Afrobeats continues to climb the charts around the world, and reinvents itself with each title, borrowing the notes of the amapiano from South Africa or inviting American mega-stars and British rappers on exceptional collaborations. PAM brings you a selection of the titles that made Nigeria shine on the world stage in 2022.
With the inauguration of the Afrobeats category on the US Billboard charts earlier this year, the Nigerian scene continued its exceptional rise. The Mavin label celebrated its first decade in style with the release of a joint project between its talents, Burna Boy and Wizkid offered us quality albums, and Aṣa made a triumphant return.
Talented producers like Pheelz and Young John have put on a new hat, and Asake has led by example, rising to the top of the charts with productions and visuals of a quality that would make veterans of the scene blush. naïja. After a difficult selection among the mass of singles, featurings and viral choreographies that have rocked Nigeria, here are our favorite titles of this year 2022.
Asake feat Burna Boy – “Sungba ”
Asake's signature sound doesn't follow the Afrobeats recipe to the letter. It's a clever blend of fuji, sprinkled with street and infused with amapiano. The title "Sungba", which roughly means "lie down" in the Yoruba language, continues at a steady pace with well-thought-out sexual innuendos and a colorful ego-trip.
On social networks, the sauce took very quickly, and the remix with Burna Boy made it an international hit.
Burna Boy – “Last Last ”
“ Last Last, na everybody go chop breakfast ” sings Burna Boy over a catchy chorus that samples Toni Braxton's 2000s Rnb hit “He Wasn't Man Enough”. However, the expression "chop breakfast" rooted in pop culture refers to heartache. With this title, the African Giant helps us recover from our breakups, without "Igbo and Shayo" (understand alcohol and cannabis).
Mavins, Crayon, Ayra Starr, LADIPOE, Magixx & Boy Spyce – “Overloading (OVERDOSE) ”
Mavin Records celebrated its tenth anniversary with the release of 'Overdose', a collaboration between longtime members Crayon and Ladipoe, as well as label newcomers Ayra Starr , Magixx and Boy Spice.
"Overdose" – which is aimed at all those who "chop breakfast" (decidedly, the climate is breaking), marks the evolution of the roster, with a touch of nostalgia not unlike the hits of 2014 "Dorobucci" or even “Adaobi”. Since its release, the title peaked at the top of the charts, and offered some of the artists their first number one.
Kizz Daniel – “Buga ”
"Buga", or "show off" in Yoruba, is beautiful both in its composition and in its message. The title has become a standard bearer for Afrobeats in the world and on platforms like TikTok with its choreography in the image of the lyrics. For Kizz Daniel, " as long as people work hard to earn their money honestly, he should be proud of it and show it ".
Such is the idea of this hit which breaks records, in particular that of the song having reached the million streams the fastest in 24 hours on Boomplay.
Adekunle Gold – “Catch Me If You Can ”
In the title track of Adekunle Gold 's latest album , the singer directly attacks critics and the media. In an interview with PAM, he told us that “Catch Me If You Can” is his favorite title. “ The song sets the tone for the album. I talk about my journey there, and how hard it was to get here", and he adds, "I know that we are supposed to wait for people to throw us flowers, to recognize our talent, but I am at a stage where I do it myself. »
Ayra Starr – “Rush ”
Ayra Starr is launched, and nothing seems to stop her as she is confident on “Rush”. “ Rush is a description of my life right now – I am full of reflection, and filled with gratitude, ” Ayra explains. “ My cup is full – everything I've ever dreamed of is happening, and I know the best is yet to come ”.
Davido feat Sunday Service Choir – “Stand Strong ”
Davido reflects on his ten-year career in "Stand Strong", a message of hope and resilience. The title is filled with emotions and testifies to the serenity and assurance of Davido, who joins forces for the occasion with the choir of the Los Angeles Sunday Service, for a millimeter symphonic sound. " I know that people like me to make them dance, but here I want to make them feel emotions , explains Davido, I know what I've been through for the past ten years, and for the first time, I want to introduce my audience to another facet of my life.
This harder side, where every day is a battle, but where I have no choice but to stay strong .
Magixx – “All Over ”
In lover boy mode , Magixx declares his love for a woman he's been waiting for a long time. Excerpt from ATOM, his second EP, "All Over" shows the extent of the singer's vocal abilities. His pen is highlighted by a sweet melody signed Reward Beatz, while he whispers sweet words to his sweetheart.
Pencil – “Ijo (Laba Laba) ”
Crayon hit hard on this collaboration with Sarz for the title “Ijo Lababa” (which means “butterfly dance” in Yoruba), which has gone viral thanks to its choreography on social networks. The title amapiano – afropop is inspired by Crayon's dance steps in the clip for his title “Overdose” in collaboration with the talents of Mavin.
WurlD – “Make It Snow ”
Wurld pushes the boundaries of its universe with this provocative title. The singer explains “ it's very colorful: 'when we're together, it snows'. I wanted to put in image what happens between two lovers… This title sounds like a climax, and that's what pushed me to write these lyrics” . "Make It Snow" is a breath of fresh air, taken from the album My WorlD With U released in March 2022.
Oxlade - "Ku Lo Sa "
Since its release on the Colors channel, Oxlade 's high notes on "Ku Lo Sa" have gone viral. The title is a calibrated mix between afropop sweetness and contagious tempo, which proves that Oxlade is a safe bet regardless of the audience.
