‘Oruka’, ‘Yahooze’, ‘Do Me’, 15 other Nigerian songs turning 15 this year

Fifteen years in the past, Nigerian music witnessed a metamorphosis.

The yr was 2007, and several other albums have been topping the charts with a number of hit songs.

A brand new sound was born from Wande Coal to P-Sq., Asa, Ruggedy Baba and others.

Over a decade and a half later, a few of these songs are nonetheless related.

Staying loyal to sound is one issue that drives the music business. That’s the reason it’s not unusual to see songs from completely different generations nonetheless having relevance amongst a selected demography.

The older era all the time really feel that they had higher sound; therefore they have an inclination to marvel “what children as of late are listening to.”

In contrast to what obtains right now, the yr 2007 and its period gave Nigerians extra aware music.

Asa, Timaya, African China and others sang lyrics that made individuals suppose critically in regards to the Nigerian scenario.

That period additionally had tasteful love songs pushed by artistes like P-Sq. and Wande Coal.

True to its nature, the music of each era influences the slang, trend, actions of the time and generally politics of the period.

Reekado Banks’ Ozumba Mbadiwe, as an illustration, will all the time be a reminder of the unlucky incidents that happened on 20 October 2020, and that may be a very latest reference.

Virtually 30 years after the annulled June 12 elections of 1993, the jingles that the undeclared winner, MKO Abiola, utilized in his campaigns nonetheless floor as soon as each whereas, drawing up deep-seated nostalgia.

Nigerian music of 2007

As has been established, Nigerian music witnessed a lull within the 90s.

By the tip of the 90s and early 2000s, the sounds from the nation started to witness an awakening.

Nevertheless, from 2003 to 2004, Nigerian music witnessed a renaissance, birthing what has develop into a world phenomenon right now.

By 2007, Nigerian music was the toast of each African nation and past the continent.

Due to it, the Nigerian model of pidgin English, its slang and sayings are spoken in most African international locations.

Fifteen years later, some songs are nonetheless related, having fun with vital airplay.

Beneath, in no specific order, are a few of the songs launched in that period.

Do Me (P-Sq.)

In 2004 when the singing duo Peter and Paul Okoye, aka P-Sq., gained fame throughout the nation, they didn’t decelerate their sound.

In 2007, they launched the album Sport Over’, with a number of hit songs like ‘Am I Nonetheless That Particular Man?’, ‘Ifunaya’, ‘Sport Over’, ‘No One Like U’, and ‘Roll It’.

‘Do Me’ official video, launched on 28 Might 2011, was extra notable as a result of it modified how music movies have been made in Nigeria.

The track featured singer, Waje and was stated to have given her a breakout alternative.

Cry – Mode 9

‘Cry’ that includes Nnena is rated as Mode 9’s most profitable monitor but. It’s the second monitor of the rapper’s 2007 album, ‘E’ Pluribus Unum,’ launched below Questionmark Leisure.

The monitor fetched the artiste quite a few awards and accolades, a feat he has not been capable of repeat to this present day.

Fireplace on the Mountain – Asa

This track was seen then as an awakening to a looming catastrophe.

In ‘Fireplace on the Mountain’, Asa sang in regards to the authorities strong-arming its residents, war-fueled unlawful mining, parental sexual abuse and different matters most are afraid to broach.

Apparently, the track generated a little bit of controversy in 2022 when Asa carried out it on the unveiling of the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted (NNPCL)in President Muhammadu Buhari’s presence.

Dem Mama – Timaya

‘Dem Mama is one in every of Timaya’s most dynamic songs off his ‘True Story’ album. The Bayelsa-born artiste sang in regards to the army invasion of the Udi neighborhood in 1999.

Within the unhappy incident, which was stated to have been carried out on the orders of the federal government, many lives have been misplaced.

The ‘True Story album additionally featured traditional hit songs just like the eponymous ‘Timaya’, ‘True Story, ‘Honey Na Cash’, ‘Ogologomma’ and others.

Oruka – Sunny Neji

‘Oruka’ is one other hit track that dominated the airwaves in 2007.

The track is a part of the highlife/pop singer Sunny Neji’s ‘Unchained’ album.

Shortly after its launch, it turned a Nigerian marriage ceremony anthem that yr and years later, because it was the spotlight of marriage ceremony receptions.

Its opening line is drawn from the Bible passage, which says, “he who finds a spouse has discovered a great factor.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGkcYbvZU8

Disaster – African China

Though launched in 2007, African China sang about myriad points on this track, together with the annulled June 12, 1993, elections.

