Entertainment
Naija Artistes Gear Up For Hit Songs In 2017
It is no gainsaying that 2016 was a good year for the Nigerian music clan, most of the musicians put out songs and recorded other exploits that made Nigerians all over the word proud. However, not all of them were successful in the true sence of the world.
Based on the achievements of last year, fans expectations in 2017 are quite high. Top on the list of expectations are hit songs to keep them happy as they groove with the beats while bustling and smiling. Some of the artistes to look forward to are:
1. Davido
Even though Davido was silent most of 2016 choosing instead to release on EP in October, he kept performing at shows all over the world. His rumoured $1 million deal with Sony music should not be forgotten. According to social media reports, he, Tekno, Olamide and Wizkid are said to be responsible for a large share of the over N73.2 billion made by telecommunications companies from caller ring back tunes.
This year will see Davido’s contract with the international music giants take a full swing as his long awaited album will be released under the inprint. The features on this album will be star-studded with international collaborations, hopefully, that will make us forget the “son of mercy” EP.
2. Teckno
Year 2016 was undeniably terrific for Teckno First, you had about the biggest song ‘pana’ in the country, second he scooped a good number of enviable awards. To cap it all, he was able to secure a Sony/RCA contract and was announced as an MTN ambassador. His many performances and his part in the N73.2 billion made by telecommunications companies from caller ring back tunes show that ‘Mr. Big cassava’ indeed smiled to the bank in 2016.
It is very likely Tekno’s debut album will receive a big push as a result of his international music deal. The crescendo is high for the pana crooner, an album in 2017 would be fantastic.
3. Korede Bello
The Mavin records mega superstar can be dubbed as a “digital Prince” owing to his successful releases and platforms like You Tube. He gets an enviable number of steaming from his songs. His label mate, Reekado Banks was first to drop an album among 2.0 trio. Korede Bello is tipped as the next in the line to drop an LP. You should expect viral and infectious tunes.
4. Simi
The year 2016 was the year Simi came into her own as a formidable musician and surprisingly as an audio engineer. She performed at shows regularly and was even one of the headline acts at star trek lagos. Davido also chose her as the only female act on his EP “son of mercy”, she single handedly mixed Adekunle god’s album.
Simisola Ogunleye’s growth has been Wowzers, the petite and deeply sonorous singer strikes a chord every time she sings. Nigerian music lovers have been swayed and slain again and again when her voice shrieks from a record. Simi’s imput on the joint EP “Chemistry” with Falz was impressive. The EP was a make up for her album which was to be released last year, her debut album is set to be released this year.
5. Omawumi
When it is time to get serious and move away from gibberish and corny lyrics, Omawumi is one of those few artistes that creeps into your mind. This Afro lover and mother of two is one of the best voices we got. To start off the year, Omawumi Megbele inked a contract with a new label, Cabal entertainment and also released a ballad, “Butterflies” under the imprint. Her third studio album is expected to be released this year under the label.
6. Jesse Jagz
Jesse, a top notch lyricist and emperor of Jagz National let his promise to drop three LPs last year, fall through, non of that came to fruition. However, the controversial rapper again promised to quench the thirst of his fans by dropping a full body of work this year. If you belong to the “endangered species” of those who give priority to lyrics and word craft, then you must surely wait – upon the emperor, a god on the mic.
7. Skales
Raoul Njeng – Njeng better known as Skales who dubbed himself “The never say never gun,” interestingly is the title of his sophomore album billed for release in March this year. Skales has transformed and more of that should reflect on the album.
8. Cynthia Morgan
Nigeria’s fierce female dance hall act and ‘red head’ Cynthia Morgan flopped last year after creating several social media campaigns about a possible album release that did not work out; however the Edo State singer’s debut album is still worth anticipating.
9. Wizkid
Wizkid’s success in 2016 is so obvions that one really does not need to break it down, ‘one dance’, The Song in which he was featured by Drake got to number one in 10 countries. It was also listed as the most played song on streaming media services spotify with over 950 million individual steams consider that he was song writing and producing credit on that song. The money will not stop flowing for a long time. There is also the rumored seven figure deal he has. Signed with sony music. Hopefully 2017 will be greater. Just a few days into 2017, Wizkid promised us four mixtapes.
10. Mr. Eazi
It is on record that starboy music act Mr. Eazi was the most featured artiste in the music industry in Nigeria 2016, he charges N200,000 or more per show. Oluwatosin Ajibade, the
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’