Within the time span of 2012 and 2013, several new artistes have made their entrance into the music scene. Some have made a lot of noise with their music, but only a handful of artistes really had Nigeria music lovers putting their songs on repeat, making noise when a song came on and made serious impact between the aforementioned periods.
2013 has been a wonderful and successful year to many Nigeria entertainers. The music industry experienced marvellous successes from musicians all over the country including outside Nigeria who released songs that were club bangers.
Riding on this premise, Cool Fm on air personality, Freeze says in a chat that there were artistes that made the Forbes most bankable artistes of the year. While many made the list, people like Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Kwam 1, Femi Kuti, Asa and others were not named on the list. But nonetheless, there were songs which took the entertainment industry by storm when they hit the market and these are few of them in 2013.
‘Ada Ada’ a party favourite song:
No one will doubt why the video of Ada Ada by Flavour N’Abania became the Video of the Year courtesy of Nigeria Music Video Awards NMVA. The highlife music crooner has succeeded in breathing life into the genre of music and is now in a world of his own. Chinedu Okoli (his real name) has his hit song; Ada Ada among others a crowd favourite and one wonders what next will be off the multi-instrumentalist artiste’s sleeve.
‘Sho Lee’ rocks the parties:
Sean Tizzle became the toast of party rockers and gigs early 2013 in the country with Sho Lee, a hit banger. Since then Sean (Seun Morianhfe) has grabbed the success with both hands and gone ahead to release Mama Eh, International Bad Man and others. Sean Tizzle says next year will be the best time to release his album after hit singles. “Hoping to consolidate and do more tours, more hit singles, videos and then my album sometime next year – Gbam!” Says Sean.
Kcee’s Limpopo:
Limpopo and Pull Over by Kcee was another hit song and Limpopo made the Hip hop song of the Year by City People Entertainment Awards 2013. With the release of his new album as a solo artiste, ‘Pull Over’, 2013 was indeed a great year. Kcee plans to shoot more videos next year and continue to release hit songs, entertain my fans as disclosed to Hip TV recently.
Emi Ni Baller:
‘Emi Ni Baller’ from Chidinma, Project Fame Season 3 winner was another song that hit the air waves with a good video from award-winning, Clarence Peters. Kekedike crooner was joined by Da Suspect and rapper Illbliss. Next year is loaded for Chidinma as she drops her long awaited album. The talented singer has indeed come to stay in the music industry. Chidinma says, “Next year is going to be greater for me. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag but 2014 will be massive for Chidinma. With Emi ni Baller, Bless my hustle and others, my album release is the next big thing for me”, the amiable singer says.
Wande Coal Rotate
Afro-Hip Hop sensation Wande Coal released the video of his hit song, Rotate. The video shot by ace director Sesan Ogunro. The Black Diamond entertainment CEO Wande Coal released the video which was shot in the UK on his label, Black Diamond Entertainment. Watch out for this guy as 2014 will be a great year for the artiste who has struggled through the yea rs to make a strong mark in the industry.
‘Show me ur Rozay’ dancehall hit:
The single was a hit and a party song, more popular than its owner. Ketchup’s ‘Show me ur rozay’ was a dancehall hit like Sho Lee and this brought commercial success to Onyido Nkemjika (his real name). Ketchup speaks on his plans for early 2014. “Aside the remix of my song “Show Me Your Rozay”with the likes of two indigenous rappers, Olamide and Phyno. I want my esteemed fans to watch for more best of me and more collaboration with A-list artistes in the industry. Mark my words; the remix is the start of something new. “Pay As You Go” video and “Coco Banana” featuring Banky W is coming soon too.”
Tiwa Savage Eminado f. Don Jazzy
The new song from Tiwa Savage Eminado f. Don Jazzy will continue to rock the clubs and homes of music lovers. And it’s sure going to continue the feat in 2014.
Burna Boy
Like To Party is a testament that you can catch a hit record without following the typical music format that rules the airwaves in Nigeria. Burna Boy appeared to have come from nowhere after “Like To Party” became an overwhelming hit all over Lagos and most parts of Nigeria, but the reality is that he has been dropping music since 2011 and finally caught his biggest hit in 2012. Burna then went on to deliver a quality video for not just his first single off the L.I.F.E album but for his other strong and widely accepted singles such as Tonight and Run My Race which were produced by Aristokrat in-house producer LeriQ.
Timaya
The Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa is still very relevant in the grand scheme of things. After replacing his in-house producer K-Solo with Young D, his sound became more full of youthful energy and translated seamlessly among the more modern audience consuming Nigerian music today. After releasing what most of us call a banger in his “Shake your Bum Bum” single in 2012, it was a required song that had to play at least twice at any given night. Then he went on to drop other extra catchy singles titled “Sexy Ladies”., “Club on Fire”, “Malonogede” and solid party album UPGRADE.
Ice Prince
After the huge success of Oleku, and the launch of Ice Prince‘s debut album in 2011; the critics felt like it was a fluke. However, Ice silenced them with Aboki and a number of fierce freestyles. When it comes to most sought after rappers in Nigeria or Nigerian music around the world, Ice Prince definitely leads the pack and has been able to package his flow and hooks properly for commercial success. He also confirms that he is the ‘best rapper singer surely’ on TRUTH; a recent freestyle he released earlier in 2013.
