2019 saw the widespread use of the amapiano genre across the African continent, and since then the genre has become very popular, especially in the Nigerian vast music industry.
Amapiano is a subgenre of South African house music that emerged in the mid-2010s. It blends deep house, jazz, and lounge music with synths and wide basslines. Amapiano features high-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, low-tempo rhythms from the 1990s South African house, and percussions from Tribal House.
Since its introduction to the Nigerian music industry, amapiano songs have continued to gain significant traction among music lovers, and as a result of the genre’s popularity, several amapiano songs have topped music charts and dominated the Nigeria music scene, with various artists blending elements of the genre into their music.
In this article, we will be highlighting the top six Nigerian Amapiano songs that have made waves and topped charts in the Nigerian music scene. So, if you enjoy amapiano songs or are curious about the genre, sit back and relax as we take you on a journey through the top six amapiano songs in Nigeria.
1. Gwagwalada by BNXN aka Buju ft Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez
“Gwagwalada” was released on Thursday, February 16, 2023, by BNXN (Buju), with features from Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez. The song was number one on the Apple Music Top 100 Nigeria Songs chart 24 hours after its release.
“Gwagwalada” by BNXN is a pure blend of Afrobeats and Amapiano, distinguished by the thrilling South African kicks. The Naija song highlights the growing popularity of Amapiano in the Nigerian music scene and also establishes the national presence of a local government in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja.
This Nigerian amapiano song features captivating vocals from Kizz Daniel and BNXN, with Seyi Vibez bringing a smooth, melodic flow to the track. The official video, directed by Perliks Definition, perfectly complements the song’s energetic vibe.
Overall, “Gwagwalada” is an infectious and vibrant new song that embraces the Amapiano sound and infuses it with a unique Nigerian Afrobeats flavour, making it a must-listen Nigerian Amapiano song.
2. Unavailable by Davido Ft. Must Keys
“Unavailable” is the fifth track in Davido’s latest album, “Timeless”. In this song, Davido features Musa Keys, who is a rising star in the South African amapiano scene. He added his musical talents to the track, resulting in a masterpiece that is gaining widespread popularity.
David Adedeji Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, collaborated with music producers Magic Sticks to create the Nigerian Amapiano track “Unavailable”. Showcasing his exceptional vocals and unique blend of Amapiano and Afrobeats. The Amapiano song has amassed a lot of views and is currently number 2 on the top 100 Nigerian songs on Apple music, as well as one of the top Nigerian Amapiano songs in the country.
That said, Davido’s Timeless album is packed with seventeen other fantastic tracks that are worth a listen.
3. 2:30(Tranquility) by Asake
Asake’s latest new song release, “2:30 (Tranquility),” has been making waves in the Nigerian music scene since its release on April 5, 2023. His new song is a perfect blend of two different genres, Fuji and Amapiano, and showcases Asake’s versatility as an artist.
“2:30 (Tranquility)” has quickly become a fan favourite, climbing the charts to become the number one song on Spotify and the number three song on the Apple Music Nigeria charts.
Asake is widely recognized as the Naija-Amapiano king for incorporating Amapiano sounds in most of his music. His fusion of Amapiano with other genres such as Fuji and Afrobeats has earned him a loyal fanbase and critical recognition, making him one of Nigeria’s top Naija amapiano musicians.
4. Monalisa (Remix) by Lojay & Sarz ft Chris Brown
Nigerian musician Lojay collaborated with the talented Nigerian producer SARZ to create a collection of hits, including the chart-topping amapiano soundtrack titled “Monalisa.”
The song’s popularity quickly spread throughout Africa, earning praise from music lovers far and wide. In 2022, a highly-anticipated remix featuring renowned American R&B and pop artist Chris Brown was released and quickly became a fan favourite, garnering just as much attention and acclaim as the original version.
The Nigerian song “Monalisa” has accumulated over 100 million plays, made it to the BBC 1Xtra A-List and was among the top 5 most streamed songs in Nigeria.
5. Abracadabra by Rexxie – ft Skiibii, Naira Marley
“Abracadabra” is another top amapiano Nigerian song. It was produced by the Street-pop producer Rexxie and features Naira Marley and Skiibii. The upbeat track, named after a magic word, is sure to get everyone moving their bodies on the dance floor due to its Amapiano-inspired beat. With its catchy tune, “Abracadabra” is not just a song that gets fans talking, but a party banger that is guaranteed to keep the energy high in all night clubs.
6. Elon Musk by Shallipopi
Shallipopi, whose real name is Crown Uzama, is a Nigerian artist and Tiktoker. He is known for his famous slang “Pluto”. Flowing with the Amapiano rave in Nigeria, Shallipopi released a new Amapiano song in 2023 titled “Elon Musk”. The song “Elon Musk” has received a lot of support from fans, who are streaming it in large numbers due to its infectious beat and memorable street lyrics.
In conclusion, the Nigerian music industry has embraced the amapiano genre with open arms, and it is not hard to see why. The fusion of deep house, jazz, lounge music, and tribal percussion creates a unique sound that has captured the hearts of many music lovers across the continent. The top six Nigerian Amapiano songs highlighted in this article are a testament to the genre’s growing popularity in the country. From Asake’s “2:30 (Tranquility)” to Lojay & Sarz ft. Chris Brown’s “Monalisa (Remix)” and Rexxie ft. Skiibii, Naira Marley’s Abracadabra,” are just some examples of the many hit Nigerian Amapiano songs in the Nigerian music scene.
These tracks are just a few examples of how Nigerian musicians continue to push the fusion of Afrobeats together with the Amapiano music genre and put their own unique spin on it.
