Another month of the year is in the rearview mirror and we’re almost at the halfway mark of 2018. In May, the music never stopped coming with projects like Lagos City Vice from WANI, About 30 from Adekunle Gold and DJ Neptune’s Greatness. Some of the standalone releases were also just as good as everything we’d heard year round with tracks like Kana and So Mi So taking over airwaves. We keep an eye out on what’s dropping and here are 10 songs May gave us that were in a separate class.
This Is Nigeria by Falz
Only one man was capable of taking Childish Gambino’s This Is America and turning it into an equally as brilliant story while never sounding the same and that man is Folarin Falana.
Bonjour by David Meli
David Meli’s first release since his debut EP, Indecisive is in the same ball park as earlier material. Acknowledging the new found attention with lines like ‘now the blessing don dey come through’ Meli is quick to suggest that it’s only because of Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule and the work put in.
234 by WANI
The final track off WANI’s debut project, Lagos City Vice, 234 is one track that’ll have you in your feels if you’ve ever felt strongly about someone and not had the feeling reciprocated. She’s in love and he’s lusting after her, Yoruba boy style.
China Designer by WANI
China Designer is a recreation of Tekno’s Be without ever sounding like Tekno. It’s particularly impressive to see as he shows how two artists can take the same beat and create something entirely different. In some form, China Designer shares similar sentiments to Davido’s Assurance as WANI speaks highly of his lady and assures her of his dedication.
Mr Eazi’s London Town featuring Giggs
Single off Mr Eazi’s upcoming Lagos to London project and it’s really just waiting to blow up. Stellar record and with one of Grime’s biggest rappers on it, you can only expect that much more of a push.
Olamide’s Kana featuring Wizkid
Banged from the moment we heard a snippet on one of their Instagram stories and banged even more when we heard it. “O n pa ariwo bi Tekno o ko bana!”
Askamaya by Teni
She is the Rookie of the Year for a reason. If you speak Yoruba you should appreciate Askamaya just that bit more, if you don’t you probably can’t be arsed but one thing you won’t deny is she sounds right!
So Mi So by Wande Coal
Wande Coal and Juls have never gone wrong together. Love them or hate them, create bops is what they do when they link up. So Mi So is another subtle reminder that Wande’s got all the talent.
Pablo Alakori by Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold offers social commentary as he lauds those who work hard everyday and suggests that rushing to the kpa has never been and never will be the answer.
Tungba by Boj and Ajebutter
We’ve continued to see this great combination since Omo Pastor and Tungba, the fourth track off their Make E No Cause Fight is as close as we’ve come to the perfection that Omo Pastor was. If you know what love feels like, you can also relate heavily.
Notable Exclusions
Efya’s Mame featuring Mr Eazi
Chase Music’s Pow featuring Jinmi Abduls, Foresyth, Sir Tami and Yung Ziggy
DJ Neptune’s Wait Featuring Kizz Daniel
DJ Neptune’s Tear Rubber Featuring Mayorkun
DJ Big N’s My Dear featuring Kizz Daniel and Don Jazzy