You’ve probably heard of songs that came like a wave, reached
their climax and like wind, disappeared never to be heard
again. This is a common trend with several of the ongoing
releases especially in Nigeria. And once a particular joint goes
on rotation in several TV channels and radio stations, it
gradually starts to fade away before it eventually becomes a
song that’s only heard on rare occasions. This an incisive
definition of a ‘club banger': but when it comes to a classic
joint, then this one is meant to last a life time or ‘maybe’
passed to the next generation to be enjoyed by our kids and
their grandchildren. Such songs, in spite of having been
produced several decades ago, still grace our stereos like new
songs that are just fresh from the studio. So, if you’re in
Nigeria and can’t figure out any ‘evergreen’ Nigerian song,
then here are 10 such songs in Nigeria that you should be
singing along if you consider yourself a true Nigerian:

Evergreen Nigerian Songs Everyone Should Know
1. African Queen by 2face Idibia — 2004
This might be latest classic, but believe me when I say that our
great grand children will still bump to this song twenty decades
to come. In fact, this song is more popular than 2face himself
and the market can’t just get enough of it. It has managed to
win him several awards as well as secure him an international
recognition. Besides, it was used as a soundtrack in the ‘Phat
girlz’ comedy movie, and up-to date several radio stations still
play this song more than most of Idibia’s new releases.[b][/b]

[b] Now or ever by Sonny Okusun — 1986[/b]

This is a song that brings back memories to every adult who
listened to the song in the 80s and early 90s. It was released in
1986 after ‘which way Nigeria’ single, and has since then been
on rotation in several radio stations. It even earned Sonny
Okusun an international recognition and every person that
remembers him is reminded of this great single despite the
time frame.

3. Wonder Wonder by Femi Kuti — 1995

Femi Kuti is one of the most revered afro-pop artists, and at
the top of his classics is the ‘wonder wonder’ single, which was
released in 1995. This is the same song that put Femi Kuti on
the map, and also played a big role in jump-starting his music
career on a high note. Wonder wonder is definitely one of Femi
Kuti’s songs that will forever remain evergreen and, at the
same time, be sung by several generations a hundred years to
come.

4. The way forward by King Sunny Ade with various artists —
1994

In 1994, King Sunny Ade brought 32 Nigerian artists and
actors together and they collectively recorded a song against
ethnic violence called ‘the way forward’ that became an
automatic hit and an up-to date classic. The song was sung in
several languages — Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba and several of other
Nigerian languages, and the message revolved around urging
Nigerians to stop fighting against each other and, instead,
celebrate their independence together.

5. Joromy by Sir Victor Uwaifo — 1969

Born in 1941 in Nigeria, Uwaifo is a Nigerian writer, sculptor
and musician whose ‘joromy’ hit single is a major classic that’s
currently receiving massive airplay in several African stereos
and radio stations. It’s a song that earned Uwaifo his
legendary status as he could play a guitor using both his
hands, feet and tongue while performing the song — something
that was very strange in the 1960s. The song earned him the
first golden record and a formidable international recognition,
and up-to date it’s considered as a major classic that still
sounds fresh in every ear.


6. Seun Rere by Christie Igbokwe Essien — 1981

Christie igbokwe Essiens is o ne of the most respected music
pioneers in Nigeria , and who has actually played a major role
in getting Nigerian music where it is now. She is well
remembered for her ‘evergreen’ classic, seun Rere, which still
sounds new to every ear despite being recorded over 30 years
ago. This track was recorded by Lemmy Jackson, and it’s one
of the Nigerian classics that is deemed to last for over a
thousand and one years to come.

7. Iyogogo by Onyeka Onwenu — 1992

From her fourth album — ‘ one love’, iyogogo became the
favorite joint for most of Onyeka’s fans. In fact, the whole
album had a strong impact on Nigerians’ lives because it
preached a message of love and peace, with the Iyogogo single
becoming an instant international hit. And apparently, anyone
who listens to the iyogogo song automatically becomes
Onyeka’s fan in spite of the time that it was released.

8. Sweet mother by Prince Nico Mbarga — 1976

Prince Nico Mbarga recorded sweet mother in 1976, which
sold over 13 million copies upon its release and has been
globally considered as the African greatest song of all time .
Even though Prince Mbarga only had this song as the only
significant hit song, it actually earned him a lot of respect and,
at the same time, gave him an international recognition.
Despite his death that occurred as a result of a tragic
motorcycle accident on 24th June 1997, he is still remembered
for this classic that will never fade among hordes of his fans
any time soon.

9. Water-no-get-Enemy by Fela Kuti — 1975

From the expensive shit album, water-no-get-enemy single is
a huge classic that’s still sung by several of Fela Kuti’s fans
up-to date. It’s a classic song that’s more philosophical than
political as it metaphorically explains the natural flow of water
in reference to the harmonious interaction of human being. It’s
a song that was way ahead of its time, and that’s definitely one
of the reasons why this song is still considered as a major
classic several decades down the line.

10. Afro juju by Shina Peters — 1989

Shina Peters and the ‘International stars’ band is a household
name that will never fade for the next a thousand years. He
has 16 well acclaimed albums with the afro juju series 1 album
being the most favored album by most of his fans up-to date.
He is considered as the creator of the ‘Afro juju’ music genre,
and most of the songs in the Afro juju series 1 album are
regarded as classic hits by anyone who has listened the
album.

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