Written by Reuben Adewale
The street music has steadily been active and has maintained a strong presence in the mainstream, with solid acts refining the sound for listeners’ ears. Over the years, as far back as the late-2000s, we could see how vocal the streets have been, leading up to 2010, where many acts championed the sound. With a nostalgic rewind, let’s glance through the artists and songs that helped shape Afro street pop.
9ice – Gongo Aso (2008)
If you didn’t hear this song at any party around 2008, then you weren’t at the right party. This was a smash hit in the streets of Lagos and Nigeria at large, with everyone listening and the phrase ‘Gongo Aso’ in circulation.
In this jam, 9ice celebrated his success and fame as a musician, rejoicing, partying hard, and having fun. The song’s connection to the street was rooted in the way he conveyed the message in the language the street understands, combining pidgin English with his native Yoruba.
This blend of languages helped the people feel the groove and vibes instantly. Notably, 9ice affirmed his solidarity with the street by confirming he is a ghetto soldier, also known as a street soldier.
The hit street-pop tune ‘Gongo Aso’ brought immense success to 9ice, leading to performances alongside his other songs, winning a MOBO Award, performing in LA, selling out his album (with the same title), and making waves across borders.
Dagrin – Pon Pon Pon (2009)
The superstar, Dagrin was one of the artists who elevated street music to a level where it is widely enjoyed. Despite his short time making music for the street, his impact is still felt.
Before his passing, a song from his debut album ‘C.E.O’ ruled the streets: ‘Pon Pon Pon’ was on everyone’s lips, dominating carnivals and parties. In ‘Pon Pon Pon’, Dagrin raps over a beat that embodies the street vibe, with lyrics that paint a picture of his life. He shares his experiences as a “Naija boy” (a slang term for being a true Nigerian), discussing his birthplace, career as an artist, and depicting culture and lifestyle of the streets.
The music video showcases his connection to the popular place with huge street culture, featuring places like Mushin, Alagbado, Shitta, and Egbeda. Although Dagrin’s street pop was infused with rap, he assured listeners they would still dance to it, as it is deeply rooted in Nigerian culture. As he mentioned in the same track, “T’oba gbo nsin, o ma fi Hip-Hop jo Bata” (“If you don’t hear now, you’ll dance to Hip-Hop using Bata style, a Yoruba cultural dance”).
Olamide – Durosoke (2013)
From 2013 to 2017, Olamide blessed the streets with numerous street pop tunes that will last forever. With these songs, he cemented his name as a genius and legend in creating beautiful tunes for the street. Even his fourth album is titled ‘Street OT’.
Among his hits are ‘Durosoke’, which got everyone shouting “take it outside basket, take it inside Koroba” in 2013, and ‘Turn Up’, which actually got the street turnt up. Other notable mentions include the inspirationally lyrical ‘Voice of The Street (V.O.T.S)’, the dancecore ‘First of All’, the energetic ‘Don’t Stop’, and the inspirational ‘Lagos Boys’ tune that got everyone dancing. Who can forget ‘Bobo’, which got us dancing “shakitibobo”? This song brings heavy nostalgia every time I press play. If we keep counting, it’s clear that Olamide has truly shaped Street Pop with multiple songs from his discography, including ‘Goons Mi’, ‘Story for the gods’, ‘Who You Epp’, and ‘Wo!!’.
Lil Kesh – Shoki (2014)
If you didn’t know “Shoki” in 2014, you must have been tuning into the wrong radio station. Listening back to this song, it’s clear that Lil Kesh was teaching the world how to dance the Nigerian street dance – the Shoki dance. Looking back, we can see that this dance was the go-to move for everyone that year, and for the years after. The Shoki dance is carved in the street’s memory, thanks to Lil Kesh’s perfect hit.
Let’s not forget, “Shoki” was Lil Kesh’s debut song, which he used to make a clean entrance into the music scene, repping the street. He went on to create multiple street platinum songs like “Gbese”, “Efejoku”, and “Cause Trouble”, solidifying his place in the street music scene.
Reminisce – Tesojue (2015)
This bop took over the streets in 2015, with Reminisce creating a catchy chorus and singing about a love interest who wouldn’t give him a chance. She called him a “local rapper”, prompting him to make a clean street jam, telling her all he wants to do to her and assuring her he’s not a hooligan, despite making street tunes.
Reminisce proudly wears his badge as a local rapper, repping the street and reminding listeners that the street has taken over the music scene especially on the track ‘Local Rappers” . He uses his locally infused rap tactics to attack the beat as a street hop artist, with special guests Olamide, a fellow street lord, and Phyno, who has played a crucial role in spitting flows in Igbo. On this track, these artists truly represent the street as local rappers, believing that street hop will put them at the number one spot.