Rema – “Addicted ”
Inspired by 80s R&B soul, “Addicted” is one of the most experimental tracks on Rema 's latest album , Raves & Roses , as the sound stands out from the rest of the project. The singer tells us the story of a mistress, addicted to the vices and exuberance of Rema's lifestyle. “ Everyone has the right to have fun, but you have to find a balance ,” explains Rema.
" At this point in my career, I know I can live my life to the fullest, but I have to find the time to take a step back and find my balance ." The title is catchy, and explores the range of sounds of Rema, beyond the limits of Afrobeats.
DJ Spinall feat Asake – “Palazzo ”
Asake teams up with DJ Spinall for a hit worthy of “Sungba”. "Palazzo" demonstrates how talented the singer of the YBNL label is, on an instrumental carried by percussion, effective Yoruba verses and destructive choruses in pigdin, praising the attraction of women to Asake.
“Palazzo” is solid, and its chart success, even as Davido and Burna Boy were releasing singles at the same time, proves it.
Dunnie feat Chike – “Already Won ”
"Already Won" explores the wide range of sounds of Dunnie, who expresses himself with an open heart on this title. She calls on Chike for a romantic duet produced by Deeyasso. Dunnie is "done with the streets", she is ready for true love, and having found it is her greatest victory. "
Chike immediately came to mind when I heard the melody, and it was very easy to work together, very fluid ", she explains about her collaboration with the singer of the title. “Running”.
Aṣa – “Good Times ”
A ṣa joins highlife sensation band The Cavemen on an ode to friendship, in this track from his latest album V . 'Good Times' evokes the black pride of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the comforting warmth of Eddie Okwedy's 'Happy Survival', combined with the genius of The Cavemen. " I was thinking of Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo when I wrote this title, she says, there is something acoustic that takes me to southern Africa in this sound ".
“Good Times” speaks to us of love in friendship, an easy subject to approach according to Asa: “ it's one of my simplest titles, I just have to think of a friend who is dear to me ”.
Pheelz feat BNXN – “Finesse ”
Pheelz, one of the biggest producers currently in Nigeria, features Buju on one of the biggest hits of the year. “Finesse” went viral after being teased by the producer on TikTok. On this title, Pheelz is both on the instrumental and on the microphone, accompanied by a male choir who sings the joys of the fast life .
His most shazamed in the world in a week, "Finesse" entered the pop culture, with unforgettable lyrics like "If I broke, na my business". Pheelz reveals a little more of his vocal abilities, a great discovery, especially alongside Buju.
Guchi – “Control ”
Excerpt from the Purple Diary project , Guchi offers us "Control", a title in which she gives herself completely to her soul mate. His efficient writing and his ability to create hits are the strength of this title signed Chech, punctuated with bewitching guitar notes.
Omah Lay – "I'm a Mess "
Omah Lay is an open book: his traumas, his anxiety, his loneliness, alcohol as an escape, he confides everything on "I'm a Mess", an emo title, off the beaten track for producer Niphkeys, but which reveals the vulnerable and sentimental universe of the singer, brilliantly explored throughout the album Boy Alone .
Tiwa Savage feat Asake – “Loaded ”
Tiwa Savage joins forces with Asake on "Loaded," where she interpolates Black Sherif's lyrics to address his critics for the first time, including his leaked sex tape. Asake is solid, at ease on his favorite neo-fuji terrain. Tiwa Savage is fluid, up to par with both energy and flow.
Wizkid – “Frames ”
Wizkid taps into his falsetto and delivers one of his most moving performances. In this title from his highly anticipated fifth album More Love, Less Ego, the singer offers a real vocal performance, carried by lyrics with explicit imagery, on a soft instrumental.
Young John – “Dada”
Signed to the Chocolate City label, the producer-turned-singer is an eternal romantic on the track “Dada”. Driven by a rhythmic production and the captivating lyricism of Young John, this serenade can be listened to without moderation.
Johnny Drille – “How Are You [My Friend] ”
Johnny Drille and Don Jazzy sing about the power of friendship and open up about their mistakes and their weaknesses in “How are you My Friend”. According to the two artists, this title aims to encourage the public to cherish their friendships and their bonds with those who are dear to them. " I recently learned an important lesson about social networks, and the fact that even if we see each other all the time on the platforms, we are not necessarily as connected as we think ".
Teezee feat Knucks – “Do Me Jeje”
On the rise, Teezee features West-London rapper Knucks on the anthem "Do Me Jeje", taken from Teezee's debut project, Arrested by Love . The title still draws on the altered universe but ventures on new sounds, in this case heavier and rhythmic basses, composed to measure for the flow of the rapper Knucks. Like the album, this single shows the duality of Teezee, both singer and rapper, between Lagos and London.
BNXN – “ In My Mind ”
"In My Mind", unveiled on the Colors channel, is taken from BNXN's latest album, titled Bad Since '97 . The production signed Blaisebeatz combines perfectly with the enigmatic voice and the lyrics of the singer, who gives us his vision of ideal love, a utopia à la Lois et Clark, where love is unconditional and reciprocal.
Lade – “Adulthood Anthem”
Accompanied by a choir, Lade evokes the pangs and complexities of adult life, on "Adulthood Anthem", a title that has gone viral on TikTok, and which catapulted her into the upper echelons of the Nigerian industry. “ This title is intentional and personal, it reflects my current state of mind.
The fact that I do things on my own, that I take care of myself and that I create opportunities for myself, I think that is something that speaks to a lot of other young people ”.