2022 might’ve come and gone, but the music we got that year was premium vibes. From Asake’s arrival and eventual takeover to Pheelz’s turn from hit producer to hit singer, the music scene was on fire. These were the 15 songs Nigerians rinsed the most, according to TurnTable Charts.
1. Buga (Lo Lo Lo) — Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel created an anthem for Nigerian mummies and aunties worldwide. Buga (Lo Lo Lo) was the one song that united Nigerians across generations. This jam was like crack in music form, so it makes sense that it’s the biggest song of 2022.
Songwriters: Yung Willis and Anidugbe Oluwatobiloba
Produced by: Reward Beatz and Blaise Beatz
2. Bandana — Fireboy DML featuring Asake
Fireboy has been on a roll since his 2018 debut single Jealous became a national anthem. Recognising another baby legend in the making in his label mate, Fireboy brought Asake on board for Bandana, the unforgettable second single off his 2022 Playboy album.
Songwriters: Adedamola Adefolahan
Produced by: P.Prime
3. Overloading (OVERDOSE) — Mavin All Stars
With huge shoes to fill following the successes of Mavin bangers like Dorobucci, Adaobi and Looku Looku, the new school of Don Jazzy’s post-Mo’Hits project came in guns blazing on their 2022 joint effort, Overloading (OVERDOSE). Featuring standout performances from Ayra Starr, Boy Spyce and Crayon, the song proved that Don Jazzy’s pension is in safe hands.
Songwriters: Alexander Adewunmi Adelabu, Charles Chibueze Chukwu, Ladipo Eso, Oluwadamilare Aderibigbe, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Prince Omoferi, Treasure Apiafi Banigo and Ugbekile David Osemeke
Produced by: Don Jazzy
4. Sungba Remix — Asake featuring Burna Boy
We’ve already offered reasons why Asake’s Sungba is one of the greatest songs ever. But why settle for having a song that’s a GOAT when you could feature a GOAT on its remix? Well, that’s what Asake asked himself when he called on Burna Boy to deliver one of his best verses ever on the remix of Sungba. We’ll always remember life in two parts: life before the Sungba remix dropped and life after Burna Boy sang, “Tell me what you see when you look at me?”
Songwriters: Ahmed Olalade Asake and Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu
Produced by: Magicsticks
5. Calm Down Remix — Rema featuring Selena Gomez
We’ve only ever had two Nigerian artistes crack the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart: Wizkid with Essence and One Dance, and Tems with WAIT FOR U and Essence. But with the remix of Calm Down, Rema officially joined this elite list. While we initially had doubts about this remix, months and months of hearing it everywhere has made us forget that an original even existed, and that’s how you know a remix actually works.
Songwriters: Alexandre Uwaifo, Divine Ikubor, Amanda Ibanez, Michael Hunter and Selena Gomez
Produced by: Andre Vibez and London
6. Peace Be Unto You — Asake
Dropping Peace Be Unto You after a string of hits with Omo Ope, Sungba and Palazzo, Asake stepped into the musical ring with the confidence and badassery of Adonis Creed himself. With this song which samples the viral “E dey carry me where I no know” clip, Asake reminded everyone that even though he was finally having his moment in 2022, he’d been around for a long time, and his reign was inevitable — “I just blow, but omo, I know myself.”
Songwriters: Ahmed Olalade Asake
Produced by: Magicsticks
7. Last Last — Burna Boy
Chopping breakfast might be sad, but who says you can’t turn your pain into a massive hit? At least, that’s what Burna Boy did with his biggest song yet since Ye. Throwing a Toni Braxton sample into the mix, Last Last became the unofficial song of summer 2022, solidifying Burna Boy’s position as a leader in the exportation of new school afrobeats.
Songwriters: Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Fred Jerkins III, Harvey Mason Jr, James Malcolm Olagundoye, LaShawn Daniels, Mikael Haataja, Robert Laukkanen, Rodney Jerkins, Samuel Haatja and Santeri Kauppinen.
