It’s the chart you’ve been waiting for – 2016 Naija Music!
2016 was undoubtedly the best year for Nigerian Music yet. There were songs coming from various directions and in diverse genres, but if that’s not indication enough, this is the year that a Nigerian got featured on a track that went on to get a Grammy nomination. Yessir!
We have compiled a list of top 13 Naija songs of 2016 and if you don’t know at least 5 of these tracks then you’ve clearly been living under a rock on a deserted Island.
So, in no particular order, we present the chart topping 2016 Naija Music… Enjoy!
1. Pana by Tekno
The Bauchi born Artiste was first spotted by Julius Agwu after a performance of Onye Ne Kwu, his version of Ice Prince’s ‘Olekwu’. The Ebonyi indigene released the single, ‘Pana’ in July of 2016 and the song has been a hit ever since. Did you know that Tekno went to music school at the age of 8? He is one talented singer/songwriter/musician.
2. Fada Fada by Phyno & Olamide
Phyno is good, Olamide is good and when two goods come together what you get is great! The song released in May 2016 was highly anticipated and we must say, it didn’t fall short. The song with its Igbo vibes will make you follow even if you don’t know the words.
3. Bank Alert by P Square
Peter and Paul Okoye are officially our best music duo and although they had a scandalous 2016, they didn’t disappoint in the music department. The song, ‘Bank Alert’ was released in September of 2016 making it their first song together after their breakup. The song incorporates pidgin and Igbo to produce a song that we know will be around for a while.
4. Mama by Kiss Daniel
Mama was released in the second quarter of 2016, but that didn’t take anything away from the track. It went on to win the Headies Award for ‘Producer of the Year’ and Nigeria Entertainment Award for ‘Hottest Single of the Year‘ amongst others. Kiss Daniel is one gifted singer and we saw that in this track
5. M.O.N.E.Y by Timaya ft Flavour
This is one of those hot collaborations of 2016 we still love. Produced by Young D, the song became an instant hit as it not only compels you to dance but the lyrics hit home as Timaya reminisces about a time no one cared because he didn’t have money, so now that there’s money it’s time to turn up!
6. Kolewerk (Remix) by Koker ft Olamide
The original song was released in 2015, but this remix was dropped in June of 2016 and the song has refused to stay down. The original track put Choc City on the relevant maps as Koker, with his Juju and Afrobeat sounds, is seen as a new future for the record label.
7. Falz – Soft Work
Falz is still one in a million for creating a persona like no other considering his privileged upbringing. A lawyer born to renown lawyers Femi and Funmi Falana, he went on to be something he wanted to be.
Soft Work was actually released in 2015, but the video came out in 2016 which would explain why the song didn’t die down. Nonetheless, Falz did have a hit track in 2016, ‘Bahd, Baddo, Baddest’ on which he was assisted by Olamide (Baddo) and Davido (Baddest).
Related: Yemi Alade Gets Grammy Awards Invitation
8. Bang Bang by Timaya
Timaya’s ‘Bang Bang’ was co-written and produced by Kitwana Israel, from Trinidad & Tobago. The song which features a very hot bassline is fast enough to cause you to dance whilst still allowing you listen and enjoy. The song premiered on the 25th of August 2016 and we must say, it hasn’t disappointed yet.
9. No Kissing Baby by Patoranking ft Sakordie
Patoranking ft the Ghanaian rapper on this Dancehall track which clinched the 2016 Headies Award for Best Reggae/Dancehall Single. The song was released in June 2016 and we can confidently say it’s been a hit ever since.
10. Hollup by Mr Eazi ft Joey B x Dammy Krane
Mr Eazi had a very good 2016 so he had to make the list. With songs like Sample You (2015), Dance For Me and Anointing, just to name a few, it’s no wonder he won the Headies Next Rated Act. Hollup was released in October of 2016.
Mr Eazi was born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, but he’s been based in Ghana since 2007. Maybe that’s what made him shoot himself in the foot by saying Ghanaian music influenced Nigerian music.
11. Ogene by Zoro ft Flavour
Ogene was dropped at the very start of 2016 and it had its day in the music scene. The very Igbo song featured highlife star, Flavour Nabania, which was a very perfect fit. Zoro, in an interview with NotJustOk Tv has said he wants to take his kind of music (The very indigenous Atilogwu sound) far saying ““I Want To Connect People To Their Culture”.
12. Emergency by D’banj
This is one of the tracks released in January 2016. D’banj hit the ground running with this song in typical Koko master style. The song was premiered at the 2015 GLO CAF Awards, held in Abuja on the 7th of January 2016 in a very enthralling performance. The video followed closely in February.
13. Jombo by Kiss Daniel
It was a good year for Kiss Daniel as he had more than one hit track that took the airwaves. Jombo was released in May of 2016 with a video following quickly in its wake. The song is about a boy who is dreading meeting his prospective in-laws after his girlfriend says she’s pregnant.
That’s it for our 2016 Naija Music favourites. DO you have some of your own? Add them in the comments section below.
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