Retro vibes. Evergreen rhythms. Nigeria’s musical landscape is graced with tunes that age like fine wine. Unforgettable beats echo through time. Dive deep into the ocean of golden oldies that defined a nation.
Nigeria: a land of pulsating beats, unforgettable harmonies, and legendary artists. From its pre-independence era, the country has birthed iconic songs. From Highlife to Afrobeat, these tracks aren’t just music; they’re history. Join us on a rhythmic journey down memory lane.
The Highlife Era
The 50s and 60s were times of political awakening and musical revolution. Highlife music, with its jazzy horns and melodic guitars, captured the nation’s heart.
“Highlife isn’t just a genre. It’s the soundtrack of a burgeoning nation.” – Fela Kuti
- Osita Osadebe‘s ‘Osondi Owendi’. An irreplaceable classic. Listen to its entrancing beats and be transported back to the golden days of Nigerian dance halls.
- Victor Uwaifo‘s ‘Guitar Boy’. If you never serenaded someone with this song, did you even experience the 60s?
Discover More: Top 50 Highlife Classics
Afrobeat & The Fela Revolution
The 70s saw the emergence of Afrobeat, with its distinctive combination of traditional Yoruba music, jazz, and funk. And at the forefront? The legendary Fela Kuti.
- ‘Zombie’ by Fela Kuti. A track that’s more than just music. It’s a statement. A movement.
- ‘Lady’ – another Fela hit. A song about women’s rights, long before it became mainstream.
Must Read: Fela: The Man & His Legacy
The 90s Pop Resurgence
Gone were the afros. In came the branded caps and oversized shirts. The 90s was a decade of transition, with music reflecting this change.
- ‘Send Down the Rain’ by Majek Fashek. The anthem of a generation.
- Plantashun Boiz‘ ‘You and I’. Love, Nigerian style.
Tables & Tidbits: By the Numbers
| Year | Song | Streams (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Osondi Owendi | 1.5M |
| 1977 | Zombie | 5.2M |
| 1992 | Send Down the Rain | 2.7M |
Other Noteworthy Mentions
- Nelly Uchendu’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ – the heartbeat of the 80s.
- Bright Chimezie’s ‘African Style’ – a celebration of the continent.
For a complete list of these mesmerizing tracks, see the Top 200 Nigerian Old Songs below:
- Bobby Benson – Taxi Driver
- Water no Get Enemy – Fela Kuti
- Mammy water – Sir Victor Uwaifo
- Cardinal Rex Lawson – Jolly Papa
- Wrinkars Experience – Fuel For Love
- African Style- Bright Chimezie
- Fire in Soweto – Sonny Okosun
- Papa’s Land – Sonny Okosun
- Ebenezer Obey – Edumare Soro Mi Dayo
- Joromi – Victor Uwaifo
- Time na Money – Mike Okri
- Lady – Fela Kuti
- Oko mi ye – Stella Monye
- Happy Birthday – Evi Edna Ogoli Okosi
- Send down the Rain: Majek Fashek
- Aparo – Tunji Oyelana
- Peoples Club – Oliver De Coque
- Ngozi – Felix Liberty
- What’s Gonna Be Gonna – Bongos Ikwe
- I Love My Country – Tunji Oyelana & Wole Soyinka
- Osondi Owendi – Osadebe
- Eddie Okonta – Sawa Sawa
- Sweet Mother – Prince Nico Mbarga
- Baby Jowo – Dr. Victor Olaiya
- Ise Aje – I.K. Dairo
- Veno Marioghae – Nigeria Go Survive
- Ketekete – Ebenezer Obey
- Funmi Adams – Nigeria is My Country
- Dele Ojo – Iya Ni Wura
- Ina Ran – Haruna Ishola & His Apala Group
- Oriental Brother’s – Chi Awu Out
- Hubert Ogunde – Oni Moto
- I Need Someone – Kris Okotie
