What does it mean to be a hot babe? As we celebrate women all through this month of March, this is one of the questions that we hope to answer.
There’s nothing like the feeling of walking into a room, hair swaying, hips moving, and instantly commanding attention — not just for how you look, but for the confidence and energy you exude — no apologies, no second guesses.
To tap into that energy, I asked fifteen Nigerian women to share the Afrobeats songs by female Nigerian musicians that make them feel like hot babes.
All the songs recommended are featured in our #BumpThis playlist at the end.
“Anytime these songs come on, I feel smarter, like I’m Maradona” — Chidinma
Songs: “Cash” by Lady Donli; “Maradona” and “Sicker” by Niniola
“Cash” by Lady Donli makes me feel like the baddest babe. I get goosebumps from the song’s intro: “Ego nwere oma lusi o’luke, ego nwere…” which translates to “The money I have.” So, imagine dressed up, walking and listening to this song while I have my money in my account and cash in my purse — nobody can stop me. I feel proud and elated whenever I hear that song.
Also, “Maradona” and “Sicker” by Niniola make me feel like a woman who can get any man she wants. Those moments make me feel smarter like I’m Maradona.
“There’s a girly energy in it that I deeply connect to” — Blossom
Song: “Wickedest” by Tems
It’s Tems’ “Wickedest” for me. Whenever it gets to the “Came for the wickedest whine / Me and my girls on the wickedest time” part of the song, I jump up. There’s a girly energy in it that I deeply connect to. I think it’s feminine energy that Tems knows too well, and she embodies it fantastically in this song.
“This song allowed me to be free of the fear of “What if something bad happens?”” — Zia
Songs: “Cash” by Lady Donli; and “Cast (Gen-Z Anthem)” by Ayra Starr
“Cash” by Lady Donli. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but wallahi, I’m addicted to cash. Money is power, and it makes me feel like a hot babe. Nobody encompasses it like Lady [Donli] in this song. Ayra Starr’s “Cast” allowed me to be free of the fear of “What if something bad happens?” And truly, what is the definition of a hot babe if not someone that doesn’t give a fuck about consequences?
“It’s just a bad bitch song” — Chioma
Song: “Boytoy” by SGaWD
Oh, it’s SGaWD’s “Boytoy.” It’s just a bad bitch song. I followed her on X and was hooked on a teaser of the song she posted. So, I patiently waited until release day. That was the only song I listened to for a week.
Now and again, when I want to remind myself that I’m a big bad bitch or I just want to talk my shit, I listen to it. I know every single word. It’s two minutes of her talking her shit, and I just love it.
“It makes me feel untouchable” — Dami
Song: “Bloody Samaritan” by Ayra Starr
“Bloody Samaritan” by Ayra Starr does it for me. It’s bold, confident, and has that “nothing can kill my vibe” energy.
I connect with it because it’s about protecting your peace and not letting negativity get to you. The first time I heard it, it instantly hooked me — the beat, the lyrics, and Ayra’s delivery just scream main-character energy.
What I love most about it is the attitude. It makes me feel untouchable like I’m walking slowly with the wind in my hair. It’s that perfect song to remind myself that I’m that girl and nobody can dim my shine.
“It’s basically about being a baddie and a boss babe who wants only money and jollof rice, not love” — Folu
Songs: “Shake It To The Max (FLY)” by MOLIY; and “Omo To Sexy” by BLNDE
I’ll say “Shake It To The Max” by MOLIY and “Omo To Sexy” by BLNDE. I found them while trying to create a personal playlist for Nigerian Alté female songs. “Shake It To The Max” has a great vibe, and the lyrics are pretty interesting, too. It’s basically about being a baddie and a boss babe who wants only money and jollof rice. That’s where I am right now. I’m not looking for love, I just want food and money.
“It gives that ‘step into your power’ feeling” — Maryanne
Song: “Rush” by Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr’s “Rush” makes me feel like a confident and unstoppable babe. The message speaks to me, especially the lyrics: “Me no get time for the hate and the bad energy.” It reminds me to focus on myself and my success.
I first heard it when she released it, and it was everywhere—on the radio, even in the Ubers I was in. However, it hit me when I played it while I dressed for a night out with my friends. It gives you that “step into your power” feeling.
What I love most about it? The beat, the energy, and how Ayra sings it confidently. It’s more than a song—it lifts my mood.
“It evokes an emotion that makes me feel very sexy” — Illy
Song: “Right Now”
Seyi Shey’s “Right Now” is hot, and the music video elevates the song. It evokes an emotion that makes me feel very sexy and comfortable in my own skin.
