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  • Tems wasn’t playing in 2019 when she told us not to try her. 

    Tems first caught our attention in 2019 with her defiant hit, Try Me. Since then, she’s blown up big time, moving from an underrated alté artiste to one of Nigeria’s biggest afrobeats exports.Whether it’s dropping songs of the summer back-to-back, with Essence in 2021 and WAIT FOR U in 2022, or becoming the first Nigerian singer to be nominated for an Oscar, Tems is the leading vibe right now, and no one can deny it.

    Here are all the times she’s had us calling on the “God of Temilade Openiyi”. 

    When she wrote Lift Me Up 

    You just had to have been there the day the first Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer dropped. We were all happy for Letitia Wright and co., but it was Tems singing a cover of No Woman No Cry that turned Nigerian Twitter upside down.

    Not long after, she took another trip to Wakanda to write the film’s main song, Lift Me Up, for Rihanna in honour of Chadwick Boseman — not to be confused with BBNaija’s Herve’s Chad Boswick. 

    When she got an Oscar nomination for writing Lift Me Up 

    It was cool enough to write the official soundtrack for Black Panther and have Rihanna sing it. But just like BNXN, Tems refused to stop. She had to go ahead and get a nomination for Best Original Song at the Oscars, making her the first Nigerian singer to achieve that.

    It always takes one person to cross the invisible line, and now that Tems has done it, more Nigerian singers can work towards it too. I love a ceiling-breaking history-making queen. 

    The time she became the first Nigerian female artiste to win the BET Award for Best International Act 

    After years of the Best International Act at the BETs rotating between Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido, Tems pulled up in 2022 and said, “Guys, it’s enough. Even God rested on the seventh day.” Taking home the award alongside another for Best Collaboration for Essence, Tems broke the yoke of the three GOATS. Hallelujah!

    The time she told everyone to “move out di way” so she, Grace Jones and Beyoncé could party

    Beyoncé is officially Tems best friend in my head, and that’s on period. After years of making the world wait for a new album, Queen Bey AKA Iya Ibeji AKA Mummy Blue finally dropped her seventh album, and guess who was one of the only three artists to feature on the album? Yes, sis, Tems baby. 

    Not only did Tems co-write the song Move, but she also dropped vocals alongside Grace Jones. Who run the world? Sorry, I couldn’t help it. 

    The time she got more Grammy nominations than the African Giant himself 

    Tems is no stranger to the Grammys after being nominated back in 2022 alongside Wizkid for Essence. Even though she lost that Grammy, our girl returned Daft Punk-style, harder, better, faster and stronger, with three nominations in 2023 for the inescapable WAIT FOR U alongside Drake and Future. 

    Dear Grammys, don’t play with us this year o. We will riot if Temilade leaves that place empty-handed. Shalom. 

    RECOMMENDED: Do Nigeria’s Biggest Artists Really Need the Grammys?

    This cute moment when dog owners found out their dogs had Rebel Gang ID cards

    @your_vine_plug

    This thread of dogs singing “Free mind by Tems” is beyond hysterical🤩. #dog #dogs #dogsoftiktok #funnydog

    ♬ original sound – Your Vine Plug🔥

    I thought I’d seen it all in this life until I bumped into the TikTok trend where dogs try to harmonise with Tems on her hit record, Free Mind. Now, Free Mind is an Instagram reels and TikTok fave for all those influencers pretending to wake up in front of the camera. But who knew Bingos around the world also loved homegirl, Tems? The power of good music. 

    When she became the first Nigerian artiste to debut at number one on Billboard Hot 100

    It’s one thing to get onto the Billboard Hot 100; I mean, Wizkid, CKay, Rema and Burna Boy have all done it, but to have your song enter at number one? That’s a feat few international acts can add to their LinkedIn. Debuting at the top of the charts in 2022 for WAIT FOR U with Future and Drake, Tems became the first Nigerian to get this major win. 

    When she also became the first female Nigerian artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 with no features 

    When Tems dropped her debut EP, For Broken Ears, in 2020, everyone was obsessed with the song, Damages. Fast-forward to 2022, and Free Mind, a cult fave from the EP, blew up out of nowhere on TikTok, turning Tems into a social media queen. The same song ended up being her first solo entry onto the Billboard Hot 100, and she’s avoided putting out a pointless international remix to keep it on the charts. A true queen with dignity. 

    Back-to-back lewks on magazine covers, because why not? 

    Look at the material, and you be the judge of it. We don’t have to say much here. 

    The times she had Adele and Rihanna fangirling over her 

    It’s one thing to have fans — shoutout to the rebel gang — but to have Adele singing your song back to you, and Rihanna telling you you’re the shit? Girl, Tems is on another level, and I can’t help but stan. 

    ALSO READ: T.I Blaze is Not Just a Street Artiste, He Wants to Make Love Songs Too

  • After years of “Are they friends?” or “Are they beefing?” Wizkid and Davido are finally working together. And no, it’s not a song; it’s a freaking tour. What God cannot do does not exist for real. 

    With two of Nigeria’s biggest stars burying the past under a concert stage, it’s time for other “beefing” celebrities to take the high road, reconcile and work together. Nigeria is tough. We need this, dears. 

