Such fun times when we shook our bodies and broke our backs to 4/4 beats.
Do you know that since these afrobeats jams came out, you’ve grown ten years older?
Jaiye Jaiye
This Sarz-produced song by Wizkid expressed the artist’s aspiration to do exploits and give his parents the fruits of their labour. Wiz featured the legend, Femi Kuti, who delivered the saxophone sounds that make the song extra memorable.
Sho Lee
Back then, when you heard “D’Tunes again o”, you were sure a banger was about to play. In 2013, Sean Tizzle broke into the mainstream with the D’Tunes-produced Sho Lee. And anytime the song came up, your shoulders would anticipate the chorus, “sho le?” — are you a real baddie or an audio one? — so you could lift them up and down in response.
Durosoke
Olamide hasn’t gone a year without dropping a hit song — or three — in his music career. 2013 was no exception. Durosoke was blasting on the radio, in the clubs, barbing saloons, and we could all recite the lyrics. From the beat to the flow and delivery, you can tell Baddo was in a playful mood and that transferred well to listeners. It’s always fun when we sing it out loud and throw our hands in the air.
Gobe
At a time when using songwriters or purchasing someone else’s demo was almost unheard of in afrobeats, Davido released Gobe, which was written and produced by an artist called Password. It turned out to be a smash hit. Those who were in love when it came out should be happily married with two kids by now. Even the artist is now a family man. But as for the rest of us, we’re holding out for the wise lyrics of this song to come to pass: “Good comes to those who wait”.
Kokose
Sound Sultan and Wizkid combined forces and took over dancing floors when they dropped this banger. Kokose commands your body to move and throws your booty in serious whine, urging you to “fidi jo” like 21 times in the chorus.
Beat of Life (Samba)
This song has one of the craziest beats in the last decade of afrobeats. Wizkid asks his love interest to be with him and gleefully boasts that he’s “Mr. Give You Everything You Need” before asking for a dance. This is another proof that Sarz and Wiz don’t miss. Ever.
Caro
Wizkid had just launched his label, Starboy Entertainment, when Caro came out and became a dancefloor darling. The song featured Wiz’s longtime affiliate, LAX, on a verse.
Sexy Mama
Iyanya had us in a chokehold with his bangers, Flavour, Your Waist and Sexy Mama. No other artist could fit best as a guest on Sexy Mama than Wizkid, who took the catchy chorus. Sexy Mama was for all the sexy babes, and they never waste time before shaking to the thumping tempo once it comes up.
The Matter
Maleek Berry featured Starboy on this bouncy vibe that introduced Berry, who was based in London, to a larger audience in Nigeria. We all sang along as Wiz affirmed that “20 man shall fall that day if you cross my lane o, eh.” We can all agree that Wizkid owned 2013. From solo songs to collaborations and label releases, he ATE.
The Kick
When you hear The Kick, you’ll shout “One by one, two by two, on the line, line.” “Infectious” and “memorable” are the only appropriate descriptors for this track. Don Jazzy produced and opened the song introducing Wande Coal’s Black Diamond label, then left WC to give us one of his best performances ever.
Gat Me High
This is the third track off May D’s first album, Chapter One. In the early 2010s, he was signed to Square Records, a label owned by veteran duo, P-Square. In that period, which can be considered as May D’s peak, we witnessed him deliver impressive cuts like Ile Ijo, Soundtrack and Gat Me High, one of the biggest songs of 2013. Anytime it played, it’s a must to scream “as a sure boy” to show our sability. A jam.
Tonight
Burna Boy has been that guy before all the Grammys and sold-out shows. He released Tonight in 2013, under Aristokrat Records, to the delight of an audience that quickly recognised his genius. The smooth blend of English, Yoruba and Igbo over LeriQ’s lush production was pure perfection.
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