Apala, the iconic genre that once dominated Nigerian airwaves, is back and slowly mixing with the pulse of contemporary music. The new-school Apala movement is breathing fresh life into contemporary sounds, blending ancient beats with modern swagger.
From Qdot to Terry Apala, we’re spotlighting the artists pushing boundaries and making Apala cool again by bringing it closer to the younger audience.
Soyoyo — Musiliu Haruna Ishola
This song is familiar to both the millennials and Gen Z. Soyoyo sings about women, settling relationship issues and flirtatious games. Musiliu Ishola, the most popular son of the late Apala maestro Haruna Ishola, now represents the genre as its foremost act.
Apala Disco — Terry Apala
Terry Apala teams up with DJ Tunez to recreate Apala for new-age music listeners. This jam is not too deep; it’s your reminder to have a good time. The “disco” in the song title only signals a party moment.
Apala Formula — Rasheed Apala
Rasheed Apala started his music career by making Apala covers. His 2024 single Apala Formula entertains listeners with narratives of good time, sexual pleasure and other allures of the street.
With Time — Wasiu Haruna Ishola
Wasiu Haruna Ishola is one of Haruna Ishola’s sons. Like his dad, he’s an Apala musician. In his new single, With Time, he sings about destiny and perfect timing. The song booms out with drums and sonorous backup vocals.
Apala New Skool — QDot
This song came out in 2017, and makes QDot an artist ahead as the leader of the new wave of artists refurbishing local music genres. This song offers social commentary on hustle culture, Yahoo Yahoo and the general noises about money.
Apala Interlude — Seyi Vibez
As one of the most diverse new-age acts, Seyi Vibez adds Apala music to his range of music compositions. He throws salutes in the air to God, the terrestrial powers and goes to hail A-list artists like Olamide, Davido and Wizkid by calling them their kids’ first names. He ends with praises for his dad too.
Apala Trap 2 — Kvng Vinci
Apala music meets trap on this joint by Kvng Vinci, a Nigerian music producer. Haruna Ishola’s Kasumu Adio’s “Eni Fi Bi Su Oloore” glides on the beat as the 808s boom underneath it. No other vocals, just good old Adio’s voice and the new-age Hip-Hop sound.
Apala Riddim — ZicoFlows
In awe of his babe, ZicoFlows sings of her importance in his life. He switches between that and taking his guys on a drinking spree. The current pulse of Afrobeats merges with Apala to lay a smooth sonic bed for ZicoFlows. You can dance to this.
