10 Nigerian songs that influenced pop culture in 2018

Over the course of the year, these songs made people leap to their feet, get inspired and fall in love.

They were the songs that turned heads, shaped reasoning, rocked clubs, and were on most people’s playlist.

Here are the top 10 songs that influenced pop culture in 2018.

This is Nigeria – Falz

Inspired by Childish Gambino’s wildly successful ‘This is America’, Nigerian rapper, Falz, released his cover of the song and titled his: ‘This is Nigeria’.

And while the song and its video (again, inspired by Gambino’s original) wasn’t well received by some critics, it didn’t stop its popularity as the song easily became one of the most talked about Nigerian pop-culture products this year.

Ye – Burna Boy

No doubt that Oluwa-Burna has had a sterling 2018. His album, Outside, solidified his place as one of the most talented voices in Afropop.

‘Ye’, a single off the album, found renewed popularity and drew legions of fans to the Burna Boy effect after Kanye West released an album with the same name.

People searching for the West album on digital distribution platforms inadvertently found Burna Boy’s single, leading to a surge in listening and more people appreciating the immensity of Burna Boy’s talent.

Science Student – Olamide

One can easily surmise that YBNL boss, Olamide, has either a very interesting way of driving awareness to issues or a bad taste in irony.

When he debuted his single, Science Student, a club banger and a sure hit, the song – like a few other Olamide songs that blur the line between praising a social misnomer and criticising it – was promptly banned but it didn’t stop it from becoming one of the most-sought after songs of 2018.

Fever – Wizkid

Immediately after its video was released, the song ‘Fever’ became the trending topic on the internet. The video featured Wizkid in a hot and heavy chemistry with Afropop singer, Tiwa Savage.

This set the internet on fire as netizens speculated the nature of Tiwa Savage and Wizkid’s relationship.

Assurance – Davido

Davido, and his girlfriend, Chioma, started off the month of May with a bang.

The singer released the song, ‘Assurance’, ostensibly dedicated to Chioma and accompanied by a N45 million car gift.

The expensive gift and its significance further galvanised the song’s popularity, essentially earning it a place as the second most Googled Afropop song of 2018.

Gbona – Burna Boy

Months after the release of his stellar, career-defining album, Burna Boy dropped the single, ‘Gbona’ – a catchy feel-good song that showcased his range as a musician.

The song quickly gained a life of its own, easily becoming one of 2018’s top songs.

One Ticket – Kizz Daniel, Davido

The last year has not been particularly easy for Kizz Daniel (formerly known as Kiss Daniel) as the singer battled several legal troubles following his split from his former record label.

Despite this, Kizz Daniel made a strong comeback with the song ‘One Ticket’ which featured Davido.

Fake Love – Wizkid, Duncan Mighty

‘Fake Love’ a groovy, mellow song by Wizkid, featuring Duncan Mighty, is one of the top songs of 2018.

The song was among the top Googled songs of the year but it also brought the attention of the rest of the world to the immense musical talent of Duncan Mighty.

Issa Goal – Naira Marley, Olamide, Lil Kesh

If any song captured the mood of the nation during the 2018 FIFA world cup, it would definitely be Naira Marley’s single ‘Issa Goal.’

Although the song was originally released in December 2017, it became a nationwide anthem during Nigeria’s short run at the world cup.

Ire – Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Gold is at his finest in Ire, a single off his last album, ‘About 30’.

Sleek vocals over smooth instrumental, Ire, is a powerful song that feeds off its strong message of hope.

While Nigerians battled with the aftershock of the recession and accepting our place as the poverty capital of the world, Adekunle Gold breathed a sigh of relief and of hope with this song.