Merry Christmas Nigeria

We cannot deny that there is always something special about this day. Regardless of how crazy the year has been to us as individuals and on a global scale, Christmas remains something to look forward to. 

Though having a religious origin, Christmas has come to unite us above the divisions of religion, race, age, and social class. It is perhaps why it remains one of the most celebrated holidays all over the world.

Today, we join the rest of the world to celebrate this day that has become synonymous with Joy and Peace. We join Christians around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus and what it means for humanity. We also join everyone around the world to celebrate Family and the joys of it. 

May this day bring us joy and laughter. And more importantly, may it continue to give us the opportunity to be together with the people we love, sharing invaluable moments, creating sweet memories, and sealing them with the music we love. 

Merry Christmas Nigeria

From all of us at Epoh Music

p.s. Did you know Christmas is an official holiday in more than 160 countries, including Nigeria? 

The Best of 2022

You already know whose song will take the most spots on this list, but he is not all we had this year. Like every other year, 2022 has been good to us musically. We have had our ears filled with songs from new and upcoming artists to the giants of the industry themselves. We can also say this was a year of transitions for some of the artists we have previously referred to and new and upcoming artists.

Another thing worthy of note this year is the pen game many artists brought on. You will agree that we have seen music degenerate to a string of words and a good beat in the previous years. However, this year, we had a balance of good lyrics and good beats. And I am positive it will remain that way in the coming years.

The list of the best of 2022 can be as long as we want. However, I have decided to feature just 22 on this list and allow you to fill in the rest. The songs on this list are in no particular order. 

1. Buga -Kizz Daniel ft Tekno

2. Overdose -Mavins, Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx & Boy Spyce

3. Sugarcane -Camidoh ft King Promise & Mayorkun

4. Certified loner - Mayorkun 

5. Ijo (laba laba) -Crayon

6. PBUY -Asake

7. Somebody Son -Tiwa Savage ft Brandy 

8. Attention - Omah Lay ft Justin Beiber

9. Monalisa -Lojay ft Chris Brown

10. Joha -Asake 

11. Xtra Cool -Young Jonn

12. For my Hand -Burna Boy ft Ed Sheeran

13. Soso -Omah Lay

14. Cough (Odo) -Kizz Daniel

15. Asiwaju -Rugger

16. Bullion Van -Seyi Vibez

17. How are you (my Friend) -Johnny Drille

18. Organise -Asake

19. Otilo (Izz gone) -Pocolee & Hotkid

20. Girlfriend -Ruger 

21. Palazzo - DJ Spinall & Asake

22. Machala -Caterefe & Berri Tiga

Before you break my head for omitting your favourite song, this is not an exhaustive list. So what would be your top 5 of this year? Let us know in the comments. 

Enjoy!

Epoh Music Christmas Playlist is Here!

It’s Christmas month, and you know how it is - we spend the entire month turning up. 

We are two weeks away from Christmas, and I don't think it’s too early to have a Christmas playlist. The whole of December comes with something to celebrate every day. So never waste an opportunity to turn up and celebrate or at least have a good dance. This is the part where I remind you to spend wisely o. 

As we countdown to Christmas, even if your entire year has not been as you planned it, please just take a few moments daily to be grateful. Be intentional about being happy and having a good time this season. And for me, that starts with the right lineup of music. 

So here I present to you the top songs on Epoh music for the Christmas playlist. And no, they are not songs about Christmas. Just quality sound, lyrics and the right amount of vibes. 

• Joha -Asake 

• Xtra Cool -Young Jonn
• For my Hand -Burna Boy ft Ed Sheeran
• Soso -Omah Lay
• Sugarcane -Camidoh, Darkoo, Mayorkun
• Cough (Odo) -Kizz Daniel
• Asiwaju -Rugger
• Bullion Van -Seyi Vibez
• How are you (my Friend) -Johnny Drille
• Organise -Asake
• Overdose - Mavins
• 2 Sugar -Wizkid ft Ayra Starr 
• Buga -Kizz Daniel
• Darling -Seyi Vibez ft Simi 
• Otilo (Izz gone) -Pocolee & Hotkid

The good part is Christmas is two weeks away. I know I said that already. But my point is as many songs as you want can still make it to this playlist before Christmas. Plus, someone might drop a killer song that will go on to top the charts before Christmas. But till then, enjoy this list. 