“It’s the perfect song to do my makeup to when I’m heading out” — Steph
Song: “Boytoy” by SGaWD
It’s SGaWD’s “Boytoy.” I heard it for the first time on Lotanna Don’s Instagram story. She’s friends with SGaWD, so she was trying to get her followers on to her music. It’s a song about female dominance, sexual liberation, and putting nonchalant men in their place. It’s also about knowing when to get lit, when to hustle as a woman, and being the hottest babe in the room.
I like that it’s very daring. The first line says, “Girls like me, you know we like sex.” You just know SGaWD doesn’t care about the stereotypes they place on sexually liberated women. She goes on to give her commandments on being THAT girl. Singing “Boytoy” out loud gives a feeling that everything else is beneath you and you’re the most daring version of yourself in that moment. It’s the perfect song to do my makeup to when heading out.
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“These songs have latent energy that transforms you into your smoothest self” — Anita
Songs: “Focus On Me (All the Sexy Girls The Club Tonight)” by Darkoo and “Omo To Sexy” by BLNDE
It’s “Focus On Me” by Darkoo, and recently “Omo To Sexy” by BLNDE. I discovered both songs on the internet on New Music Friday. The songs are silky and have latent energy that transforms you into your smoothest self — it doesn’t matter where you hear them.
“I generally thought Tiwa was hot, and I felt hot, too” — Chigor
Songs: “Love Me X3” by Tiwa Savage; and “Woman Commando” by Ayra Starr
I love Tiwa Savage’s “Love Me X3” and Ayra Starr’s “Woman Commando.” This Tiwa’s song gives me that feeling mainly because of its video. I can’t even remember the first time I heard it. I didn’t even own a phone then. I just remember seeing it on TV anytime I passed the sitting room. I’d stop to stare instead of doing the chores I was probably going to do.
I was much younger then, but I remember watching the video repeatedly and doing the small choreography towards the end. I generally thought Tiwa was hot, and I felt hot, too.
Then Ayra. Ayra is naturally hot, but there’s just something about “Woman Commando.” From the sass in the choreography to the sass in the lyrics and the babes [Coco Jones and Anitta] she put in the song. The lyrics, melody, and everything just get me. I first discovered it last year when she released her album. I listened and instantly loved it. It was in my top 3 at first listen and then my top 2 when she performed it on The Tonight Show.
“This song makes me feel like a baddie” — Tiana
Song: “POP!” by Adanna Duru
There’s a Nigerian artist based in the US called Adanna Duru. Her song “POP!” is my anthem. It makes me feel like a baddie. I just want to dance and move my body. It’s also a really sexy song.
“Both songs make me feel like I own the room” — Lola
Songs: “Bad Vibes” by Ayra Starr and “Crazy Tings” by Tems
My choices are Ayra Starr’s “Bad Vibes” and Tems’ “Crazy Tings.” The former has that playful, confident energy that makes me feel like the main character. It’s bold, fun, and effortlessly doesn’t give a hoot about your judgment. Meanwhile, “Crazy Tings” carries that smooth, self-assured vibe that makes me feel untouchable, like I’m gliding through life with an effortless glow.
I love the confidence both women bring. Whether it’s through the lyrics, the beat, or the attitude in the delivery, both songs make me feel like I own the room, like I’m unstoppable, and I must let no man or woman kill my energy because I’m the main character in my life and story.
“The music makes it feel like someone switched on a different atmosphere” — Ngozi
Song: “Baby Riddim” by Fave
My pick is Fave’s “Baby Riddim.” I’m not big on Nigerian music, but I discovered this song three years ago. I love Fave’s voice! It adds so much depth to the music and makes it feel like someone switched on a different atmosphere. I also like the lyrics. I’m big on lyrics that tell a story that’s easy to follow, and this one does.
“Her song resonates because it affirms women as sensual and sexual beings” — Adeyele
Song: “Too Sweet (O Dun)” by Niniola
Niniola is that girl who makes me feel like a hot babe every time. Her songs have the right balance of sultry, sexy, and hip. I have no choice but to embrace the baddie I am. Her song, “Too Sweet” does it for me. It’s a self-praise that gives off this “I’m that girl don’t mess with her” vibe I love. Listening to this song adds a little more pep to my step, and gives me that confidence not to let anyone look down on me.
I love how Niniola infuses Yoruba into her songs and hypes herself as a beautiful lady. As a woman, listening to that song resonates because it affirms women as sensual and sexual beings. It encourages confidence, too. The first time I heard Niniola as a teenager, I watched her “Maradona” music video on Soundcity, and the song stuck in my head for days. And I’ve been a fan ever since. I like that her sound is upbeat and bold. She gives this IDGAF attitude in her songs, which I just love. As a hot girl who enjoys life, Niniola is up there for me.
