I don’t even know where to start this piece from, but at least I know what I want to say so I guess I’ll start from there. The main reason behind this article is that 2021 has been a good year in terms of music. And in casual conversations, it has often come up, and one especially interesting thing for me here is that even people who naturally aren’t aware of Nigerian music have suddenly begun to pay attention.
I apologize if the opening part of this write-up comes off as overwhelming, it would serve you well to know that that was the exact way I felt while the words bled onto the page. This year has been a lot, and as much as I’m itching to narrate it all, the most I can do is to say that I went through it. I mean, I went through it.
Many Nigerian artists stepped their game up this year. What makes it more fascinating is the fact that they did so both on a local and a global level. Asides the artists kicking it up a notch, there was a noticeable change in the country’s soundscape. Although this change didn’t begin in 2021, it became more conspicuous this year. The major change being the reduction in tempo. You wouldn’t have believed that Nigerians would appreciate music that is not conventional pop. And by conventional pop, on a Nigerian standard, I mean music that is uptempo.
I can’t possibly list all of the things that Nigerian artists have done(/achieved) this year. And especially not in a chronological manner. Let me take you back a bit, to 2020, when Omah Lay reared his head. A phenomenal talent. What was the most striking thing about him? His (style of) music, specifically Bad Influence and Damn. These songs were mid-tempo and it kinda makes you wonder how they put you in a mood either when you hear them either on the streets or in the club, considering that you’re Nigerian and you’re being pumped full with Amapiano music.
It would appear that with the success of Omah Lay came an eminent change in the country’s soundscape. This might lead you to think that Omah Lay was the harbinger of that change, but not exactly so. Wizkid’s Soundman tape experimented with mid-tempo sound. However, the towering success of Omah Lay’s Get Layd shoved that change in our faces. Bad Influence turned out to be the biggest song of 2020. The implication of that was that the audience became more attuned to that sound and (naturally) began to crave it.
Buju had his big break in 2021. As an independent artist, he had toiled to build an audience (a very loyal one, at that) but his contribution to Blaqbonez’s first number one single Bling kickstarted his run. He continued with Ladipoe’s Feeling, did heavy features on songs like Timaya’s Cold Outside, Wizkid’s Mood, before dropping his debut EP, Sorry I’m Late. He also dropped some banging singles earlier; Outside and Testimony. He held his first headline show a few days ago and it was reportedly massive.
Zinoleesky excites me for a couple of reasons. The most important reason being that he has a good command of pop music in general. That trait seems to be the biggest tool in any artist’s toolbox. When you come across songs like Ma Pariwo and Gone Far, you see how far street pop has come. Honestly, I’m tempted to not even call it street pop because of how Zinoleesky presents his music. But that (street) flavour is undeniable. Too raw. Too genuine.
You kinda always hope that when you listen to an artist for the first time, they make you feel the way Lojay made me feel: refreshed. Lojay’s music was the music I didn’t know I needed until the moment I heard it. Sarz played a very instrumental role in his music, producing all the songs on the singer’s debut EP LV N ATTN, so much that he helped to secure a Wizkid feature. Personally, Lojay’s sound is what I often envision Afropop to be. So far, Monalisa remains one of the hottest songs of 2021. And he has performed at various shows this December.
For Tems, 2021 has been a bouquet of blessings. Where do I even begin to list her achievements from? It’s safe to say she is currently one of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry. Her feature on Wizkid’s Essence (which featured Justin Bieber on the remix) earned her her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. She released her second EP If Orange Was A Place in September after signing a record deal with RCA Records. And I’m suspecting that she must have signed a mouth-watering deal. Naturally so, because she blew up so big that she got featured on Drake’s Fountain (from his last studio album Certified Lover Boy), performed all over the US and the UK. Even Rihanna attended one of Tems’ shows to declare her ‘fanhood’ status.
