In today’s Exclusive, I will be listing ten of my favorite Nigerian classic songs that made us go wild at parties that year. You will agree with me when I say if this list goes beyond 10, we might as well throw a party on this article as you read this. This is me bridging the gap between the Millennials and Gen-Z. And I happen to fall within the category of those who enjoy songs from both generations.
I remember how we used to dance at birthday and graduation ceremonies to these jams to win valuable prizes. Some of you even gate-crashed to join dance competitions back then. Good old days when we had no worries except our dance opponents and learning new dance moves from these Nigerian classic songs.
Honorable mention is those of you who used your money for S.O.P. (Songs of Praise) in school then to buy lyrics books to learn these Nigerian classic songs and a couple of international songs that used to make the party bubble then.
However, on some days, I time travel between the Baby Boomers to Millennials’ worlds to tap into their sounds. From Sade Adu to Sunny Ade to Fela to Oliver De Coque to Majek Fashek and many others. My soup of nostalgia is already steaming, I should save some for you.
Arranged in no particular order below are my top 10 Nigerian classic songs that still rock the parties today when they come on. These selections have been quite difficult to make out of the numerous options.
Lagbaja- Koko Below (2000)
The masked legend, Lagbaja gave us this jam 22 years ago and today we still dance to it. This song makes you exercise your lower body and core, which I strongly recommend. Everyone goes down in the “Komole” frenzy whenever this song comes on at parties. The screening for Meghan knees started when this song got released. Your favorite Aunty might just be the stallion she claims she was in her prime whenever this song comes up at an Owambe. Watch out!
Olu Maintain- Yahooze (2007)
Olu Maintain rose to prominence in 2007 after releasing Yahooze. If you were not a Yahoo boy back then, this song will make you feel less than enough. This jam laid the foundation for the support of internet fraud in the music industry and reminds me of street birthday parties of the early “Yahoo Egon Adugbos”. You had to raise your shirt collars and do the 2 fingers behind the ears dance. Kelly Handsome’s Maga don pay was also another notable jam glorifying internet fraud.
Fun Fact: In 2008, he performed “Yahooze” at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and brought on stage Colin Powell, the former United States Secretary of State. Some bold moves you know! His song with Big Bamo- Kowonje was my favorite then. I can still sing it word for word.
Gongo Aso (2008)
If I didn’t add this song to the list, I don’t think the streets will forgive me. 9ice came around and cemented his legacy on the streets with this song. It was a really great run in his career. He was loved by both the young and old. We are still waiting on that Grammy though from this Nigerian classic jam. His street credibility album in fact rocked the whole town as at then.
Weird Mc- Ijoya (2006)
This Weird Mc’s hit song produced by Don Jazzy and JJC was a super party jam. She is one of the most popular female rappers in Africa who gave us jams back-to-back that year. Ijoya was loved by both the old and younger generation because it puts you in a happy mood with adrenaline rush. The animated video cemented the love for this song among kids too especially.
Bigiano- Shayo (2008)
Shayo Master, Bigiano gave us this jam. An anthem for the drunks and dipsomaniacs. I can picture someone feeding everyone shots at a party while they are still quite sober anytime this song comes on. There’s always a Sirkay on the streets who does this. Because I no go fit invite una come my party make una no shayo.
In addition, this song reminds me of one thing and one thing only- Don Simon (Vino Tinto). You just had to be there. I am sorry to the Gen-Z folks who don’t know this drink. Of notable mention is Calypso too.
Faze- Kolomental (2006)
This song completes the party back then, all you have to do was shake your dada (dreadlocks) aggressively. Only problem was, Locs were scarce that year so we would gather round the guy with the Locs and scatter his dada when that part comes on in the song. If you play this song in a Lagos club today, I bet you 90% of the population will be shaking their Locs in rhythm. You get the message? Faze outdid himself on this jam that year.
Artquake- Alanta (2009)
Closely followed by the frenzy of Faze’s Kolomental, Alanta is always next on the queue of the DJ’s playlist. This song came with its own special dance. I don’t think I have to explain this to those who know this jam. Just make sure you reset to default after this song to avoid confusions that can land you in a psychiatric facility. Terry-G’s rise to fame in the second decade also brought a modification to this dance.
“E be like fire dey burn my body… Alanta, one leg up, Alanta two legs up”. If you love cardio, you should do this often.
Wande Coal- Bumper 2 Bumper (2009)
Wande Coal ruled the streets with his Mushin to Mo’Hits album. Damnnn! How can a 16-track album have over 10 hit songs? The man is a king, a legend! Bumper 2 Bumper was one of his major hit songs that rocked every party.
“2 years ago, when I was in Mushin, some of them dey yinmu yinmu eh… Make you follow me bumper 2 bumper”.
Mo’Hits All Stars- Pere (2007)
If you don’t know the lyrics of this song and that of a couple of Mo’hits hit songs back then, you definitely don’t know ball. Booty call, Dbanj’s why me, Give it to me and a couple more. You could throw a party with only Mo’hits songs playing. The Mo’hits all-star album too was fire.
Pere was the song the rich kids used to scoop other people’s babes at parties with so much braggadocio. When a possible fight breaks out in such situations, the DJ plays this next song. This is part of my all-time Nigerian classic songs.
X Project- Lori le (2007)
Lori le is that jam that scatters both the dance floor and the party. You want to close the party and don’t know how to chase the crowd? Tell the DJ to play this song. Back then in street carnivals, once I hear this song, I am moving to the nearest safe corner to avoid stories that touch. To worsen the situation, add Klever Jay’s “Igboro ti daru” to the mix and finish it with Konga’s “Kaba Kaba”. The energy will be over the roof. If you have weak back muscles, please just sit down when Kaba is playing before you have herniated disk.
2Face- Implication (2010)
If I don’t add this ultimate party banger from the Legendary 2baba, then my work is not complete. This song charges the party energy from 0-100 in seconds. It is always hands in the air and jumping whenever this song comes on. 2baba has given us a lot of jams and even African Queen was a club banger back then forget the slow tempo. Grown men will clutch tightly singing to their bottles or their partners when it comes on.
P-Square Bizzy Body
P-Square had everywhere on lock down in the last decade. If you don’t love P-square, you are an enemy of the state. Bizzy Body was one of their party jams that year. And just like Mo’hits, you can throw a party playing only P-square songs all night. I remember winning a dance competition in Primary school dancing to this jam. I still wonder how I did it back then because I actually can’t dance to save myself now.
Other party bangers I would love to specially recognize are:
- Oleku- Ice Prince ft Brymo
- Klever Jay- Koni Koni Love
- My car- Tony Tetuila, Ice K, Pasto Goody Goody
- Danfo Driver- mad melon and mountain black
- Lagos Party- Banky W, Eldee, 9ice, Naeto c, Dbanj & Muna
- Yori Yori- Bracket
- Kelly Handsome- Maga don pay
- 2baba- For instance
- Psquare: Do me and many others. These guys are still selling out shows and serving us bangers from their prime.
I would have loved to keep listing these songs till I am exhausted but unfortunately this is where I will stop.
In addition to the above-mentioned Nigerian party bangers between 2000-2010, I will love to add this last song as Special recognition.
Zule Zoo- Kerewa (2005)
This song was considered the most immoral song of the decade, Zule Zoo ran so Naira Marley could walk IYKYK. This song will get you into trouble easily. You just have to be cautious of where and when you sing it.
PS: No matter how old you are now, don’t sing this song beside your parents, you might still get smacked!
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