My Naija Music Choice Awards 2021
Ok, the Brit Awards are now done and dusted, but how far with Naija (pidgin for Nigeria)?
Drawing inspiration from a shortlist of Highlife artists, and my previous exploration of African DJs in the UK, “Hey Mr DJ? A Brief Conversation with London-based Nigerian DJs,” I present my “choice 30” shortlist in my opinion “9ja Music Awards 2021”.
Arranged in no particular order, for now at least, Timaya’s “I can’t kill myself” readily comes to mind.
First Batch
1. Timaya: I can’t kill myself
2. Davido: F.E.M
3. Falz: Bop Daddy
4. Burna Boy ft. Zlatan: Killin dem
5. Runtown: Mad over you
Second Batch
6. Tiwa Savage ft. Duncan Mighty: Lova Lova
7. Lyta ft Davido: Monalisa
8. Loski ft. Davido: Naija Man
Third Batch
9. Bantu: Everybody get Agenda
10. YNS 2019 Cypher — Dj Ab X Teeswagg X Jigsaw X Lil Prince
Fourth Batch
11. Wizkid ft. Burna Boy: Ginger
12. Joeboy: Baby
13. DJ Neptune, Laycon & Joeboy: Icons
14. Dotman: Naija10. Omah Lay: Godly
15. Burna Boy ft. Stormzy: Real life
16. Tems: Try me
Fifth Batch
17. Gyakie & Omah Lay: Forever (Remix)
18. Stonebwoy ft Davido: Activate
19. WizKid: Surulere
20. Patoranking: Abule
21. Zlatan: Lagos Anthem
22. Sauti Sol ft. Patoranking: Melanin
23. WizKid ft. Femi Kuti: Jaiye Jaiye
24. JAE5 ft. Skepta and Rema: Dimensions
25. Flavour: Nwa Baby Ashawo Remix
Sixth Batch
26. Eedris Abdulkareem: Jaga Jaga
27. Tekno: Pana
28. Phyno ft. Olamide: Fada Fada
29. P Square: Oruka
30. Rema: Iron Man
Closing Thoughts…
In a recent article on Music Business Worldwide, one of the most celebrated players on the Nigerian music space is featured, i.e., Mavin Records, breaking new ground. The article reads:
“Nigeria-based Mavin Records, one of the country’s best-known independent record labels, is launching a new executive talent program called the Mavin Future Five.”
Other key highlights from the article included the man behind the project, Don Jazzy, as well as the networks that have kept the company resilient:
“Founded by producer and music executive Don Jazzy in 2012, Lagos-based Mavin delivers 360 label services, as well as management, publishing, sync, production, strategic partnerships, and collaborates with fashion, sport, design, live events and cross platform digital content.”
Finally, there have also been a lineup of recent recruits (e.g., Rema), following the original troupe in the Mavin crew that consisted the likes of Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, Di’ ja, Korede Bello, Ice Prince etc.
“Mavin, whose roster includes Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper Rema, has also reported today that its music is streamed in 10 countries and that it has gained over 2.3 billion streams […] Rema’s tracks Dumebi […] and the Skepta-featuring Dimension have accrued over 80 million global streams alone. In 2019, the artist’s song ‘Iron Man’ was chosen by Barack Obama for his 2019 summer playlist.”
And by the way, just seen another recent post on the matter, “Nigerian hip-hop songs celebrate a life of cybercrime,” thankfully none of these artistes are in my shortlist. In any case, hip-hop globally, is still navigating the burden of glorifying negative messages and influences from outright violence to drugs and promiscuity.
Time to change perceptions? Well overdue, I’d say. See you on the other side…