    Burna Boy and Davido 

    Only God knows when the beef between these two started because it’s been on since Mary Slessor stopped the killing of twins in Calabar. From throwing shade on Fem and Way Too Big, to throwing hands in a Ghanaian nightclub in 2020, this beef has been messy AF. 

    With Big W and OBO entering the BFF zone, I hope he helps mend the fence with Odogwu so their tour will have three GOATs, not just two. 

    BNXN and Ruger 

    I still believe BNXN and Ruger’s beef is a publicity stunt — they only start fighting when they’re about to drop new music — but I’ll hold my peace until I get solid evidence. 

    As two of the biggest new acts in the game, BNXN and Ruger’s beef has been mad entertaining and educative — remember the streaming farms gist? But you know what would make this beef sweeter? A joint tour. Imagine getting to watch Asiwaju and Kilometer live in one night. 

    2Baba and Blackface 

    Is it me, or should we have an age limit for beefs? Like, no one should be nursing a beef and pushing 50 at the same time. Our daddies, are you guys not tired? 2Baba and Blackface’s beef is older than some Gen Zs, and it’s high time they squash it, hit up Faze and head out on a Plantashun Boiz reunion tour. Trust me, millennials like me need this. 

    Naira Marley and MohBad

    Even though MohBad had been hinting at trouble in paradise for a while, his public beef with Naira Marley in 2022 still had most of us shook. The situation between MohBad and his record label boss was so serious they had to involve a couple of “My lord, May I?” to settle the issue. With the wounds still fresh, and MohBad out with his diss track, Tiff, there’s a high chance we’ll have to wait like three more years for a reconciliation tour. But fingers and wallets crossed sha. 

    RECOMMENDED: 5 Celebrity Beefs That Had The Internet In Shambles

    Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay 

    Imagine going to a salon to get your edges laid, only to watch two of Nigeria’s biggest acts drag themselves by their edges? That’s the live show some people got in 2021 when Tiwa Savage went ham on Seyi Shay because she dissed her in a Kizz Daniel #fuckyouchallenge. 

    Even though these two have been real quiet about the incident for a while now, I’m sure the fans would kill to watch Tiwa Savage’s take on Irawo and Seyi Shay’s version of Kele Kele at a joint concert. 

    Ladies, what say you? 

    Omah Lay and Victony 

    BNXN and Ruger couldn’t just fake beef with each other in peace, they decided to help launch another beef between Omah Lay and Victony. While trying to defend BNXN in 2022, Omah Lay called Victony a child, and let’s just say it really made him kolomental. This beef ended up undercooked, as it didn’t even last up to a week.

    But when you think about it, the best way to show all is forgiven is by collaborating, so I’ll need Omah Lay and Victony to cook up something for the emo-lover boys this year. 

    Zlatan and DJ Cuppy 

    Bold of DJ Cuppy and Zlatan to assume I’d let them beef after they gave me my number one guilty pleasure jam, Gelato. 

    This beef went public when DJ Cuppy revealed that Zlatan had blocked her everywhere after they worked together. And to make matters worse, Zlatan denied Cuppy like Peter did Jesus when he was asked about her on a show. Ouch. 

    They’ve settled now, but we still need a follow-up to Gelato before the end of 2023. Please, do it for the culture, Florence. 

    ALSO READ: 12 Nigerian Songs You Probably Forgot Share the Same Titles

  • Have you ever heard a song title and gotten deja vu, like you’ve heard that title before? Well, that’s exactly how I felt when I heard Mavin’s Won Da Mo — Burna Boy dropped a song with the same title almost ten years earlier, in 2013. 

    Because Zikoko pays me to do weird things, I decided to hunt for more songs that share the same title, and let’s just say, the list is long. 

    Jailer 

    Even though Olamide and Asa’s songs share the same title, they couldn’t be more different from each other. While Asa spends time begging for freedom from her jailer AKA Nigeria, Olamide is in another corner begging his own jailer to suffocate him with bumbum. The interesting thing is I agree with both of them. 

    Baddest Boy 

    How do we choose the ultimate bad boy between Skibii, Davido, Banky W, Wizkid and Skales? Well, only one of these men has serious koboko, straight from Magodo. I can’t argue with bars like that. 

    Won Da Mo 

    Mavin’s Won Da Mo was one of the biggest songs of 2022, used in TikToks left, right and centre. Do you want to guess what one of the biggest songs of 2013 was? Yep, Burna Boy’s Won Da Mo. Crazy coincidence of divine alignment? 

    Kilometre or Kilometer

    If Burna Boy is British and BNXN is American, what am I? 

    All Over 

    Between Tiwa Savage wanting to “scatter the club and dance like say na fight” and Magixx willing to wait for ten years because of one person, I don’t know who this love thing was affecting the most. They really meant it when they called their songs All Over, because it’s clear they’re both down bad. 

    RECOMMENDED: 2022 Was the Year of Asake, But Look Out For These 10 Artistes in 2023

    Monalisa 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmnzViCgw6A

    Everybody and their daddy knows Lojay and Sarz’s Monalisa, but what if I told you Ruger also has a song called Monalisa? While Ruger’s version might not be as popular as Lojay’s or his new song, Asiwaju, I’ll give it major props for the hilarious line, “I want to deplete your ozone layer. Give you tungba tungba”.

