Songs We Love: ZODML's Nigerian Playlist for Work (and Play!)
Friedrich Nietzsche once said that “Without music, life would be a mistake.” And we agree! At ZODML, music keeps us going while we are hard at work. There’s nothing like plugging in your headphones and turning up your favourite song to give yourself that boost to see you through the day, especially as the year winds to a close and the festive season approaches. NoViolet Bulawayo, winner of the 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing and author of We Need New Names (2013), recently shared a playlist of songs from Southern Africa she dances to while writing, which inspired us to make our own playlist of ten classic Nigerian tracks to see us through until the Christmas break. Click through to check out the list:
Fela Anikulapo Kuti – "Zombie" Many people consider Fela to be Nigeria’s conscience. He was capable of speaking truth to power, even when his outspokenness landed him in prison. Songs such as "Authority Stealing" and "ITT" set his unsparing criticism of Nigerian society to legendary melodies and beats that keep us grooving today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GiL7a1RS5Q Chief Osita Osadebe – "Nwanne Ebezina" Chief Osadebe’s music features jazzy horns and strong guitar notes, but his most powerful instrument is his husky voice. His songs are usually narratives which celebrate war, local warriors, and farmers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTWOx2piaG4 Omawunmi – “Bottom Belle” featuring Flavour Omawunmi was the first runner-up of the 2007 edition of Idols West Africa. The talented singer also won Best Female Vocal Performance and Next Rated Artist at 2009 Hip Hop World Awards, and has been gaining fans ever since with her powerful voice and catchy tunes. Her brand of AfroPop is frequently infused with the rich Pidgin English spoken in her native Delta State. This funky duet with Flavour is a hit we keep on repeat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIhDiFaBhBo Dr Victor Olaiya – “Baby Mi Da (Baby Jowo)” featuring 2Face Idibia Highlife maestro Victor Olaiya is, without a doubt, one of Nigeria’s most respected musicians. His band, the Cool Cats (later known as the All Stars Band) was chosen to play at the state ball when Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria, and he once shared a stage with the American jazz musician Louis Armstrong. During the Nigerian Civil War, Olaiya was given the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Nigerian army and his band played for the troops. In July 2013, Olaiya released a remix to his beloved “Baby Mi Da (Baby Jowo)” with multiple award-winning artist 2Face Idibia which was received with much fanfare. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enf68hEsvys 2Face Idibia – “Ihe Ne Me” Speaking of 2Face, the R&B star has been making waves across the world, from his days with the Plantashun Boiz to his beloved "African Queen" which had women all over the continent swooning. No wonder he's the first non-Liberian to be made a member of the country's music society in recognition of his contributions to the growth of music in Africa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_vTxQW8k-I Onyeka Onwenu – "Iyogogo" Onyeka Onwenu is one of Nigeria’s most beloved performers. A singer, songwriter, actress (she won an African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a supporting role for the film Widow’s Cot in 2006), and social critic, she began her began her music career in 1981 while working for the Nigeria Television Authority. Her most memorable tracks include "In the Morning Light," "Endless Life,” "One Love," and "Dancing in the Sun". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m3Kt135S-E Christy Essien – “Seun Rere” Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe, Nigeria's Lady of Songs, was a talented hitmaker as well as the first female president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Her music drew heavily on Nigerian cultures and traditions, and her fluency in the country’s major languages earned her nationwide acclaim. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDrApu9APBk Chief Oliver de Coque – “Biri Ka Mbiri” A prolific guitarist who popularised the "Ogene" dance style of Nigerian highlife, Oliver De Coque recorded over 73 albums in his lifetime. Some of his biggest hits include "Biri Ka Mbiri" and "Identity". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDdboHhWjV0 Bright Chimezie – “Because of English” Bright Chimezie (also known as Okoro Junior) is a Nigerian highlife musician whose songs have had us grooving since the early 80s – just ask your parents! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7mpvF5sTrA Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey – “Mukulu Muke Maa Jo” The legendary Commander is known for his unique musical style, which is rich with the sounds of drum kits, guitars and talking drums. His songs successfully unite Yoruba adages with dancefloor-ready compositions, although more recently Christian themes have been their main subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5OcxVoyRlc Over to you! What are your favourite Nigerian songs to work/celebrate to?
