Abuja is a city that’s often characterised as being peaceful and serene and while those descriptions mostly hold up when it comes to daily commute within the city, they don’t when it comes to the growing drill music culture the city is home to. Abuja is filled with many talented artists who might not necessarily be household names yet, but there is an exciting movement within the capital city that has managed to pull an impressive audience. If you live in or grew up in Abuja, you most likely have encountered many “Abuja artists” and listened to their songs.
From REEPLAY to Odumodublvck to Psycho YP, Abuja has many talented acts that deserve to be heard outside the city. In this piece, we look at 11 songs that only an Abuja-bred will be able to identify and sing along to.
Bando Diaries
Artist: Psycho YP, Odumodublvck
Release date: June 29, 2022
Label: Apex Village
Details: On Bando Diaries, Psycho YP tag teams with fellow rapper Odumodublvck to deliver a sensational record. Produced by serial hit maker Jiggy, Bando Diaries uncovers what goes on the streets away from prying eyes. Psycho YP and Odumodu drop bar for bar talking about how rough life in the bando is and how their mothers can never find out the truth. “Yeah mums always said I got a heart of gold, told her I me got a clothing brand but she don’t even know how many grams I sold,” Psycho YP raps.
Agbalagba
Artist: EESKAY, Odumodublvck
Release date: May 13, 2020
Label: None
Details: Produced by Afroselecta, Agbalagba was initially released in 2020 as part of a double-sided Prescription Pack single, but features on EESKAY’s 2021 album Drill.Or.Nah which came out on the 18th of November. For Abuja-based artist, EESKAY, drill is the weapon he chose to announce himself in the music industry with, and a record like Agbalagba is filled with so much assertiveness and energy.
Abeg Getat
Artist: Tim3oo, Teelorh, Aiibreed
Release date: September 24, 2021
Label: Sirius Entertainment
Details: Tim3oo is joined by Aiibreed and Teelorh on his song Abeg Getat also known as The Sapa Anthem. According to Tim3oo, “What inspired Getat was my current situation, with school, life and everything around me, draining me financially. It got to a point I was fed up and just felt like if you ain’t talking money, Abeg Getat.” The Sapa Anthem was produced by XonDaBeat.
The Matter
Artist: EESKAY
Release date: August 27, 2018
Label: None
Details: Produced by Nameless Nobuhdi, The Matter is a timeless masterpiece from EESKAY. In the song, EESKAY constantly repeats “the matter na dead” which means to kill an issue or forget about a situation. Many people still recall the song when in situations where they’re tired of an issue and want it “dead.”
Dog Eat Dog
Artist: Odumodublvck
Release date: May 25, 2022
Label: Antiworld Global Music
Details: Produced by Ucee, Dog Eat Dog is a catchy tune that tells a story of betrayal and resilience. It is a blend of Okporoko music and hip-hop. “I’m the fearless nigga that you heard about, then / Now and forever, na me go dent them / Gave them everything they said I’m blessed / Odumodu na you we count on / Take us to the promised land we bank on,” Odumodu says. He’s confirming how important the role of uplifting his people is to him.
Picanto
https://open.spotify.com/track/32R7SBDSQmhDM4qUgzTc6z?si=344484cec43e45ae
Artist: Odumodublvck, Zlatan, ECko Miles
Release date: November 21, 2022
Label: Native Records
Details: Marking a new season for the Grime and Okporoko artist, Picanto, produced by JimohSoundz, is the first single Odumodu released under Native Records. Picanto combines catchy lyrics with an infectious melody to deliver what is altogether an impressive and sizzling single.
Capslock
Artist: Mainland BlockParty, Odumodublvck, REEPLAY, Tomi Obanure
Release date: October 21, 2022
Label: Topboy Music/The Plug Entertainment
Details: Capslock features the most relevant rap voices from the drill community in Abuja: OdumoduBlvck, Reeplay and Tomi Obanure. Produced by Cross, the single is a hard-hitting rap banger from the drill capital of Nigeria, Abuja. It is an anthemic adrenaline shot bound to give listeners a dose of unbridled energy. The three rappers deliver heavy bars affirming their mastery of the rap sub-genre.
Redy
Artist: EESKAY, Tedmilez, REEPLAY
Release date: August 20, 2018
Label: None
Details: Produced by Cross, EESKAY’s Redy is a high-energy track that will leave your head bopping. EESKAY, Tedmilez, and REEPLAY all go in hard on the record. With a recurring “I’m ready when you’re ready” chant and fast-paced cadence, the song ticks all the boxes to make it rave material.
Chicken Repubs
Artist: EESKAY
Release date: October 31, 2021
Label: Immensum Music LLC
Details: Chicken Repubs is part of a two-sided single EESKAY dropped in 2021. The song is essentially his way of taking a shot at those who didn’t believe in him but are trying to get his attention now that things are going well. “Now that I’m popping a little Omo that EESKAY na snub / Hunting season, even lion no be every day him dey chill with him cubs / Now we on every block like chicken repubs” he says making reference to the popular restaurant chain in Abuja, Chicken Republic.
IC3
Artist: Psycho YP, Zilla Oaks, BackRoad Gee
Release date: August 11, 2022
Label: Apex Village
Details: Psycho YP teamed up with Zilla Oaks and BackRoad Gee on his single IC3. The rapper stays true to his alias ‘The Fresh Prince of Nigerian Rap’ on the new record. Produced by undisputable hit maker Princeton, IC3 takes a look at the unrest that comes with being one of the hottest rappers out of the continent. Psycho YP, Zilla Oaks and BackRoad Gee’s magnetic and energetic bars hit so hard that you’ll find them to be irresistible.
Vigilante Bop
Artist: Alpha Ojini, Odumodublvck
Release date: August 12, 2022
Label: Focus Music Recording
Details: Alpha Ojini teamed up with self-acclaimed roadman Odumodublvck to deliver an iconic single, Vigilante Bop. The 3-minute record is one that touches on social issues such as politics and election fraud, police brutality, the October 20th massacre at Lekki toll gate, the rise in fuel prices, and the current state of leadership in Nigeria or the lack thereof. “I no go shock if NNPC open mouth tell us 40k for 40 litres. If I had a chance I’ll decapitate all these niggas and still detain all their family sha,” Alpha raps.