Sunday Feature - Dubmaster's Top 10 Naija Songs Of 2011

2011 was an interesting year for Nigerian music with new stars coming out, innovative promotion concepts, proliferation of music from other parts of Nigeria (other than Lagos), and umm many hot hot jams. Check out my list of the top 10 Naija songs of the year. I must state that this is my opinion. You may notice the absence of certain tracks and what not, do feel free to share your top 10 or top 5 in the comments box.



10. Tiwa Savage – Love Me, Love Me, Love Me

Guilty pleasure right here. You know now. This female anthem by naija’s current music queen ticks all the right boxes with its fun vibe, catchy lyrics, strong vocals, and great potential to get the ladies dancing.





9. Black Magic - Rainbow

Now I love this Afro-funky soulful song from new guy Black Magic. Also great production by Ikon. I’m still on the look out for Black Magic’s recently released album.





8. Bez Ft. eLDee, Ice Prince & Eva Alordiah – Super Sun Remix

You will be forgiven for thinking that this track was a foreign import. With its mellow flow, beautiful guitar riff, soulful vocals, and conscious rap, Bez and his supports have elevated the standard of Nigerian music and production. Top class.





7. Duncan Mighty - Obianuju

Now this was my introduction to Duncan Mighty (yes I know). Obianuju is a much loved song, inflicting everyone with a karaoke bug. This entry is dedicated to my sister and her Asanwa who introduced the song to me before it was everywhere.





6. Naeto C - 5 and 6

Naeto C has a nack for creating extremely catchy, cool songs without being over the top. In the same vein as 2010's 10 over 10, 5 and 6 has a breezy, fun spirited vibe. Nice video as well.





5. Ice Prince Zamani - Superstar

The epic Oleku was always going to be hard to top, and even though this track didn’t, Superstar was a top jam with its amped flow and very catch chorus that does make you big up yourself “feeling my superstar!”.





4. Cabo snoop – Windeck

Yes this isn’t Nigerian but can you really say it isn’t one of the top 10 songs for 2011?? It was EVERYWHERE! Windeck upgrades the African dance music scene with its hot beats and very own dance. Once the beat starts the party or club always goes crazy. Whenever it gets to the French break I crack up as everyone just stands there.





3. Duncan mighty - Port Harcourt Son

2011 saw the expansion of music that was previously more popular in the Eastern and South southern part of the country, particularly Igbo themed songs. That’s a good thing I say. No song was better at creating tribal unity as much as Duncan Mighty’s Port Harourt Son. Lol. It sounds funny but think about it.





2. Wizkid - Pakuromo

2011 definitely was Wizkid’s year and its not even over yet, with all the Christmas concerts he’ll be featured in. With a very solid album – Super Star that had several hit tracks, its hard to home in on a stand out. Pakuromo is one song that succeeds in transcending gender, age group and societal class, as you hear it blasting out from beer parlours to bougie clubs, 50th anniversary owambes to sweet 16 beach parties. And I don’t know any Funke that doesn’t love the song. Lol.





1. D'Banj - Oliver

Hmm D’banj’s most innovative, polarizing, controversial, criticized, and rumored to be banned song as number one?? Please hear me out.

It appears the initial hate for this song has whittled down to just a few people being offended by the ‘bum bum shaking’ it induces, as its now a staple at events and on the radio. Oliver has a dope beat; and even though the lyrics are not much to write home about, they are funny and catchy, with a hot flow that fits with the beat. Assisted by a very effective Youtube dance video competition, the Mo’hits crew has created an infectious song that you can’t help but rock out to.





Honourable mentions:
Naeto C - 10 Over 10 (This song actually hit the airwaves in 2010 but held strong through 2011)
DavidO - Back When
TY Bello - The Future
Samklef - Molowo Noni
P Square - Ole Buruku