Happy listening!

5 Concerts You Should Not Miss This December

It’s December, and you already know how it is going down this season. One of the highlights of this season is the mega music concerts /shows. If you've been grooving to your faves music all year round, December always comes with an opportunity to hear them perform live and sing along.

Some people argue that it's pointless paying so much to stand and listen to music you probably already have on your phone or at least can easily download. Well, seeing them live and watching them perform those songs among a community of people that enjoy and love their music as much as you do is worth paying for. Here are five concerts you don't want to miss this December.

Asake: Mr Money With The Vibe Concert

Mr Money has given us a good year musically, and it is only right that he tops it with a concert this December. The concert which is slated for the 22nd of December will hold at the Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel and Suites.

Wizkid: Starboy Live in Lagos

We barely hear him say anything that is not about his music all through the year, so for his fans, his concerts are a great way to connect with him. And with his line of music, his concert is definitely something to watch out for. The concert which is slated for the 24th of December will hold at Eko Hotel and Suites, VI. 

Burna Boy: Love Damini 

There is no year Burna doesn’t give us back-to-back hits. He is not just a great music artist but also a master performer. This guy too good abeg! However, his concert is in the US on December 8&9 in Washington, DC and Orlando, Florida, respectively. If you are in the US, you know where to turn up.

Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged 

This mega concert presents a perfect cocktail of Nigerian music yearly. If you don't have the money to splash on multiple tickets, Rhythm Unplugged is the right concert to be. The concert is on the 21st of December at the Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel and Suites. 

Kizz Daniel Live in Lagos 

It has been a Buga year for Kizz Daniel, and I would not be surprised if our mothers turn up for this concert. We all know how they love that song. But that is not all the concert has to offer, and the best way is to find out for yourself on the 17th of December at the Eko Convention Centre.

Well, you don't have to attend all 4, even if you can afford them. You might be too stressed out to actually enjoy it. The good part is these concerts are always available every December so if you don't attend this year, there's always a next year. Just go for the ones you can conveniently afford. Remember January has 90 days, and Sapa is real o.

Peace and Love✌

Make Money with Epoh Music this December

We are just a few days away from the month of events and concerts. Maybe it’s the Christmas effect or the clear weather, but December is just the best time for large outdoor events here in Nigeria. And it has become a sort of tradition to have mega concerts and shows scattered all around this month. 

These mega-events draw attendance from several parts of the country and even internationally. I applaud those who take the time to organise these events yearly because sustaining something like that is not an easy task. Sorting out the venue, logistics, partners, expenses and even the ticket sales, not to talk about getting people to show up for the event. 

If you are an event organiser, I have the pleasure of informing you that Epoh Music has a way to ease part of this burden for you and help you make your money. 

Here’s how…

Epoh Music doesn't just offer you the best collection of Nigerian music but also a platform to sell your event tickets. Event organisers and marketers can take advantage of this feature to sell out their shows and manage their ticket sales. Once a person pays for the ticket, they will receive an e-invite via mail. From your account, you will able to track the number of people that have gotten your event's ticket so you can prepare to accommodate them. 

Easy right? Well, that’s the goal. If you are an event organiser, head to Epoh Music right now and create your Show organiser account.

Chinko Ekun is Back Again!

After his video surfaced online, someone actually said, "so after he sang 'No more insufficient funds' he still suffered from insufficient funds." Nigerians o! 

Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel, popularly known as Chinko Ekun had been on the low for a while. Actually, since his last hit song, Able God. Little did we know he was fighting for his life and fighting to get back on his feet after having a fallout with his former record label, Dek Niyor Entertainment. The fallout led to his being dropped by the label and losing his house and car. In the video where he shared his testimony, he recounted squatting with a friend, sleeping on the floor and even battling depression at some point. 

