Guest Post – Damola Badmos (Carrick).
The Nigerian Entertainment is one of the most recognized in Africa and on a Global scale. It is a very hardworking sphere with several talented entertainers that fill it up. Such among many include the comedy machos, the acting gurus and the music talibans. Narrowing it down to the music scene, 2020-pandemicized year was a one with wild songs and album releases. The likes of Kwam1 (although his genre is different),Wizkid, Simi, Fireboy, Naira Marley, Mayorkun, Omah Lay, Tiwa Savage, Chike, Teni, Olamide, Burna boy, Davido, Adekunle Gold, Joeboy, Rema amongst many other stars delivered back to back hits and albums that hit till date so as to feel alive during the forced nationwide lockdown. E shock you? As the list long! The talents we have in the scene are immeasurable.
2021 birthed the presence of another set of gifted talents that are ready to take on the existing stars in the scene. Amazing songs integrated with good sounds and lyrical content were thrown out to the public and amassed a wideplay nationwide. This set of new talented rockstars include the likes of Tems, Ayra Starr, Ruger, Buju amongst others. You might wonder why the word ‘New’ was used when some of them actually have been in existence since 2020. It simply translates to their breakthrough year with series of hits and collaborative efforts. These guys were fantastic and dished out good music which are still raving at the moment.
This year has witnessed several hits upon hits and bringing to is the ‘Top 20 2021’ which was compiled based on their streaming rights, popularity, massive airplays garnered and audience language. Factually speaking, some among the songs that made this list were not even released in 2021. Na so the music industry be if you no sabi, Talent full ground! Trust me, you would enjoy reading this. If you are yet to have these on your playlist, O wrong o!
In a descending order, I bring to you the ‘Top 20 2021’ of the Nigerian Music Scene. Read through to enjoy.
20. CURRENTLY- Kizz Daniel ft Olamide, Falz and LK Kuddy
This hit was released by the Flyboy entertainment CEO, Kizz Daniel on the 29th January, 2021 and received massive airplay after few months of release. The combo of veteran rappers, Olamide and Falz gave a rap-god nature to the song to blend with the flow of sonorous chorus dished out by Vado. It is worthy to make the list of our Top 20 2021.
19. CRAZY TINGS
Tems: Released by fast rising music diva, Temilade Openiyi popularly known as Tems off her ‘If Orange was a place’ album, this song has generated massive airplays and can unconsciously be found on the lips or on timelines of music fans with respect tocurrent trends, most especially the ‘Crazy tings are happening, crazy tings are happening’ part. Tems is a gifted artiste no doubt and her relevance in the scene since 2020 is a proof to that.
18. MONALISA
Sarz ft Lojay: Off the ‘LV N ATTN’ album, Monalisa is a monster hit released by ace award-winning producer, Sarz who teamed up with fast-rising act, Lojay. This tune is worthy to be on the list following the entire lay-out, beats, lyrics and massive airplays it garnered.
17. RUSH
Bella Shmurda: Following the success of Zlatan-assisted ‘CashApp’ that raved all over the country in 2020, LASU-bred Bella started this year by dishing out a fine tune with a mix of street and inspiration which garnered instant massive airplays upon release. ‘Rush’ has been one of the most consistent hit songs this year and is worthy to find its way into this list. My favorite pick-up line in this song is none else than ‘Why are you feeling down, Life is short so ginger yourself’.
16. SINNER
Adekunle Gold ft Lucky Daye: Since its release in July 2021, the track has been one of the most heard in the country. Adekunle Gold’s distinct style of music in the industry coupled with a modern touch and sonorous flow of beat makes the song worthy of fans favorite and ranks number 16 on our top 20 2021 list.
15. PERU
Fireboy: The YBNL starboy is known for his sweet voice, organic and sonorous lyrical content and dynamism in songs. Fireboy is one among the few best sensations to happen to the music industry. His talent and hardwork are weird as he blends into any style of music with his. Peru popularly known with the slang ‘Won ni won wami Won ni won wami, I’m in San Francisco jamming’ is one of the top fans favorite for this year and is awaiting a remix release featuring the almighty Ed Sheeran.
14. SIP (ALCOHOL)
Joeboy: Released in September, this track is still one of the raves of the moment as listeners find it difficult not to sing along or just randomly buzz the tune. It is no doubt one of the best tracks this year and aims at minding ones’ business so as to avoid landing in trouble.
13. BOUNCE
Ruger: The ‘Pandemic EP’ crooner dished a sexy crazy and amazing tune with crazy lyrics. It jabs at the club style of enticing a lady and despite its slow nature, it is one of the biggest hits of 2021. ‘Bounce’ is a music you will hear in the mouth of a random music listener as it garnered massive airplays upon release.
