‘Zazoo Zeh’, ‘Monalisa’, ‘Bounce’… 10 breakthrough songs of 2021

Every year, new artistes emerge in Nigeria with the release of hit songs which usually serve as catalysts for fame.

The year 2021 is no exception.

From Lojay’s ‘Monalisa’, ‘Bounce’ by Ruger to ‘Zazoo Zeh’ by Portable, TheCable Lifestyle examines 10 songs by fast-rising singers that pulled the weight of fame in the outgoing year.

‘Monalisa’ — Lojay

Lojay teamed up with Sarz, Nigerian producer, for the delivery of  ‘LV N ATTN’, a 5-track extended play (EP). 

‘Monalisa’, a single off the body of work, has stood the test of time, making rounds on radios and televisions while also raking millions of views on streaming platforms.

The song has continued to rise through several charts including Apple Music, Spotify, and Shazam.

Since the release of the EP, the less than four-minute song has enjoyed more playing time than any other songs on the project. It also helped Lojay scale from total obscurity to limelight.

‘Feeling’ — Ladipoe featuring Buju

Turning Ladipoe to arguably one of the best Nigerian musicians in 2021, ‘Feeling’ also helped to kickstart the career of Buju, the fast-rising singer.

Since featuring on the hit track, Buju has collaborated with prominent musicians in the country, including Timaya, Wizkid, and Blaqbonez.

The less than 4-minute track, which was released on May 7, has had an impressive run on Apple Music, YouTube chart, and iTunes chart.

It has also enjoyed airplay in Brazil, Colombia, USA, South Africa, and Canada. 

‘Bounce’ — Ruger

‘Bounce’ is the most successful song from ‘Pandemic’, Ruger’s 2021 extended play. Released on March 5, the song became an instant hit in Nigeria, blasting through clubs’ speakers, with DJs consistently playing it on radios and televisions.

The less than four-minute song moved to the top spot on TCL radio picks on July 10 after several weeks.

It also enjoyed the top spots on iTunes and Apple music on several occasions.

‘Baby Riddim’ — FAVE

Released under the auspices of Empawa, an initiative run by Mr Eazi, Nigerian singer, on September 30, FAVE’s ‘Baby Riddim has been played multiple times on Nigerian radios.

On November 21, it rose to the second spot on Apple Music, while climbing to the 12th position on the YouTube chart. It also finished on the second spot on the iTunes chart.

‘Big Thug Boys’ — AV

Newcomer AV broke through with ‘Big Thug Boys’, a hit song that reverberated his youthful exuberance, which many young Nigerian listeners quickly resonated with.

Released on July 4, the less than 3-minute song garnered massive radio airplay in Colombia, South Africa, France, and Nigeria.

It also appeared on the Apple Music, iTunes, and YouTube charts.

‘Medicine’ — Jaywillz

Prior to the release of ‘Medicine’ on May 14, Jaywillz was relatively unknown in the Nigerian music space.

But in the space of a few months, the song debuted on the iTunes, Apple Music charts and also made the top 30 on the YouTube chart.

The less than 3-minute song later earned him a space on ‘UY Scuti’, Olamide’s 2021 album, where he featured on ‘Jailer’.

‘Forever’ (remix) — Gyakie ft Omah Lay

On March 19, Gyakie, the emerging Ghanaian artist, teamed up with Omah Lay, the budding Nigerian singer, for the delivery of ‘Forever’ remix.

 The original song was released last year alongside four other tracks to make Gyakie’s breakout EP ‘SEED’.

Transcending Ghana to Nigeria and other African countries, the hit track puts Gyakie on the global map, with the song going as high as the top spot on the YouTube chart barely a month after its release.

On March 28, it climbed to number one on iTunes chart, while it stayed on 4th spot on Apple music.

‘Zazoo Zeh’ — Pocolee, Portable, Olamide

Currently the rave of the moment, the hit track brought Portable, the Nigerian singer, to the limelight. A typical street banger, the hit song has the potency of immersing listener with its funny lingos.

Barely five days after its release, the song climbed to the second spot on iTunes. It also enjoyed the 3rd spot on Apple Music.

‘Cocaine’ — Dai Verse

Dai Verse, the up-and-coming Nigerian singer, broke into the music space with ‘Cocaine’ after delivering numerous songs that were not able to put him on the radar.

Released on January 24, the song climbed to iTunes’ eighth spot on September 12 and fifth spot on Apple Music.

‘No Wahala’ — 1da Banton

After the release of ‘No Wahala’ on July 2, the song has taken Ida Banton to countries where the fast-rising singer hasn’t been to.

The less than 3-minute song rose to number one on the Ghana Apple Music chart, sat on the 42nd spot YouTube chart, and 10th on the iTunes chart.

It has also been played on radios in France, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Italy, the United States, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.