Top 5 significant events in Nigerian music

It’s been a whirlwind year in the Nigerian music industry. A year where the international spotlight began to shine on to Africa. A year where beef became a way of life, where rappers went against singers and the balance of hierarchies was altered. It was also a year of new sounds, reinvention, and the gradual push towards mid-tempo sonic templates.

But in all of these, there are 5 core moments which defined the year, and so they make our list for Top 5 Events in 2016.

Olamide Vs Don Jazzy

The start of the year had Don Jazzy and Olamide went through what has been the first high-profile celebrity beefs of 2016. The two label owners and music creators battled over the controversial awarding of the Headies Next Rated trophy to Reekado Banks over Lil Kesh. Both parties fought through social media and offline, with Dangote being called in to settle the beef.

That beef, which was an episode, sent the industry on a slippery slope, with everyone else ready to go public with bad blood. Dammy Krane went against Wizkid, and many more. That confrontational trend which they set gave the neutrals more value for their celebrity, and gave the music industry an explosive edge.

Sony Music signing Davido

The year is 2016, and Sony Music is beasting through Africa on a mission to mop up the best talents. The music company has grown in leaps and bounds in terms of awareness this year after handing out deals to some of the best and most promising talents on the continent.

First they started off with Davido as a major flagship signing, and everyone sat up and took notice. Davido was signed in January 2016 to a string of press releases and hype. The statement from the music body revealed that the deal represented a step forward for Sony Music Entertainment as it grows its roots in Africa.

The deal announced Sony’s official presence in Lagos, Nigeria, and verified Sony Music Entertainment's decision to pursue new business via the introduction of on-the-ground operating entities in an expanded number of markets in the region. According to the company, the timing of the decision is based on the convergence of a number of positive indicators in Africa's economy and positive signs in the music industry. Davido wass a shining example of this, which led to the capture of Wizkid, Tekno, and Ycee.

Wizkid collaborates with Drake on ‘One Dance’

Where Drake was in our hearts last year after collaborating with Drake on ‘Ojuelegba’, this year history was made with Wizkid and Drake coming together for another single – Óne Dance’. That song which had Wizkid co-produce, write and guest on it, was a tipping point for the singer. With this single, Wizkid became the leading Nigerian voice chasing more markets and flying the Nigerian flag.

‘One Dance’ became the most streamed and downloaded song of 2016, stayed 9 weeks at the top of US Billboard Hot 100 chart, abroke the UK chart record, and earned Wizkid and Drake Grammy nominations as part of the “Views” album.

Mr Eazi’s Emergence

In 2016, the emergence of Mr Eazi, marked the entrance of a new sound into the Nigerian music industry.

From Ghana to Nigeria, Mr Eazi clicked the reset button on Nigerian pop music. From his humble music roots in Ghana, Mr Eazi, broke through the Nigerian space with very little promotion. And right now, he still has very little in promotion. All he has done is organic, and that’s why he stands out. Mr Eazi has since seen his song ‘Skin tight’ penetrate the Nigerian market, where he has enjoyed tremendous acceptance. Interviews and press rounds have been carried out, as his profile has continued to grow. A UK tour has been held, and many more are lined up, planned and ready to execute.

What has made Mr Eazi so appealing to Nigeria? His sound. Mr Eazi’s partnership with Julz is currently one that is working. Grabbing inspiration from 80s and 90s Ghanaian Highlife melodies, Julz creates a modern fusion of these sounds, and hands it to Mr Eazi, who layers his pop verses over it. Thematic direction of the songs are all romance and love-based.

Just like the 70s and the 60’s when Ghanaian Highlife was appropriated by our Nigerian fathers, the sounds from Ghana have been mixed with a Naija delivery, and it has caught on. Mr Eazi’s reliance on a certain system of delivery and production has also been the driving force of his nascent career. There’s a uniqueness to his madness that has seen him produce his songs such as ‘Skintight’, ‘Hollup’, ‘Anointing’, and ‘Dance for me’.

Mr Eazi has appeared on more collaborations than any other buzzing artistes this year. He has made songs with Eugy, IllBliss, Reminisce, Solidstar, Del’B, Rayce, Shatta Wale, DJ Neptune, DJ Spinall, Terry G, Lil Kesh, Phyno, Jeed Rogers, Ko-Jo Cue, Sarkodie, PhizBarz, Sheunakamura and many others recorded. And that’s just the ones that have been released in Nigeria.

He is also recording with Rudimental, Anne-Marie, Giggs, Riton, and others, that are yet to be released. There’s still ‘Skin tight’ remix to be done with Wizkid and many more.

In 2016, Eazi has become Nigeria's breakout star. Where 2015 had Kiss Daniel and Tekno standing tall above the others as the best new acts, Mr Eazi has trumped the rest in 2016 to become the only bona fide breakout star in Nigeria.

Wizkid and Kah-Lo Grammy Nomination

For the first time, Nigeria has two homegrown nominees at the Grammy Awards.

The first is Wizkid. The Nigerian pop star makes the list for his contribution to Drake’s 2016 “Views” album. The singer was a prominent contributor on the lead single, ‘One Dance’, where he is nominated as a guest artiste, and also as a producer.

The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys having been presented since 1959. Although it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the main artist, the featured artist(s), the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer. If this award is won by Drake, Wizkid will be going home with two gongs. For production and guest feature on the album.

Another Nigerian who made the list is Kah-Lo. Kah-Lo is a Nigerian musician known for the vocals on 'Rinse and Repeat' by British DJ, Riton. Her humorous yet edgy delivery gave the song a unique charm that has made it a club favourite around the country.

The song ‘Rinse and repeat’ which was released in 2016, is nominated for the Best Dance Recording of the year at the 59 Grammy Awards. She is nominated alongside Riton. As well as being a huge club hit, ‘Rinse & Repeat’ has been streamed over 26 million times on Spotify and played 6 million times on YouTube less than a month after its release. It has also reached number 1 on the Shazam chart and been on the A list of Radio 1, Kiss FM and 6 Music, turning Kah-lo into an instant star.

Thanks in large part to Kah-lo’s adaptable vocals, ‘Rinse & Repeat’ has been remixed by the likes of Preditah, Jammer, and Brodinski & Myd, with top producer Jammer’s remix particularly complimenting Kah-lo’s tone.

Faridah Demola Seriki (aka Kah-Lo), a rising international artiste and daughter of former Minister of Defence and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Chief Demola Seriki

Aside from ‘Rinse & Repeat,’ Kah-lo has put out a strong collection of work on her Soundcloud, demonstrating her great musical ability. There is much more to her than the monotone rap she delivers so well; Kah-lo is also a talented singer, arranger and instrumentalist, tipped for big things.

Kah-Lo joins Wizkid as the other Nigerian artiste nominated for a Grammy Awards.