#MusicMonday: 7 New Nigerian Songs You Must Download Today
The best playlist we’ve put together in a while.
Jams from late January and February’s most impressive openers make for an eclectic #MusicMonday playlist. Look out for Leriq’s low-key collaboration with Wizkid, Poe’s dope Afrobeat-inspired track and the most impressive cover of Di’Ja’s Awww yet.
1. BankyOnDBeatz — Head Busting (Feat. Novakillz & Tomi Thomas) [EXPLICIT]
Off his forthcoming mixtape, Head Busting is the product of producer BankyOnDBeatz’s killer recipe featuring a synth-heavy beat, Tomi Thomas’ sleek vocals and risqué wordplay from rapper Novakillz.
2. Johnny Drille — Awww (Di’Ja Cover)
Project Fame alumnus John Ighodaro’s guitar-driven take on Awww, the love ballad originally sung by Mavin Records upstart Di’Ja, is hands down the best thing on this playlist. That. Voice. *goosebumps*
3. Sound Sultan — Dem Laugh When You Laugh (Feat. Patoranking)
Sound Sultan’s still got it and probably always will have it. The ageless Naija Ninja recruits rising dancehall star Patoranking for this upbeat track that fuses Yoruba, English, pidgin and patois lyrics with a J. Sleek instrumental. Move already.
4. Young Airmie — Letter To The World
A song that opens with a line borrowed from Tuface Idibia’s strongest vocal showing ever has clearly set the bar high for itself, but Young Airmie lives up to the hype with an unforgettable soul-stirring performance. Conscious music doesn’t have to be dull.
5. Leriq — Say You Love Me (Feat. Wizkid)
It took an emotive Leriq instrumental to bring out Wizkid’s desperately needy side. On Say You Love Me (from Leriq’s forthcoming debut album, The Lost Sound), there are no head-banging drums or Ojuelegba references, just unabashed desire. More, please.
6. Falz — Ello Bae
The first single off comedic rapper Falz’s sophomore album is an ode to the dreadful H factor and a parody of a modern-day Nigerian romance. Just what the doctor did not order.
7. Poe & Spax — Tomorrow
These two have apparently recorded a batch of songs together, but Tomorrow has to be the best—it’s hard to imagine an Afrobeat/rap fusion sounding better than this. For musicians looking to channel Fela Kuti, here’s the new standard. Gold.