12. CHI CHI
Naira Marley: ‘Chichi’ is a song aimed at professing love to the woman of one;s dreams. It was shocking this kinda track could come from the cubicle of the President of the Marlians nation, the one and only Naira Marley. He did fantastically well to deliver such hit which was widely acclaimed. It is no doubt one of the top hits in 2021 and ranks 12 on our list.
11. LIE
Kizz Daniel: Kizz Daniel did a great job in coming up with such a masterpiece. This song is one of the biggest and widely acclaimed this year. It focuses on professing love for his loved one while insisting his truthfulness and commitment towards her.Many loved the dexterity put into this track and we judge it worthy to rank among the Top 20 2021.
10. KILOMETER
Burna Boy: Controversial and Grammy award-winning superstar, Burna Boy dished out this hit which generated massive airplays all over the country. This track generated many streams and his recent Grammy award trends played a key role to its wide acclaims.
9. FEEL GOOD
Mohbad: The fast-rising act after the success of Rexxie-assisted ‘Ko Por Keh’ dished out another masterpiece which received immediate massive airplays. It is a mix of street and hustle-bustle aimed at making life better than the current state. It is no doubt a very good song and worthy of being among the Top 20 2021.
8. BLOODY SAMARITAN
Ayra Starr: Off the ’19 and Dangerous’ album, the 19 year old fast rising and gifted mavin-signed artiste dished out a sonorous, fast-tempo track which won the hearts of many upon release. Up till date, this track is generating massive airplays and is judged to be among the best tracks of 2021.
7. FOR YOU:
Teni ft Davido: ‘Billionaire’ crooner and 30BG founder teamed up on a billionaires club level to deliver a very brilliant masterpiece. The song aimed at professing what love can do and what can be done for love got Teni saying ‘all the motor in my garage for you’. This track blew minds and is worthy to be among the top tracks of 2021.
6. FEELING
Ladipoe ft Buju: After a good 2020, having won the ‘collaboration of the year’ award at the Headies, Ladipoecame through with a Buju-assisted track titled ‘Feeling’. Bujudelivered a monster chorus which leaves a legacy in the ears of fans since its release. Buju’s breakthrough year is undoubtedly 2021 as he released hits upon hits of good music including features. This song should no doubt be a strong contender for the ‘Collaboration of the year’ award in any setting.
5. ROCK
Olamide: ‘Girl I just want make we rock’ is a typical long-lasting phrase that couldn’t have come out from any top artiste asides the King of the Streets. Olamide’s legendary status can never be undermined and this does not stop him from delivering the sounds needed by the music fans. Off the ‘UY Scuti’ album, Olamide did a fantastic job releasing such masterpiece that can be played at clubs, occasions and random places. He is a typical Legend doing Legendary tings.
4. FOREVER
Gyakie: Ghanian fast rising act, Gyakie came through earlier this year with a hit titled ‘Forever’ after which she proceeded on a remix with award winning Nigerian artiste, Omah Lay. The song professes love and garnered wide airplays all over the country. It is still on the trends despite months after date of release. It is judge worthy to be among our Top 20 2021.
3. KO POR KEH
Rexxie ft Mohbad: Undoubtedly the street song of the year, Rexxie-produced track is an embodiment of street demands. It is targeted at the regular Nigerian but with no doubt hijacked by the street. It is one of the most popular and best songs in 2021.
2. SEMI CHAMP. LOVE NWANTITI
Ckay: The most amazing thing about this track is that it was released in 2019, off the ‘Ckay the First’ album by Chocolate city. It proposes a love notion to a part. But its massive trend this year is something hoooge. It trended so much and can be judged worthy of the number 2 spot in this list.
1.CHAMP. ESSENCE
There are many other good songs dished out this year but regrettably could not make the list of our top 20 2021. Nigerian music are well renowned for their sounds and lyrical content. Looking forward to have a better 2021 in the music industry scene.
Wizkid ft Tems: Grammy-nominated song of the year & summer, Essence is undoubtedly the best and most popular song in 2021. Off the ‘Made In Lagos’ album released in 2020, Grammy-winning artiste Wizkid teamed up with fast-rising sensation Tems to deliever a tune worthy of the numerous awards it has won since its release. Essence as a love song touches the deep part of the soul and is capable of sending chills to the body when heard. Presenting to you once more, ESSENCE, our Champ of the TOP 20 2021.
Metadata: Off the ‘UY Scuti’ album, Olamide did a fantastic job releasing such masterpiece that can be played at clubs, occasions and random places. He is a typical Legend doing Legendaryting.
Guest Post – Damola Badmos (Carrick).
