10 biggest news in music this year

What a rollercoaster this year has been for Nigeria music, and Pulse Music has the biggest Nigerian stories that rocked 2015.

From Wizkid getting Drake on a song, to Ice Prince transacting business with Jay Z, there has been no lack of plot twists and storylines for the music industry in Nigeria.

Not all have been power moves and heavy collaborations, as Skiibii's death turned up on this list, and also D'banj's renewed PDA with Don Jazzy came in with a shout.

Pulse music presents the 10 biggest music stories of 2015.

Refresh your memory.

1. Wizkid’s ‘Ojuelegba’ gets a remix with Drake and Skepta

Of all the stories which rocked the industry this year, none beats the blessing of Drake on Wizkid’s smash hit single “Ojuelegba.”. The song which was the saving grace of the album was gifted a verse by the ‘6 god’ after the song was put in his way by his friend, Skepta. The song was premiered on Apple Radio show OVO Sounds, and it did breathe new life into the single.

2. Wande Coal’s sophomore album release “Wanted”

Wande Coal’s sophomore studio album caught Nigeria by surprise. For a man who had set such a lofty standard 6 years ago, with an album that counts as one of the Nigerian classics, The Black Diamond has indeed taken a long route to this material. From the fallout of his first home Mo’Hits Records, to his personal discontent at Mavin Records, the singer has been on a relatively arduous career journey which has taken his toll on the administrative parts of his career, but never found a way to adulterate the most essential part – his music-making abilities. This year he came back with “Wanted”, and that announcement still stands as one of 2015’s highlights.

3. Davido And Meek Mill on “Fans Mi”

Greater news hath no HKN Gang member, than the appearance of Meek Mill on Davido’s smash hit single ‘Fans mi’. Davido had lofty plans to release his sophomore studio album, and has released a number of hit singles. But the most acclaimed of them featured the Maybach rapper who was on a good run before his beef with Drake. ‘Fans mi’ would later go on to be banned by the NBC for reasons unclear, but the song still remains one of the highlights of 2015.

4. Ice Prince pictured with Jay Z, appeared on Power 105.1 ‘Breakfast Club’

It was a good day for Nigerian music when the iconic photo of Rap mogul Jay Z, and Chocolate City’s Ice Prince made its way to the internet. Here was a man who 10 years ago, was in the throes of poverty in Jos, right next to one of the greatest rappers ever and CEO of Roc Nation in New York. Ice Prince had stopped by to have meetings on partnering with streaming service TIDAL. The fruits of this meeting came in when the rapper became the first African to premiere his video ‘Boss’, on the platform. Ice Prince later stopped by the world’s biggest Hip-hop show ‘Breakfast Club, on Power 105.1.

5. Olamide Releasing his 5 solo album in 5 years

No Nigerian rapper born of a woman has carried out this rapper’s feat after his studio album “Eyan Mayweather” was released. This has been a long time coming for Olamide. It all started in 2011 with his raw and unpolished debut album ''. The following year the kid from the slums of Bariga snatched rap music from the established Hip Hop kings with his dazzling street oriented sophomore '' in 2012.

In 2013, he slaughtered pretenders to his throne with his third album ''. In his tradition of dropping an album every year, Olamide released '' in 2014 where he flaunted the strength of his YBNL Empire.

In April 2015 he solidified his alliance with the King of the East Phyno with the history making collaborative LP . The album was no , and even though a few cracks appeared it was enough to allow Olamide have the rap game in the chokehold.

Through sweat, hard work, tenacity and ambition, Olamide has been at the summit of the Nigerian rap game since 2012. Largely responsible for the explosion of indigenous rap, Olamide’s street raps delivered in Yoruba has made him unrivalled.

6. Yemi Alade Emerging The Best Female Act in Africa

Few saw the potential of Yemi Alade after her smash hit single ‘Johnny’ blazed through the continent and into the hearts of everyone. With smart marketing and a strong business acumen, the singer has conquered the continent, and got her deserved recognition at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) as the Best Female Act. Other honours have since followed suit, and the singer continues to dominate.

7. D’banj, Don Jazzy reunion

When everyone thought this year could not spring up another plot twist, enter Don Jazzy and D’banj. The ex-business partners and their acrimonious split is one of the most enduring legends of Nigerian music. This year was different, as it was all love and PDA from the duo who gave the continent a golden time during their successful run with Mo’Hits Records. No other image aptly captured the image below of both stars at the 40 birthday of 2face idibia.

There are still calls for both stars to record together again, but that is yet to happen. Hello 2016?

8. Chocolate City re-invention, Jesse Jagz reunion, and M.I Abaga ascending to CEO duties

In April 2015, the leadership of one of Africa’s biggest music labels changed. After 10 years of service, Audu Maikori moved up the ladder to presidency, with M.I Abaga assuming the position of CEO, and Ice Prince elevated to Vice Presidency.

As part of this new restructuring, Jesse Jagz made the return to the label he departed in 2013, and a merger occurred between M.I’s imprint, Loop Music, and all her signed acts. The record label’s ransk rose considerably to include 14 acts.

As a consequence of these changes the album “The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation” was released.

9. Swizz Beatz showing appreciating for Nigerian music, recording with MC Galaxy

There was a time when Nigerian music never crossed the shores of Africa, but 2015 saw more recognition from international quarters. Super Producer Swizz Beatz, and husband to singer Alicia Keys made headlines when he began his romance with Nigerian music by posting the album cover of Wizkid’s Ayo.

That love continued as he danced to ‘Ojuelegba’, Skale’s ‘Shake body’, and MC Galaxy’s ‘Sekem’. So smitten was he by the latter, that he did invite MC Galaxy to his studio in New York and produced the remix of the hit song.

10. Skiibii’s death and resurrection

2015 will go down in history as the year where an artiste died and resurrected. Five Star Music singer, Skiibii Mayana, was the subject of a death hoax which raised dust in many quarters. In August, label manager, Soso Soberekon delivered false information that his artiste had kicked the bucket. This set a string of events into motion, with rumours, denials, an apology from Soso and the consequent ‘firing’ of the messenger. He has since gotten back with his employers.

Skiibii’s death opened the floodgates of a conversation on music promotion and PR stunts, To this day, it is still being referenced as standard for bad PR.