Top Naija songs of 2022

A key observation that can be made from the country’s music space is how the big stage is being shared by historical innovators and emerging pathfinders alike.

Music In Africa’s West Africa desk brings you our annual compilation of Nigeria’s biggest tracks, which will be updated throughout the year for your listening pleasure.

Last Last by Burna Boy

Ahead of his 2022 album Love, Damini, Grammy winner Burna Boy sings of heartbreak in ‘Last Last’, a joint that samples American artist Toni Braxton’s 2000 single ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’.

Buga by Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno

Kizz Daniel and Tekno, two of Afropop’s most potent hook merchants, join forces on ‘Buga’, an infectious party jam whose widespread success seems to have introduced its authors, particularly Kizz Daniel, to renewed global attention. Thematically, ‘Buga’, which currently boasts over 16 million YouTube views, invites its listeners to take time off to celebrate their milestones.

Palazzo by DJ Spinall ft. Asake

Ace DJ and producer Spinall enlists Asake on ‘Palazzo’, which not only perpetuates DJ Spinall’s run as a hit curator, but also Asake as a new industry staple. The record was produced by Magic Sticks.

Zazoo Zehh by Poco Lee ft. Olamide and Portable

Dancer and hype man Poco Lee’s ‘Zazoo Zehh’ is responsible for neo-Fuji singer Portable’s big break. Released to nationwide acclaim in the twilight of 2021, the track, which also guests seasoned rapper Olamide, invites vibrant dancing and honours the pulsating street vibe that has been central to Nigeria’s mainstream.

Overloading (Overdose) by Mavin ft. Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx, and Boy Spyce.

As part of events marking Mavin Records’ 10-year anniversary, the label shares ‘Overdose’, a love-centred song that parades a number of artists on the Mavin roster, including Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx and Boy Spyce. The song is a precursor to a compilation album due later this year.

Follow You by Fiokee ft. Chike and Gyakie

On ‘Follow You’, veteran guitarist and producer Fiokee enlists two of Afrobeats’ favourite singers in recent years – Nigeria’s Chike and Ghana’s Gyakie. The track is off Fiokee’s long-awaited and star-studded debut LP Man, and celebrates romantic love.

Omo Ope by Asake ft. Olamide

This earworm is the lead single off songster Asake’s Ololade EP. The features Olamide, who also heads YBNL, the record label to which Asake is signed.

ODG by Eltee Skhillz

These days, TikTok is key to a record’s success, and Eltee Skhillz’s ‘ODG’ is the latest jam to be catapulted by the video-sharing platform’s virality. ‘ODG’ is taken off the singer’s Body of Work EP.

Peru by Fireboy DML ft. Ed Sheeran

English singer Ed Sheeran offers a fresh verse on Fireboy DML’s smash hit ‘Peru’. The track is produced by Shizzi, who is popular for his extensive work with the likes of Davido and Wizkid. Like the original version, the latest official iteration of the song is defined by an enduring party groove invoked by spare percussion work and an ultra-fine melody.

Trouble by Basketmouth ft. 2Baba and Blaqbonez

This impressive Duktor Sett-produced song is the lead single off comedian Basketmouth’s sophomore LP Horoscopes. Released to critical and commercial acclaim, ‘Trouble’, which is humorously themed around minding one’s own business, is a great entry point into Horoscopes, which in turn highlights Basketmouth’s curatorial prowess.

Calm Down by Rema

Rema continues his envelope-pushing experimentations, submitting a soothing vocal performance on bouncy, string-filled instrumentation. The song is expected to make it onto his 2022 album Rave and Roses.

Mayana by Aṣa

Renowned French-Nigerian soul singer Aṣa makes her first true foray into Afrobeats on the breezy ‘Mayana’. This performance demonstrates the artist’s infinite versatility.

Pour Me Water by Kizz Daniel

Kizz Daniel enjoys a permanent reputation as a composer of abiding love songs. ‘Pour Me Water’, which glides on highlife melody, finds its lovelorn persona bemoaning his fate with romance.

Baddest Boy Remix by Skiibii ft. Davido

Singer Skibii enlists Afrobeats royalty in Davido for a remix of the previously released anthem ‘Baddest Boy’. The record, themed around fearless chest-thumping, nestles snugly among the most popular Nigerian songs in 2022.

Emiliana by CKay

Propped by the international revival of his song ‘Love Nwantinti’, singer CKay submits another mellow but incisive track. ‘Emiliana’ is one of two singles the singer kicked off 2022 with. Judging by its viral success, it is going to be another good year for the Warner Music South Africa artist.

Adulthood Anthem by Ladé

Songstress Ladé finally scores her first major hit with ‘Adulthood Anthem’, a galvanising tune that rues what a tough-experience adulthood is.

Sungba Remix by Asake ft. Burna Boy

This year is very much the year of Asake, the YBNL singer who continues to capture the streets with his witty spiels adorned with financial confidence. On the remix of his runaway hit ‘Sungba’, the musician enlists Afrobeats giant Burna Boy, who himself has refused to give up his golden touch.

Stand Strong by Davido ft. Sunday Service Choir

Davido’s ‘Stand Strong’ features Sunday Service Choir, best known for performing with Kanye West. The neo-gospel tune, which preaches resilience in the face of adversity, heralds a new Davido collection.

Won Da Mo by Mavin All-Stars

‘Won Da Mo’, produced by in-house beatmaker Andre Vibes, is one of two singles that heralded the Don Jazzy-led Mavin Records’ Chapter X compilation album in celebration of its 10th anniversary this year. Themed around young excellence, the record features signees Crayon, Ayra Starr, Bayanni, Ladipoe, Magixx and Johnny Drille.

It's Plenty by Burna Boy

Also born from Burna Boy’s Love Damini album, the anthemic ‘It’s Plenty’ is themed around legacy. “For this life I dey / I want to be celebrated /
Don’t wanna waste my days,” the hook goes.

Bad to Me by Wizkid

With the love-inspired ‘Bad To Me’, taken from his fifth album More Love, Less Ego, Wizkid enters the ‘amapianosphere’, taking to the log drums, subtle percussion work, soulful keyboards and intermittent chanting that suffuse the South African genre, but making sure to impress on the song with West African linguistic stamps like Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin.

Ijo Laba Laba by Crayon

For singer Crayon, the mainstream had often felt out of reach. An amapiano-influences offering, ‘Ijo (Laba Laba)’, which celebrates blessings and invites dance, also marks his international revelation.

Big Energy by Ladipoe

Rapper Ladipoe has found a way to thrive in a pop-heavy climate. ‘Big Energy’, which preaches self-confidence even if everyone doubts you, finds the man harnessing catchy melodies in his hook, but also keeping rap front-and-centre.

Joha by Asake

Asake is Nigeria’s biggest breakout star of 2022. His sound, which melds the in-vogue African sounds of Afrobeats and amapiano, have made him the toast of music lovers in his country and beyond. His debut LP Mr Money With The Vibe pours with multiple hits, notable among them being the dance-ready ‘Joha’.

Cough (Odo) by Kizz Daniel

Kizz Daniel boasts some of the biggest songs to come out of Nigeria this year. The viral ‘Cough (Odo)’ is both a dance record and love song, for while its lyrics comprise flamboyant promises to a love interest, its rhythm and chorus spark joyful dance steps.