Let’s get one thing straight: Nigerian music is not just Afrobeats, and 2025 has made that clearer than ever. From blistering rap bangers and emotionally rich R&B to street-hop, gospel anthems, and the ever-expanding branches of local sounds, Nigerian artists are making music that refuses to be boxed in. This year alone, we’ve seen unknown voices rise to visibility, and genre lines blur beyond recognition.
Whether you’re a beat junkie, a lyric head or a fiend for melody, 2025 has served something for everyone, and it’s only halfway through. Here’s my list of the 20 Nigerian songs that have shaped the year so far.
Note that these tracks weren’t selected based on popularity alone, but by cultural impact, sonic brilliance and replay value.
20. “Lameda” — Samad
This song grounds its narrative in everyday Nigerian life, touching on ambitions, resilience, and divine support. Samad weaves storytelling in Yorùbá with an Afro-Adura ethos. Although the tempo is slow, the rhythm is groovy enough to keep the listeners jamming.
19. “Ego” — Qing Madi feat. VALORANT
Qing Madi explores jealousy, vulnerability, ego and the hope for reconnection. The verses are reflective, the pre-chorus is pleading and the chorus is confident — it mirrors the emotional fight between fragility and self-awareness.
This song is released as Riot Games’ VALORANT’s Year 5 anthem to tie directly into the game’s storyline. This song marks Qing Madi’s expansion from a breakout artist to an alternative pop star, contributing to Afrobeats’ centrepiece in global gaming culture.
18. “Who’s Really Rapping” — A-Q & Blaqbonez
This track is a scorching hip‑hop collaboration and lyrical showdown, released as the lead single from A‑Q’s forthcoming God’s Engineering 3 (GE3) album. A‑Q, a veteran Headies winner from Surulere, demonstrates why he’s a lyrical technician while Blaqbonez assists with punchlines and a catchy hook.
The title itself is a direct jab at the rap community, asking who’s really holding it down rap-wise. Blaqbonez aims at current contenders, and fans speculate OdumoduBlvck might be one of them. This song demands attention, launched new waves of debate, and reinforces that both rappers are still prime movers in Nigerian hip-hop.
17. “6:35” — Layefa
“6:35” by Layefa is a soothing, reflective R&B-soul single, part of her debut two-track release, Tobolayefa. It explores themes of love, heartbreak, and introspection, offering a candid glimpse into emotional vulnerability. “6:35” is a strong introduction to her solo artistry.
This song signals Layefa’s evolution as a storyteller, with a voice and style that rediscovers romance and self-love. The lo-fi vibe makes it prime for both introspective moments and background ambience.
16. “Shoot That Man” — PayBac iBoro
Rapper PayBac iBoro goes completely rogue at the government on this track. He grabs his lyricism as a weapon to corrupt politicians. In his chorus, he charges the youth and those willing to act in protest to “Shoot that man at the top wey no wan make we chop.” He touches on the issues of dirty officials stealing pensions from retirees, those who rig elections and also remembers how the Nigerian Senate bullied Senator Natasha.
The song brings all the frustrations of an average Nigerian into a solid chorus and two captivating verses. This is his middle finger to government officials — his reprise of the corrupt system sitting over the resources meant for the masses.
15. “Ginger Me (Alum)” — Niniola
Niniola brings a pulsating Afro-House banger with cheeky lyrics and a deep message. “Ginger Me” in the Nigerian street lingo translates to “excite or ignite me.” The verses are soaked in bold sexual empowerment.
“Lo alum to ba fe ko tight” refer to vaginal tightening substances, while lines like, “Lo condom, lo condom… Sora fun gonorrhea” advocate for safe sex. As Niniola makes a dance anthem, she keeps it playfully sensual and dense with commentary on female survival mechanisms. Long live the queen of Afro-House.
14. “OYO” — Prettyboy D-O feat. Mojo AF
“O.Y.O” stands for “On your own”, a motto of self-sufficiency, emotional independence and forging one’s path especially through fire. Driven by bold percussion and gritty production, the track reflects the rawness of Lagos street life, stitched together with Prettyboy D-O’s rebellious Alté approach and Mojo AF’s razor-sharp Yorùbá-inflected street-raps.
From unapologetic and motivational lyricism to energetic flows, this street-rap jam should be on your radar.
13. “Favour” — Lawrence Oyor
This song has taken 2025 by storm, especially in Nigeria’s gospel scene. The message is built around the declaration, “Favour surrounds me like a shield” — drawn from Psalm 5:12. In the face of Nigeria’s economic struggles, it’s a timely song that offers listeners hope and assurance.
After its release in January 2025, it became the first most-streamed Nigerian song on Spotify, with over 2.9 million streams. Its virality and short, repeatable lyrics make it easy to sing along — little wonder the gospel song bypassed traditional genre boundaries and embedded itself into the mainstream.
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12. “Escaladizzy” — Mavo feat. Wave$tar
The song title, “Escaladizzy,” is an energetic shout, implying an escalating high or party turn-up. Two youngsters, Mavo and Wave$tar, blend gritty street-hop production with rap, catchy melody, and swagger. Mavo leads with bold raps, and Wave$tar adds melodic hooks, creating a complementary dynamic.
Since its release this June, the song has been making waves. Its fast rise can be credited to grassroots support, catching on local hype before hundreds of thousands of plays on streaming platforms. “Escaladizzy” is a vibe.