    Woman 

    Simi and Rema show us that there’s more than one way to hype the superior human species. While Simi takes the “Who runs the world? Girls” path with her Woman, Rema appreciates the physical attributes of the women in his life, regardless of shape or colour — even Patience Ozorkwor gets a shoutout here. 

    Born Again 

    Cruel Santino and Adekunle Gold might not have sang about giving their lives to a higher spiritual power, but at least, they got badass features from Amaarae and Fatouma Diawara respectively. If you thought any of these songs were religious, I’d tell you for free, Santino has a line that goes, “I got your jet wet”. Do with that information what you will. 

    Anoti 

    Almost 13 years after grabbing my attention for the first time with his chorus on M.I’s Fast Money, Fast Cars, Wizkid dropped Anoti, a song that shares the same title as another popular M.I song. However, if there’s one thing Wizkid’s version did, it reminds me I still don’t know the meaning of Anoti, after all these years. Any ideas? 

    Apollo

    The fact that Victony, Tay Iwar and Show Dem Camp don’t see a girl making them catch Apollo as a red flag proves that Nigerian men are the most romantic men on earth. We might do a little bit of cheating here and there, but no one comes close when it’s down to professing love. If you don’t believe me, try other men and see. 

    Energy 

    Whether it’s asking people with bad vibes to stay away, like Skepta and Wizkid on Energy (Stay Far Away), or reminding the haters that they can’t steal my power, like Runtown on Energy, all songs with the word “energy” highkey represent my mood for 2023. 

    Amin  

    Dammy Krane and Ayra Starr’s Amin are two spiritual bops sharing the same name and theme — praying and believing the best is yet to come. 

    ALSO READ: 10 Years Later: Please, What Did Mavin Record Put Inside Their Stew?

  • Zodiac signs are great at helping us understand people, but what if I told you a person’s Spotify Wrapped tells you a lot more about their personality than any Leo moon rising sun in Lucozade? 

    Don’t believe me? Continue reading, and let me know if I’m reaching. 

    Asake 

    2022 was your year. You killed it at work and still managed to remain the life of every party you attended. Your vibe is unmatched, and you always know how to have a good time, so people naturally gravitate towards you. While you know many people, you don’t have a lot of actual friends because you’re mysterious like that. There’s also a high chance you asked for a raise this year, and your new salary has everyone at work shook. 

    Omah Lay 

    You’re a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute you’re tearing up the dancefloor, and the next, you’re in the corner of a club, crying or overthinking everything. The best part is you’re not ashamed of being vulnerable. Your mental health and space are very important to you, so you’re cautious of the people you let into your life, even though everyone likes you. 

    Ayra Starr 

    You’re either peak Gen Z or a millennial who uses slangs like “Purr” and “It’s giving” unprovoked. People underestimate you a lot and complain about your style or taste, but you don’t care because you’re out here living your best life. 2022 was a great year for you, but you’re always gingered for what’s next, so you’ve already started drafting your 2023 goals. No time to waste. 

    Burna Boy 

    Everyone is always hyping you, and honestly, you deserve it. Can you do with a bit of self-control in your life? Yes. Choosing violence is your favourite thing to do, even when it’s completely unnecessary. You’re great at what you do, but your chaotic nature makes you unpredictable. Hopefully, you’ll learn to calm down in 2023. 

    Tems 

    You’re a bad bitch and you know it. Everything comes effortlessly to you, and 2022 was your best year career-wise. People are constantly guessing what you’re up to, but you love to move in silence, so all they see is results and not the hard work you put in. You’re humble and love to meditate and shit, but your motto is: “Fuck around and find out,” so you’re not above dragging someone’s child for filth.

    The Cavemen

    From music to fashion, old-school trends are the hill you’ve chosen to die on. You like to tell people you were born in the wrong generation, even though there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Speaking your native language is your personality trait, but the gag is your cousins from the village don’t rate you because they believe you’re not speaking it correctly. 

    RECOMMENDED: Nigerians, Here’s What Your Favourite Adult Cartoon Says About You

    Chike 

    Dear, one question: How many weddings did you attend in 2022? You can’t remember? No problem. The money you’ve spent on Aso Ebis this year is enough to buy a Kia Picanto. But if you don’t go to weddings, how will you find your missing rib?  Please, continue listening to Roju and have a good time at the next wedding reception you attend. We love to see it. 

    Show Dem Camp

    You’re 30+ and you don’t like stress. A good Friday night for you involves a good bottle of wine or keg of palm wine, a nice Netflix documentary and food. You and clubs don’t go well. Even when you try to go out, you end up leaving by 10 p.m. because, once again, 30+. The youth corpers and interns in your office want to be like you when they grow up. 

    Dwin, the Stoic 

    You’ve been served breakfast multiple times in 2022, but like eba, still you rise. You’re a hardcore romantic who believes in having one soulmate, so you’re constantly on dating apps and Twitter trying to find them. There’s a strong chance you always complain that Igbo babes are wicked. Still, every time you hear the name Ada or Ifunaya, you’re the first person on the queue to submit relationship application letter. 

