Can you believe we’re already four months into 2023? It feels like just a few weeks ago, we were making New Year resolutions and plans to conquer 2023, and now, we have eight months left.
We’ve had so many hits between January and April, but these seven are some of the best. But will they still bang by the time IJGBs come back for Detty December? We have the answers.
Yoga — Asake
Asake’s Mr Money with the Vibes was probably the biggest album of 2022. From Terminator to Joha, Asake’s voice was everywhere in December. After dropping songs every two weeks, Asake took some time off before dropping Yoga in 2023. The song showed us a zen Asake, who’s taking time away from the party scene to wear white and meditate by the beach (God, when?). It was the perfect song to start the year with and a testament to the artiste’s versatility.
Chances of surviving till December: I highly doubt it. Yoga is too calm for the gragra of Detty December. The holidays are about hyper energy, so imagine people screaming, “Palazzo, jiggy, burger..” instead of chanting, “Yoga yoga”.
GWAGWALADA — BNXN, Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
BNXN’s decision to make a song about Gwagwalada in Abuja is almost as random as the two artistes he chose to feature, yet somehow it all works perfectly. The Sarz-produced beat is BNXN’s to devour, and he eats it up like the shawarma he mentions in the song. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez also make memorable appearances here.
Chances of surviving till December: Even though Finesse came out a year ago in 2022, there’s a higher chance of that song soundtracking Detty December parties as opposed to Gwagwalada.
Stamina — Tiwa Savage, Young Jonn and Ayra Starr
Tiwa Savage, Young Jonn and Ayra Starr’s Stamina is the consent anthem we didn’t know we needed until it was released. Produced by frequent Asake collaborator, MagicSticks, the song finds Ayra offering to do sexy kung fu with her lover, while Tiwa and Young Jonn engage in an intense back and forth that Chioma explains better in her SYDHT recap of the video.
Chances of surviving till December: While Stamina is a major jam, there’s a high chance it’ll sound like a throwback song when it comes up in the club when Detty December rolls around.
Who’s Your Guy? — Spyro and Tiwa Savage
With all the shoutouts on Who’s Your Guy?, the Spyro and Tiwa Savage hit could easily be an owambe song. Giving us a much needed break from songs about bumbum, hustling and popping champagne, Who’s Your Guy? is a beautiful song that talks about the importance of friendship and checking in on your tribe. Knowing all the craziness happening around the world, we all need to be more invested in each other, now, more than ever.
Chances of surviving till December: Be prepared to hear this song every time someone orders Azul for their table in December, and also on every IJGB’s TikTok or Reel when they connect with the friends they left behind in Nigeria.
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Sability — Ayra Starr
No other artist captures the defiant “I’m a bad bitch” Gen Z energy like Ayra Starr. Sability, her Awilo Longomba-inspired first single of 2023 tows the same lane as Bloody Samaritan and Rush, with Ayra reminding everyone that she’s that girl; the original sabi girl.
Chances of surviving till December: This is a jam for baddies, and being a baddie isn’t a seasonal job; it’s a year-round lifestyle. There’s a high chance you’ll hear Sability on the insta stories of those IJGB girls who live and breathe NollyBabe’s fashion.
UNAVAILABLE — Davido and Musa Keys
Davido is a master hitmaker and that’s on Mary and her little lamb. Despite the tragic events of last year, Davido somehow manages to find and share joy through his album, Timeless, especially on the Musa Keys-assisted amapiano hit, UNAVAILABLE. Our ever-so-generous king also made sure the TikTok dance challenge for the song was easy, smooth and inclusive because not all of us have Gen Z legwork energy. I stan.
Chances of surviving till December: This is the anthem most offices will hear as soon as they close for the year. Everyone on holiday for Detty December will probably post their UNAVAILABLE video on social media for their co-workers and haters. How else will your boss know not to send you emails in December?
Holiday — Rema
Nothing unites Nigerians more than a grass-to-grace story, and boy, did my inner spirit feel it when Rema sang, “I will never forget the time wey bad belle dem cast us away. Fast forward to today, every day na holiday.”
Even though 2022’s Calm Down has refused to allow Holiday get the love it deserves, this song is further evidence that proves yet again that Rema hasn’t missed since 2019.
Chances of surviving till December: The song is literally called Holiday, and you think it won’t bang during the biggest holiday of the year? Chelsea, come on now. This is the ultimate Detty December banger.
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