throughout the world. The Chocolate City lyricist and rapper, MI also released his highly awaited album, ‘The Chairman’, after his long hiatus as well as phenomenal rapper, Phyno releasing his debut, ‘No Guts No Glory’, an album that housed now popular tracks like O Set, Alobam, Parcel and Anamachi Versace, not forgetting to mention Olamide’s ‘Street OT’, a beautifully rendered rap album. One album that has been the most talked about presently is Wizkid’s ‘Ayo’ due to its creative but controversial lyrics.
There were oceans of international and national awards for Nigerian artistes the chief of which was Davido who is BET’s Best International Act (Africa), Best Male Artiste and Artiste of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards, Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year and Male Musician of the Year at the City People Awards.
Highlife artiste, Flavour bagged the award for ‘Best Live Act’ at this year’s MTV Africa Music awards ‘Alubarika’ hitmaker, Patoranking won City People Award for Dance-hall/Reggae Act of the Year and Headies Next Rated Star. D’Banj was also proud winner for ‘Best Selling African Artiste’ award at this year’s World Music Awards while Olamide’s ‘Sitting on the throne’, ‘Turn up’ and Baddest Guy Ever Liveth bagged awards at this year’s NMVAs, MTV Africa Music awards and Headies respectively
Tiwa Savage’s rise was meteoric as she won MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female Artiste and City People Entertainment Award for Female Musician of the Year as well as performing at The BET Experience. Wizkid, though didn’t win any award this year, grew in online presence as the first Nigerian musician to actually hit over a million followers on Twitter.
Last year was a year of hit after hits, mesmerising dance steps overtaking each other and high rising recognitions of Nigerian artistes.
The year started off with hit bangers like Skelewu from Davido, Johnny from Yemi Alade, Eminado from Tiwa Savage and Alobam from Phyno which were all carryovers from 2013. And in continuous fashion, more hits churned out making the year a basket of varieties.
‘She no want designer, she no want Ferrari, She say na my love o…Oh baby, you go killi somebody’…These lyrics can’t be strange to any Nigerian, as it earned the overall rendition of the year! Aye, the most popular Nigerian song of the year, which is verifiable from the over twelve million views on Youtube, is closely followed by the Yemi Alade’s song, whose Johnny is still being looked for till date. Amazingly, the French version of the song makes the song even more popular in francophone countries. Though, it came later in the year, the DoroMavins swept most other songs off their feet with their volcanic hit, Dorrobucci, while Lil Kesh’s Shoki remix hyped the ante, making the song bigger than we ever thought.
Mc Galaxy’s Sekem is another infectious dance song and anthem hit the streets while Runtown’s Gallardo was nothing short of a show stopper. Headies award Next Rated artiste and Alubarika crooner, Patoranking served his dancehall banger ‘Girlie O’ the remix which raising the roofs and made him a certified star. Dr Sid’s Surulere cannot be ignored as it ultimately earned him a prestigious MOBO award nomination for ‘Beat African Act’.
Naija Street’s afrobeat inspired anthem, ‘Double Wahala’ came and changed the life of the Mercies of the Lord crooner, OritsheFemi’s life for good. The song was so honey-like that even the elites had no choice than to sing along. Other songs that made 2014 a special year was Nosa’s I go Always Pray For You, which earned him the song of the year award at the Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards, Olamide’s ‘Story for the Gods’, Tekno’s ‘Dance’, Wande Coal’s come back tune, ‘Baby Hello’, Skales ‘Shakebody’ and Seyi Shay’s ‘Murda’
The videos of these songs came to the see the light of day as they all struggled for prominence in the heart of the people. Kemi Adetiba’s video, ‘Sitting on the Throne’ was adjudged the best and the most creative video while other outstanding music video’s include Davido’s ‘Aye’, Joel’s ‘Oya now’, and Yemi Alade’s ‘Johnny’.
Moreover, in the year, highly anticipated albums of our music stars were released. From Sean Tizzle’s ‘The Journey’, Yemi Alade’s King of Queens, Praiz’s ‘Rich and Famous’ to 2face’s Ascension that topped charts within few weeks of release, PSquare’s ‘Double Trouble’ which churned out hits like Shekini and Collabo and Asa’s internationally released, afro soul album, Bed of Stone which is said to be enjoying massive sales throughout the world. The Chocolate City lyricist and rapper, MI also released his highly awaited album, ‘The Chairman’, after his long hiatus as well as phenomenal rapper, Phyno releasing his debut, ‘No Guts No Glory’, an album that housed now popular tracks like O Set, Alobam, Parcel and Anamachi Versace, not forgetting to mention Olamide’s ‘Street OT’, a beautifully rendered rap album. One album that has been the most talked about presently is Wizkid’s ‘Ayo’ due to its creative but controversial lyrics.
There were oceans of international and national awards for Nigerian artistes the chief of which was Davido who is BET’s Best International Act (Africa), Best Male Artiste and Artiste of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards, Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year and Male Musician of the Year at the City People Awards.
Highlife artiste, Flavour bagged the award for ‘Best Live Act’ at this year’s MTV Africa Music awards ‘Alubarika’ hitmaker, Patoranking won City People Award for Dance-hall/Reggae Act of the Year and Headies Next Rated Star. D’Banj was also proud winner for ‘Best Selling African Artiste’ award at this year’s World Music Awards while Olamide’s ‘Sitting on the throne’, ‘Turn up’ and Baddest Guy Ever Liveth bagged awards at this year’s NMVAs, MTV Africa Music awards and Headies respectively
Tiwa Savage’s rise was meteoric as she won MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female Artiste and City People Entertainment Award for Female Musician of the Year as well as performing at The BET Experience. Wizkid, though didn’t win any award this year, grew in online presence as the first Nigerian musician to actually hit over a million followers on Twitter.
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