Have The Stars Disappeared?

The beginning of every year, especially, before the first quarter ends, there are always new music, new artistes and albums. Last year 2015 was no different. The Nigerian music scene was massive in terms of new entrants into industry.

From Godwin to Woju, Shoki, Efejoku, Jagaban, Orente and Pick Up, the Nigerian music scene was abuzz with hits and club bangers that literally made everybody wriggle his or her body, whilst singing along in acceptance.

It is March now and some few weeks to the end of the first quarter, and it appears the stars have disappeared, as there has been no Wizkid, Kiss Daniel, Patoranking, Cynthia Morgan, Ycee, Korede Bello nor Lil Kesh making the movement to the limelight.

Weekend Beat, looks at the performances of the acts that rock the scene in 2015, hoping that they would reenact the same tenacity, art, creativity and better hits in 2016.

Kiss Daniel
He wormed his way into hearts of many when he served up his song Woju that was a success in 2014. He left everyone asking for more like Oliver Twist in 2015, when he came with Laye as first course, leaving all to salivate and stare at his kitchen door for what was coming next. He later went on to cement the year, certified as a hit-maker and bundle of a talent.

Korede Bello
Likened to Harry Style, the Mavin Record artiste, Korede Bello, with his jerry curls, charming smile and winks, wowed many music buffs, particularly the ladies. He was elevated from a wide-eyed records hopeful, a wannabe, to a star with his Godwin hit, which caught the fancy of the high and mighty, the middle class and even the ordinary man in Nigeria. The tune was well received in clubs, churches and even bureaucratic gatherings. It won best ‘Best Pop Single’ at the 2015 Headies.

Wizkid
Wizkid, on January 5, 2015, released the music video for his rave making Ojuelegba, a song that highlights his struggles in the early years of his career. The remix of the song features Drake and Skepta; it premiered on OVO Sound Radio in July 2015.

In April 2015, he had, alongside Chris Brown performed the song together at the latter’s concert in Durban, South Africa. And in May 2015, he released Expensive Shit, an Afrobeat song built on light guitars, saxophone lines and acoustic percussion.

Davido
From the beginning of the year 2015, David Adeleke aka Omo Baba Olowo was steadily in the news. The HKN boss and star was clearly a hot topic for the Nigerian media, as news of him and about him would not just stop being in circulation. He began the year with the postponement of his album release earlier scheduled to drop, and quick to follow was his much awaited graduation from Babcock University on Sunday, June 7, 2015.

Patoranking
2015 was indeed a successful year for Patoranking as two of his singles; Daniella Whine and My Woman, My Everything were chart toppers on the MTV base Official Naija Top 10 Chart. While Daniella Whine debuted at number 4 in May, it went on to top the chart as number 1 in June. My Woman, My Everything also made the chart when it was released, peaking at the number 2 spot.

In May 2015, Patoranking featured on Halle Mordu’s first debut for the year, Another Day, a song produced by Kukbeat and Patoranking made a statement with the track.

Lil Kesh
YBNL Nation rapper/singer, Lil Kesh was unstoppable last year, as he had a successful tracklist that became street anthem… Lyrically, Shoki and Efejoku. And in the words of Olamide, “every single was a hit back to back.”

Ycee
The artist has already kicked off the year with a new single titled Ibile. His Jagaban was one of the street anthems of 2015. When he released Condo, featuring Patoranking in May 2015, people wondered who he was. But when he dropped Jagaban, the streets went agog and were listening.

Following the success of the song, he collaborated with YBNL rapper and kingpin, Olamide Adedeji also known as Badoo, on the remix. On January 1, 2015, he won the Rookie of The Year at the 2015 Headies.

Adekunle Gold
Since his emergence in 2014, with Sade, Adekunle Gold has been stirring the waters of alternative music in Nigeria. The singer signed to YBNL Nation in 2015, has remained true to his art despite being signed to a label known for creating club bangers and street anthems. His Orente and Pick Up received critical acceptance and airplay in radio and television station as well as other music channels.

Reekado Banks
In 2014, he was name Rookie of the Year at the Headies awards, while at the 2015 edition of the awards ceremony, he bagged the Next Rated award. This is the story of the steady rise to stardom of Mavin Records act, Reekado Banks, who last year released four singles…Sugar baby, Tomorrow, Corner and Katapot, which were successful.

Simisola Ogunleye
Covenant University MassComm graduate and X3M Music singer, Simisola Ogunleye, stole our hearts in 2015 with her single, Jamb Question, a mid-tempo song that showcased her sweet sounding vocals. A remix of the song with rapper Falz (Folarin Falana) further helped it gain acceptance and loved by many.

Though, she started off as gospel with the songs, Simi launched her debut album produced by Samklef in 2008. The album spawned hits such as Ara Ile, Ogaju, and Iya Temi, among others. Prior to Jamb Question, she had successfully released the infectious singles Tiff and clubby E no go funny.

Eva Allordiah
Probably one of the fiercest female MCs in Nigeria right now, Eva Allordiah’s fans were left disappointed when the rapper didn’t release her debut album titled ‘1960’ with songs like War Coming and Kanayo featuring Phyno and Reminisce as planned in 2015.

Cynthia Morgan
Although Cynthia Morgan failed to churn out more general pop hits, she found some joy in genre specificity. Her songs German Juice, and Simati Niya, were cool within the dancehall community as she picked up an award at the Headies 2015 with German Juice for its brilliance.