Small Doctor – Penalty (2016)
We might as well start calling him Street Doctor, as his songs seem to heal the street. His debut album was even titled ‘Street Ambassador’, it is no coincidence.
Small Doctor made a name and a significant mark in street hop with his 2016 smash hit ‘Penalty’. This song was everywhere, is it Nigerian YouTube skits, it was there, or drive-time radio shows, you would hear it there, it was just right next to our ears playing all year long. It was among the list of street bop of the year 2016. With Small Doctor’s melodic voice that was tailor-made for street pop, his sound resonated with the streets.
‘Penalty’ was a standout hit that showcased his talent and solidified his position as a street music
Chinko Ekun – Able God (2018)
This track reminds me that the street is always thankful and grateful to God for every blessing. That’s exactly what Chinko Ekun did on this song, alongside fellow street representatives Lil Kesh and Zlatan. “Able God” brings a nostalgic feeling, reminiscent of when everyone was rocking this tune and using the phrase “Able God, shower your blessing”. The song’s catchy hook and upbeat rhythm made it a street anthem, with its message of gratitude and praise resonating with listeners. The collaboration between Chinko Ekun, Lil Kesh, and Zlatan resulted in a timeless street classic that continues to inspire and uplift.
Zlatan – Zanku (LegWork) (2018)
His 2018 hit “LegWork” sparked a dance craze, with almost every dancer in Nigeria, especially street dancers, performing the legwork. Poco Lee’s mastery of the dance and viral videos of him further boosted the song’s popularity. “Zanku LegWork” is indeed a song the street will never forget, it was the song that catapulted Zlatan to wide range fame, establishing him as a household name, and one of the acts to impact in the Street pop scene.
Naira Marley – Issa Goal (2018)
This song marked Naira Marley’s introduction to the Nigerian music scene fully, created with the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, in mind during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The title “Issa Goal” hints at the song’s theme – scoring a goal. Naira Marley conveyed this message using familiar street slang and featured guest artists Olamide and Lil Kesh, known for their street-oriented style. “Issa Goal” is a smooth street pop anthem that launched Naira Marley’s career deeper into the roots of Nigeria, followed by other hits like “Am I a Yahoo Boy”, “Opotoyi (Marlians)”, and “Soapy”.
Zinoleesky – Kilofese (2020)
Zinoleesky is a soft-spoken artist known for blending divine melodies with street pop beats, possessing the perfect flow and lyrical stability to deliver captivating street pop tunes. His 2020 hit single “Kilofese” exemplified this, rocking the airwaves after a year of lockdown due to Covid-19. As a signee under Naira Marley’s Marlians Record, it’s clear that Zinoleesky has inherited the street pop mantle, proving that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “Kilofese” showcased his unique talent, followed by interesting singles such as ‘Gone Far’, ‘Loving You’, ‘Call of Duty.
MohBad & Rexxie – KPK (Ko Por Ke) (2020)
“KPK” was the ultimate anthem for the 2020 festive season, uniting people despite the Covid-19 pandemic. This infectious jam brought everyone together at festive functions and events, its catchiness, sweetness, and street vibe making it a standout hit. The combination of Rexxie’s brilliant production and MohBad’s incredible vocals proved to be a winning formula, creating an unforgettable sound that resonated with fans. The MohBad and Rexxie collaboration was indeed an amazing combo, resulting in a street pop classic that will be remembered for years to come.
Seyi Vibez – Chance (2022)
Seyi Vibez’s name alone suggests his affinity for the street. Hailing from Ikorodu, this young artist has always been street-oriented, discovering his talent and using his voice to inspire and show vision to the youth in the street. He created multiple tunes that resonated with street figures, but it was his breakout single “Chance” that catapulted him to fame. In “Chance”, he yearned for an opportunity to prove his worth, and the world indeed gave him a chance. The rest is history. Following “Chance”, Seyi Vibez has continued to bless listeners with more street pop hits, rebranding the Afro street pop genre and adding his unique touch. He’s one of the pioneering artists to refresh the genre.
Shallipopi – Obapluto (2023)
Hailing from Benin City, Shallipopi emerged in the music scene like a stealthy force, claiming his rightful spot in the street pop landscape. A proud Benin boy at heart, Shallipopi has become a leading figure in the Afro street pop genre. His hit song “Obapluto” is a testament to his talent, seamlessly blending cultural elements with street sensibilities. This perfect tune has resonated with fans, showcasing Shallipopi’s unique sound and style, which is deeply rooted in his Benin heritage and street smarts. With “Obapluto”, Shallipopi has made a mark in the Afro street pop movement.
Who do you think is leading in the Street pop scene in 2024?