Olamide
Truth be told, Olamide has been putting in quality work since Young Erikina. However, it appears that he started flooding the streets with music in 2012 even before his album dropped and after the success of Ilefo ILLuminati and First Of All, Olamide continues to drop heat until this day from Rayban Abacha to the more popular, Durosoke and Baddo Love. Olamide ups the ante with Durosoke: With his hit banger, First of All, indigenous rapper, Olamide has created his space in genre of street music. Durosoke helped to secure it. The rapper in his self-styled manner has continued from where late Dagrin stopped releasing singles upon singles some which have resonated with the youths. Phyno his counterpart from the east (Enugu) has ensured indigenous rap is on the rise thanks to the ingenuity of Mr Raw formerly Nigga Raw. Ghostmode and Man of the Year from Phyno are hit songs worthy of mention
Iyanya
Iyanya was all over the gossip sites due to his many unsuccessful relationships, Iyanya definitely dominated Nigerian music for a good period in 2012. His Kukere single took him to a level he had never been before so he and his MMM group team took full advantage by dropping another overwhelming single, “Ur Waist” ft Emma Nyra which kept him up there with both feet rooted deep. In addition, he recently added more fans to his base after touring the USA and UK during the Spring of 2013. It is agreed among many top promoters and DJs in the States that Iyanya’s USA tour has been the most successful among most Nigerian contemporary artist tours in the past 5 years.
2face Idibia
The most loved and respected artiste in the Nigerian music industry, 2face Idibia did his rounds last year and killed the airwaves with his hit single Ihe Neme off his most recent studio album Away and Beyond. He then went quiet in the beginning of 2013 to prepare and participate in his wedding and honeymoon. The evergreen love song composed by High life music veteran, Victor Olaiya was remixed with no other finest act than 2face who made a successful collaboration with Pa Victor Olaiya. The video directed by Kunle Afolayan rocked the airwaves and ensured Victor Olaiya’s classic, Baby Jowo remains in the consciousness of lovers of good music. Mike Okri’s ‘Omoge’ remix with Omawumi is another classic.
Wizkid
The StarBoy himself who has a well of talent and unnatural work ethic when it comes to things of music, stayed very relevant all through 2013 with the massive single Azonto and a plethora of good songs he has dropped with his new Starboy producers Legendury Beats and Maleek Berry. Although his name was mixed up among rumoured conflict with EME, the label he is still signed to, he has managed to continue to drop hits and stay very relevant even on the international scene after dropping notable tracks like Drop It ft Wale and Blown Away with Angel. Caro, a song for all: The Hip hop singer, Wizkid has mastered the arts and always comes with hit singles. Caro and perhaps Afro beat song; ‘Jaiye jaiye’ featuring Femi Kuti are part of what makes Ayodeji Balogun, the wizkid that he really is. Caro Ft Lax released under Starboiz Records is a feel good danceable song loved by all.
Davido
If you ask most club and party goers what the hit of 2013 is so far, majority of them will probably say Gobe. Davido blew everyone away with the 1st single off his 2nd studio album and continues to drop strong singles such ask Kalo Konnect and One of A Kind. His most recent single Skelewu which dropped barely over two weeks ago is already on its way to claiming National Hit status. Davido has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the industry and continues to disappoint the naysayers. Omo Baba Olowo hit singer, Davido has proved that his music production skill is good enough to endear him as a musician. Coupled with his rising stardom, Davido’s dance song, Skelewu has become an item and a must-learn dance with the youths. With different versions uploaded online and the intendant controversy made Skelewu a dance hit single to reckon with and its originator, Davido just like Alingo of P-Square.
D’banj
Who God has blessed, no man can curse; that is D’banj’s story. Although he has not dropped any overwhelmingly engaging track in 2013; he killed everything with Oliver Twist in 2012 from going mainstream in the UK, to getting a Malibu worldwide placement deal for Oliver Twist song. D’banj continues to be one of the most relevant and distinct artists in the continent of Africa. D’banj is a true entertainer and anything he says, drops or headlines (in terms of shows/concerts) usually attracts a huge amount of people because we know that we will be entertained.
P Square
The Twin Kings of Africa!!! The Okoye twins are in a league all by themselves and continue to maintain their winning position. They brought us the massive Beautiful Onye and Chop My Money remixes both last year and destabilised every huge plan any artist in the continent had of dominating the music scene. P-Square then went on to drop the killer visuals for Alingo and in 2013 delivered another widely accepted single and video Personally.
Other songs enhanced by quality videos have made them hit songs or videos depending on your yardstick. D’Banj’s ‘ Don’t tell me Nonsense’, P-Square’s ‘Personally’ and Timaya’s Ukwu are hit videos among others setting the stage for more works in 2014.
Arguably the most popular Azonto video on the internet. Though not a Nigerian, this new Africa, T.I.N.A for short, British-Ghanaian pop star Fuse ODG, the declaration is more than just a title. FUSE ODG’S ‘Antenna’ music video ft. the legendary Wyclef Jean has been cruising the airwaves and also a party banger.
Did your favorite artiste make the list?