Happy Valentine's Day!!!. So, earlier today, we gave you guys an entertaining and well-crafted selection of 5 Naija Songs To Set The Mood For You This Valentine. Taking it further, we decided to expand on it a bit, by highlighting some of the excellent love songs released in the past few months; some downloadable, some stream-only.
Fellas, if you're tryna "score big", play these songs when she comes over. Oh... you gotta have fine wine and some chocolates on the side, you know, to spice things up.
Ladies, if you wanna trap him, right before you ask him "what are we?", make sure at least 5 of these songs have already played into his head. Then pop the question!
I listened to this song "Smile For Me" the moment it dropped and listened again... and again... and again... now I'm probably on my 569th listen. Having listened 569 times (and counting), I can concretely tell you guys right now that Simi wrote it specifically for me. Ask her on Social Media. If she denies it, that's FAKE NEWS! *Donald Trump Voice*
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Simi, you are already my weakness! So, this is me - Ovie - Smiling For You. 😀
#2 Johnny Drille - Dear Future Wife
Johnny Drille has made our "Artist To Watch" list for 2 consecutive years. While "Dear Future Wife" is neither an official single nor has it been released online, it's been doing rounds on Lagos radio for months!
I've been quietly enjoying it for quite some time, however, and now I feel the need to bless you guys with this awesomeness! After all, it's the season of love. Sharing is caring. 😉
#3. Davido - Return
Davido's first record under Sony Music, the "Son of Mercy" EP is out, and there's been lots of buzz surrounding a few of the tracks. However, my personal favorite is quite possibly the least heralded of them all; "Return".
The Shizzi-produced song starts off as a typical Davido Afropop tune, then breaks into a pleasant Yoruba folk/highlife composition, with the vocals, lyrics, and instrumentals blending so soothingly. If you ever listened to the likes of Orlando Owoh, you'd understand.
Simply put, this song deserves more attention. Nigeria is sleeping on a classic.
#4. JiLEX Anderson ft. Sean Tizzle - Afro Lover (Refix)
JiLEX Anderson is one R&B act I'm keeping very close tabs on. The original version of "Afro Lover" is getting a lot of traction in some quarters, but it's the Sean Tizzle remix that does it for me.
Sean Tizzle made a very good song sound even better. Push that play button and get in the groove!
#5. Shaydee ft. Banky W - Bad For Me
Shaydee's "Rhythm & Life" album is every R&B fan's dream. I could easily pick out 5 or 6 songs that'd make this Valentine's playlist; highlights being the Flavour and 2baba collaborations.
On this one though, EME boss Banky W hops in the love booth with his protege to create this smoove track titled "Bad For Me".
Nonso Amadi is quickly becoming the name on everyone's lips, thanks to his slow-burning 2015 single "Tonight" which is belatedly gaining traction on the ground (watch the video here).
Nonso's latest single "Radio" is sure to become another fan favorite as it ticks all the right boxes. This guy is a star of the future.
Nigeria's hottest Afrobeats prospect in America, Ayo Jay released 2 new singles last month, with "Want You" being one of them. Can the song follow in the footsteps of the highly-flying "Your Number" and get mainstream airplay in the US? Only time will tell. One thing's for sure though... "Want You" is a sweet Afropop love number.
Now sing with me: "I really want you. I really want you, want you, want you, want you!"
#8. Tjan - Your Smile
Tjan's Aduke stole the hearts and blew the minds of virtually everyone who listened to the song in 2016, earning him a spot on our "Artist To Watch" list this year.
The power vocalist linked up with Cobhams once again to deliver this recently released special tune "Your Smile". The ladies are sure to love this.
#9 Praiz - Folashade
You really can't put together a list of love songs without getting Praiz on it somehow. He deserves an automatic spot, TBH.
Listen to the recently released "Folashade". I'm pretty sure we'll be getting a video for it soon.
#10. Chordratic - My Love
Chordratic Beats has quietly been churning out amazing inspirational songs in the last couple of years, and "My Love" fits into that bracket. He may not be a celebrated mainstream artiste and producer at the moment, but he's certainly as good as your favorites. I'm a big fan.
#11. Adekunle Gold - Beautiful Night
Adekunle Gold's "Gold" album is easily one of the top 3 albums released in 2016. "Beautiful Night" isn't an official single yet, but I'm sure it will be at some point. It's a personal fave.
#12. Sugarboy - Dada Omo
Sugarboy's "Hola Hola" was one of the biggest and most downloaded songs of 2016 in Nigeria. The next-rated G-Worldwide star began the year 2017 with this lovely song "Dada Omo" and I've had it on repeat ever since. No, seriously!
#13. Maleek Berry - Let Me Know
Maleek Berry's cross-over from being just a producer to becoming a successful singer makes him a bonafide musician; a leader of the new school, if we're being honest. The Last Daze of Summer EP is the perfect definition of eargasm.
"Let Me Know" is that tune you play to a girl you like so much but are leaning toward friendship. #SayNoToFriendzone2017
#14. Morientez ft. Dex Kwasi - Forever Yours
Morientez, the young 1073 Records act, is another talent I'm keeping close tabs on. "Forever Yours" was released in late 2016 and I'm guessing this may turn out to be another slow burner in the "Nonso Tonight" mold. Excellent mood-setting tune.
#15. Kiss Daniel - Kiss Me
Show me a better album than "New Era" in 2016, and I'll show you a flying Edo winch at noon. Kiss Daniel's debut album is a masterpiece. Period! *Sean Spicer voice*
While G-Worldwide continues to push the album by dishing out videos, one of my favorites has to be the Young Jonn produced "Kiss Me".
#16. Sarkodie ft. Masterkraft - Just Incase
Okay, so this is a Naija playlist, but Sarkodie is here. You're wondering why right?
Well, first of all, there's Masterkraft on the hook and production. 2ndly, it's originally a Masterkraft song (See "Because of You").
Lastly, and most importantly, the song is absolute fire!
BOJ and Simi's chemistry (#NoFalz #NoAdekunleGold) on this track is stuff of dreams!
While the video is drawing mixed reactions from fans, the song itself is overwhelmingly loved, and that's "For Sure".
More of this please, BOJ and Simi!
Hope you've enjoyed our list of Naija Love Songs on this Special Valentine's Day! What other love songs are you feeling? Which ones deserve to be up here as well. They don't even have to be Nigerian. Please, let us know. Get Fresh updates as they drop via Twitter and Facebook