We asked Nigerians what a hit song is, here is how they responded

Wouldn’t it be nice that you can spot a hit song before it becomes a hit? Don’t you want to discover a jam, feel it within your soul that this is the next big thing, and jump on it before people catch up? If you want that superpower, then you are in the right place.

I don’t have all the answers, and you don’t. But we put out a call to the Nigerian public on social media, asking people how they know a song is a hit record, and the results poured in from everywhere.

From the melody, down to whether kids are singing it everywhere, Nigerians generally have individualistic ways of deciding that a new song is a jam. That new record they just heard on the radio can be a hit or a miss.

So, ladies and gentlemen, this is how Nigerians know that a song is a hit. These results were gotten over social media, and real first names are used here.

When they hear children singing to it.

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“When u hear even kids singing it. And if it's louder amongst street kids ehn, the song's a bomb!” – Ijeoma.

“When I see children on the streets singing along when random record stores play the song,” – Ife.

“A hit song can be determined if a five-year-old child and a seventy-year-old woman sings the bridge and chorus effortlessly at the family outdooring/gathering.” – Rab.

“If my 11-year-old brother finds it catchy or danceable. It’s most likely a hit.” – Kevin.

“In Nigeria, you know when everyone can vibe to song. Even young kids know the lyrics.” – Moveek.

Summary: People trust kids a lot. They possess a certain ear for happy melodies, and so connect with songs fast. If children can champion a record, and request from it from their parents and older siblings, these people would want to listen to the record. That way it spreads.

“When you hear ‘kido kidominant’” – Moshi.

“Once I hear," Its Young Jonn the wicked producer" – Kingsley

“The name Tekno is a hit song. Whether lyrically, vocally or production wise.” – Uzoka.

“When I hear the 'pon-pon' rhythm. When I hear Sarz On The Beat. When I hear the 'Burna-Boy like' chant on the song's intro.” – Augustine.

“When I hear, ‘it’s your boy Eazi’” – Unwana.

Summary: Our brains are wired to have an emotional connection to the people and things that make us happy. If an artist over time drops a number of hit records, we develop a bias towards that artist. Whether Davido, Wizkid, Tekno or Mr Eazi, it’s still the same principle at work here. So we generally re more open to records from our favourite artists than others. That’s why it’s easier for them to score hit records when compared to the ‘unblown’ musicians.

“After Davido pays off DJs, OAPs, radio stations etc...you know it must hit.” – Alfred.

“When the radio plays it over and over again.” – Emem.

“When the song enjoys major airplay in the territory. I guess this is the main thing. Without airplay, people won't know about the song.” – Ogunleye.

“When you hear it 'everywhere'!” – Adeshola.

“If the song receives massive airplay and on the lips of those on the street, then it can be regarded as a hit song: whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant to many.” – Prince.

“When it's played on numerous radio stations and goes viral on social media.” – Bassey.

“When you don't even like the song but can sing it from A-Z because it is being played all over social media platforms and at events.” – Ayo.

“It's a hit when I hear it on rotation in the abroad.” – Mitchell.

Summary: We are a part of a machine, a bigger system that decides for us, the type of records that we listen to. This is what we call the media and distribution arm of the music industry. Artists with enough funding can hack these methods and influence how much you get to listen to a particular song by feeding it into the system. Sometimes, if it is repeated enough, then we might just have a hit on our hands.

“Banging beat, catchy hook, relatable lyrics.” – Edafe.

“Two words: replay value.” – Dolapo.

“If the particular audience the song is meant for can relate to the story the song is telling.” – Veezy.

“When it is different and fresh in a special way e.g Burna Boy's ‘Like To Party’ was a standout, started slowly though. When it's something is in vogue but has that extra sauce, eg IF, Fall, Fia Gaga Shuffle & Manya. Of course they have to be accepted by consumers across all spectrum.” – Jlyricz.

“For the mainstream Nigerian music market, a groovy beat that is up to the industry standard, a catchy hook n chorus, that'll be repeated up to 2-3 times on the song, with short singable verses in between, massive airplay, and social media publicity stunts prior to the release.” – Phaydee.

“The drums and the vibe on the first 30 seconds. It only failed me once – ‘Oliver Twist’ by D'banj.” – Abiodun.

“First and foremost; emotional delivery. No matter the genre, if the lyrics are sung with believability, listeners can easily tap into your emotion and fall in line. Production, hook/chorus and pre-hook/chorus are important but without a convincing vocal performance, it would not hold water. First of all, vocal performance and emotional delivery. For instance; on Davido's "IF" he recorded with so much emotion, you might believe he was actually wooing a lady.” – Ogagus.

Summary: There’s a lot an artist needs to infuse into the music to enable it to connect with us. From melody to songwriting, and beats, musicians strive to utilise their knowledge of music to make these work. If they get it right, they have a hit record.

When It Connects with Your Soul

“On first listen, I feel a certain vibe as relates to the local market. The song doesn't leave me. The worst part is I may not like or even understand the lyrics in the song...that's when I'm even more convinced.” – Tersoo

“There's usually a feeling from the second you hear the sound that makes you want to hear the rest of it.” – Deeva.

“You stand when it starts.” – Marley.

“The moment I play that song again & my head's been rocking back & forth..That song HIT.” – Adeile.

“The song gets stuck in my head without me ever having to play it or download it myself.” – Lord Vino.

“No matter how disconnected you are, a hit song will find you. Either on the road, radio, in a friends car or TV. A hit song will find you.” – Delina.

“You don’t have to listen to it twice. That first listen gets you hook, line and sinker. It replays itself in your head. The lyrics become common language!” – Adeyinka.

“If the song has some catchy lines...especially one that triggers memories of past event(s).” – Oluwa.

“If it is infectious on my first listen, you know that catchy hook and lovable beat you just click to ASAP, then it is going to be a hit.” – DT.

“When a listener identifies and relates with the emotion in the music. This is what makes them listen over and over again. Not necessarily because we can sing the chorus after the first listen or because it’s the rave of the moment. Classics exist as HITS too.” – Bem Abu.

“When I think: Hey, that‘s catchy (lyrics or melody). Why didn‘t I come up with this?” Troimz.

“The emotional attachment it brings.” – Akin.

“If the song lingers on long enough at the back of my mind after it ends, I think that is also an indication of a hit.” – Bishop.

“When I get restless like a she-goat under heat period after listening to the song. Trust me that song will be a hit.” – Ayuba.

“Your brain knows its a hit within the first twelve seconds it hits your ear. You know it’s a hit when you’re struggling to unlock your phone with one hand while driving with the other four metres away from a traffic officer just so you can Shazaam the damn song and download it instantly. You know you are hooked by the time you’re singing along to the hook after having only heard it one time. You know its a hit. You can bet your odds before it blows, it is!” – Michael.

Summary: Sometimes hit records are personal. You just connect with it and hold it to your chest for life. Nothing influences this, it’s just you and your personal choices to either like a good or bad record. No one can take this away from you.