The songs below are 2015’s top tracks, and why they deserve to be the best from an amazing year of records.
What a year its being for the Nigerian music industry which had thousands of singles released into the air. There was no shortage of materials for shortages, as huge work from the countries singers paid off as music.
This year, Pulse Music brings to you, all the hottest songs from these mass, with the focus on key performance indicators which include impact, pop culture relevance, growth of the artiste, longevity on playlists, star-power, power move product, and influence.
The songs below are 2015’s top tracks, and why they deserve to be the best from an amazing year of records.
1. Korede Bello – ‘Godwin’
The stereotypical Nigerian man looks to a higher being for supernatural succour, fortune, and prosperity. Irrespective of circumstances and standing in life, there’s a consensual active interest in a God, that forms the basic belief system of the country.
That’s why Korede Bello’s song is a unique one. The Mavin Records emerging-act-now-star-singer struck a fundamental nerve in Nigerians, by conceding the successful accomplishment of mundane events to God. There’s payment of house rent, success in examination, delivery of children, and other happenings which cut across the full strata of the Nigerian economic class system. The rich, and poor, negligible middle class, and abundant poverty-stricken folks, all fell to the power of the song.
“Anything You Win Na Godwin, And If You Win Election My Brother Godwin. If You Win The Contract My Friend Godwin. If You Check The Countdown, My Brother Godwin
And If Your Market Sell Na Godwin O.”
Korede reduced that behaviour to a phrase, which was conjoined to create a single magical word ‘Godwin’. That word thrown into a masterful Don Jazzy production created the music monster that ‘Godwin’ became. Such was the song’s ubiquity and lack of bias that it gained rotation in both clubs and churches, whistled by youth and geriatric, danced by foes and friends, and celebrated by the upper and lower class.
In pop culture, Godwin came to replace the ancient Nigerian phrase of gratitude, ‘thank God’, and sparked up a host of memes and merchandise that made the year special.
In the process, this catalysed the movement of Korede Bello from Mavin hopeful, to celebrated star.
2. Olamide – ‘Bobo’
You could say the success of Olamide’s ‘Bobo’ lies in its beautifully orchestrated simplicity; a catchword, silly and easy-to-learn dance step, star power, and the massive tentacles of Olamide’s promotional machine.
This was the year where the rapper staked his relevance and dominance on singing and commercial pop singles rather than his first love; rap. This strategy paid heavy, as ‘Bobo’ led a number of singles from the boy from Bariga.
A dance song with a penetrative message, Olamide talks about the advantages of being a ‘sharp guy’, accumulating wealth, and spending it on the finer things of life. Therein lay the psychological angle that far supersedes the melodious gimmick from trusted producer Young Jonn. This song spoke to the heart.
‘Bobo’s dance also did play an instrumental role to the acceptance of the single. Nigerians are a party bunch, and the introduction of an exotic dance pattern to further heighten the sense of happiness, is always welcomed. A ubiquitous site it is to see a man, feasts clenched, a smile fixed, and pseudo-hopping rhythmic motion, as he moves to feel of the song.
That’s why this song makes this list.
3. Kiss Daniel – ‘Woju (remix)’ ft Tiwa Savage, Davido
Success stories are a rarity in this industry, with the concerted movement of the music industry from unbridled talent-domination, to capital-intensive growth, and commercialisation of artistry. That’s the underlying reason why many unsigned acts without a cash cow, and deep-pocketed sponsors fail to make a mark in this industry.
Kiss Daniel moved from being a talented wide-eyed singer, with just a song and a prayer to a star powered by the money and structure of G-Worldwide Entertainment.
After releasing the special pop song ‘Woju’, in 2014 which grew into a hit in January 2015, he consolidated the song’s domination by joining forces with Tiwa Savage and HKN’s Davido to amplify the hit, which had production from DJ Coublon.
The inclusion of star power on this song was a masterstroke, as the Mavin first lady sang the song to the top with ‘I’m very sweet, I’m very nice, if you check my bank account o di kwa large…’ Davido was not left out of the mix, as his trusted raucous voice played a stellar role on this one, as Kiss Daniel made his mark on the scene.
4. Patoranking – ‘My woman, my everything’ ft Wande Coal
There are many moments on ‘My woman my everything’ song when Patoranking appears to slightly run off and leave many confused in the wake of his fast-paced lyrical control. “Woman you proper, Woman you straight, Man ya bold and ya generate treat, Waiting for you was never too late.”
It’s almost like the dancehall singer was running for the life of his career, on the freeway of this selfish industry where attention is fickle, and men, selfish. Where his hard work from 2014 will go to waste if no follow-up hit song came through.
That hit song appeared by the help of Ghanaian producer DJ Breezy, which infused punchy kicks from the sister country, with subtle sirens and synthesizers. Also Pato found a Wande Coal on the brink of resurgence, to give him a hook which buoyed the song.
‘My woman my everything’ is a selfless praise to a woman, who the singer has fallen deeply for. He throws in every angle of adoration, from comparisons of beauty, promises of trust and fidelity, to the most corny of lines, Patoranking sold his soul to this woman. And she rewarded him with a hit.
This song spoke to the emotions of women who yearn for total love and all its friends. Also, it did give the men a standard for woman-worship, as they seek to spoil their lovers, and smother them with affection.
5. Wizkid – ‘Ojuelegba (remix)’ ft Drake, Skepta
You already know the story that follows: Drake jumped on this song from the Starboy CEO for a remix, generously giving the song a second life, and a shot in the international markets, and opening Wizkid up to a greater opportunities which the star has seized.
Without Drake and Skepta, this song was perfect, their verses added nothing new to improve the general melody of the content, but it worked wonders on a PR level.
'Ojuelegba' is best on its own, a graceful slice of rhythm that does not need cultural translation. Like Popcaan’s “Everything Nice,” the iconic global jam from last summer, it has a message of grace, thankfulness, and happy perseverance that resonates in every home. And that beat? It’s got a shoulder-shrugging momentum so joyful, how could it not have wound its way all over the world?
6. Masterkraft – ‘Indomie’ ft CDQ, Olamide
This is song is the true reflection of Nigerian music consumerism. The Masterkraft-produced hit is a senseless and lacking in depth. Heck, it even lacks a definite cohesion in verses and hook. But all of that chaos, anarchy and shallowness is united by the fast paced, intrusive beat which is riveting and intrusive at the same time.
“Indomie’ named after the trusted noodle brand, tasted like punishment. It was cooked harshly, with lyrics made to punish listeners. But here we find our deeper melodic masochism, deriving pleasure from the pain, and falling in love with our oppressors.
CDQ, the lead artiste on this jam have existed as an artiste for over half a decade, but he only got his mainstream break due to the acceptance of this song. Olamide was also
7. Harrysong – ‘Reggae blues’ ft Olamide, Kcee, Orezi, Iyanya
Palmwine drinkers in bush bars all over the country would raise their glasses with appreciation, and savour the contents of their gourds as they slowly gulp the milky sap that nature has enabled for them. Why this heightened sense of enjoyment? It’s all because of Harrysong’s effort. Thanks to the Five Star Music maestro and his featured stars, the drinkers finally have something mainstream to accompany their alcoholic habits.
Dr Amir, put together this storm of a song, harnessing the power of Eastern Highlife and the ‘gyration’ feel into a song. Truthfully, this song did not need the star power that was employed. Kcee, Olamide, Orezi, and Iyanya, were immaterial to the growth of this jam. But what they lacked in dynamism, they gave in length. The song was long, just enough to be a gyration track, but not long enough to be a highlife classic.
Harrysong’s songwriting powers are the stuff of legends, and that was evident here too. “Even you boo get a boo,” will go down in history, as the line that inspired joyous infidelity.
8. Kiss Daniel – ‘Laye’
Many will point to the brilliance of Kiss Daniel as the reason for his meteoric rise this year. But scratch that. He had immense help from DJ Coublon, who married his skill at beat-making, with a keen understanding of African percussion to create the instrumentation for Kiss Daniel to flourish.
After the success of ‘Woju’ remix, the jury remained out for Kiss Daniel, with a decision as to the depth of his talent, held back for evidence of a follow-up single. Rinsing and repeating the formula, DJ Coublon made thunder strike for the third time, with a similar beat pattern and kicks.
But that was enough to gain acceptance and respect of the masses, as ‘Laye’ charged into the ‘hit’ department.
“I know I’m crazy, but this is all I have for you…” Those opening words inspire a sense of fun, and romance that only dancing can be retooled to express.
9. Tekno – ‘Duro’
Funny, romantic, stupid, and light, this song came to reign for its slightly familiar instrumentation, and outrageously senseless lyrics. Who in their sane, literate, mental thought process can think up a line that said ‘Your beauty dey make me realise, say NEPA, don bring light’. Only the light-skinned, quick-tongued, and fleet-footed Tekno can rigmarole, and make music this good.
The singer exploited the successful familiarism that DJ Coublon’s beats for ‘Woju’ and ‘Laye’ have created, and threw in complementary blaring horns in the bridge of the song, and he had a hit. This isn’t exactly a bad thing, it is common practice in the Nigeria music industry to label new materials after the success of the others and own it.
Tekno owned this song. Nobody can point an accusatory finger.
10. Adekunle Gold – ‘Orente’
Another novel success story of 2015 is that of Adekunl Gold. The graphic artiste who was more popular for his ridiculously spectacular Photoshop mischief, tried his hands at music this year, and he won the lottery.
‘Orente’ his second single of the year, eclipsed the success of the first (‘Sade’), and transformed Adekunle Gold into a ladies’ favourite.
Adekunle Gold croons about love and all its beauty in a sad haunting voice that sparks emotions, creating a covalent bond between singer and listener. The ladies are his target audience, with each word, space, note and sound, designed for their consumption.
Listening to ‘Orente’ is a trip down to the best parts of yourself. You first push past the hurt and paranoia of loving and losing. Then you appreciate the beauty of connecting with a special person, before, with hands held, and eyes locked, you travel through your worlds to a place of bliss, where all the bright happy feelings live and play. Down there, there are no limits to affections, no barriers to expressions, and no vice to all the virtues.
That’s what Adekunle Gold does to a person. That’s why he is big.
11. Adekunle Gold – ‘Sade’
‘Sade’ was a surprise hit song to everyone, including the creator. A cover to One Direction’s 2013 hit song ‘Story of my life’, the song introduced Nigeria to Adekunle Gold’s style, and we fell for it.
There’s relativity in it, as we all have had to actively seek romance.
12. Wande Coal – ‘Ashimapeyin’
After seven years without a body of work, the Black Diamond announced his return with the single ‘Ashimapeyin’. The song later did receive the video treatment, with dizzying motions and plenty of urban finery combing to give a memorable video.
‘Ashimapeyin’ burned slow, with its repetitive bass, and striking hook. The verses also played its part, with Wande Coal using his knowledge of vocal dynamism to carry what would otherwise be refered to as bland.
This is the perfect song to amp your getaway, lower the voices in your head, shut out your demons, and free you up to a dancefest.
13. Reekado Banks – ‘Katapot’
There’s an abundance of vacant space on this song which is taken up by sentimentality, as Reekado Banks croons ‘If they like make they fire katapot of envy’, dem throw us bomb of jealousy…”
A song about the intrusion of external forces threatening to disrupt the integrity of true love, ‘Katapot’ speaks to the mild paranoia felt by new lovers against the influence of other people.
Released in February by the Mavin singer, Reekado Banks talent prior to this had shone through via pop commercial tracks with little or no depth. On this, he slows down his talent, the listeners and the country, infusing percussion with the classic African talking drums, rattles and lush synths to accomplish this.
‘Katapot’ is the perfect Nigerian song for slow dancing by lovers, as it strengthens the bonds of romance, with its vocal healing which resonates from a deep section of Reekado’s artistry.
14. Davido – ‘Fans mi’ ft Meek Mill
The most expensive video in Davido’s career features American rap star, Meek Mill. ‘Fans mi’ is what it set out to be: A swaggering beast of a track, with enough star power to make it crossover internationally.
Slated to feature on the HKN leader’s sophomore studio album (which is still MIA), the song makes the list for its ubiquity and recognition. Although it did fail to inspire pop culture, but the video sure tickled the itchy folks at the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission which placed a ban on it. But that didn’t exactly count for much, as the song held sway this year.
15. Iyanya – ‘Gift’ ft Don Jazzy
The mechanics of sex formed the theme of this song as Iyanya and Don Jazzy came together to create a single for the former’s album “Applaudise”.
With a traditional beat which had a huge helping from a 6-string guitar, put together by Black Jerzy, Iyanya goes raunchy with verses fuelled by passion and a unique horny expressions.
“Oya Gift, put off the light…” sparked a number of memes and many others. Don Jazzy came through, with the number signalling a huge shift to active singing.
The album “Applaudise”, on which ‘Gift’ is housed, failed to spark, but this song was one of its bright lights.