If asked to describe 2021, we will say its that year when the Nigerian music industry gained the most international recognition and the year when the underdogs took over.
From Tems to Goya Menor and most recently, Portable, hits and club bangers were never in short supply in 2021 .
In compiling this list, we examined several indicators such as the virality of the song, popularity of the artiste, streaming numbers and airplay.
PREMIUM TIMES presents our list of top 25 songs Nigerians couldnt stop listening to in 2021.
- Wizkid & Tems Essence ft Justin Bieber
Released: April 2021
This song, which was released on August 13, 2021, further established 26- years-old, Temilade Openiyi, Tems, as a bonafide star. The track bagged a nomination ahead of 2022 Grammy Awards.
2. Tiwa Savage Somebodys Son [feat. Brandy]
Released: October 2021
Tiwa Savage, enlisted her all-time music idol Brandy to deliver an introspective number that now resonates with many, Somebodys son. The song hit No12 on the Billboard chart, a week after its release.
3. Fireboy DML Peru ft Ed Sheeran
Released: December 2021
Peru was originally released in July by Nigerian singer, Adedamola Adefolahan , popular as Fireboy. Grammy winning singer Ed Sheeran featured on the remix which was released in December.
4. Joeboy Sip [Alcohol]
Released: October 2021
Nigerian singer and songwriter Joseph Akinfenwa-Donus aka Joe Boy dropped this track in the last quarter of the year to the delight of Tiktokers around the world.
5. Lojay & Sarz Monalisa
Released: September 2021
Lojay is recognized as one of the break-out stars of 2021.The song Monalisa describes the beauty of Monalisa and the affection he has developed for her image. This song is mostly used by couples, especially at wedding ceremonies.
6. Ayra Starr Bloody Samaritan
Released: August 2021
Proving her breakout is no fluke, Ayra Starr scored major points with Bloody Samaritan, the lead single off her debut album 19 & Dangerous.
7. Reekado Banks Ozumba Mbadiwe
Released: October 2021,
The ex-Mavin Record Label star, Reekado Banks dished out this club banger labeled as one of the greatest songs of the year 2021.
8. Ayra Starr Away
Released: January 2021
Ayra Starrs self-titled debut EPs lead track Away had people talking. Away shot the 19-year-old singer to limelight earlier in the year.
9. Tems Crazy Things
Released: September 2021
Crazy things Is the lead single of Tems sophomore project. Following high profile collaborations with Drake, Wizkid and signing to RCA records, with Crazy Things, Tems clearly levelled up and called the shots.
10. Adekunle Gold High ft Davido
Released: September 2021
High was Adekunle Golds third song of 2021 featuring one of Africas biggest Afrobeat stars, Davido.
11. Olamide Rock
Released: May 2021
Legendary Nigerian music artiste, Olamide Adedeji released Rock which was a single from UY Scuti, Olamides new 10-track album named after one of Nigerias most famous red stars, features the relaxing and flirty.
12. Buju Never Stopped
Released: October 2021
Never Stopped by break-out star, Buju, claimed its spot as one of Nigerias biggest hits of the year 2021.
13. Teni Hustle
Released: March 2021
Teniola Apata, popular as Teni released the song hustle, which is from a recent project, titled Wondaland. The video, which was shot in Lagos, inspired people to continue to strive for their daily bread against the odds.
14. CKay- Emiliana
Released: December 2021
After his massive success from Love Nwantiti which was released in 2019, Chukwu Ekweani, aka C Kay, dropped Emiliana in 2021 and won even more fans for himself.
15. Fave Baby Riddim
Released: October 2021
Faves Baby Riddim is beautiful and soothing to the heart. Olamide also enlisted Fave on his album UY Scuti .
16. Joeboy- Focus
Released: February 2021.
The song is off Joeboys album, somewhere between beauty & magic which consists of 14 track songs. The song became popular with a dance that accompanies it on TikTok.
17. Omah Lay Understand
Released: July 2021
Understand is Omah Lays first solo release of 2021. In 2020, Omah Lay was cited by Apple Music and Audiomack as one of Africas most exciting new voices.
18. Ruger Dior
Released: November 2021
Dior is one of the hits from Rugers recently released extended play Second Wave . The new face of Mavin record rose to prominence after his hit song Bounce caught the attention of Nigerian music fans.
19. Flavour Levels
Released: October 2021
Nigerian High life king, Flavour stormed the music scene in 2021 with a hit song, Levels, The song depicted the wealth that was displayed in Oba in July that became the talk of the town.
20. Larry Gaga Ft Phyno, Flavour And Theresa Onuorah Egedege
Released: October 2021
Egedege is a collaboration of the finest musicians from the east. The name Egedege stems from a local slang for richness and bravery which explains why the dance is considered a cultural classic.
21. Portable Zazu Zeh ft Olamide and Poco Lee
Released: December 2021
Zazu Zeh is a street buzz that shot Habeeb Okikiola, popular as Portable to stardom. The song which was released a few days ago has already been performed on big stages of highly billed concerts like Tiwa Savage, Wizkid amongst others.
22. Naira Marley First Time In America
Released: November 2021
First Time In America was pulled off from Naira Marleys forthcoming album GTTB. The song, which gradually became a trend on social media, inspired a tik tok challenge named after the song.
23. Goya Menor & DJ Neptunez Ameno amapiano remix
Released: June 2021
Ameno Amapiano remix by Goya featuring Nektunez garnered over one million views on YouTube in six months. The song went viral in December and has topped charts on Apple play and ITunes in most African countries.
24. Mayorkun- Holy father
Released: October 2021.
Holy Father was released by Adewale Mayowa professionally as Mayorkun. The song became popular on social media because of its danceable beat.
25. 1da Baton No wahala
Released: November 2021
Fast rising musician Godson Ominibie popular as 1da Baton released the song No Wahala which was produced by Blaise Beatz record. The song serves as his first output for the year 2021.
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