Apple Music is celebrating Nigeria’s Independence Day with a month-long campaign across the service.
Now in its third year, Oshe Naija (meaning ‘Thanks Nigeria’ in Yoruba), honours Nigeria’s rich musical history, and pays tribute to the indelible impact that prolific artists like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, M.I. Abaga, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and others have made, and are making, on the global stage.
This year, Oshe Naija will highlight and celebrate Nigeria’s next generation of stars, like Apple Music Africa Rising recipient Victony (“Apollo”), Apple Music Up Next Nigeria alum T.I Blaze (“My Life”) and Ajebo Hustlers (“Pronto”), as well as Ruger (“Dior”), Bella Shmurda (“Philo”) and a host of others.
There have also been 16 playlists exclusively curated for the Oshe Naija campaign from T.I Blaze, Ajebo Hustlers, Bnxn, Victony, Joeboy, Fave, Oxlade, Ruger, Bella Shmurda, Zinoleesky, Crayon, Mohbad, Seyi Vibez, Layzee Ellla, Lojay, Blaqbonez, The Cavemen, and Guchi for you to explore.
It will also house an overarching Oshe Naija Playlist, Artist Essentials, Top Albums, Essential Albums, Naija Video Hits, Naija Risers, Behind The Board and Hit Maker playlists, as well as Up Next Nigeria recipients. There will also be a genre spotlight on Afrobeats, Alte, Street Music, Hip Hop, Afro-fusion and Gospel, as well as a focus on indie labels that foster up-and-coming talent like Mavin Records, YBNL Nation, and Marlian Music.
“Growing up in Nigeria, listening to some of these artists helped shape my childhood and impacted my experiences in certain ways. I love my home country so much and I’m proud to be one of the voices shaping the experiences of other youths in recent times.” – Victony
“Growing up as a young Nigerian, I would say I was lucky and blessed to have experienced Afrobeats just at its heart of discovery and total awareness. The Nigerian pop industry had undergone an essential evolution birthing some of the greatest hits African music has ever witnessed. These songs shaped my teenage years, and I consider each soundtrack a classic. Listen and enjoy.” – Joeboy
“These songs played individual roles in the development of my sound and space as an artist because each record came ahead of its time and have collectively made impact in the structure of new day Afrobeats.” – Oxlade
“Naija is music and Afrobeats is authentic. This playlist proves how authentic our sound is and how dominant our sound has become over the years.” – Bella Shmurda
“Basically, when I hear a song I know what’s gonna stay on my playlist forever. No matter how many times I’ve listened to it or how long it’s been since release, these songs always give me the exact same feeling I felt when I first heard them and I’m glad to share them with you”. – Layzee Ella
“Listening to the various songs on this playlist has shaped and fuelled my passion for music. I get inspirational direction on how far I want my craft to go as I bless my ears with melodious rhythms.” – Guchi
As part of the celebration, Apple Music has released the top Nigerian artists and songs on the platform since its launch over 7 years ago.
Top Nigerian Songs of all time
- “Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah)” – CKay
- “Essence (feat. Tems)” – Wizkid
- “Peru” -Fireboy DML
- “Ye” – Burna Boy
- “Last Last” – Burna Boy
- “Come Closer (feat. Drake)” – Wizkid
- “On the Low” – Burna Boy
- “Free Mind” – Tems
- “Fall” – Davido
- “Ginger (feat. Burna Boy)” – Wizkid
Top Nigerian Albums of all time
- Made In Lagos – Wizkid
- African Giant – Burna Boy
- Love, Damini – Burna Boy
- Twice as Tall – Burna Boy
- For Broken Ears – Tens
- Outside – Burna Boy
- A Better Time – Davido
- A Good Time – Davido
- Sounds From the Other Side – Wizkid
- Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps – Fireboy DML
Top Nigerian Artists of all time
- Burna Boy
- Wizkid
- Davido
- Fireboy DML
- Tems
- CKay
- Rema
- Omah Lay
- Olamide
- Kizz Daniel
Top Shazamed tracks by Nigerian artists worldwide [for all time of Shazam]
- Love Nwantiti – Ckay
- Calm Down – Rema
- Peru – Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran
- Ameno Amapiano Remix (You Wanna Bamba) – Nektunez & Goya Menor
- Essence (feat. Tems) – Wizkid
- Fall – Davido
- Sip (Alcohol) – Joeboy
- Finesse – Pheelz & BNXN fka Buju
- On the Low – Burna Boy
- Buga (Lo Lo Lo) – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
Afrobeats artist, Asake, also enjoyed monumental success with the release of his debut album, ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe,’ breaking the record for the biggest opening day for an African album in Apple Music history. Additionally, ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ broke the record for the biggest opening three days for an African album, along with having nine songs added to the Global Daily Top 100. To date, the album has reached No. 1 on the Top Albums Chart in 31 countries worldwide, including Nigeria, the U.K. and Ireland.
Check out Oshe Naija here: http://apple.co/OsheNaija
