20 Best Singles Out Of Nigeria In 2023 So Far

We are just seven months into 2023 and we can all agree that it’s been another outstanding year for the Nigerian music industry As Rema is breaking boundaries and setting new records on the international scene with his hit singles like ‘Calm Down’, Burna Boy is creating timeless hits and Asake is not slowing down as he continues to sit atop the music chart. The focus of artistes in Nigeria has seemingly changed.

The goal has moved beyond creating popular sounds to creating signature styles that listeners can immediately key into. Although there are over a hundred different songs across varied genres that should be on this list, we’ve curated a list cutting across all genres, including gospel to showcase and give accolades behind the mastery of some of our favourite tracks in 2023.

In no particular order, we highlight 20 of the best songs out of Nigeria in 2023 so far.                                                                       

• 2:30 by Asake 

‘Asake’ has had an amazing run, and 2:30 is another testament to his hit-making capabilities as he employs the expertise of Blaise Beatz to give us a familiar Amapiano-influenced single that tells us a story of how he is here to stay. The beat is described as a beat that ‘pairs simmering percussion with some synths that sound straight out of a dingy basement.’ 

Asake has always seemed very confident of his abilities in previous songs, but he further states his message with this track. What are the chances, what’s the probability to see a better version of him with agility? We are yet to find out. 

 

• Feel by Davido

Three years after the release of his third studio album, Davido introduces us to a different side of him through a journey of 17 tracks, with ‘Feel’ being one of the many timeless tracks on the album. Another track off this list produced by Blaise Beatz, the producer, gives us a melody that infuses Afrobeat and Ampiano elements.

With an addictive melody coupled with exciting and energetic viral dance, this song is definitely going to be on everyone’s summer playlist. Feel is a feel-good track, right from the lyrics to the beat, it fully showcases that.

 

• Reason by Omah Lay

With every track Omah Lay releases, he further creates a sub-genre for himself with his Afro-depression music as he tells his story with melodious and addictive beats embedded in painful and emotional lyrics. 

When he belts out the melody to this iconic line, ‘What is the reason you do not have your own peace of mind,’ everyone could not help but be introspective and listen to what he had to tell the world about his journey – The pain and loneliness embedded in the track is almost transferrable.

The track produced by Tuzi currently sits atop the Turntable Top 100 chart.

 

• Charm by Rema

Rema is currently having one of the best eras of his career in the international space with his hit single ‘Calm Down,’ and he tops that track with an even more addictive and out-of-the-box melody, ‘Charm’. The track produced by London showcases Rema’s confidence as he seems almost boastful as he tells his woman, ‘I get money pass your papa.’ Charm’s melody is so addictive and seductive in such a way that his boastfulness becomes attractive.

Charm showcases incredible pen game, fresh melody, and insane confidence in a track that explores the concept of lust and love. One thing Rema will do is talk about women, and with every song, it never sounds cringe, insane talent.

 

• Gwagwalada by BNXN ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez

For people who are not privy to Seyi Vibez’s melody and style, Gwagwalada was the first proper introduction they got. Kizz Daniel’s chant and the subtle keys playing in the background, which slowly blossoms as the beat comes in, Gwagwalada immediately captures its listeners. The single, majorly owned by BNXN, featuring Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez, references the nightlife in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

In between a blend of harmonies, log drums, and piano riffs, the trio drops a party banger that automatically gets a party started as they tell us why exactly they enter from ‘Abuja go Gwagwalada.’ The track was produced by Sarz.

 

• Declan Rice by Odumodublvck

Although music lovers know the grime star from his hit track ‘Dog Eat Dog,’ Declan Rice took the rap star to another level of popularity as he compares himself to West Ham’s midfielder, ‘Declan Rice,’ while hailing his community in Native Records.

The track, produced by Trill Xoe and JohnWav, is heavily influenced by Afrobeat, with elements of hip hop, and it particularly stands out with Odumodu’s ability to switch up his flow seamlessly. 

 

• Who Is Your Guy by Spyro ft Tiwa Savage

Fun songs are the best. Songs that just celebrate platonic friendship with vibey pop beats, and that’s exactly what Spyro’s ‘Who Is Your Guy’ is about. However, the remix with Tiwa brings another level of mastery to the song as she lends the fast-rising star her silver vocals as she hails her guys in her lyrics.

The single produced by Mr Soul is Spryo’s second viral single and a follow-up to his hit single ‘Billing.’

 

• Owo Oluwa By P.Daniel Olawande

When a pastor chooses to minister in songs, there is a conviction that shines through their vocals and words that delivers the message, and that’s exactly what Pastor Daniel Olawande, famously known as P.Daniel did with his single ‘Owo Oluwa.’

The single thrives on its spirituality but is elevated with the masterful use of log drums, the captivating melody that comes with the electric guitar, and the clear message that testifies of the minister’s faith as he repeats the words ‘Owo Oluwa be lori aye mi’ with conviction in every line.

Nothing beats a song that is sung in conviction with the perfect medley and an ethereal choral backup. Aside from the instrumentals, another highlight of the song is the bridge, its pure delight.

 

• Mr Yakubu by Falz ft Vector

Falz is arguably one of Nigeria’s foremost socially conscious artistes. With an entire masterpiece like ‘Moral Instruction’ dedicated to educating and spotlighting the log in the eyes of Nigeria as a country, Falz has proven to always be the voice of reasoning amidst the chaos, fun, and vibes. Although he does fun songs as well, we could not help but spotlight Mr Yakubu because of its relevance.

