Reality check: It’s been six whole months since we yelled happy new year!
Generally, 2018 hasn’t been an exciting one for Nigerians. The year was opened by unending tales of police brutality, followed by several incidents of mass murder up north, the untimely passing of pop icon D’Banj’s one-year-old son, loss of lives and properties to avoidable truck accidents linking back to the negligence of our leaders, not to forget that Nigeria has topped the list of countries with people living in extreme poverty. And yeah, our national football team also crashed out of the ongoing world cup competition.
It has indeed been a sad year – but thanks to our unfailing national treasures; the musicians. They have played a huge role in spreading joy throughout our distressed lands. Although it easily surpasses fifteen, we have streamlined through the help of our diverse staffers to attain a solid list of; 15 Hottest Songs Of 2018 So Far.
15. Mr. 2Kay ft Idahams – God Can Bless Anybody
Although the year was off to a pretty slow start, music’s mysterious vault was opened in the second month of the year with Mr. 2Kay being amongst the first to offer delight. With ‘God Can Bless Anybody’ the ninth track on his sophomore Elevated album, the singer landed a fan-favourite that has now become an anthem in southern Nigeria.
The record which accommodates vocal contributions from label-mate Idahams found the two preaching the power of faith and hard work.
14. Kizz Daniel – 4Dayz
Just like every other year, Kizz has marked his name in the hits register of 2018. 4Dayz is Daniel’s 2018 debut and boy did he make an early score.
13. DJ Spinall ft Wizkid – Nowo
Wizkid landed his first hit in 2018 on the DJ Spinall curated single – Nowo. The success of the song has been tied to the rise of all-kids dance group Dream Catchers whose choreography to the record went viral earning the attention of supermodel; Naomi Campbell, rapper; Diddy and singer; Rihanna.
12. D’Banj – Issa Banger
Musically, the year kicked off on the streets and pop icon D’Banj was one of the mainstream artistes who tapped early into the wobe sound considered the soundtrack for the famous shaku-shaku dance. The Koko master enlisted street kings Slimcase and Mr. Real for the certified street anthem.
11. Adekunle Gold – IRE
Adekunle Gold’s introspective single – IRE served as the propelling factor for his recently-released About 30 album. The soulful record quickly became the internet’s favourite with hundreds of fans making compelling covers across social media hence causing the record to make a swift travel across the country.
10. Olamide ft Wizkid – Kana
Like a writer puts it; Olamide and Wizkid found chemistry on Kana. This serves as their second solo collaboration and a break from the uptempo wobe wave. The laid-back rhythm and their par deliveries made Kana the perfect record for a little head-bop, feet taps, and happy vibe.
9. Burna Boy – YE
According to Nigerians on Twitter, YE by Burna Boy should be declared the countries new national anthem! You can’t really blame anyone for saying this because the record is indeed deserving of national honours. YE is the sixth track on the singer’s widely-acclaimed OUTSIDE album and the beautiful coincidence with Kanye’s new album that has the same title with the record has caused a spike on streaming platforms thereby exposing the song to a larger audience.
8. Duncan Mighty ft Wizkid – Fake Love
Fake Love brought veteran singer Duncan Mighty back into the mainstream conversation this year. The king of the south enlisted Wizkid (king of the west) and they both created an addictive record has now spread like wild fire across the country.
7. Tekno – Jogodo
Leaning on the power of nostalgia, Jogodo became an instant hit. Even the controversy that greeted it’s release as a result of viral comments by the original creators of the melody (Danfo Drivers) didn’t hinder the sprout of the record.
6. Falz – This Is Nigeria
Falz’s politically charged cover of Childish Gambino’s This Is America is perhaps the most talked about record of 2018 yet. This Is Nigeria which found the rapper addressing the various ills of our society in a very apt manner caught the eyes of many earning the record over a million YouTube streams in less than 48-hours.
5. Davido – Assurance
In April, Davido announced his status as a member of the Faithful Men Association of Nigeria with the song Assurance which he dedicated to his now famous significant other Chioma. It is both an addictive and aspirational tune as every guys hope is to be able to provide lavishly for the love of their life and every girl dreams of being in a relationship that provides some sort of security and assurance.
4. DJ Enimoney – Diet
The DJ Enimoney curated ‘Diet’ which enlisted Tiwa Savage, Reminisce and Slimcase was released to a lot backlash for glorifying drug abuse. The controversies however didn’t hinder the record from becoming a street anthem. It has been a must-play at almost every function in Nigeria.
3. DMW – Mind
Davido made some additions to his DMW label and Mind featuring Davido, Mayorkun, Dremo, Peruzzi and producer Fresh VDM was the record that introduced the last two as members of the label. Safe to say it is one of the best collaborations of 2018 so far
2. Olamide – Science Student
Unlike 2017 which took him several attempts to score a hit, Olamide was perhaps the first artiste to land a hit record in 2018. Just like Diet, the song was trailed by heavy backlash and even declared unfit for broadcast by the NBC for glorifying drug abuse. Again, all of these did not break the wings of the record as it flew to be the biggest offspring of the wobe sound.
1. Starboy – Soco
You can’t dispute the people’s choice. Just like Davido, Wizkid’s Soco serves as the record that introduced new members of Wizkid’s Starboy label (Terri, Ceeza and Spotless) to the public. Soco became an instant hit that has topped local charts and charted internationally as well.
The lyrics may not mean much, but the melody has proven addictive hence the love it has received.
Honourable mentions; DMW – Aje, Burna Boy – Heaven’s Gate, Brymo – Heya, Seyi Shay ft Kizz Daniel – Surrender, Mystro ft Wizkid – Immediately.