I got to know Chinko right from his student days at OAU. He was the hottest artist on campus back then. He could literally rap to anything and with anything. People had the habit of giving him random items on the stage, and instantly, he would come up with a rhyme for it. Honestly, that is one side of Chinko I hope we will come to see now that he is back on his feet.

Coming into the limelight, I know he had paid his dues and would do well in the industry. However, life happens. But the good part is, that is over now. He mentioned in the video that he has even fulfilled his dream of buying and using the car that was taken from him by his Record label then.

Here at Epoh Music, we are grateful on behalf of this talented young man. And we hope to see him win more now that he is back. How about a few of his songs to remind you that he is someone to look out for? 

• Calling ft Johnny Drille
• 
  
• Shayo
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• Doings ft Zlatan Ibile
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• Mafo
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• Alejo Oran
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• Party Animal
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• Able God ft Zlatan ibile & Lil Kesh

Enjoy!

The Unending Debate Over Beats and Lyrics

 

In the history of Nigerian music, it is believed that artist who have good lyrical game are superior to those who do not. In fact, some people think lyrics is the most important aspect of a song compared to beats. There has always been a stereotype about Nigerian artists being poor in their lyrical game. Recently, there was a post on social media stating that Kizz Daniel's lyrics are poor as he only sings about the same central theme. Asake, the rave of the moment was also tagged as not being creative enough because he sings on the same beat and only changes his lyrics.

We cannot but wonder why this subject is usually up for debate. People like what they like about music. Some hit songs are instrumentals, so there's no lyrics while some are acapella, so there's no instrumental. But they're both good music. Also, there are a lot of hit songs with both instruments and singing where some remember the beat most, and some like it for the lyrical content or the singing.

Both lyrics and beats are products of creativity and they contribute immensely to the success of a song. Without good beats, what would we vibe to in clubs and parties and without thoughtful lyrics, what would we encourage ourselves with when we are served "breakfast".

Neither is more important. They both cater to different situation, event and mood.

No competition or unhealthy comparison, enjoy each creative song produced by any artist and if it doesn't suit your style of music, move on rather than criticize. In truth, a hit song is the combination of both and no single part wins over the other. Whichever maybe more interesting in a song, happens to make a lot of people happy. That's it!.

Anyone who argues otherwise after reading this will "collect wotowoto".

Tiwa Savage's Response To Her Sex Tape: Hit or Miss?

 

In a society like Nigeria where na everyone holy pass except the one caught in the act, Tiwa Savage was verbally murdered when her sex tape video surfaced online. Around October 2022 shortly after she broke the news of the sex tape herself stating that she was being blackmailed by someone.

Amidst the verbal violence on social media, the Afrobeat singer has proven that she isn't just the queen of Afrobeat but of bloggers by referring to the sex tape in her newly released collaboration with Asake titled loaded. She said:

"Awon blogger blogger t'ofe fimi gba star

Sex tape ko le baye mi je"

As usual, Tiwa's reference to the sex tape spurred a fresh argument and narrative on social media street and violence quarters. While some think it is shameful and unreasonable of her to wake the sleeping dog, others are impressed by her action. Quick question,  can any issue be permanently buried on social media? Definitely not, hence, if Tiwa didn't bring up the sex tape issue, someone else would have. Her ability to control the narrative and make jokes with it on and offline is impressive.

The interesting fact is both the violence army against Tiwa and the ever supportive team are all vibing to the songs as loaded proves to be an instant hit, after topping the Nigerian Apple music chart in less than 24 hours of release. While the visual for the song gathered over 1.5 million YouTube views in less than 48 hours. the hit song tops music chart.

Tiwa reference to the sex tape can be seen an interesting crisis management strategy and a punchy return or response to those hating on her. Making a stylish entrance, Tiwa Savage discusses her critics, commenting:

“They wan jot something dem go learn lesson

 Opolopo, I dey carry first t’oba she bala bala, dem go come lesson

 Emi dagboru (Omo labasi)"

Dismissing the impact of the tape, she used the famous line from Black Sheriff's 'Kwaku The Traveller' when she said: “Na who never fuck, hands in the air!”

