NL LIST!!10 Nigerian Hits That Became International Anthems

Nigerian music has grown in popularity over the years and has made its way to different parts of the world. The unique fusion of African rhythms and Western influences has created a genre of music that is loved by millions globally.

The industry’s growth, the diaspora, sheer determination, and ingenuity have propelled Nigerian music to international success. In this blog post, we highlight ten Nigerian songs that have crossed over to international audiences since 2000.

African Queen – 2Baba

“African Queen” was a defining hit for 2Baba and a high point for Nigerian music. The song traveled to other African countries and even the United States where it was featured in a Hollywood movie. It was a defining moment for Nigerian music, opening up the world to the possibilities of what the Nigerian music industry had to offer.

Nwa Baby – Flavour

Flavour’s “Nwa Baby” enjoyed a successful run in Nigeria before crossing over to other parts of Africa, especially South Africa, where it enjoyed notable success that made him an international sensation. The song’s fusion of highlife and modern Afro-pop made it an instant classic and one of the most recognizable songs in Flavour’s discography.

Oliver Twist – D’Banj

D’banj‘s “Oliver Twist” can be regarded as Afrobeats’ first notable crossover record. The hit single from an African megastar crossed over to the United Kingdom, where it made an appearance on the UK Official Singles Chart. It was a defining moment for Nigerian music, as it opened up the world to the possibilities of what the Nigerian music industry had to offer.

Ojuelegba – Wizkid

“Ojuelegba” is one of the singles that propelled Afrobeats to international success. Drake‘s freestyle on the record was a high point for Wizkid, opening him up to more international exposure and heralding his contribution to the mega smash hit “One Dance.” The song was an instant classic and solidified Wizkid’s place in the international music scene.

‘Fall’ – Davido

In 2017, Nigerian artist Davido made an impact in the international market with his single “Fall“. After releasing a few unsuccessful tracks, “Fall” was a standout hit that helped the artist gain international recognition. The track was a major success in Nigeria and later became an international hit in the UK and US. It received airplay on radio stations and garnered millions of views on YouTube.

‘YE’ – Burna Boy

Nigerian artist Burna Boy released the single “YE” in 2018, and it quickly became an international sensation. The song was featured on Kanye West‘s album “YE,” which helped to skyrocket Burna Boy’s career. The single was certified platinum in the US, and it played a major role in making Burna Boy an international superstar.

‘Last Last’ – Burna Boy

Burna Boy’s heartbreak anthem “Last Last” was released in 2021 and quickly gained international recognition. The song was a hit in Europe and the Caribbean and spent multiple weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at number four on the UK Official Singles Chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Performance. The single was also certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

‘Essence’ – Wizkid

Nigerian artist Wizkid’s single “Essence” was released in 2020 and quickly became a massive hit. The song was dubbed the greatest song in the history of music by Kanye West, and it charted in multiple countries across Europe. It reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and has gone 3X platinum in the US. The song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Performance.

‘Calm Down’ – Rema

Nigerian artist Rema gained international recognition with his single “Calm Down”. The track gained popularity in Nigeria before making its way to the international market. It received a Selena Gomez remix that helped to skyrocket the song to international success. “Calm Down” received plaques in France, Italy, the UK, the US, Spain, and Switzerland, amongst many other countries. The single also holds the record for the longest number one song on the US Afrobeats Chart.

‘Love Nwantiti’ – CKay

CKay’s hit single “Love Nwantiti” rose to fame on TikTok before reaching listeners across the world in a fashion unprecedented in the Nigerian music industry. The single charted in over 30 countries, reaching number one in Portugal, France, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, and India. It has received plaques in over 15 countries with platinum plaques in the US and UK.

Nigerian music has grown in popularity over the years, and these 10 Nigerian songs that have crossed over to the international market since 2000 have contributed to the success of the Afrobeats genre. With the influx of new talent and the ever-growing industry, it’s safe to say that Nigerian music will continue to make an impact in the international market.

10 Nigerian Hits That Became International Anthems – Which Is Your Favorite?

Drop your comment below

The post NL LIST!!10 Nigerian Hits That Became International Anthems appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.