Without cutting through the corners ‘Mr Yakubu e ma n se bi fraudster,’ reverbs throughout the song as both Falz and Vector compliment each other’s verses with their thoughts on how the 2023 Nigerian electoral process played out. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had a case to answer, and Falz came in as the voice of reasoning at the right time with this song.

 

• Body & Soul by Joeboy

Not everyone can make a sophomore album as good as their debut album, and Joeboy pulls that off effortlessly, with Body & Soul being one of the many hit singles on the album. In a masterful infusion of log drums in the pop sound, the singer pledges his love to his partner while confidently sounding like a loverboy.

The track was produced by E Kelly. 

 

• Trumpet by Olamide ft Ckay

Speaking of collaborations we never expected to happen, Olamide collaborating with Ckay was on that list, but they manage to create a hit from two different sides of the music spectrum, and we are simply in love with this track.

The combination of pop, afrobeat, and rap elements all encompassed in Ckay’s silky voice that elevates the perfect melody and Olamide’s cool-toned rap, the song simply sounds like peace of mind. The song, which centres around seduction and living the good life is simply melodious.

 

• Angelus by Victony

Victony takes us back to the old days. The days when flat caps were in vogue, and the best combination you could ever think of was wide-legged pants and an oversized blazer, a trend that has now become timeless. ‘Angelus’ melody channels that time. With the help of Ktizo, Victony infuses highlife and elements of Afrobeat to create this addictive sound.

Without a doubt, Victony is the king of melodies, but his intentionality when it came to releasing this single alongside ‘My Darling’ is next to none this year. His vocals, melody, and lyrical abilities were enough to persuade his love interest Rosey to stay dedicated to their relationship.

 

• Miracle No Dey Tire Jesus by Moses Bliss, Festizie, Chizie

Miracle No Dey Tire Jesus appears to be the official Gen Z church anthem at the moment. The perfect pop song with a simple message that is constantly repeated so much that it sticks. The type of song that makes it to the adult church because it’s the perfect track for anniversary choreographies.

The message is simple ‘Miracle no dey tire Jesus’ and the beat to the song exactly channels that. 

 

• Stamina by Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, and Young Jonn

When Tiwa Savage released Stamina featuring Ayra Starr and Young Jonn, we particularly could not get past the amount of synergy these artistes had. The beats infusion of the Amapiano log drums and the intricate pianos leads the artistes to comfortably oscillate between their different singing styles that blend to perfection on this track.

The song’s theme, which tells a sensual tale, blends perfectly with the tempo of the beat as Tiwa Savage ushers in the single with an iconic yet simple line, ‘Stamina, Stamina, you go need more stamina, Young Jonn cues in his unique vocals while Ayra Starr further takes the track to the next level with her vocal depth, flow, and vocals.

 

• Sability by Ayra Starr

There is no crime in sampling a veteran song, it only becomes a crime when you don’t do the track justice, but Ayra Starr easily does justice to this track as she sampled Awilo Longomba’s ‘Coupé Bibamba.’

The self-empowerment track allows Ayra Starr take on her new position in the Nigerian music scene as the IT girl. With the groovy melody, lyrics that tell you she cares for no one’s negative opinion of her and her craft, and her finally coming into her Sabi girl era, the music star was in no way playing with anyone.

Sabi girl simply means an unbothered person or someone with a devil-may-care attitude, and she encapsulates that image in every way possible, and we love it for her.

 

• Party No Dey Stop by Adekunle Gold ft Zinoleesky

Party No Dey Stop simply screams the song of the summer. The upbeat and good vibe lyrics just make it perfect. The single produced by both Kel-P and Monro is a track that celebrates life. It celebrates the artistes achievements and reveals their resolve to stay away from negativity.

The chorus is particularly iconic for its simplicity and catchiness. All you need to do is party and make money.

 

• Hallelujah by Ckay ft Blaqbonez

Ckay shows us another side of him with this single. Hallelujah, which features Blaqbonez, is basically a song of victory that celebrates the artistes rise into fame. The optimistic lyrics paired with the Amapiano sound automatically became a hit single as it topped the Apple music top 100 charts.

With his melodic rap, Blaqbonez follows Ckay’s queue but also affirms that he is not done making an impact with his music yet, and he has done this and more since the single was released on May 5, 2023. 

 

• Believe Me by Johnny Drille

Don Jazzy’s sweet nothings at the intro of ‘Believe Me’ is unarguably one of the most iconic intros in recent times, as the melodic depth his vocals brought to the song elevated the track. In the usual Johnny Drille manner, he feeds us a lyrically deep song with an addictive melody and incredible vocals.

The song, which centres around the theme of love and Johnny Drille’s devotion to his partner starts with a catchy line ‘What have you done to me,’ that line alone is enough to get you hooked to the song as he becomes vulnerable while expressing his love for his partner. 

 

• Carry Me Go by Khaid ft Boy Spyce

When you are trying to express how crazy a love interest makes you, what better to express that than with addictive pop melody, localised pickup lines, and exciting harmonies? That is exactly what Khaid does with his hit single ‘Carry Me Go,’ which featured fast-rising star Boy Spyce.

The track produced by Signal particularly shines for its addictive melody that infuses R&B and pop elements with Khaid’s distinctive tone and Boy Spyce’s outstanding harmony. The single had one job and it was to ‘Take me to where I don’t know.’

 

• Tobechukwu by Nathaniel Bassey and Mercy Chinwo

Nathaniel Bassey is a musical genius in every standard, and he is incapable of producing a bad song. Tobechukwu is another testament to this statement as he produces a song that instantly uplifts its listeners with a few lines telling his testimony against a highlife beat.

With the help of Mercy Chinwo, who is a vocal powerhouse, he releases a single with not only insane runs and exciting instrumentation but a song considered by many as uplifting.

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