When a record label decides to put out a collaboration with most of its artists, the song either becomes a massive hit, an underwhelming miss or just a chaotic mess. From rebranded labels like Mo’Hits to artist-led labels like DMW, we ranked some of the collaborations to come out of Nigerian record labels.
Booty Call — Mo Hits All Stars
Somebody needs to check on Wande Coal because it couldn’t have been easy carrying one of Mo Hits’ biggest hits on his vocal chords. Even though it’s been 15 years since Booty Call dropped, no other record label collaboration has been able to beat this iconic jam.
A part of me just wishes they’d been representation for small booties on this song. #LittleBootysMatter
Overloading — Mavin
Is Overloading high up my list because it’s new? Or is it high up because I still can’t get over Ayra Starr rhyming “Trips to L.A, taking photographs” with “If it’s signed by me, then it’s an autograph”? The truth is, you’ll never know.
Raba — G Worldwide
Kizz Daniel might be stealing the hearts of aunties and mummies all around the world right now, but before Buga and Barnabas, Kizz was a part of G-Worldwide alongside Sugarboy. Even though the label fallout was messy AF! Their joint hit Raba will always slap like party jollof.
Mind — DMW
Davido’s DMW really had their feet on our necks in 2018. After putting out David’s If and Fall, Mayorkun’s Mama and Peruzzi’s feature on 2Face’s Amaka, DMW established itself as the label to beat. If you need a little reminder, listen to Mind again and you’d understand why 2018 was the year of DMW.
RECOMMENDED: Davido’s “OBO: The Genesis” Doesn’t Slap 10 Years Later, But It’s Okay
Comment Tu T’apelle — Aristokrat Records
You can’t talk about Burna Boy’s journey from outsider to African giant without talking about his incredible musical relationship with producer Leriq. Comment Tu T’apelle is a classic example of this relationship even though it has other scene stealers like Dammy Krane and Ozone.
Baddest Boy — EME Records
After the success of Wizkid’s Superstar in 2011, Banky W went into full record label mode with EME records, putting out the label’s official compilation album, Empire Mates of Mind. While most of the songs were mid, Baddest Boy seemed to be the only collaboration that actually carried weight.
Pere — Mo Hits All Stars
You know a song is special when Don Jazzy decides to bless us with his vocals. In unrelated gist, the video for Pere is very on brand for early 2000s Nigerian music videos, complete with South African scenery and light-skinned video vixens — oops, the light-skinned video vixen part hasn’t changed sha.
Soco — Starboy
Wizkid really sat down and sang “Soco-Soco” for four minutes, sixteen seconds and we didn’t riot or fight him? Ayodeji, Nigerians deserved better than this.
Aje — DMW
Another DMW song that still sets the club on fire every time it comes on.
Get Down Tonight — EME Records
Get Down Tonight was as unforgettable as most of the songs on the Empire Mates of Mind album. It’s also very sus that most of the collaborations featuring the label’s biggest acts at the time didn’t feature their leading lady, Niyola.
Janta Manta — Mavin
The fact that Janta Manta even exists is a big problem for me. While I’m tempted to drag everyone on this song, I’ll leave out Reekado Banks, Di’Ja and Korede Bello because they were kids. Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, D’Prince and Dr. Sid on the other hand need to pay for their crimes because what is this song? And worse, what is this video?
Shoro Niyen — YBNL All Stars
No one even remembers this song exists. That’s all I’m going to say about this. Thanks and God bless.
ALSO READ: Want to Feel Old? These Nigerian Songs Are Turning 10 in 2022