    Wizkid 

    You’re the best at what you do, and you know it. You don’t like stress, and you’re the type of person who’ll cut people off when you feel like they’re doing too much. All you want to do is enjoy, date older people and wear outfits that match your shoe. Good for you, boo. 

    Cruel Santino

    We get it. You’re different and quirky. Let us rest, abeg. 

    Kizz Daniel

    You like 40+ music but are not ready to admit it to yourself. All the uncles and aunties in your family are obsessed with you because your presence gives them endorphins. You sometimes say offensive things and then act shocked when people call you out on your bullshit. 

    Yinka Bernie

    Babes, are you okay? Do you need tissue or space? 

    Remember, it’s okay to cry and connect with your emotions. It’s only human, and your vulnerability is what makes you fly. 

    ALSO READ: What Your Fave Nollywood Actress Says About You

  • It’s officially Grammy season. 

    In 2021, Wizkid, Tems, Made and Femi Kuti made it on the Grammy Awards nomination list. This year, with Burna Boy’s Love, Damini  getting two Grammy nominations, and Tems getting two nominations for Wait For You, her collaboration with Drake and Future, it looks like Nigeria will be well represented again. 

    But outside of these artists who’ve already signed attendance with the Grammys before, here are 10 artists and projects we would’ve loved to hear when the nominations were announced. 

    Some Nights I Dream of Doors — Obongjayar 

    Obongjayar’s music is as raw as it gets. Whether he’s urging you to keep hustling on songs like Try and Sugar or reminding you that you deserve better on Tinko Tinko (Don’t Play Me for a Fool), Obongjayar maintains an intense level of honesty and emotion that’s hard to find these days. 

    There’s so much drama in this man’s voice, and even the album title is dramatic AF. What is Some Nights I Dream of Doors? But the best part is all the drama pays off beautifully when you listen to his music. 

    Boy Alone — Omah Lay 

    No one is doing this “sad boy music” thing like Omah Lay. After blowing up at the height of the pandemic in 2020, Omah Lay cemented his position as one of the most exciting Nigerian artists right now with the release of Boy Alone, his debut EP. Letting his emotions take centre stage, the album has given us hits like Soso, Woman, Bend You, and the song anyone suffering from imposter syndrome can relate to, I’m a Mess. 

    V — Asa

    If there’s one Nigerian artist who seemed set for a Grammy win from the moment they stepped on the scene, it’s Asa. Her debut self-titled album was, and still is, a masterpiece, covering heartbreak, politics and existential thoughts. But it did nothing to prepare us for V, her fifth studio album released this year. 

    With V, Asa has moved her music to the dance floor. Singing about friendships, love and red wine, this album proves Asa can make any type of music, and it’ll still slap. 

    Catch Me If You Can — Adekunle Gold 

    Adekunle Gold’s rebrand from calm lover boy to in-your-face fashion icon/ DILF still makes my head spin. With 2020’s Afropop Vol.1, Adekunle introduced a fun, more pop-focused side of his music and personality. Bringing that energy into his 2022 album, Catch Me If You Can, Adekunle pulls out all the stops, featuring Davido, Lucky Daye and Ty Dolla $ign. Maybe I’m high, but it looks like AG Baby is here to stay. 

    Mr Money With the Vibe — Asake 

    2022 is the year of Asake; he hasn’t let us breathe. Every week, it’s one snippet followed by a single or collaboration until he dropped his debut album, Mr Money With the Vibe, in September [2022]. 

    Although the album suffers from sounding repetitive, Asake manages to make each song as infectious as the one before it. While it looks like Asake is slowing things down, it doesn’t mean Mr Money With the Vibe doesn’t deserve Grammy love. 

    RECOMMENDED: Asake is the Fashion Icon the World Needs Right Now

    19 & Dangerous (Deluxe) — Ayra Starr 

    Ayra Starr is that girl, and she knows it. Despite taking 2021 by storm with her self-titled EP, her smash hit, Bloody Samaritan, and her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, Ayra has shown no signs of slowing down. As a matter of fact, the hits dey rush.

    Releasing the deluxe version of 19 & Dangerous with new songs and remixes, Ayra has thrown her hat into the ring. While her album may not be eligible, songs like Rush and the Bloody Samaritan remix with Kelly Rowland still make the cut. 

    Palmwine Music 3 — Show Dem Camp 

    Five years after tapping into their Feel Alright palm wine vibe to drop the first installation of what we’ve come to know as the Palmwine Music series, Show Dem Camp has closed out this chapter of their career with Palmwine Music 3.

    Bringing in past collaborators like BOJ, Moelogo, Tems and Ladipoe, while creating space for new acts like Oxlade, Tay Iwar and Victony, Show Dem Camp successfully delivered one of the best albums of the year. It’s sweet, sour and relaxing, just like the drink it’s named after. 

    Rave & Roses — Rema 

    It’s Rema’s world right now, and the rest of us are just paying rent and agency fees. Three years after capturing our attention with the party starter, Dumebi, Rema officially kicked off 2022 with his debut album, Rave and Roses. While songs like Dirty, Time N Affection and Calm Down remind us Rema is a budding sex icon, his music really hits when he sheds off that gragra to give us songs like Addicted, Divine and Are You There? 

