Notable Nigerian Songs That Broke Into Foreign Markets

The Nigerian music industry is one that has gone quite global, hitting the international market and generating meteoric revenues in the process.

According to Statista.com, Nigeria’s music revenue grew from 26 million U.S. dollars in 2014 to 34 million U.S. dollars in 2018, and by 2023 the revenue amounted to about 44 million U.S. dollars.

Today, we will be sharing with you Nigerian songs that broke into foreign markets:

1. African Queen:

The record is off 2face Idibia’s debut album, Face2Face which sold over 2 Million copies locally in the release year.

The song African Queen got international recognition when it was used as a soundtrack for the 2006 romantic comedy, Phat Girlz which was directed by Nnegest Likké and starred comedienne Mo’Nique as a lead actress.

The movie grossed over $7,000,000 in the box office.

Listen to African Queen on the link below:

African Queen by 2 Baba

2. Oliver Twist:

“Oliver Twist” is a song by Nigerian singer-songwriter D’banj.

The track was first released in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2012, as the first single from DB Records’ compilation album, D’Kings Men (2013).

For the chart week dated 26 May, “Oliver Twist” debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart—marking the musician’s first chart appearance.

The record went on to get D’banj a deal in Kanye’s Good Music.

Listen to Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist by D’banj

3. Come Closer:

This a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid, featuring vocals from Canadian rapper Drake.

The song was released as the third single from Wizkid’s third studio album, Sounds from the Other Side.

In September 2020, Wizkid became the first African artist to be certified Gold (both) as a featured and lead artist in the United States, as Come Closer sold 500,000 units.

The song marked Wizkid’s third official collaboration with Drake.

Listen to Come Closer by Drake

4. Fall

This a song by Nigerian singer Davido, released as the second single from his second studio album A Good Time.

The song was produced by Nigerian record producer Kiddominant.

In December 2018, the video surpassed 100 million views, becoming the most-viewed video by a Nigerian artist on Youtube.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, “Fall” was one of the top-100-most-Shazam-searched singles in America in January 2019 and was a top-10 record on Shazam in New York.

In February 2019, “Fall” became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. It was ranked at number 163 on Pitchfork’s list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.

In 2020, “Fall” has received over 40 million streams and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Music Canada.

Listen to Fall

5. YE

This is a record by Grammy Award winner, Burna Boy. It was released on August 6, 2018, as the sixth single from his third studio album Outside (2018).

The song was produced by Nigerian record producer Phantom.

It peaked at number 26 and 31 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts, respectively.

Ye has gotten over 11 million streams across major U.S. streaming platforms

Listen to Ye

YE by Burna Boy

6. Mr. Endowed (Remix): This song was released on May 23, 2010, by D’banj.

The song features vocals from American rapper, Snoop Dogg. Produced by Don Jazzy, it was included in the tracklisting for Mr. Endowed, an album that was never released.

The song was recorded after D’banj signed a recording contract with Kanye West’s GOOD Music.

Listen to it here

7. Ojuelegba (Remix):

This is a song by Wizkid from his sophomore album titled Ayo which was released in 2014.

The song peaked at number 1 on Capital Xtra’s Afrobeats Chart for February 2015.

The remix of “Ojuelegba” features vocals by Canadian rapper Drake and English grime artist Skepta.

It made its premiere on OVO Sound Radio in July 2015.

The song was ranked 12th on The Fader’s list of the 107 Best Songs of 2015.

Listen here

8. Assurance:

Assurance is a record from Davido’s 2019 album titled A Good Time.

The song was recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel’s Live.

America which is a 2021 American comedy film that serves as a sequel to the 1988 film Coming to America.

Listen to Assurance here