While the Coronavirus Pandemic brought with it a new normal, music became one of the places that people turned to for solace.
2020 has seen the rise of new and fresh talents in the Nigerian music industry. This is why mp3bullet.ng have compiled a list of Nigerian songs that broke out in the year.
This list consists of songs from unknown artists that also found fame this year thanks to their songs. It also contains songs that became a hit on the streets.
Disclaimer; this list isn’t ranked and just follows in a line the writer sees best.
You- Omah Lay
Omah Lay is 2020’s biggest success story. He was practically unheard of till he dropped “You”, though he had been doing music for a while as an artist and as a music producer.
“You” became popular that it translated into the popularity of his Ep, “Get layd” which housed other hit songs like “Bad Influence” and “Damn”.
Omah Lay earned himself a spot on Headies’ Next Rated and two other nominations in “Best Songwriter” and “Best R’nB single” categories. For a newcomer that is a huge feat.
Quotable Lyrics
“If you need a fire, I’ll be your lighter
Please be judge and put me on trial
If you think I’ll hot ya, put me underwater
Take me to court yeah I don’t need a Lawyer”
Fierce – Laycon
Laycon was an underground rapper who wasn’t known until he joined the 2020 BBNaija reality show, the lockdown edition.
This turned out to be a good decision as people discovered that he had dropped an EP, “Who is Laycon” early in the year, and one of the songs off the EP, “Fierce” immediately became fans’ favorite.
The song features Rap king, Reminisce, and Chinko Ekun.
Quotable Lyrics
“Shey o ri yin pe bayi?
Sheybi e n bami soro?
Awon eruku yapa japa toba mu e n koro
Shebi e n wan mi?”
- RELATED: Top 5 songs from sensational New school artists you should listen to
- RELATED: Top 5 new school artists currently dominating the Music Industry.
Barawo – Ajebo Hustlers
Music Duo, Ajebo Hustlers have been in the music scene for a while but have been underground. Things changed when they dropped “Barawo”, a social-political commentary on Police Brutality and Jungle Justice.
The song gained popularity thanks to the #EndSars protest that took place. The lyrics of the song which fit perfectly with the issue and rising tension was a favorite on protest grounds.
Quotable Lyrics
“Dem been para o
Angry mob dem killy barawo
Back in aba
Burning Dead body
Dem do am like nama o
Dem konk him ogor o”
In My Masarati- Olakira
Just like Ajebo Hustlers, Olakira is no newcomer to the industry but has been doing music for a while, in fact, he released his EP, “Wakanda Jollof” in 2019, however, he didn’t achieve commercial success with it.
In 2020, he released “In My Masarati” and things blew up from there. Davido heard the song and jumped on a remix with him.
Quotable Lyrics
Let’s hop in my Maserati
Baby hop in my Maserati
I say hop in my Maserati
Hop in my Maserati
- RELATED: Top 5 Naija songs from fast-rising artists you need in your playlist
- RELATED: Top 5 Amazing EPs from Nigerian Artists you should listen to
MJ- Bad Boy Timz
Bad Boy Timz whizzed his way into music lovers’ radar with the vibe-filled song, “MJ”. The song pays homage to the king of pop, Micheal Jackson, and is mostly sung in Yoruba.
Timz released two different remixes featuring Mayorkun and Teni. However, Mayorkun’s version has overshadowed even the original song.
Quotable Lyrics
“O de ke gbese bi Micheal Jackson
Love me baby I’m not asking o
O de ke gbese bi Micheal Jackson
Following baby I’m still sear”
Zoom – Cheque
Cheque is signed to the popular rapper, Phyno’s label, Penthauze. He has been featured on songs with Phyno and Olamide.
His song, “Zoom” help cast more light on the talented singer. Zoom is an Afro-trap song that shares the same message as that of Skepta’s “Energy”.
Quotable Lyrics
“When they tryna hold me I go zoom, zoom, zoom
Don’t like your vibe and I go zoom, zoom, zoom
Blowing off the roof and it go boom, boom, boom
Don’t you ever treat me like I be mumu
Bad energy I zoom, zoom, zoom”
- RELATED: Year in Review; Nigerian Breakout Stars for 2020
- RELATED: Top 5 takeaways from the Headies 2020 Nomination List
Worthy Mentions
God Sent – Seyi Vibez
Seyi Vibez isn’t popular as he comes but his song, “God Sent” is on every hustlers’ playlist.
Quotable Lyrics;
“Awade, de-de, ayy-ayy, awade (de, de)
Motide si e lorun, baba motide, ayy-yeah (moti de oh)
Awade, de-de, ayy-ayy, awade
Atide si e lorun, baba awade, ahh-yeah-yeah”
DJ Double Kay ft Young Effissy- Are You there(Ogbeni)
You might not know DJ Double Kay and Young Efissy but you definitely know their hit song, “Are You there”. The song is every DJ’s favorite song to get parties going.
https://youtu.be/-K9WIjP5BgA
Darasimi – Soundz
Another motivational song that became popular is Soundz’s Darasimi. The song is inspirational and should be on every hustler’s playlist.
Quotable Lyrics
Make dem play my song for radio (for ra’)
On a daily oh (aje)
I dey beg you oh (answer me o jere)
Buy designers for my baby oh (my bae)
Benz for my daddy oh (aje)
K’oma wa mi oh (Olorun mi jowo)
Mr Money – Asake
This is another street hit that has found its way onto DJ’s playlists.
Quotable Lyrics
“Me I no dey cap, Me I no dey form
My Energy is high…WDF
Mr Money…opor oh
Can I be your only honey”