How on earth are we going to put a list like this together without mentioning Ruger? At first, it appeared as if D’Prince made an irreparable mistake by releasing One Shirt as Ruger’s debut single. His follow-up single Ruger seemed a better fit. But it didn’t record the success that Bounce did. Bounce was part of the singer’s six-track debut EP Pandemic. He recently released his second EP titled The Second Wave, a four-track project that contained songs like Dior - which is currently on number 4 on Nigerian Apple Music Top 100 - and Snapchat.
Adekunle Gold isn’t exactly one of my favourite artists but what is undeniable is that he has had a near impeccable run this year. For his first major trick, he linked up with Lucky Daye on Sinner, a song that took over digital charts as well as mainstream radio. Then because he obviously wasn’t satisfied enough he went ahead to feature Davido on a song High. The song was an instant hit, so much that Davido’s ‘Watimagbo’ chant gained popularity on social media. So many music listeners have commended Adekunle Gold for the major transformation in his brand from lover boy to bad boy with appeal.
I can’t possibly estimate how many people have heard of Daiverse or his song Cocaine but the song did make it into the top 100 Apple Music chart Nigeria, peaking at number 9. What is even more exciting is that he has been performing non-stop at various shows all over the country as well as other African cities, most especially Accra. Asides from Cocaine, Daiverse featured on a song Colorado, which gained momentum sometime this year.
Another rising act that made his presence known this year is AV. He did so with his single Big Thug Boys, with the song peaking at number 7 on the top 100 Apple Music chart Nigeria. He followed it up with another single titled Confession.
Ah yes. Let’s talk about The Cavemen. They have made significant progress in their career this year. The highlife band, which is a duo, have performed at different shows this year both in Nigeria and the UK. They released an album titled Love and Highlife, an 18-track tape that was preceded by singles like Selense and Udo.
Has Wizkid even rested since he made his way into the limelight? I highly doubt that. Since he released his fourth studio album Made in Lagos, he has been on a trajectory. This year he has shut down numerous shows all over the US and the UK. His O2 show was a monumental success as he brought out heavyweights like Chris Brown, Skepta, and many others. Justin Bieber’s assisted remix of Wizkid’s Essence propelled him in the US mainstream market.
I remember when I first discovered Victony. There was a light in him that entranced me. After surviving a ghastly car accident earlier this year, the singer came back with a two-song capsule (Dark Times) which contained Pray and Unfamiliar Realms. He got his biggest moment in the spotlight when he featured on Mayorkun’s Holy Father. His performances at shows this December have been poignant as he mostly performed on a wheel chair. A few days ago at Davido’s headline show, Victony stood up for the first time. It left many onlookers in awe.
I recently sent out a newsletter about Amaarae. Even though she released her debut studio album The Angel You Don’t Know in 2020, the album really began to enjoy attention from music listeners in 2020. The remix of her song Sad Girlz Luv Money which featured Kali Uchis and Moliy (who was on the original song as well) has disrupted global charts, making an entry into The Billboard Hot 100. This came after the song blew up heavily on Tiktok.
Speaking of Tiktok, there’s no way we’re not bringing up Ckay. His 2019 single Love Nwantiti was revitalized by Tiktok, which set off the song’s success on a global scale. He has continually set new records with the song on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. The song remains one of the most Shazamed songs of 2021. And it seems the magic is working for him again as his most recent single Emiliana is blowing up on Tiktok.
You know, when I heard Reekado Banks’ Ozumba Mbadiwe, it was wholly riveting. The singer hasn’t enjoyed much mainstream attention for more than two years now. After the success of Ozumba Mbadiwe, the former Mavin act released an EP OTR (Off The Record) 2 which contained songs like Selection and Self Esteem.
Ladipoe put in work this year. Me, I’ve always been a fan of his music. But I was a little bit upset when I heard Feeling. I know it’s a smash hit record, but as a Ladipoe fan who obsessively listened to his debut tape Talk About Poe I didn’t particularly enjoy Ladipoe on Feeling. This, however, shouldn’t take away from the fact that the rapper entered the mainstream this year. His EP Providence which featured the likes of Rema and Amaarae served as a reminder for rap lovers that Ladipoe still had the juice.