Produced by: Chopstix, Mds, Off & Out and Ruuben.
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8. Baddest Boy Remix — Skiibii featuring Davido
“She go chop Nigerian koboko, straight from Magodo.” We all know what “koboko” means in this context, but why is it from Magodo? We still need the association of Magodo residents to explain how and why their kobokos entered the mix. Still, there’s no denying the Davido effect on the remix to this 2022 party starter.
Songwriters: Davido and Skiibii
Produced by: Runcheck
9. Peru Remix — Fireboy DML featuring Ed Sheeran
When Fireboy DML announced Ed Sheeran would be on the remix of his hit song, Peru, many people were shocked, but not us. While the collaboration sounded a bit off on paper, true Fireboy stans could’ve seen this from a mile away. Apart from being resident musical lover boys, Need You, the opening track to Fireboy’s 2019 album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, sounds exactly like Ed Sheeran’s 2014 Tenerife Sea. This collaboration was a match made in musical heaven from the very start.
Songwriters: Ed Sheeran, Fireboy DML, Ivory Scott, Klton and Shizzi
Produced by: Shizzi and Kolten Sippiboy Perine
10. Omo Ope Remix — Asake featuring Olamide
Arguably one of the biggest songs of 2022, Asake came out of nowhere and turned 2022 on its head with his smash hit, Omo Ope. Featuring the hardest working Nigerian rapper, Olamide, it was hard not to fall in love with this song, especially when those backup vocals kick-in with “Mo saare f’owo mi sh’aye”.
Songwriters: Ahmed Olalade Asake and Olamide Adedeji
Produced by: Magicsticks
11. Terminator — Asake
Is Terminator the greatest Nigerian love song of all time? Maybe. Asake was deep in his lover boy bag when he made this banger about finding someone and holding on to the romantic contract they’d signed. That’s the type of love we’re looking for on these single-pringle streets.
Songwriters: Ahmed Olalade Asake and Olamide Adedeji
Produced by: Magicsticks
12. PALAZZO — DJ Spinall featuring Asake
Hopping on the never-ending DJ Spinall train of collaborations, Asake delivered what could only be described as part club hit, part church thanksgiving anthem. Palazzo came right after the Sungba remix with Burna Boy, setting the stage for the singer’s epic year of back-to-back hits.
Songwriters: Ahmed Olalade Asake and Olamide Adedeji
Produced by: Spinall and Magicsticks
13. Don’t Call — Lil Kesh featuring Zinoleesky
Remember when Lil Kesh had us all in a shoki-hold back in the day? This guy was the reason Olamide banned Don Jazzy from the mainland, and then, he just disappeared for a while. Lil Kesh finally made a splashy return to the scene with the Zinoleesky-assisted, Don’t Call Me, and God knows we rinsed this song like there was no tomorrow. We all love a good comeback story.
Songwriters: Lil Kesh and Zinleesky
14. For My Hand — Burna Boy featuring Ed Sheeran
It’s safe to assume that a Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran song will always slap. Teaming up again after they carried Stormzy’s 2019 Own It on their backs, For My Hand is further proof that their chemistry is as potent as ever.
Songwriters: Damini Ogulu, Ed Sheeran and Richard Isong
Produced by: P2J
15. Finesse — Pheelz featuring BNXN
We’ve begged Nigerian musicians to leave Folake alone, but they’ve clearly put cement in their ears because Pheelz and BNXN continued the train with Finesse. And honestly, we were not mad at it. This song reminded us it’s okay to be broke. As a matter of fact, it encouraged us to own our lack of funds with our chests.
If you thought this song was a banger, wait until you listen to the live version with this sick backup choir.
Songwriters: Daniel Benson, Ishola Owolabi Michael and Phillip Kayode Moses
Produced by: Pheelz
ALSO READ: 15 Nigerian Pop Culture Moments That Got Us Through the Shege of 2022