    Sad Romance — CKay

    Capitalising on the international exposure he got after Love Nwantiti became TikTok’s official anthem in 2021, CKay dropped his debut album in 2022, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s interesting CKay named it Sad Romance when almost every song on it sounds like music that’ll get you pregnant.

    Swimming in sensual R&B production and CKay’s bedroom voice, Sad Romance was a major standout of the year and deserves some recognition. 

    ALSO READ: Do Nigeria’s Biggest Artists Really Need the Grammys?

  • After teasing everyone with the Tems co-written Rihanna ballad Lift Me Up, the full Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Soundtrack has finally made its way to the public, and it takes a significantly different direction than the 2018 soundtrack for the first film. 

    While Kendrick Lamar was at the helm of the first Black Panther album in 2018, the film’s soundtrack was very American, with appearances from SZA, Travis Scott and The Weeknd. Kendrick seemed to ignore the African heritage that inspired the fictional kingdom of Wakanda and made the album like T’challa (Chadwick Boseman) was an Atlanta-based superhero. 

    Finally giving Black Panther and its fans the album we deserve, The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever album is a diverse mix of Nigerian, South African and Mexican sounds. Despite featuring international stars like Future, Stormzy and Rihanna, it’s African stars like Tems, Burna Boy, Fireboy, Busiswa, Ckay, Bloody Civilian, DBN Gogo and Rema that steal the show.

    Taking us on a journey from grief to celebration as Wakanda tries to deal with the loss of T’Challa and Chadwick Boseman in real life), these are the standout songs from the new Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. 

    Anya Mmri — CKay and PinkPantheress 

    It’s hard to listen to the flutes on Anya Mmri (translates to tear-filled eyes) and not remember those Old Nollywood films with Pete Edochie as the king and Genevieve Nnaji as the resident village maiden. The combination of ancient Igbo flutes and house-like beats is great, but the unexpected collab between Ckay and PinkPantheress (two artists who blew up on TikTok) is what makes Anya Mmri  an attention grabber on the soundtrack. 

    People always ask us to hold on to the memories when dealing with heartbreak or pain, but like CKay and PinkPantheress sing on Anya Mmri, sometimes, the memories are not enough. 

    Alone — Burna Boy 

    Remember when we said Burna Boy was in his sad boy era? Well, it looks like Damini has found another record to channel his deepest thoughts into. Reflecting on the need to be grateful for every second, Burna Boy’s Alone fits perfectly in this album about celebrating life amid grief. 

    Even though the song is titled Alone, listening to Burna Boy sing on it, you start to realise that the last thing this man wants right now is to be alone. 

    Pantera — Aleman and Rema 

    We all know Rema can sing (and whisper like he did on Soundgasm), but why didn’t this man tell us he could rap too? 

    Collaborating with Mexican rapper Aleman, Rema goes ham on Pantera.  He mentions how he doesn’t condone violence, violence condones him. His flows on this song are so smooth it’s easy to assume he’s been doing this rap thing for a while. Come through, Mr Divine. 

    Love & Loyalty — DBN Gogo, Sino Msolo, Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and Busiswa

    Love & Loyalty is hands down one of the best amapiano songs I’ve heard this year. Coming right after Rihanna’s deeply moving Lift Me Up on the album’s soundtrack, the song is not upbeat enough to have you stepping like crazy in the club, but it still has enough energy to ginger you. 

    I had Love & Loyalty on repeat in the gym, so I highly recommend it for moments when you just need that extra push to do something. 

    RECOMMENDED: ​​Interview With Amapiano: “Nigerians Have Killed Me”

    Interlude — Stormzy 

    Probably one of the saddest songs on the album, Stormzy’s Interlude dives deep into the concept of grief and how to move on after someone you love dies. My favourite rap genre is when rappers get really vulnerable and rap-sing about their deepest emotions. 

    On Interlude, Stormzy understands that blaming or questioning the person who died won’t do anything to bring them back, but he can’t help himself from doing it. It’s a sad song about channelling pain, and I can see this playing during a scene with Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s sister, who’s been rumoured to be the new Black Panther. 

    Coming Back For You — Fireboy DML 

    I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Fireboy DML’s Coming Back For You is the next song on the album after Stormzy’s Interlude. 

    Although Fireboy sings Coming Back For You like a romantic song, a closer listen to the lyrics will show that it’s more or less a response to Interlude. “When the tears fall like shooting stars, remember who you are,” he sings on the bridge before adding, “Look up to the sky, and you’ll see. I’m coming back for you.” His reassurance that they’ll never be alone makes Coming Back For You feel like a warm hug from the great beyond — or wherever you believe dead people go. 

    Wake Up — Bloody Civilian and Rema 

    If you haven’t heard of Bloody Civilian before (and didn’t listen to her incredible song, Goliath, before it was taken off streaming), please go listen to How to Kill A Man as soon as you finish listening to Wake Up. As the only somewhat unknown Nigerian artist on this soundtrack, Bloody Civilian holds her own on Wake Up, leading Rema on a mission to wake everyone up for war. 

