The Nigerian music business experienced a lot of remarkable moments in 2022 that were hard to ignore.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE takes a walk down memory lane in the Nigerian music scene, and brings up 10 noteworthy events from among the numerous noteworthy ones.
1. The inclusion of Davido, Cardona, and other artists from Trinidad and Tobago on the official song for the 2022 FIFA World Cup was the biggest occasion for Afrobeat in 2022.
The occasion demonstrated the attraction of Afrobeat and its rising stock in the global market, making it a significant one for Nigeria and Africa.
On “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” Davido made music history that will live on in the annals of Nigerian music.
2. The World Cup Performance of Kizz Daniel.
It was a significant occasion for the entire Nigerian music business when it was announced that Kizz Daniel would perform at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
In a moment that epitomizes the emergence of Afrobeats, the superstar made history by being the first Nigerian act to perform at the World Cup, filling every Nigerian with pride.
3. The Fans of Davido Concert
This was undoubtedly one of the most gratifying events of the year and among the most exemplary performances in the of Nigerian music industry.
The fans of the multi-award-winning hitmaker Davido, held a concert on December 1, 2022, to honor him in light of recent developments in his life. The Fans of flocked in their hundreds to Wonderland Lagos for the event, creating an exciting atmosphere and a touching gathering.
4. Bringing in Amapiano
Nigerian musicians, fans, and stakeholders disagreed about who should have been the first artist to adopt the Amapiano sound on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, causing chaos in the country’s music section of Nigerian Twitter.
Different Nigerian superstars vied for the honor of being the first act to hop on Amapiano, each staking a claim to the distinction. Even the video directors, DJs, OAPs, and journalists joined in on the fight, which was hilarious and exhilarating.
Readers will always recall Davido’s “You never liked me tweet,” Mr. May D’s assertion that he was the innovator, and DJ Neptune also claimed ownership of a sound that did not even originate in Nigeria.
5. BNXN vs Ruger
Even if they are unwelcome, conflicts between artists are essentially unavoidable. BNXN and Ruger, two Afrobeat sensations who traded insults on social media for much of the year 2022, were at odds with one another.
Both performers took pride in their achievements, with Ruger praising his solo successes and urging BNXN to do the same. Fans who supported their favorite musicians in the largest brawl in the music business in 2022 were divided by the spectacle.
6. Mohbad vs. Naira Marley
Differences between labels and artists are nothing new in Nigerian music. However, when claims of physical abuse are made and the label head is a celebrity and the artist is a fast-rising sensation, it unquestionably qualifies as news, especially in the age of social media.
Infamous social media arguments between Mohbad and Naira Marley occurred while the former was attempting to sever ties with his Marlian Records contract.
Fans spread a lot of talk about the news on social media, making it one of the year’s main events.
7. DJ Spinall & Asake’s “Palazzo”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to the Nigerian music scene this year to see this moment included. Following the release of “Palazzo,” listeners went into a frenzy as they raced to learn the song’s lyrics.
The song gave Asake some encouragement, and he went on to release “PBUY,” “Terminator,” and to guest on Fireboy’s “Bandana” before capping his career with the world-beating debut album “Mr. Money With The Vibe.”
8. Fireboy Wembley and BET performances
As he delighted fans with a performance of his international smash single “Peru,” Fireboy made history on June 27, 2022, by being the first Nigerian artist to take the stage at the main event of the BET Awards.
Two days later, the singer performed at a sold-out concert with British megastar Ed Sheeran at Wembley Stadium, setting yet another record. Fireboy, who was seen crying with excitement backstage, was aware of the gravity of the situation.
The fact that both incidents happened two days apart shows how quickly things can change and is also a sign of Afrobeats’ ascent.
9. Nigerian rappers vs. Wizkid
Following the release of his fifth album, “More Love, Less Ego,” in 2022, Wizkid, who is often reserved, freed himself to be more expressive.
Wizkid continually offered a string of innuendos and insults while straying from the album’s topic. Wizkid was displaying less love and more ego, whether he was disparaging other musicians as desperate or announcing his single status.
When Wizkid said in an interview that hip hop was dead, the Nigerian hip hop scene was not impressed and he took it up a notch. In the spirit of more ego, less love, Wizkid, who is not one to defend himself, took to Snapchat to disparage Nigerian artists as being broke and essentially non existent.
Many were hurt by this speech, and they all had varied reactions. Rappers who disapproved of the megastar, including Oladips and Zila Oaks, released diss tunes. Although fleeting, it was quite the show as everyone quickly redirected their focus to “Detty December.”
10. Headies Awards Expand Globally
The Headies, the most prestigious music award in Nigeria, conducted its 15th edition in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The Headies Academy claims that the decision to move the award outside of Nigeria was motivated by a desire to elevate Afrobeats on a global scale.
Headies’ well-known blushes were not spared by the international edition due to poor preparation and much worse execution of the event.
In any case, the Academy’s ambition to participate in the global party and the wealth that comes with it is demonstrated by the Headies’ choice to travel abroad.