- Oby Onyioha – I Want to Feel Your Love
- Ever Liked My Person – Christie Essien Igbokwe
- Biri Ka Mbiri, Pt. 3 – Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque
- Lorine Okotie – Love Medicine
- Asiko – Tyna Onwudiwe
- Ayinla Omowura – National Census 1973
- Dora Ifudu – When Will it Be the Right Time
- It’s Time For Juju Music – Admiral Dele Abiodun
- Iya mi – Christien Essien Igbokwe
- Omo Ode De – Emperor Pick Peters
- Ololufe Mi – Orlando Julius Ekemode
- CAC choir – Odun lo sopin o
- Ace – Shina Peters
- Roy Chicago – Olowo Gba’ya Ole
- Iyawo Asiko – Orlando Owoh
- Mike Ejeagha – Ome Ka Agu
- One Love – Onyeka Owenu
- Make Nigeria Better – KSA and Nigerian All stars
- Iwaju Lokan Mi – KSA
- Identity – Oliver De Coque
- Rumba style – Ras Kimono
- Heart of Stone – Oritz Wiliki
- Rosie – Blakky
- Cock crow at dawn – Bongos Ikwe
- Biri Ka’m Biri – Oliver De Coque
- Baby Kilode – Dizzy K Falola
- Ziga Ha Ozi – Sunny Okosun
- Under pressure – Ras Kimono
- Wait for me – KSA & Onyeka Onwenu
- Seun Rere – Christy Essien Igbokwe
- Eddie Kwansa – Peacock Int’l Band
- Orlando Julius- Adara
- Iya mi – Christie Essien Igbokwe
- Iyawo Asiko – Orlando Owoh
- Papa Bless Me – Isaac Black
- Make You Dey Look Well – Edna Okoli
- Stop the Fight – Edna Okoli
- Cloud 7 – Beautiful Woman
- Omoge – Mike Okri
- Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Shakara
- Sonny Okosun- Which Way Nigeria
- Onyeka Onwenu- Ekwe
- Fela Anikulapo Kuti- Yellow Fever
- Tunji Oyelana – Alaru T’onje Buredi
- Ebenezer Obey- Olomi
- Dr. Orlando Owoh- Kangaroo
- Dizzy K. Falola- Excuse Me Baby
- Ofege- Try & Love
- Alex Zitto – Walakolombo
- Salawa Abeni – This is Waka Music
- Chris Mba- Baby Don’t Cry
- Bright Chimezie- African Style
- Felix Liberty- Ifeoma
- Mike Okiri- Omoge
- Evi Edna Ogholi – Obaro
- Dr. Victor Olaiya- Iye Jemila
- Kill Me With Love – Jide Obi
- Oritz Wiliki- Heart Of Stone
- Harry Mosco- Sugar Cane Baby
- Alex O- Celebrate
- Prince Adekunle – AYE Nreti Eleya
- Prince Adekunle – Tell Me that You Love Me Baby
- Dora Ifudu- When Will it Be Right Time
- Tunji Oyelana – Alaru T’onje Buredi
- Sunny Ade- Syncro System
- Ik Dairo- Feso Jaiye
- B L O – Native Doctor
- Adawa Supper: Dele Abiodun
- Kayode Fashola – Rantiomo Eni Tiwo NSe
- Fire: Lijadu Sisters
- Ketekete: Ebenezer Obey
- Dauda Epoakara – My Mother
- Mandy Ojugbana – Taxi Driver
- Wasiu Ayinde – Talazo Fuji
- Segun Bucknor – Adebo
- Ayinde Barrister – Fuji Gabage III
- Cloud 7 – Searching
- Kollington Ayinla – Ijo Yoyo
- Fela Kuti – Suffering & Smiling
- Won Kerry Si Number Wa – Fatayi Rolling Dollar
- Board Members – Ebenezer Obey
- Logba Logba – Orlando Owoh
- Challenge Cup – Ayinla Omowura
- Na Poor I Poor – Tunde Nightingale
- Owere Elejigbo – Lijadu Sisters
- Guguru Perere – Tunji Oyelana
- Yegede – Yusuf Olatunji
Conclusion
From the streets of Lagos to the valleys of Enugu, these songs form the soul of Nigeria. They’ve made us dance, cry, and most importantly, remember. In an age of rapidly-evolving digital music, let’s not forget our roots.
Relish these classics. Share them. And let the world know: Nigeria has a rhythm, and it’s golden.
“Music is the weapon of the future.” – Fela Kuti
Sources & Further Reading:
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Source: MandyNews.com