    And yes, Rema raps again. 

    ALSO READ: We Ranked Some Of Rema’s Best Songs

  • What makes a sad song sad? Is it lyrics about heartbreak and pain like P-Square’s Omoge Mi or slow-tempo productions like Darey Art Alade’s Not The Girl? If you said both, then you’re absolutely correct. 

    Men making sad boy music has been a thing for a long time, but there’s something about 2022’s releases that’s been overwhelmingly sad… but still danceable. 

    Burna Boy

    “E don cast. Last last, na everybody go chop breakfast,” from Burna Boy’s Last Last has soundtracked everything from weddings to sold-out concerts this year. Reminiscent of his 2018 hit, Ye, Last Last has become an anthem everyone is obsessed with. But the truth is, we’ve turned two of Odogwu’s darkest periods into club songs sung over red cups and shisha. 

    Last Last allegedly talks about Burna Boy’s break up with British rapper, Stefflon Don: “Maybe another time, maybe another life, you’d be wife, and we’d get it right”, and an accident he had in February 2022: “Now, you crash your Ferrari for Lekki, Burna. Na small thing remain, could’ve been all over”. Taking a break from ego-fueled hits, Burna Boy leaned into his vulnerable side for this song, and it totally paid off. 

    But Last Last isn’t the only sad song on his album, Love Damini. Despite the misleading dance beat, Burna wonders if anything he does will ever be enough on It’s Plenty. He sings about his struggles with mental health and coming out of a bad place on How Bad Could It Be? And on the album’s outro, Love Damini, he goes into full self-drag mode, talking about his anger issues and not reaching out to the people in his life. 

    With songs like these, Love Damini may just be Burna’s most personal album yet, and the record that started this year’s sad boy era of music. 

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    Omah Lay

    Unlike baking banana bread and wearing face masks, Omah Lay’s music is one thing we’ve not shaken off since the Covid-19-induced lockdown of 2020. 

    With a fresh trap and R&B-influenced sound, Omah Lay’s Get Layd EP and singles, Bad Influence and Damn made him a household name in the same year artists like Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy all dropped career-defining albums. While his EP revealed an artist deeply connected to his emotions, it wasn’t until 2021’s Understand with lyrics like: “I thought we in this together. Give you my necklace pendant. Give you my last card, you spend am. I show you my best friend, you friend am,” that shit started to get real. 

    By the time his debut album, Boy Alone (omo, even the title says it all), dropped, it was clear Omah Lay was in his full emo phase. 

    The album’s opening track, Recognize, finds Omah Lay trying to convince himself he’s made for fame. Alcohol, as a tool to escape imposter syndrome and loneliness, is the theme of I’m a Mess. And by the time the album’s closer, Purple Song, rolls out, Omah Lay has gone through the motions of heartbreak, loss and redemption in under 40 minutes. 

    RECOMMENDED: Omah Lay’s Emotions Take Centre Stage on “Boy Alone”

    Yinka Bernie 

    Closing out sad boy era, for now, is one of the alté scene’s secret weapons, Yinka Bernie. 

    Probably one of the most vulnerable projects on this list (and of the year), Yinka Bernie’s Something New EP is introspective and deeply moving. There’s something soothing about his vocals and melody that makes you feel his every emotion on that song even before you really understand the lyrics. 

    Opening with Who Do You Call?, Yinka asks the question over and over again, as if waiting for you to provide a clear answer, before ending with “You can call me.” In a time when we’re interrogating who men talk to when times get rough, this song feels very apt and necessary. 

    Closing out the 12-minute EP, Yinka Bernie reminds us It’s Okay to Cry, with backing vocals from Joyce Olong. This song is where Yinka is most vulnerable, singing lines like: “Every time I think about death, I drown. You see your friends progress while you stuck”. Despite being so raw with his fears and doubts, Yinka manages to make the song calming and reassuring for his listeners. When he ends the song with “Breathe in. Breathe out,” you almost find yourself following his instructions. 

    We need more sad boy music 

    As someone who thrives on sad music, I enjoyed these albums and appreciated the artists’ decision to be as vulnerable as possible. Listening to these songs is like reading entries from their diaries. 

    With 2022 coming to an end, I’m hopeful for some more sad boy music. No, I’m not a masochist. I just enjoy being in my feelings, no matter how dark they are. 

    ALSO READ: It’s Important to Set Boundaries With Your Parents — Man Like Yinka Bernie

  • Nigerian DJs are turning wedding receptions into daytime clubs these days, and  slowly replacing classic wedding songs like Sunny Nneji’s Oruka and Flavour’s Ada Ada with songs that have no business on a matrimonial dance floor. 

    If the DJ plays any of the following songs at your wedding, don’t pay him his balance because he clearly wants your marriage to scatter. 

    Last Last — Burna Boy

    “E don cast. Last last, na everybody go chop breakfast.” The opening line of Burna Boy’s Last Last is enough to ban this song from all wedding venues, but no, Nigerians won’t listen. This man sang about suffering from severe heartbreak, but it has become an anthem of celebration for some reason.  

    How can your marriage last when you’re prophesying heartbreak into it? 

