- Songs sometimes are not just songs, they bear meanings to people, places and culture
- Some Afrobeats musicians are not exempted in capturing stories of places, people and culture
- TheRadar spotlights 10 songs that have captured Lagos, its hustle and bustles, people and lifestyle
Songs thrive on numerous themes that make them memorable. Lagos as a city is a theme some Nigerian artistes have consistently explored.
Described as a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria and the economic hub, Lagos State boasts of over 21 million people to be the largest city in Nigeria.
Lagos is popular for its significant influence on commerce, entertainment, art, tourism, education and technology. Most of all, it is not a ‘stage’ where every kind of drama plays out.
Exploring the lifestyle, personal experiences and memories of this city, Nigerian artistes like Wizkid, Olamide have sung about the city.
TheRadar compiled a list of Nigerian songs that explored Lagos and its lifestyle. See list below:
10 Nigerian songs about Lagos city and its lifestyle
- Wizkid - Ojuelegba (2015)
For Wizkid, Ojuelegba, which represents a popular place in Lagos, talks about his personal struggles as an artiste. His lows growing up in the community before stardom. “Ni Ojuelegba, dem know my story, I been dey hustle to work.” he tells his captivating grass-to-grace story in Lagos. The track is the 5th off his ‘Ayo’ album and was directed by Clarence Peters in 2015.
- Olamide - I love Lagos (2016)
“If I carry you go Banana, my guy, you go love Lagos,” Olamide sings in I Love Lagos, eulogising the beautiful places he admired in Lagos. He mentioned other places like Elegushi, Oniru, Badagry, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Epe and Victoria Garden City (VGC) as places people should look out for in Lagos. The song was released in 2016.
- Zlatan - Lagos Anthem (2020)
Zlatan’s Lagos Anthem captures the typical fake, luxurious life, and extravagant and party-hard lifestyle in Lagos. “Dem go talk say money no dey Lagos,” he wonders. He also highlights the bad government, deteriorating infrastructures and different calibre of people living in Lagos.
- Runtown - If e happen for Lagos (2020)
Nigerian singer, Runtown in 2020 released his song If E Happen for Lagos documenting some of the daily activities that goes in and out of Lagos. He talks about the government and other issues. The video explored everyday life in Lagos from the streets to motorists. “If E happen for Lagos, make e dey inside the Lagos.” his line said.
- Kizz Daniel - Eko (Lagos) (2019)
The intro of Kizz Daniel’s Eko opens with a line that says, “If you no fit wise for Lagos, you no fit wise for anywhere o.” The track released in 2019 showcases the daily routine of waking up in Lagos and how people went about their daily hustles and bustles in Lagos.
- Seyi Vibes - Lagos (2024)
- Lisa Viola - Lagos (2022)
- Reekado Banks - Ozumba Mbadiwe (2021)
- Ajebutter - Lagos Love (2019)
- HumbleSmith - Beautiful Lagos (2017)
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