Nigeria’s music industry is one of the most vibrant in the world. From Afrobeats to street-hop, Afro-fusion, and indigenous sounds, Nigerian songs dominate clubs, radios, parties, and social media daily. While superstars like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Olamide, and Rema enjoy global fame, there is another important side of Nigerian music that often goes unnoticed.
At REALBLOGMUSIC, we focus on songs that became extremely popular even when the artists behind them did not achieve the same level of fame. These are tracks that ruled the streets, went viral on TikTok, or became party anthems, yet the singers remain underrated or less celebrated in the mainstream.
Below are 30 popular Nigerian songs that many people know and love, but the artists are not as popular as the songs themselves.
Some of the biggest examples include Rexxie – Abracadabra, a street anthem that dominated clubs nationwide despite Rexxie being more recognized as a producer than a superstar artist. Danny S – Ege took over street parties and social media in 2019, but the momentum did not translate into long-term fame. Lyta – Monalisa was one of the most played love songs of its time, yet Lyta’s career growth never matched the song’s popularity.
Street music also produced massive hits like Idowest – Shepeteri and Mr Real – Legbegbe. Both songs sparked street movements and dance trends across Nigeria, but the artists struggled to maintain mainstream relevance. Similarly, Dice Ailes – Otedola became a certified street classic, while Dice Ailes himself faded from the spotlight shortly after.
Other memorable songs include Barry Jhay – Aiye, which connected deeply with listeners through emotional lyrics, and T Classic – Nobody Fine Pass You, a romantic hit that dominated radio and playlists. Despite their success, both artists remain underrated in the Nigerian music scene.
Songs like Zinoleesky – Ma Pariwo, Bella Shmurda – Vision 2020, and Mohbad – KPK (Ko Por Ke) were already street favorites before these artists gained wider recognition. These tracks played a major role in building their fan bases, even when mainstream acceptance was still far away.
Club and party anthems such as DJ Enimoney – Diet, CDQ – Indomie, and Sean Tizzle – Sho Lee enjoyed massive rotation nationwide. While the songs became classics, the artists behind them never fully reached superstar status. The same can be said for Solidstar – Shekere and Skales – Shake Body, songs that achieved national and even international recognition.
There are also sudden viral hits like Portable – Zazoo Zeh, which took over the streets almost overnight. Although the song made headlines everywhere, consistency and structure have remained major challenges for the artist. Small Doctor – Penalty is another example of a street anthem that was bigger than the artist’s overall fame.
At REALBLOGMUSIC, we believe there are many reasons why artists with hit songs remain underrated. Poor management, lack of promotion, label issues, inconsistency, and limited industry support are some of the major factors. In Nigeria, having a hit song does not always guarantee long-term success or global recognition.
In conclusion, these 30 songs prove that Nigerian music is rich with talent beyond the biggest names. Even if the artists are not widely celebrated, their songs have left permanent marks on Nigerian pop culture. REALBLOGMUSIC remains committed to highlighting both rising and underrated talents, giving music lovers a platform to rediscover songs that truly shaped the streets and sound of Nigeria.
Published by REALBLOGMUSIC – Your Trusted Nigerian Music & Entertainment Platform.