    Girlfriend — Ruger 

    Ruger’s Girlfriend is a song about cheating. Not just small cheating here and there, but public, no-shame-at-all-Lagos-men type of cheating. The whole song is about Ruger trying to move to a new girl, and every time she reminds him of his babe, he’s like: 

    Finesse — Pheelz and BNXN 

    We all love Pheelz and BNXN’s Finesse, but please and please, let’s keep it far away from wedding receptions. Apart from the “If I broke, na my business” part, which may invoke the spirit of poverty into your home, there’s also the part where he sings, “If you fall in love, girl it’s certain; you go chop breakfast, I’m not capping.” 

    No, man, this song doesn’t agree with my marital spirit. 

    Fem — Davido 

    Who are you fighting at your wedding? No, you need to show us the haters you’re beefing, that you felt the need to play Davido’s Fem. See, Fem was a protest anthem because we were fighting Nigeria at the time, and it’s a Davido beef anthem because he was allegedly fighting Burna Boy. 

    So unless you have beef at your wedding, please free this song. 

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    Playboy — Fireboy DML 

    If your husband asks the DJ to play Fireboy DML’s Playboy or dances with too much vim to this song at your wedding, then babes, that man is threatening you. How can you hear, “Girl, you wanna play with a big playboy like me,” followed by that dog sound, and not start trembling in your shoes? 

    You probably thought you could tame him, but alas. Good luck, boo.

    Any song from Asa’s first album, Asha 

    From the first track, Jailer, to the last track, So Beautiful, not even one song on Asa’s Asha passes the marriage vibes test. Asa of 2007 was not in the mood for romance at all after chopping breakfast on Bibanke and observing Nigeria’s wahala on Fire on the Mountain. 

    If you want Asa at your wedding, there’s Show Me Off on her new album, V. Play that one instead. 

    Coming — Naira Marley 

    What happened to common decency and shame? The second-hand embarrassment I feel listening to Naira Marley’s Coming in public is overwhelming, so I don’t see why anyone would think playing this song at a wedding with parents, grandparents, aunties, and little kids makes any sense. Mr DJ, do better. 

    If You No Love Me — Chike and Mayorkun 

    It’s hard to go to a Nigerian wedding these days and not hear or see Chike. This guy has the wedding market by the throat with songs like Roju, Running (feat. Simi) and Beautiful People. But for some creepy reason, Nigerian DJs also like playing his song, If You No Love Me (feat. Mayorkun). 

    This song will cause doubt in your marriage, so I advise you to ask the DJ if he means you well the moment it comes on. 

    ALSO READ: Nigerian Songs With Jollof Lyrics, Ranked from Tasty to Tueh

  • Burna Boy has never been afraid to step out of his comfort zone,  as long as it’s on his terms. He’s rapped at lightning speed alongside Lily Allen on Heaven’s Gate, jumped on the amapiano craze with the Yaba Buluku remix and led a choir on Twice as Tall standout, Bank On It. 

    So it didn’t come as a surprise when, during his history-making performance at Madison Square Garden earlier this year, he premiered Last Last, a song that showed a different side of Burna, inspired by heartbreak and Toni Braxton.

    Taking a break from vibrant club bangers, politically conscious anthems and ego-fueled hits, Burna Boy leaned into his vulnerability with Last Last, shedding off the initial gra gra that has rightfully earned him the African Giant title. And just like that, he set the tone for the rollercoaster that is Love, Damini, his most personal album yet. 

    Ten years after breaking out with Like to Party, Burna Boy is no longer an outsider. Within this period, he overcame record label drama, crossed the line from underrated to recognised, sold-out shows worldwide, won a Grammy and became one of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports. 

    For an artist whose last three albums served as a response to haters: Outside was to prove he deserved to be part of the conversation; African Giant was an obvious response to the Coachella incident; and Twice as Tall was a comeback from being left out of the Grammy conversation, I was intrigued to find out just who Burna would be responding to this time around. 

    On Love, Damini, we find Burna Boy talking to himself. With this album, he’s asking tough questions and attempting to answer them as honestly as he can. The boisterous singer finally holds himself accountable (but not enough. We haven’t forgotten the recent shooting) as he swings between invincibility and vulnerability. 

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    The Breakdown

    Burna kicks things off with Glory, telling us he’s doing the best he can while leaning into the faux-Grammy-bait Pan Africanism he’s previously been accused of. On the mid-tempo, Jagele and Vanilla, Burna reminds us of the sweet melody and easy rhymes that made On the Low an inescapable hit in 2019. These songs, alongside the Popcaan feature, Toni-Ann Singh will cause some serious waist whining competitions at the clubs.

    Not one to hold back on the features, Burna Boy teams up with J.Hus for the chill, yet paranoid, Cloak and Dagger. It’s not bad, but it’s not a standout. The same could almost be said for For My Hand, which has Ed Sheeran wearing his Afrobeats plaid shirt one more time. 

    Other international collabs just work. J.Balvin flows surprisingly well on Rollercoaster, Blxst and Kehlani eat up the infectious Solid, while Khalid sings his ass off on Wild Dreams. 

    Burna Boy shows he’s just as obsessed with Squid Game, TikTok and Victony (all at once) like the rest of us, with the party-starting Different Size, a major standout on this album, partly because it feels oddly familiar. 