11. “Reverse Back” — OluwaMillar feat. Mojo AF & Bayoo
On a dope hip-hop track infused with Afrobeats elements, rappers OluwaMillar and Mojo AF rap confidently about bedroom activities with playful imagery. OluwaMillar is cocky and poetic. Mojo AF is equally confident, comparing himself to Ronaldinho’s flair. He rhymes about his status as a recognised rapper in the game, his grind and soft boy lifestyle. Singer Bayoo delivers a catchy hook that makes the jam party-ready.
This track is positioned as the penultimate track on OluwaMillar’s Agbalagbi EP. At this moment, he steps fully into unapologetic bravado, contrasting the EP’s deeper and introspective cuts like “Olorunsogo” and “Opelope Anointing.”
10. “Shaolin” — Seyi Vibez
Although the “Shaolin” motif represents spiritual toughness, discipline, survival instincts and mastery over one’s destiny, Seyi Vibez celebrates success. From money formulae, attraction, nightlife and living fully in the moment, this is both a superb flex and motivational jam.
The song also strengthens Seyi Vibez’s reputation as a bold experimentalist, blending fuji, Afrobeats and techno-inspired street-hop. It’s an applaudable step in his evolution.
9. “Hold On” — Aisosa
Singer-songwriter Aisosa’s emotive storytelling and smooth sonic textures craft a late-night mood on “Hold On.” He sings about patience, resilience, and emotional stability on a tender, mid-tempo alt-pop track with techno-infused production and soothing chords.
Although this song gently uplifts the soul, it fits snugly on romantic playlists and further solidifies Aisosa’s rising status as an indie R&B artist to watch.
8. “Irapada” — Oyedele feat. BoyLiam & Femi Leye
“Iradapa” is a Yorùbá word that translates to “Redemption.” Oyedele is reborn, and he now finds himself on a path of renewed purpose, one where he’s completely in charge of his destiny.
This is a story of a disciplined journeyman acquiring solace, wisdom, unfazed by uncertainties and roadblocks, while exuding peak confidence in his artistry.
7. “Story Time” — Falz
Falz gives listeners a rare moment of unguarded honesty in a nearly six-minute narrative that offers a direct look into his journey and aspirations. He takes us through the origins and evolution of Falz TheBahdGuy, from childhood dreams of football to a law student in London to the viral “This Is Nigeria” freestyle.
“Story Time” is the closing track on his latest album titled The Feast, and it peels back the curtain. If you’re curious about who Falz really is and what drives him, this track is essential to listen to.
6. “lost” — Fola & Kizz Daniel
Fola struggles with motives as he suspects that his love interest is more interested in his money than in him, creating tension between real affection and materialism.
The song also leans on heartbreak and confusion as Fola laments feeling “really lost,” grappling with disillusionment and distrust after relationship turmoil. They are also in desperate calls for comfort amid emotional burden. Fola’s street-pop grit meets Kizz Daniel’s smooth and melodic style to craft an intimate and reflective atmosphere.
5. “I Wish I Had More Time” — Braye
“I Wish I Had More Time” by Braye isn’t just a single; it’s the title track off his debut four-track EP, which was released in May. It showcases him as a deeply introspective and genre-defying R&B/neo-soul artist.
Braye bares his soul, singing about the urgency of living fully, speaking truth and embracing emotional vulnerability. With rich textures, heartfelt lyricism and a nostalgic whisper of jazz-classic fusion in his track, Nigeria has a promising alt-R&B voice on its hands.
4. “Somebody Like You” — Lojay
In a warm and soulful storytelling, this heartfelt Afrobeats-R&B fusion captures the emotional aftermath of a lost love and the hopeful search for something equally real. Lojay opens with vivid nostalgia before slowly letting the lyrics wrestle with regret, vulnerability and longing.
Despite the melancholy, there’s a thread of healing and hope. Lojay isn’t bitter — he offers a song that feels both intimately personal and universally relatable. “Somebody Like You” continues his powerful partnership with Sarz, following earlier hits.
3. “Holy Water” — Davido feat. Victony & Musa Keys
This song from Davido’s new album 5IVE features softer log drums and drum rolls that contribute to the rhythm and offer a calmer ambience to Davido’s ever-high energy. Here, he and the featured artists use the phrase “holy water” metaphorically, perhaps to express intense desire for their love interests.
The verses express enough about wanting someone romantically and the hook carries the whole song well, giving it a sing-along effect that enhances its polished, earworm appeal.
2. “Laho” — Shallipopi
The term “Laho” doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but in the context of the Bini tongue and Shallipopi’s song, it translates to “please” or “don’t let me fall.” Although this song feels like a celebration, its lyricism reflects the masses’ everyday struggles and requests for help.
With this song, Shallipopi continues to draw from Benin street language and culture, something he has made a signature of his music since his debut.
1. “Baby (Is It a Crime)” — Rema
This is Rema’s opener of the year, a softer release after his hyper-fast HEIS album. Here, he’s a playboy looking to give love a try. Rema tenders his affection and desires to his love interest, who isn’t completely convinced or reciprocating — hence, the reason he uses a sample of Sadu Adu’s “Is It A Crime” (1985) to ask if loving her is a crime.
This is for all the lovers at heart, wanting someone and wanting them to want them back.
