2018 in review | The top Nigerian songs that got us dancing

2018 was definitely an interesting year for Nigerian music. The popularity of theshaku shaku dance led to the creation of beats and songs that may not have been without it.

In today’s’ series of the year 2018 in review, we here at Qwenu! bring you ten of the most popular songs that got us dancing wherever, whenever and whatever. Just putting them together has got me doing some of my best shaku shaku and Shakira belly-twisting moves!

10. Issa Goal: by Naira Marley ft Olamide and Lil Kesh. When you put three of some of the craziest people together, you’re bound to come up with an interesting outcome.

Although Issa Goal was released in 2017, it became popular during the 2018 World Cup and when Coca-Cola brought together various artistes along with the original musicians to make it into a theme song for the Super Eagles during the tournament, it exploded.

Issa Goal was definitely a goal.

9. Science Student: In spite of the popularity Olamide’s first song of the year received, his other songs did fare so well.. Which is a bit of a letdown, given his history.

When Science Student was released, it was shrouded in a bit of controversy as some people were of the opinion that it was a subtle promotion of substance abuse by Nigerian youths. It was evenbanned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) at a time, until, possibly satisfied with the explanations of the singer that it was meant to raise awareness on the problems of drug abuse, Science Student was allowed back on the airways.

Controversy or not, Nigerians and non-Nigerians home and abroad almost went crazy with the song. I lost count on the number of videos I watched earlier in the year of people trying out various dance moves to the song. The video itself has a whopping 10,890,115 views on YouTube at last count. That should tell you something.

8. Baba: by DJ Spinall featuring Kiss Daniel was an instant hit from the moment it was released. DJ Spinall does not disappoint with his beats, and I daresay this was the major selling point in this song. That and of course the crazy lyrics delivered by Kiss Daniel.

The fact that the shaku shaku dance integrates effortlessly with Baba is a plus.

7. Diet: maybe because the song was on a “codeine diet” or possibly because it is DJ Enimoney, Diet was the unofficial anthem of the streets immediately after it was released. I do not know about other parts of Nigeria, but here in Lagos, almost every bus and keke had this song on their playlist.

With beats from DJ Enimoney featuring Slimcase, Reminisce, and Tiwa Savage,Diet got us all dancing like we were on a mix of codeine and tramadol diet.

6. Ye: is from Burna Boy’s latest album,Outside. Even though it is not your usual Nigerian fast-paced club hit, it washes over you like cool, on a hot afternoon. And it is a major club hit

.Hate or like him, there a certain undeniable growth and quality in Burna Boy’s songs that would grab your attention, regardless of your taste in music. I love Ye, and so did millions of Nigerians, judging by the number of views on YouTube

5. Jogodo: the nostalgia Jogodo by Tekno raised in all of us alive in the time of Danfo Drivers was definitely one of the winning points of the song.

Jogodo was so much of a hit that Drake, in one of his Instagram stories showing his current playlist, shared a picture of its cover art, as well as that of Soco.

4. Amaka: did a lot of Nigerians ‘strong thing.’

When I first started hearing talks ofAmaka, I honestly was confused, and until a neighbor played it for me, I had no idea it was a song. It has become a new street phrase for Nigerians, who blame all their disappointments on Amaka.

Sang by legendary 2face featuring Perruzzi, Amaka is a 2018 hit that will not be forgotten by Nigerians in a long time.

3. Wetin we gain: by Victor AD was a 2018 surprise. I don’t know if the musician was certain that Nigerians were going to accept his song the way they did, but they did, and it spread fast like untamed flames.

The popularity of the song can be attributed to its lyrics, which is the daily prayer of the average Nigerian. It is hoped he continues in this line, and releases even more viral songs in 2019.

2. Legbegbe: another 2017 song that followed us into 2018 to make it to top Nigerian song of the year.

Olamide may have introduced shaku shaku to Nigerians, but Mr. real withLegbegbe made it the dance of the year. It was such a hit with Nigerians that he released a remix with Niniola, DJ Maphorisa, Vista and DJ Catzico, and it still topped the charts!

With the way we are going, Legbegbe just might follow us into the new year and remain one of the trending songs of the year.

1. Soco: is undeniable the biggest song of 2018.

Other songs came and went, or were overshadowed by newly released songs, but not Soco. Featuring Wizkid, Ceeza Milli, Spotless and Terri, it was one song that had a mix of all the right things. From the beats, to the video, to the singers themselves who complemented each other so well that it almost did not sound like 4 different people sang it, Soco was near perfect for the Nigerian society.

What are your thoughts? Do you think we missed some songs? Let us know in the comments section!