    Social justice Burna also comes out on Whiskey, where he hammers on the soot situation in Port Harcourt and its effect on the ordinary people who live there. And still on his “I’m a man of the people” shit, Burna also weaves a compelling story about our connection through struggles on the rousing,  Common Person. 

    But in the midst of all these, Love, Damini truly shines when Burna gets raw and with himself. Despite the dance beat, he wonders if anything he does will ever be enough on It’s Plenty. He also shifts focus to coming out of a bad place with How Bad Could It Be, a song that marks a major vocal and lyrical departure from the Burna Boy we’ve gotten used to. 

    On the album’s titular track, which serves as its outro, Burna Boy is full of regrets: not listening to his sister, not reaching out to the people in his life and his infamous anger issues. You’ll be forgiven for being tempted to think the song should have been longer and — possibly the album opener.

    Final Thoughts

    Love, Damini feels very much like a Burna Boy album, but at the same time, there’s something… different. It shows major growth in Burna’s artistry, as we can finally see who he is as an artist and individual who’s no longer necessarily trying to prove himself. 

    Love, Damini may not be as much of a compilation of bangers like African Giant or as historic as Outside, but it may just be Burna Boy at his most honest — on a journey to (finally) be at peace with himself. 

    ALSO READ: Ranked: Top 15 Burna Boy Songs of All Time, According to Album Release

  • Grammy award winner, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, is one of Nigeria’s biggest performing artists. He’s sold out numerous concert venues like the O2 in the UK, and most recently, The Madison Square Garden in the US. In Burna Boy’s 11 years in the music industry, he’s put out seven albums, and he recently announced the coming of his eighth studio album titled Love, Damini. We’ve ranked Burna Boy’s top fifteen songs of all time. 

    *Songs are ranked per album, from the oldest to the most recent. 

    15 — Run My Race

    Right off Burna’s Leaving an Impact For Eternity (L.I.F.E) album, OluwaBurna already knew he was clear. He’d been in the industry for two years when he told everyone to run their own race and not compete with him. It’s been nine years since Run My Race and the message is still valid. 

    14 — Like To Party

    Burna and LeriQ were deep in their element every time they made songs together. You can’t speak about Burna Boy and leave out Like To Party. Like To Party was released in 2012 and it’s still a party starter now. 

    13 — Soke

    By the time Soke was released, Burna’s impact on Nigerian music was already stamped. Soke was fresh and way ahead of its time. 

    RELATED: 5 Times Burna Boy Proved That He Was the African Giant

    12 — Pree Me

    In Pree me, we were introduced to a vulnerable Burna Boy. He admitted to his “wrongdoings” but resolved not to change much about what brought him so far. A personal fave. 

    11 — Boshe Nlo

    If you have a playlist of your favourite songs by Burna Boy and you don’t have Boshe Nlo on that playlist, you need to update it. Listen below.

    RELATED: The 10 Best Burna Boy Deep Cuts

    10 — Devil in Calfornia 

    Burna Boy’s Outside was an album filled with top tier songs, so it was always going to be difficult to pick a fave But Devil in California is one of the more outstanding songs on the album. Devil in Calfornia, like the other songs on Outside was an introduction to a different type of sound from Burna and proof of how multifaceted an artist he is. 

    9 — Calm Down

    On Calm Down we got more of vulnerable Burna Boy. Calm down is a song you listen to when you really need to calm down and reflect on all the stuff going on around you. Yeah, some of the calmness in the song may have been drug-induced, but that’s not the point. 

    8 — Heaven’s Gate

    The first time I heard Heaven’s Gate, my first thought was, “Why is Burna Boy making Bollywood music and nailing it?” Heaven’s Gate sure has some Bollywood infused in the reggae and hip hop bop, but the fusion of multiple genres is a world-beater any day. 

    7 — Dangote

    If Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, still wants more money, then who am I not to want money too? Dangote is the song you listen to when you know you need to get your ass up and get to work. 

    6 — Killin Dem

    Killin Dem is workout music and that’s why it’s on this list. It’s appropriate when you need to get to work at the gym or pick up those dumbbells in your house and work on your muscle. Something about hearing “gbese!” makes you want to get your heart rate up.

    5 — Gumbody

    We’ve been talking about the different faces of Burna and we can’t leave out romantic Burna. Gumbody is a peculiar kind of love song about uncertain love. 

    4 — Destiny

    Our favourite Burna is the Burna who’s aware of the G.O.A.T that he is. Self-aware Burna Boy who knows he’s untouchable. Destiny is the song you listen to when you want to remind yourself of your potential. 

    3 — 23

    When Twice as Tall first came out, one of my mutuals described 23 as a song you listen to when you go on a long drive in the night with your friends. To this day, I haven’t heard a better description of the song. It’s such an earworm 

    2 — Bank on It

    It’s not a worship song, but it might as well be. Easily one of the most remarkable outros to any album ever, you can bank on Bank on It

    1 — Time Flies 

    Burna Boy and Sauti Sol made a modern classic when they recorded Time Flies. Time Flies is as a song is going to transcend multiple eras. Best in collab.

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