Remembering Famous Lagos Anthems

Ycee, Bank W & Jimmy Jatt - Lagos Anthems / amped illustrations

It’s indeed the center of excellence in all fronts of Socio-Political & Economic growth in Nigeria, as it is easily the city for where dreams are made of. The city of Lagos, is a place that arguably doesn’t sleep because of its embodiment for the finer things in life to fulfill the luxurious and entertainment fantasies of the young & vibrant Nigerian. A place where you can easily kick of your own music career and become a force to be reckoned with Nationwide, has been blessed with major songs that can stand the test of time.

Here we remember the songs that paid homage to the famous city of Lagos, which have a permanent place in the hearts of music lovers and uncompromising hipsters in the current century.

Stylee – DJ Jimmy Jatt & Friends. We had the internationally recognized DJ Khaled doing his thing on albums and records while putting Rap & Hip-hop heavyweights on his executively produced projects. The legendary DJ jimmy Jatt was pioneering his own movement back home as he decided to go on his own rise, with delivering his compilation albums of originally recorded songs. The first of which would be Stylee which featured the top singer in the nation at that time, 2face Idibia who did his thing, delivering the contagious hook to this solid Hip-hop record and was the powerhouse to set the tone to the rappers that came through on this record. It made the record so relatable even if the industry wasn’t even ready for such Rap songs at that time. But it caught the ears of every music lover around in 2007. Remember the line /You’re driving, I suggest you check your rear view, be careful, cos an okada, just might be near you/ - Mode9. Who easily summarized the entire hustle & bustle of Lagos with that rhyme.

Lagos Party – Banky W. Already hardened his position as the King of RnB in Nigeria, Banky W added more points to his street credibility amongst the nightlife of Lagos when he released this record. A total feel good song that made the entire ambiance a cheerful and no-worries one. Having constantly switched up as the perfect night life anthem to the Lagos Party lifestyle, had its content with Banky, delivering in straight up Rap and singing the hook, which left his existing fans surprised but impressed by his output. Straight up word plays which could have given the current rappers a run for their money.

Ebutte Metta – Banky W. A remake of the popular Rihanna worldwide Hit, “Umbrella” saw an unknown Banky W, take the industry by storm with the release of his debut single. For a fresh Lad on the block he was fearless with this attempt to controversially announce himself, and easily become a fan favorite and championing his brand among his peers to not be one to be ignored, just because he was moving back to his mother land to pursue music. And he clearly paid homage to a major suburb in Lagos State, Ebutte Metta. As he also sang about the nice things of the entire Country. Still a fan favorite if you decide to put the song on repeat and has that nostalgia feeling to it, since been released in 2008.

Lagos Boys – Olamide. The up-tempo record which spoke to the heart of its listeners with audible drums and Grand Piano progression, easily became a fan favorite and made the hardworking Olamide score another hit record upon its release. This record became the soundtrack for weddings as it fitted into the upcoming slang in popular culture “Yoruba Demon(s)”. With a catchy hook and additional vocals, this record was very danceable to every social class and the political class of Lagos state.

Jagaban – Ycee. On the back of his tune with Patoranking, Ycee fully launched himself with the release of this Rap record, where he spazzed on 16 bars in the entire song. Nothing could be missed on this record as the hook itself takes a cue and pays homage to the famous Oga at the top of Lagos State, with the northern title that was conferred on this man; Jagaban. Ycee rapped & sang in English, Pidgin & Yoruba, which made the hardcore Rap record a relatable one amongst the music lovers of the Lagos Rap scene as well as the night life. Most propably the biggest Rap record released in 2016 when he tapped the then Eyan Mayweather, to bless the record with a verse for the remix to this popular tune.

Rounding off, some worthy mentions include the impactful 9ice & 2face released tune, Street Credibility. The song spoke heavily to the promising younger generation, who wanted to be ambitious and loyal to their peers on the come up. As well as popular Songs like Ojuelegba By Wizkid, HighClass By Falz, Plenty Nonsense by Trybesmen, Nfana Ibaga by 2face and most recently, Maleek Berry’s Eko Miami which spoke to the younger millennial, who want to kick back in the upbeat city by likening Lagos water bodies to that of the highly recognized Miami-front scene.

The entire outlay isn’t complete without recognizing the giant strides made by the foremost Storm Records Flagship Rapper, Songwriter and Record Producer, Naeto ‘Naeto C’ Chikwe. Whose entire discography was filled with notable tracks showing love and paying cognisance to the great city of Lagos, or as he pioneered & popularized the term that most suited this great city, “Lasgidi”.

In retrospect, you can place the following records mentioned above into your playlist and relieve the moment that takes you back in flight to the greatest songs that sets the feel of what it means to enjoy and ride through, in the famous city of Lagos State, Nigeria; AS ENDORSED & CERTIFIED BY AMPED.