With this new release, we can affirm that Tiwa savage is nobody's mate and she is the queen of naija music. Loaded was incredible composed and delivered.

7 Movie Soundtracks That Are Bound To Get Us Excited

Everywhere in the world, there is no movie without music. Although I have to say, Indians take their mix of film and music to the next level. In Nigeria, we have a deeply musical culture, but we don't have half-hour dances between our movies. However, we have had movie soundtracks so good that they actually got us dancing. Sometimes these were not actually soundtracks but songs by a character in the movie that went on to be released in audio albums by popular demand. Now this will feel like a throwback because I’m deliberately going for the old movies. So sit back and enjoy the memory rush.

• Nnemo nnemo -Nnena (Super Story WAP series) 
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• You and I will Live as One - Conspiracy (movie)
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• E n shi ere -Emi Ni Ire Kan (movie)
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• This Life - This Life (WAP series)
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• Treasure - A Million Tears (movie)
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• Love m oh Ihunanya -Christ in Me (movie)
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• Igi Aruwe - Igi Aruwe (movie)
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• Askamaya Anthem -Omo Ghetto (movie)

Super Story was a classic series in those days. Not only did they give us great stories back to back, but sometimes they left us with music that remained on our lips long after the story was over. While movie-making has come a long way in Nigeria, I still miss those old days. These days, less attention is paid to movie soundtracks. And I think the culture of soundtracks should be kept alive. 

What movie soundtrack has remained with you to date?

Burna Boy, Rema, Tems and Fireboy DML Making Us Proud on Black Panther

One of the most exciting things fixed for this month is that we finally get to see the much anticipated Blank Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. But what makes it more interesting for the Nigerian audience is getting to hear our faves representing us on the soundtrack. 

When Rema first revealed on Twitter that he was on the soundtrack of the movie, there was a lot of excitement in the air, with congratulations flying in. But also having Fireboy DML, Tems and Burna Boy is a win I was not expecting at all. 

Nigerian artists are taking Afrobeats to the world, and it is great to see the rest of the world not just embracing our music but also giving platforms to showcase it. While the soundtrack also features many top artists from around the world, having four artists from Nigeria is something to celebrate.

I’d ask whose song you are looking forward to hearing the most, but on second thought, that’s not necessary. This is a big win for all and should be celebrated as one. This message goes out to all stans, abeg let us just celebrate and put vawulence aside.

The soundtracks have been released today, and the movie will start showing in cinemas on the 11th. When you do watch the movie, no spoilers, please. 

Peace and love✌

Ayra Starr: The Nigerian Gen Z Vocal Queen

 

The Nigerian music industry has a fair percentage of female music artists. However, even in their small number, their impact is greatly felt in the Nigerian music scene. Tiwa savage who is graciously representing generation X is the queen of Afrobeat, Tems of generation Y (the millennials), is bagging both international and local music awards and the "Celestial being", whose heart is made of glass and her voice made of gold , Ayra Starr is for The GenZs.

There are quite a number of male GenZ artists doing awesomely well with their music. The likes of Rema, Omah Lay, Joeboy etc. Arya Starr is a Gen z music queen with the fire and sparks that are required for taking over the world with the talents that she has in stock. Her confidence, uniqueness, beauty and vocal strength is so admirable.

Oyinkansola Aderibigbe who is professionally known as Ayra Starr was born on the 14th of June, 2002, and hails from Benin, Edo State. She was raised in Lagos State and was born into a Christian family. Since her breakout in early 2021 after being signed by Mavin Records and later securing an International music deal with Platoon Records, the young superstar has made a mark in few years. She has been nominated and won several awards and she remains the youngest female to have won the next rated award at Headies.

Ayra Starr is a beauty to behold when she pops up on screen with her beautiful voice. GenZs are known for 'no dulling' and Ayra Starr is proudly representing with her music. Like her name suggests, Arya Starr is a Star and a Mega Super Star on stage. She is definitely going to be relevant in the Nigerian music industry for a long time because for talent and voice, e dey rush!. Listen to her music today on Epoh music. I bet you’d love it!