R&B is an amazing genre of music that over the years has lost its grip on the mainstream market, and slowly been eroded in the rain of the party songs. Here are the top 5 from Nigeria that you might never have heard.
For all obsession with the Nigerian music in Africa, the dominant genre has largely been Afro Pop. Pacy, fast, up-tempo, and most-importantly, lucrative Afro Pop.
All other genres are still being recorded and released by talented artistes, but many fail to attract the needed acceptance and respect reserved for the up-tempo Afro Pop tunes. Although sometimes a song comes along in either Hip hop, R&B or some other genre that bucks the trend and becomes a smashing hit.
R&B is an amazing genre of music that over the years has lost its grip on the mainstream market, and slowly been eroded in the rain of the party songs. It is passionate, expressive, personal, and suggestive. But its powers have waned considerably within the last decade.
Also contributing to its reduced potency and acceptance is the penchant for many recording R&B crooners to switch allegiance to the commercial releases, but they can't be faulted. Music is ultimately business, and every business has to turn a profit.
Over time though, the R&B genre has been gifted by some truly inspirational songs and ballads by some Nigerian musicians, and we musical folks at Favornaija Music present to you the top 5 Nigerian R&B songs that you probably have never heardbecause you had your playlist littered by dance tracks.
In a fair world, the 5 songs below, would have made John Legend green with envy. Listen, download, thank us in the comment section below.
1. I Want You By Sojay
'I Want You' was released by Sojay, when he still had the resources that exist in eLDee's Trybe Records. Possessing a voice that can only be dreamed of, Sojay, has been largely underrated and ignored. In 'I Want You', Sojay reaches notes reminiscent of international stars like Usher, Justin Timberlake, Miguel and Robin Thicke as he croons falsetto-laced verses over production by his labelmate, K9. Sliding between piano keys sprinkled on top of a rich bassline, Sojay again separates himself from his peers as one of the premiere vocalists in Africa.
2. Never Felt A Love By Capital Femi
Nigeria hates true talent. The case of Kennis Music's Capital Femi, whose outstanding vocals and calculated branding could not help him remain at the higehst level is one to provoke change in our hearts.
In 'Never Felt A Love', Femi goes deep and personal, stringing lines of seduction and romance that can only be dreamed about by the truly greats of R&B.
3. Good Man By Ruby Gyang
This one is pretty recent. Released in the previous week byLoopy Music sultry songstress, Ruby Gyang, this song has won hearts without much of an effort. Fresh-voiced and passionate, Ruby Gyang has the vocals to make a man dream. 'Good Man' talks along lines of positive romantic interest, and has the production mastery of M.I Abaga.
4. In My Room By Iyanya Ft. Skales
You can never shake off the underwhelming feeling that Iyanyabetrayed his true path to stardom. Gifted beyond measure in the art of seduction and vocal hypnosis, he was an astute businessman who switched allegiance to a lucrative genre, and the gods have smiled on his efforts.
But periodically, he throws us a good bone, and 'In My Room'which is up there with the best. Listening to this song makes me get mushy in a thousand places.
5. Closer By Omotayo Ft. Eva Alordiah
This one's a true throwback to the time when R&B ruled the earth. Fairly known Omotayo brings on the femcee, Eva Alordiah, and together they craft a nice number to make a man fantasize.
In 'Closer' which was released in 2013, Eva unleashed her seductive lyrics, drawling the lines for greater effect, and Omotayo pushes the borders of creativity and melodic delivery with his verses and chorus.
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