Over the years, Nollywood has come correct with the soundtracks, giving us hits like Stanley Okorie’s Billionaire, Basketmouth and Bnxn’s Your Body and Larry Gaaga and Davido’s Doubting Thomas.
Obviously, Hollywood saw how great Nigerian artistes are at this and decided to start using them in their films.
Which is beyond great, but do these Nigerian Hollywood soundtracks survive a night in Lagos?
Koroba – Tiwa Savage (Coming 2 America)
Although it was released a year earlier, Tiwa Savage’s Koroba featured in the soundtrack of the 2021 comedy, Coming 2 America, a sequel to the original 1988 film.
Chances of Survival: 10/10. Koroba was playing in Lagos clubs in 2021 when it first dropped. It’s 2023, and DJs still have it on their set. It’s a feel-good song that gets people going at the clubs.
Don’t Jealous Me – Tekno, Yemi Alade (Lion King: The Gift)
This song appeared in Lion King: The Gift, a soundtrack Beyonce curated for the 2019 Lion King live-action film.
Chances of Survival: 9/10. Don’t Jealous Me might be on Beyonce’s album, but with the fast paced beat, and the lyrics that don’t really mean much it’s clear to see that Tekno produced it for the Nigerian audience. It can definitely hold its own anywhere in Lagos.
Take it to the Top – Ayra Starr, Becky G (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
Ayra Starr lent her voice to the Metro Boomin-produced soundtrack for the latest Spider-Man insallment, proving once more that she’s a sabi girl.
Chances of Survival: 8/10. Take it to the Top is for the girlies. It has the makings of a good waist-breaking song, so as long as they don’t play it after Asake’s Joha, people will move.
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Wake Up – Rema and Bloody Civilian (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
With Rema’s track record and Bloody Civilian’s distinct sound it only makes sense that these two would cause chaos on Wake Up.
Chances of Survival:
My Money, My Baby – Burna Boy (Queen and Slim)
Burna boy’s My Money, My Baby, which samples Fela’s Shakara, features On the soundtrack for the 2019 crime drama, Queen and Slim.
Chances of Survival: 6/10. Yes, it’s got a great beat, but after chanting the second “my money my baby” everyone’s going to need a break, and a sip of their ₦7k cocktail.
Let’s Start – Fela (The Harder They Fall)
Fela’s Let’s Start, from a 1971 live recording with his band, Africa ‘70, was used during a fight scene in the 2021 western, “The Harder They Fall”.
Chances of Survival: 5/10. Only because the beginning will serve as a killer intro to any Naija DJ’s set.
Link Up – Wizkid (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
This Wizkid feature on the Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack proves, once again, that soft Wizkid is premium and here to stay.
Chances of Survival: 5/10. It’s slow, but it’s good for whining waist, so the DJ just needs to know when to drop it.
Coming Back for You – Fireboy DML (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Fireboy DML stays true to his sound as he delivers vocals on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack with Coming Back for You.
Chances of Survival: 5/10. People in the club might not know it, and it’s softness doesn’t really match the chaos of Lagos nightlife, but they could vibe to it for a good minute if they’re in a patient mood.
Anya Mmiri – Ckay, Pink Pantheress (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Following his impeccable 2021 run, Ckay appeared on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack with Anya Mmiri.
Chances of Survival: 4/10. Only if the DJ plays a sped-up version as the night is winding down, and the people give it a chance.
