Top ten hit songs that made 2012

Like hail stones, these hit songs came down on us; peaking as the year swung into a last quarter. Nigerian artists pushed their talents to the extremes to create a resounding 2012. Everyone wanted to make a name this year; to survive the market. Upcoming artists were particularly faced with the greatest challenges as fans besieged with new singles every other day only gave each new act a few seconds to grab their attention.

Many of these acts succeeded eventually; that’s why compiling this list was so difficult.

10. Love me   – Tiwa Savage

The song was released late in 2011 and it was Tiwa’s second hit single after kele kele love fortunate to spill into 2012. It further heralded the power in Tiwa’s voice with that powerful hook and smashing chorus. Ladies particularly loved this song because it told them all they wanted to hear about love; real or unreal. Tiwa stormed concerts with it and scored high on weekly charts, that’s why it’s on our top ten.

9. Catch cold  -   Flavour ft Tiwa Savage

It was one of the greatest collaborations of the year; winning Channel O’s Most Gifted R&B video of the year award. What do you expect when two extremely talented artists wield forces together? This magical number is pushed even harder by it’s music video, shot in high definition with that famous kiss that stole display pictures on phones for weeks. Flavour in this track made falling in love look so easy. The song raged airwaves months; no one could get enough of it. It seats pretty at our number nine position.

8. Pakurumo – Wizkid

If you wanted to boogie on down in yoruba then this was the track to leap on to. The 22 year old  got hearts racing in this fast paced number; a party favourite never far from Disk Jockeys. A smoking hot auto-tuned track from his Super Star album with solid beats and a delightful video that quickly got anyone laughing and dancing.

7. Beautiful Onyinye – P Square ft Rick Ross

This big budget song is indeed beautiful as P Square spares no expense to ooze class and style. Collaborating with US recording rap artist Rick Ross, they go to great lengths to push the track to world class standards with a steady beat, powerful hook and great video. The song is strategic as it celebrates love and parenthood.

6. Ara  -  Brymo

This hit single made budding artist Brymo so proud. Ara, a yoruba song produced by KluMonsta won the Recording of the Year at the 2012 Headies awards. Ara meaning wonders shot to top of charts barely days after it was released. With a distinctive husky voice, Brymo broke cultural barriers as fans who barely understood a word in yoruba had the entire song by heart.

5. Chop My Money  – P Square ft Akon and May D

Another big budget song and music video coming from the classic twins. Chop my money remix had all the power and effects only US record label owner, singer and producer Akon could bring into a song. It also featured a brilliant verse performance from May D. It’s a song to dance to from start to finish that’s why it’s this high up on our list of top ten songs.

4. Gaga Crazy – Chuddy K

This is one of the few songs that truly made anyone want to go crazy this year; clubs and parties shuddered under the madness. Chuddy K metamorphosed from a soft soul singer in his single Slow Slow into an energetic party-box that unleashed the insane side of everyone. The song was beautifully composed to move at breakneck speed; fueling the madness. Chuddy K’s success is this song, It is what fans will remember him for and that’s why it’s at number four.

3. Azonto -  Fuse ft. Donae’o & Tiffany

With incredible energy, this Ghanaian born song from Fuse overtakes Chuddy’s Gaga Crazy to snatch third position. Azonto had not only words to say but a very exciting spirit within. A most cheerful song with signature dance steps never to be forgotten. The song is an inspiration with Wizkid adding the title to his hit singleBaby Dance for me. It’s position as number three cannot be contested.

2. Kukere  – Iyanya

The song didn’t say much but the beats swept everyone away; it’s fame riding on the back of a calculated dance style christened etigi; now a household name. Kukere raged the airwaves (still raging) for months and broke the record for highest download for a single caller ring back tune in Nigeria with downloads by 3 million subscribers across Nigeria in just a few months. It also won the Headies award as Best Pop single for the year. It owns our second best hit song of the year.

1. Dami duro – Davido

This single undoubtedly makes our song of the year. Davido nailed his victory hard with the Channel O Most Gifted New Comer of the Year award with an accompanying energetic music video that hit fans a double punch. This single powerfully transformed Davido into a mega star over night with approximately 2 million views on Youtube so far.

VANGUARD NIGERIA