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Nigerian music has grown by leaps and bounds through the years. Stretching from an unsure export fighting for fame and showing shimmers of potential, the music and its artistes have finally found a distinctive voice outside the shores of Africa, becoming a global phenomenon that is well sought after.
The rise of technology, the creativity of centennials, the whooping population of African music lovers, and the rising number of Africans in the diaspora are some factors that have influenced the blurring of frontiers by Nigerian music. The music sector’s revenue grew from 26 million US dollars in 2014 to 34 million dollars in 2018, and according to projections, that number is expected to rise to 44 million dollars by 2023.
The latest instalment of the famed FIFA video game, FIFA 23, is as global as it gets. With over 100 songs and artistes from 34 countries, the FIFA 23 soundtrack cements the entry of Nigerian music into the mainstream as it features the next-rated stars and known names from Nigeria.
The #FIFA23 Soundtrack Line-Up is as global as it gets.
@sanbenito
@Stromae
@TruenoOficiaI
@wearephoenix
Cryalot
Central Cee
@rosalia
@Sampa_The_Great
@jackharlow
@Pheelz
@flumemusic
Listen now
https://t.co/XczKLmTALY pic.twitter.com/x7sbifkIBp
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 22, 2022
Pheelz and BNXN’s ‘Finesse’, Seun Kuti’s ‘Ku Ku Kee Me’ ft Black Thought, and Bad Boy Timz’s ‘Skelele’ ft Olamide are some of the songs included in the video game’s playlist. Others include the official FIFA World Cup 2022 soundtrack ‘Hayya Hayya (Better Together)’ by Davido, Trinidad Cardona and Aisha, and ‘Let Me Be Great’ by Sampa the Great ft Angelique Kidjo.
Producer turned singer, Pheelz, and Bnxn were under the spotlight at the 15th edition of The Headies Awards held on September 4, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. Pheelz started the night with an electrifying performance. At the same time, 25-year-old Bnxn beat Ayra Starr, Lojay, Ruger and Zinoleesky to The Headies Next Rated Award to claim the highly coveted prize that came with a 2022 Bentley Bentayga worth over ₦75 million. Thus, it’s no doubt a feather in their caps that less than two months later, their song, ‘Finesse’, is on the FIFA 23 soundtrack list.
Nigerian stars had had their international success coming, though. In 2019, ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance step debuted in the NBA 2K19 video game, while in 2021, Burna Boy’s ‘Location’, Rema’s ‘Beamer’ and Fireboy’s ‘Scatter’ featured in the 2021 instalment of the FIFA video game soundtrack. For the 2022 edition, Rema’s ‘Dimension’ joined other African artistes, which include ‘Fear No Man’ by Little Simz, ‘Gliding’ by Pa Salieu and Slowthai, ‘I Want’ by ENNY, ‘Hickory Dickory’ by CHIKA, and ‘Princess Cut’ by Headie One, Young T and Bugsey.
Streaming data on local genres exported across the globe reveals that 30% of Nigeria’s Alté genre is being streamed in the US, with a growth of more than 200% over the past year. Additionally, over 40% of Afropop from Nigeria is streamed in the US, UK and France.
Therefore, it is no major surprise to see Nigerian artistes be a part of the distinguished few who feature in the main soundtrack of the latest instalment of the FIFA game for another successive year. Still, it is a laudable feat, a recognition of hard work and credence that great oaks from little acorns grow.
Like erstwhile, the FIFA game will feature two soundtracks: one specific to the Volta mode and one designated for the entire game. FIFA 23 will be launched on September 27, 2022.
The post Olamide, Pheelz, Seun Kuti, Bnxn and Others Feature on FIFA 23 Soundtrack as Nigerian Stars Continue to Make Global Strides appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Source: TheNet
