With new music dropping faster than you can say, “Kapaichumarimarichopaco”, standing out and making a hit song takes a lot of work. But do you know what’ll make that work easier? Knowing the right artist to feature. Looking at their track records, we believe these are the artists that are guaranteed to give you a banger in 2022. Don’t say we didn’t do anything for you.
1. BNXN (formerly Buju)
It doesn’t matter what name he decides to go with, BNXN is a certified hitmaker. From the moment L’enu hit the airwaves, we could see that this artist was here to stay. Since then, it’s been back-to-back hits both on solo projects and features. If you check the charts, chances are BNXN is directly involved with five songs that are popping — there was the time where his two songs, Feeling with Ladipoe and the solo single Outside were fighting for the number one spot on the charts. Check it and balance it; no one is doing it with as much finesse as BNXN.
The Receipts: Cold Outside with Timaya, Finesse with Pheelz, Bling with Blaqbonez, Mood with Wizkid and Hustle with Reminisce.
2. Tems
Remember when Tems popped up in 2019 and asked us not to try her? Omo, this babe wasn’t playing o. In less than five years, Tems has worked her way to the top of the Billboard charts, a Grammy nomination, two critically-acclaimed EPs and being featured on one of the biggest songs of 2021, Essence. At this point, you can’t talk about Nigerian music and not mention Tems. When she’s not making hits with Wizkid, Drake and DRB, our girl is busy making songs of her own that gets us in our feels.
The Receipts: Fountains with Drake, Peace with MannyWellz, Trouble with DRB Lasgidi and Tales by Moonlight with Show Dem Camp.
3. Fireboy DML
It’s Fireboy DML’s world and the rest of us are just paying rent. This man dropped Jealous in 2019 and decided we will not rest again because why has he been dropping hits consistently since then? When he’s not dropping albums back to back or moving from San Francisco to Germany, he’s laying vocals for other artists and shooting their songs to the top of the charts.
The Receipts: Running with Ladipoe, Southy Love with Peruzzi, History with Cheque, Sere with DJ Spinall and Ogaranya with Reminisce
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4. Zinoleesky
If you want your song to do extraordinary things for real, you should probably hit up Zinoleesky ASAP! The way it is, it feels like our memory of music has been split into two: music before Zinoleesky showed up and music after Zinoleesky came and put his foot on our necks. Zinoleesky’s vibe is all about not giving two fucks and living your life to the fullest, two things we fully agree with.
The Receipts: Blessings with Niphkeys, Don’t Call Me with Lil Kesh, Good Life with Mulla Rae and Like Dat with Lil Frosh.
5. Tay Iwar
Tay Iwar is hands down one of the most gifted artists of this generation, no cap. While many people may have been introduced to Tay on Wizkid’s True Love, the songwriter/singer/producer has been in the game since he dropped his first EP at 16 way back in 2014. Often credited as one of the pioneers of the alté movement, Tay has featured on and written songs for everyone from M.I to Tiwa Savage.
The Receipts: Special Kinda with Tiwa Savage, Shining with Pa Salieu, Murvlana with Cruel Santino, December with Juls and Steady with Wizkid.
6. Oxlade
Just when you think Oxlade is taking a break, he drops another banger. This guy has been unstoppable since we first noticed him on Blaqbonez’ Mami Wota. Scoring major hits left, right and centre, Oxlade is guaranteed to give you a hit record just by breathing into the mic. Yes, it’s that simple.
The Receipts: Causing Trouble with DJ Tunez, Ojuju with Troniq Music, Kolo with Ice Prince, Non Living Thing with Sarkodie and Myself with Basketmouth.
7. Omah Lay
There’s something about Omah Lay’s music that just makes you want to relax and take life jejely. Coming out at the height of the pandemic with Bad Influence, Omah Lay’s creative combination of Afrobeats and Atlanta-inspired R&B made him stand out immediately. With lockdown finally over, Omah Lay’s songs have moved us from our bedrooms to the streets and we’re here for it.
The Receipts: Infinity with Olamide, Pronto with Ajebo Hustlers, PAMI with DJ Tunez, Forever with Gyakie and Peaches with Justin Bieber.
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