He additionally sings in regards to the Sharia disaster in Zamfara again then, killings that happened by the dreaded OPC, the cannibal – Clifford Orji and different points.

The track by the veteran singer shortly turned a nationwide anthem.

Ololufe – Wande Coal

With ‘Ololufe’, Wande Coal submitted his CV to the Nigerian music-loving viewers.

A love track rendered primarily within the Yoruba language, and the piece etched the singer within the Nigerian music corridor of fame.

It was part of Mo’ Hits 2007 compilation album, ‘Curriculum Vitae.

Yahooze – Olu Preserve

Arguably the most important track of its period, ‘Yahooze’, is a track by Nigerian recording artist Olu Preserve.

It was produced by Puffy Tee and formally launched on October 27, 2007, because the lead single from his debut album of the identical title.

Though some say it glorified web fraud, in any other case dubbed Yahoo-Yahoo, it didn’t cease the monstrous influence the track had on the Nigerian music scene.

In some unspecified time in the future, the Nigerian Broadcasting Company (NBC) banned it from airplay, a call it later rescinded.

Maybe the icing on its cake was that ‘Yahooze’ got here with its dance step.

Everybody did the Yahooze dance, from the previous American Secretary of State, the late Colin Powell, to the Tremendous Eagles U-17, conventional rulers and politicians.

Even the late President Umaru Musa Yaradua was stated to have danced the Yahooze dance.

Greenland – TY Bello

Greenland by movie star photographer TY Bello is likely one of the most memorable songs clocking 15 this yr.

A track of hope, it sings about plentiful potential Nigeria boasts of.

‘“The Lord of the harvest instructed me so,” she sings on this inspiring track.

‘Greenland’ is from her 2007 album of the identical title.

Different songs within the album are ‘Freedom’, ‘Journey With Me, ‘Funmise’, ‘This Man’, ‘Supernatural’, ‘Atoned’, ‘Your Day’, and ‘Lovely’.

Stylee – DJ Jimmy Jatt ft. 2face, Mode 9 & ElaJoe

Because the lyrics recommend, ‘Stylee’ is the true Lagos anthem. This track by DJ Jimmy Jatt rose to develop into one of the vital performed songs that yr.

The track is extra notable as a result of Jimmy Jatt will not be a singer.

‘Stylee’ chronicles on a regular basis dwelling in Lagos, from the attractive to the harmful.

It talks in regards to the actions of pickpockets, the okada (business bikes) menace and the whatnots that make Lagos tick.

Ogologomma – Timaya

Ogologomma is a track of prayer by Timaya launched in 2007 as a part of his album, ‘True Story.

With ‘Ogologomma’, Timaya sings about hope and the necessity to cling on by way of darkish days.

Timaya conjures up his followers as he sings of higher days to return. Fifteen years after its launch, the track stays related in Nigerian music.

Jailer – Asa

‘Jailer’ is one other track from fifteen years in the past that dominated the airwaves.

Considered one of her quite a few songs that speaks to the consciousness of her listeners, ‘Jailer,’ is a track about modern-day slavery, hypocrisy and different associated matters.

Ruggedy Baba – Ruggedman ft 9ice

This track by controversial rapper, Ruggedman made waves, nonetheless shortlived, in 2007.

Guided by vocals from 9ice, with whom he later fell out, the track had a great run fifteen years in the past.

The track was launched in March 2007 as a part of his album of the identical title.

Ifunanya – P-Sq.

When you name ‘Ifunanya’ by RnB duo, P-Sq. the love track of the last decade, chances are you’ll be proper.

With an aesthetic video as well, ‘Ifunanya’ was one of many largest hit songs of that yr.

The track was so good and garnered many remixes from faraway South Africa.

As with ‘Do Me’, the music video for ‘Ifunanya’ was shot and directed in South Africa by their elder brother, Jude Engees Okoye.

Little Cash – 9ice

Earlier than the 2008 monster hit, ‘Gongo Aso’, 9ice launched the track ‘Little Cash’, which initially introduced him fame.

The track was composed by 9ice within the yr 2007. It was one of many jams in his album, ‘Certificates’, launched the identical yr.

Different songs within the album embrace; ‘Angela’, ‘Identical Ni’, ‘Election Time’, ‘Make Dem Discuss’, ‘Oni L ‘Oni Nje’, and ‘Expertise Day Waste’, amongst others.