The chorus is the nucleus of a song. It’s the crowning jewel that elevates it from a mere melody to an unforgettable anthem.
A fantastic hook can transform a song from good to amazing and rescue an otherwise poor song from disaster.
In hip-hop, the chorus is the anchor that grounds the song. While lyrical prowess and swaggering delivery may stun us, it’s the hook that often makes us come back for more.
In a rap song, a good chorus provides melodic respite from the lyrical onslaught.
A great hook is a major factor in propelling a rap song to mainstream success as it draws us in, quietly lodging itself in our collective consciousness and resurfacing at unexpected moments.
In the 25-year history of modern Nigerian mainstream music, we have seen unforgettable hip-hop records that defined eras and showcased the compelling artistry of several rappers.
When we look back at some of the iconic rap songs since 1999, the choruses are our first recollection. We recall the sing-along lyrics, the smoothly crafted melodies, and how they perfectly punctuated the verses.
In marking 25 years of modern Nigerian mainstream music, we have shortlisted the 25 greatest hooks in Nigerian hip hop.
These hooks are special for their sheer quality and impact in elevating the songs to commercial success. The rankings are a testament to the importance of these choruses in the song and their larger impact on the mainstream.
25 Greatest Hooks in Nigerian Hip Hop (1999 – 2024)
25. Shuku Shuku Bambam – Phenom feat Miss Iye
If there’s one song that makes this list simply based on the sheer quality of the hook, it’s Phenom’s ‘Shuku Shuku Bam Bam,’ on which Miss Iye delivered one of the most memorable hooks in Nigerian hip hop.
Her vocal prowess and stunning melodies combined Fuji music lyricism and style to deliver a commanding chorus that elevated the track and made it Phenom’s biggest mainstream hit.
24. Thank God – Da Grin feat Omawunmi
In a display of his mainstream ambitions, Da Grin enlisted one of the biggest female artists of the time, Omawumi, to craft the hook of his single ‘Thank God.’
Omawumi’s hook was the perfect counterpoint to Dagrin’s indigenous hardcore verses, providing an easy sing-along about gratitude that was tailor-made for Nigerian radio.
It’s no wonder it’s become one of Dagrin’s most enduring hits and played a notable role in inspiring more collaborations between rappers and vocalists.
by Oma Emina
23. King Kong – Vector
Nigerian hip hop has always paid attention to the foreign scene, which they brilliantly domesticated with cultural context.
Vector achieves this with ‘King Kong’ where he infuses Trap music with Nigerian drums to create a chest-thumping record whose hook had listeners singing along.
22. One Naira – MI Abaga feat Waje
Waje‘s heartfelt lyrics and emotive melodies made ‘One Naira’ a smash hit record that captures the remarkable role of a captivating hook in a rap song.
The song played a notable role in MI’s mainstream success as Waje’s soulful hook won him the hearts of many female listeners.
It’s not often you hear a hip-hop song playing during a couple’s first dance, but with Waje’s heartfelt lyrics and tender vocals, who wouldn’t?
by Oma Emina
21. Ghost Mode – Phyno feat Olamide
In 2012, Nigerians witnessed the start of what will be come one of the greatest friendships and partnerships in the nation’s music history.
Phyno‘s swaggering hook was a textbook example of a rapper’s chorus as he substituted melodies for an energetic burst of repeated chest-thumping lines.
The result was a mainstream success that kicked off the run of one of Nigeria’s greatest rappers.
20. Make Them Talk – 2Shotz & 9ice
Making hit songs depends a lot on the utility of the chorus, and on this record, 9ice shows up in all the glory of his brilliant fusion of hip-hop and Fuji music.
The brilliant hook uses melodies to indict the government of the day on the sociopolitical injustice and wide spread corruption plaquing the country.
Every time you think about this song, you’re most likely to first remember 9ice opening his stellar hook with “Make Them Talk.”
19. Soldier – Falz feat Simi
When we think of musical and artistic chemistry in the Nigerian music scene, no one comes to mind faster than Simi and Falz.
First testing the waters with ‘Jamb Question’, the pair brought lovers (and blogs) to a standstill with their humorous take on love, ‘Soldier’.
Simi’s hook is deceptively simple – three lines repeated over and over again that instantly suggest a deeper story underneath.
Falz and Simi fill in the blanks with hilarious dialogue in the verses, but by the end of the song, we’re all singing, “Soldier go, Soldier come, Soldier do wetin you want…”
By Oma Emina
18. Safe – MI Abaga feat Djinee
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