We actually have Mavin to thank, Don Jazzy especially, for his enormous contribution to the Nigerian music industry. Immediately after Ayra Starr was signed to Mavin, she continued to grow at a fast pace. She released her debut studio album 19 And Dangerous and songs like Bloody Samaritan and Beggie Beggie quickly rose up the charts.
Notable mentions
So as not to lose the original purpose of this newsletter it would make more sense to make a tight and objective list. Yet there are some names that are worth mentioning. Maybe they didn’t have the most attention on them this year, but they did quite okay within their own rights.
Oxlade’s Eclipse saw the singer add more depth to the vulnerability that characterizes his music. He has a better command of his falsetto voice and his melodies are richer.
Davido kinda had a swell year. All the songs that he featured on this year went number one on the top 100 Apple Music Chart Nigeria. Closing the year with a single Champion Sound that featured South African rapper Focalistic, Davido established himself once again as the king of pop in Nigeria.
Timz made a come back with Move after a short hiatus and he seems more ready than ever. His recent single features Olamide and it has received warm reception from music lovers.
So, this is my last newsletter for the year. I want to say a big thank you to those who have continued to show support. I’ve been working on my consistency and I find that it is easy as long as I keep my readers in mind. How have you been fairing in this festive period? What music are you listening to? Christmas music? If there’s even such a thing as that. Is there any artist that impressed you this year whose name isn’t here? Let the comment section be your opportunity to mention them.
Anyway, I look forward to any ideas related to Afrobeats that you have and would like for us (yes, you and me) to implement. Feel free to send a mail. Ciao.
I Actually read your news letter religiously!! It’s always so well written this one is exactly how I pictured the year ending for our artists , it has everyone in and you included everyone because no matter how much they all made an impact ! I’m deffo looking forward to what 2022 holds for all of them !!! Happy New year Haywenzo! Your Writing is really a gift that just keeps giving !!
If there's one person's newsletter I anticipate, it has to be Haywenzo's cause the writing quality is rare. Your diction is crazy. Thank you for every mail you've sent so far this year. I really do enjoy your writing. You are truly the third eye. I thought you weren't going to mention Oxlade and Davido, I was ready to rant and fight in your DM. I pledge to never stop preaching your gospel. Have a nice year.
This year was too beautiful for Nigerian music industry, I’m sure 2022 will be crazy good too.
Also, Loved reading your brilliant pieces all year. Learnt , unlearnt and re-learnt a lot. Well done bro. Looking forward to all what you have in store for us next year. Cheers.
This post is giving what it's suppose to give!!
Just wanted to say I really love the way you write and I'm looking forward to more of these next year. Thank you for blessing us with your articles⚡
Thank you for reading! Yes. You’re in for a treat next year.
I Actually read your news letter religiously!! It’s always so well written this one is exactly how I pictured the year ending for our artists , it has everyone in and you included everyone because no matter how much they all made an impact ! I’m deffo looking forward to what 2022 holds for all of them !!! Happy New year Haywenzo! Your Writing is really a gift that just keeps giving !!
thank you oyin! I promise to go harder in 2022. I’m more pumped than ever.
If there's one person's newsletter I anticipate, it has to be Haywenzo's cause the writing quality is rare. Your diction is crazy. Thank you for every mail you've sent so far this year. I really do enjoy your writing. You are truly the third eye. I thought you weren't going to mention Oxlade and Davido, I was ready to rant and fight in your DM. I pledge to never stop preaching your gospel. Have a nice year.
Hiii lol! Thank you so much for you unending support. Haha next year will be better.
This year was too beautiful for Nigerian music industry, I’m sure 2022 will be crazy good too.
Also, Loved reading your brilliant pieces all year. Learnt , unlearnt and re-learnt a lot. Well done bro. Looking forward to all what you have in store for us next year. Cheers.
Padi mi Uche! yes. definitely. 2022 will definitely be better. thanks man. I have quite a lot, actually. Get prepared.