With few remarkable projects churned in the year, Nigerian music’s first six months of 2024 ended with an impressive note of the underground sound. Some of our favourite songs so far have come from up-and-coming artists. So, we shortened our listening history to ten of the hottest jams released from January to June by rising Nigerian artists.
My Dealer — Kaestyle feat. Omah Lay
The culture of smoking in Nigeria now perches class with an expensive cannabis strain called Canadian Loud. Kaestyle and Omah Lay crush their inner thoughts, feelings and stress into a blazing escape. My Dealer is more of than a stoner anthem; it’s about vices and escapism.
Dealer — Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML
Whether it’s a youthful exuberance, drug epidemic or mental awareness, Ayo Maff and Fireboy DML beautifully portray the emotional wreckage of the average Nigerian youth. They can’t wait for a new day to break; their first to-do is to call their dealer to fix what they think is broken. This song’s popularity among young Nigerians is all you need to know about our culture of substance indulgence. Sweet jam still.
Instagram — Muyeez feat. Seyi Vibez
Muyeez’s self-titled EP is still pulsating in the streets. But his first single Instagram is where the heart is. It’s cute, holla-at-your-boy-esque and stuns with a Seyi Vibez verse. The song gets one in a hyper sing-along mode; then an afterthought hits that Muyeez would likely serve punishments for being too young to say these lyrics in an African household. But it’s playing everywhere and will be in steady rotation throughout the year. He has his talent, distinctive voice, and charisma to thank for this.
Wells Fargo — TML Vibez
TML Vibez released Wells Fargo the same day Muyeez released Instagram, both as part of the rollout for the “Vibez Incorporation Mixtape Volume 1” project. Wells Fargo is a hustler’s anthem, echoing the ethos of street hustlers and scammers on a grand, slowed-down, pop-kissed Fuji production dangling in Maracas.
DWS — TDB feat. VRSD and Droxx
This Drill music collaboration is nature-threatening. DWS (short for Don’t Want Smoke) shells out a smug hook and three rounds of shootout verses by rappers TDB, VRSD and Droxx. Their delivery is potent; it’s fade-to-black for whoever looks for these guys’ smoke, AKA trouble.
Better — Bizzonthetrack feat. Malik Abdul
In Better, Bizzonthetrack and Malik Abdul remind us that there’s no life better than yours, but you mustn’t forget you’re not as special as the next man. Life lessons and a good time all in one song—inject it.
Sakura — ShineTTW
On Sakura, ShineTTW sings in a self-possessed and breathy soprano about devotion to romance and intimate bedroom activities in Afrobeats. He’s a rising Afropop artist currently popping in the Lagos music scene. With Sakura, Hiiii and a few other definitive tracks on his EP, “THE CHOSEN ONE EP”, ShineTTW shows readiness for a bigger audience.
Left Right — Keys the Prince
Although Yinka Ayefele’s Tota E Mole, the interpolated song on Left Right, is about fighting spiritual warfare, Keys the Prince’s song stomps on haters just to flex on them. It’s a bop.
Life of the Party — oSHAMO
It’s a turn-up on oSHAMO’s Life of the Party. From signal to the opposite gender to money-spending and subtle broke-shaming, this jam’s an active Friday night for ballers in an audio form.
Quarter Life Crisis — Toyé
If you’re stagnant and left behind or worried about your progress and life trajectory, Toyé speaks for you on Quarter Life Crisis. Instead of making the song an extension of your brooding, Toyé’s single lightheartedly lifts the spirit in optimism.
Listen here:
