Top Naija songs of 2022

21 Feb 2022 - 16:00

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Nigerian pop artists are arguably the most talked about in sub-Saharan Africa, and have enjoyed the lion’s share of fame, streaming numbers and collaborations with international counterparts. Led by the Afrobeats rubric, the Nigerian pop sound, which is becoming more and more popular around the world with every release, is constantly expanding beyond dance-ready rhythms to include emo pulses, street vibes, amapiano and even hip hop.

Aṣa, CKay, Rema and Fireboy DML.

A key observation that can be made from the country’s music space is how the big stage is being shared by historical innovators and emerging pathfinders alike.

Music In Africa’s West Africa desk brings you our annual compilation of Nigeria’s biggest tracks, which will be updated throughout the year for your listening pleasure.

Zazoo Zehh by Poco Lee ft. Olamide and Portable

Dancer and hype man Poco Lee’s ‘Zazoo Zehh’ is responsible for neo-Fuji singer Portable’s big break. Released to nationwide acclaim in the twilight of 2021, the track, which also guests seasoned rapper Olamide, invites vibrant dancing and honours the pulsating street vibe that has been central to Nigeria’s mainstream.

Follow You by Fiokee ft. Chike and Gyakie

On ‘Follow You’, veteran guitarist and producer Fiokee enlists two of Afrobeats’ favourite singers in recent years – Nigeria’s Chike and Ghana’s Gyakie. The track is off Fiokee’s long-awaited and star-studded debut LP Man, and celebrates romantic love.

Omo Ope by Asake ft. Olamide

This earworm is the lead single off songster Asake’s Ololade EP. The features Olamide, who also heads YBNL, the record label to which Asake is signed.

ODG by Eltee Skhillz

These days, video-sharing platform TikTok is key to a record’s success, and Eltee Skhillz’s ‘ODG’ is the latest jam to be catapulted by video-sharing platform’s virality. ‘ODG’ is taken off the singer’s EP Body of Work EP.

Peru by Fireboy DML ft. Ed Sheeran

English singer Ed Sheeran offers a fresh verse on Fireboy DML’s smash hit ‘Peru’. The track is produced by Shizzi, who is popular for his extensive work with the likes of Davido and Wizkid. Like the original version, the latest official iteration of the song is defined by an enduring party groove invoked by spare percussion work and an ultra-fine melody.

Trouble by Basketmouth ft. 2Baba and Blaqbonez

This impressive Duktor Sett-produced song is the lead single off comedian Basketmouth’s sophomore LP Horoscopes. Released to critical and commercial acclaim, ‘Trouble’, which is humorously themed around minding one’s own business, is a great entry point into Horoscopes, which in turn highlights Basketmouth’s curatorial prowess.

Calm Down by Rema

Rema continues his envelope-pushing experimentations, submitting a soothing vocal performance on bouncy, string-filled instrumentation. The song is expected to make it on his 2022 album Rave and Roses.

Mayana by Aṣa

Renowned French-Nigerian soul singer Aṣa makes her first true foray into Afrobeats on the breezy ‘Mayana’. This performance demonstrates the artist’s infinite versatility.

Pour Me Water by Kizz Daniel

Kizz Daniel enjoys a permanent reputation as a composer of abiding love songs. ‘Pour Me Water’, which glides on highlife melody, finds its lovelorn persona bemoaning his fate with romance.

Baddest Boy Remix by Skiibii ft. Davido

Singer Skibii enlists Afrobeats royalty in Davido for a remix of the previously released anthem ‘Baddest Boy’. The record, themed around fearless chest-thumping, nestles snugly among the most popular Nigerian songs in 2022.

Emiliana by CKay

Propped by the international revival of his song ‘Love Nwantinti’, singer CKay submits another mellow but incisive track. ‘Emiliana’ is one of two singles the singer kicked off 2022 with. Judging by its viral success, it is going to be another good year for the Warner Music South Africa artist.