8 Naija songs for 8 March

6 Mar 2020 - 14:41

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, our West Africa regional editor, Bolaji Alonge, has curated a playlist comprising Nigerian female artists defining the music industry in their country and abroad.

Tiwa Savage

The musicians below are responsible for popularising African music around the world and we salute them for their incredible work, which also includes inspiring young women across the continent to follow their dreams.

The songs below are in no particular order and currently enjoying massive airplay around Africa. Enjoy!

Simi – Selense

Simi brings highlife to the fore in ‘Selense’. The song talks about time management and procrastination in a fast-moving world.

Niniola – Fantasy ft. Femi Kuti

Niniola's fusion of Femi Kuti's Afrobeat with her style of electro-inspired music could be a smashing success. The track has been well received by fans and it is enjoying constant airplay in the country.

Seyi Shay and Teyana Taylor – Gimmie Love (remix)

'Gimmie Love' is an Afrobeats collaboration inspired by R&B. It features Seyi Shay’s smooth pop vocals mixed with US singer Teyana Taylor’s soft raspiness, making for an engaging love song.

Asa – Murder in the USA

There has been no looking back since Asa took the music scene by storm with the release of her self-titled debut album in 2007. With five albums to her credit, Asa has mastered the art of addressing themes like love and hope.

Yemi Alade – Shekere ft. Angélique Kidjo

Feel-good singer Yemi Alade blew fans away with her ‘Shekere’ track, a collaboration with African legend Angélique Kidjo. The work shows the positive extent of how veteran musicians can contribute to new compositions.

Teni – Billionaire

With ‘Billionaire’, Teni effectively created an anthem for her fans all around Africa The dramatic video for the song is a masterstroke that gives the composition even more meaning. Teni is a household name on the continent and her style of singing with messages of hope, love, tradition and culture has made her a bestseller.

Tiwa Savage – 49-99

Tiwa Savage is sitting comfortably in the position as the queen of aftrobeats. The past few years have been a chart-topping ride for the songstress and the song '49-99', released in 2019 on Motown Records, has been garnering the singer more and more fans by the day.

Tems – Try Me

Tems has won the hearts of Nigerian fans and beyond. 'Try Me' is a track that addresses the issue of bullying and underestimation, which many women are confronted with around the world. The intense hit is a regular on radio and in the clubs.