These are the songs getting me through this week

This week’s playlist and top 10 songs to check out include “Love Don’t Cost A Dime” by Magixx featuring Ayra Starr, “Non-living Thing” by Sarkodie featuring Oxlade, “Pray” by Victony, “Ocean” by Asa and more.

While Rema’s latest song, “Calm Down,” continues to chart at no.1 on streaming platforms across Nigeria, I have a different playlist for this week. Don’t sleep on these jams!

Also, remember that this list is curated according to the song’s performance on streaming platforms and personal preference.

10. Love Don’t Cost A Dime [Re-Up]- Magixx ft Ayra Starr

Taken off his eponymous 2021 EP, Mavin Records signee Magixx teams up with record label mate Ayra Starr for a re-release of “Love Don’t Cost A Dime.” A beautiful love anthem from two of Nigerian’s brightest young acts that mildly samples Nelly and Kelly Rowland’s 2002 hit “Dilemma,” the track is presently charting on Apple Music and YouTube Music, respectively. Listen to “Love Don’t Cost A Dime [Re-Up]” - Magixx ft Ayra Starr here:

9. Non-Living Thing - Sarkodie ft Oxlade

Sarkodie remains one of Ghana’s most prominent rappers since debuting in 2009 with his first-ever studio album. His music has been able to crossover into other African countries, and here in Nigeria, in 2014 particularly, his “Adonai” remix with Castro became a hit song and made him a household name in the country. In 2021 he dropped No Pressure, his seventh studio album, which features Afropop singer Oxlade on “Non-Living Thing.” The song is only now making waves.

Enjoy Sarkodie rapping in Twi and English alongside Oxlade melodic appeal on the intro, hook, bridge, and outro on the three minutes long track. Listen below and add to your playlist for this week:

8. Pray - Victony

Recorded in January 2020 before the tragic life-changing event that now has him in a wheelchair, the 21-year-old uses “Pray” to paint the aftermath of his experience. With his mellifluent voice running all over it, the song is steadily making its way to the top of music charts in the country. This one is a must-listen and playlist-worthy.

7. Hrs and Hrs - Muni Long

If you spend time on TikTok or Instagram Explore pages, then you probably must’ve heard “Hrs and Hrs” (pronounced as hours and hours). It’s a slow-paced R&B ballad by American singer and songwriter Muni Long, taken off her 2021 album Public Displays Of Affection. The song has been on the Billboard hot 100 for seven straight weeks, peaking at no.16, and is currently everywhere online. So, add it to your playlist and turn your entire week around.

6. ODG - Eltee Skhillz

Olowu Taiwo David has put almost everybody in a chokehold with his Amapiano-inspired track “ODG.” The virtual world is filled with viral videos with this sound. Known by his stage name, Eltee Skhillz, the dancer and singer kickstarted his career in 2022 with an EP titled Body of Work. “ODG” has been doing mad numbers, becoming the most Shazamed song in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Australia within two months. Currently, it’s top 10 on Apple Music.

5. My Friend - Bella Shmurda

To celebrate his birthday in January 2022, street pop artist Bella Shmurda debuted a brand new song produced by Niphkeys titled “My Friend.” This new single is the singer’s first of the year, and it’s another chart-topping track as it keeps skyrocketing on music charts across streaming platforms. Listen to “My Friend” by Bella Shmurda below:

4. Confident - Savage ft Buju

In October 2021, Savage dropped his debut project, Utopia, with collaborations from Victony, Buju (now known as BNXN), Kojo Funds, Skibii, Kida Kudz, Alpha P, Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones, South African rapper Emtee, and Jay Teazer. In a conversation with Apple Music, Savage reveals that the project was inspired by being African and celebrates African women. On “Confident,” the two singers boast and ooze self-confidence sparked by booze and money. Enjoy the track below:

3. Heat Waves - Glass Animals

Glass Animal is a British rock indie band since been active in 2010, and they recently had their big break with the release of “Heat Waves.” The song debuted on Billboard Hot 100 at no.3 and has been on the chart for 56 weeks. This year, it has also earned the band their first-ever Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category alongside The Kid Laroi, Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie, Finneas, Baby Keem, Arlo Parks, Japanese Breakfast, and others. “Heat Waves” is a must-listen-to. Also, add it to your playlist because it is already on mine.

2. Live Forever - Kayode

A new crop of young artists continues to spring up now and then in the Nigerian music space. Often referred to as Kay Kay, Kayode is one of the new acts making music. “Live Forever” marks his breakout single, and on the song, we see him leaning toward the popular pop music trajectory. The hit single is making quite a wave on music charts. Groove to it below:

1. Ocean - Asa

Asa has an impeccable discography that began right from when she stormed Nigeria’s music industry with her debut song “Eye Adaba.” While her genre has been tagged pop and jazz, she has a reputation for creating melancholic music. In 2022, she’s set to add to her discography with an upcoming album. From the yet to be announced title, the singer returned with a brand new song titled “Ocean.” This one settles for an unusual cheery beat, and in my opinion, this is one of the best songs that dropped last week. While it’s not yet on charts, it is very playlist-worthy. Testify to it yourself below:

These are my top 10 songs this week; you can share which song you think should have made our list in the comment section.