When Brymo took a swipe at Burna Boy during an interview last year for sampling old classics, it highlighted a glaring misunderstanding about one of music’s most enduring creative techniques in Nigeria and globally.
Sampling—or interpolation—is an intricate art form in music. When done with respect and proper clearance, it breathes new life into older works while offering something fresh to a new audience.
2024 didn’t exactly kick off on a high note for Nigerian music. The first quarter was largely unremarkable, with a dearth of impactful releases. But as the months rolled by, the tides shifted.
Artistes started dropping stellar projects, some of which carried a distinct sense of déjà vu. Songs there were deliberate nods to the past. Many of these records leaned heavily on the sonic DNA of Nigerian classics, reworking them into something contemporary yet familiar.
Here’s a closer look at some of the songs this year that revived and reimagined these timeless Nigerian hits.
“Jazzy Song” by Ayra Starr
On “Jazzy Song,” Ayra Starr crafts a fitting tribute to Mavin Records’ maestro, Don Jazzy, while reimagining one of the label’s foundational moments. The track leans into the iconic intro of Wande Coal’s “You Bad,” a song produced by Jazzy himself, repurposing it into a hypnotic chorus.
Nestled within her sophomore album The Year I Turned 21, the song straddles the line between a pulsating club anthem and a summer jam. Ayra’s sultry vocals and layered production celebrate a legacy while asserting her place in the new school. It’s nostalgia but with a Gen Z vibe.
“Love Me Jeje” by Tems
In her debut album, Born in the Wild, Tems reclaims Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 love anthem Love Me Jeje, channelling it into an evocative new track that pulls listeners into her soundscape. Tems breathes fresh life into the song’s yearning melodies, crafting an ode to romance that feels both reverent and adventurous.
Her take honours the source material, leaning on Sodimu’s legacy while imbuing it with the ethereal depth she’s known for. It’s a soulful way to officially introduce the journey of her first album, weaving her roots into her signature style and inviting listeners along on her sonic exploration.
It’s no surprise that the song earned her a nomination in the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category at the Grammys this year, a fitting recognition for a track that bridges eras while boldly carving its place in today’s music landscape.
Olufunmi Reimagined” by ID Cabasa feat. Fireboy DML, Joeboy, Odumodu Blvck, BOJ
Back in the mid-2000s, Styl-Plus’ Olufunmi was the soundtrack to countless love stories, a perfect blend of R&B and Nigerian soul that still resonates today. Now, ID Cabasa, one of Nigeria’s finest producers, takes this beloved classic and breathes new life into it with a star-studded lineup that includes Fireboy DML, Joeboy, OdumoduBlvck, and BOJ.
While the synergy of Fireboy and Joeboy’s smooth deliveries, combined with BOJ’s Afro-fusion grit, make for a magical reinterpretation, OdumoduBlvck’s boisterous verse feels slightly misaligned with the delicate nostalgia of the track. Still, this rendition offers a refreshing take on one of Nigeria’s greatest love songs, evoking memories for the old while creating moments for the new.
“Active” by Asake ft. Travis Scott
On Lungu Boy, Asake brings in Travis Scott for Active, an electric amapiano track that’s as catchy as it is inventive. Drawing from Jazzman Olofin and Adewale Ayuba’s Raise Da Roof, Asake infuses his sound with a Fuji twist, layering the classic’s rhythm under catchy beats that feel right at home on global dance floors. Travis Scott’s presence adds an international edge, yet the track remains unapologetically Nigerian, with Asake’s voice effortlessly weaving between cultures. It’s a song that captures the thrill of a good party, driven by the rich textures of Afrobeat and Fuji.
“Majo” by Pheelz
Pheelz is a maestro who knows how to make old music new again, and “Majo,” from his Pheelz Good II EP, is a testament to that. By interpolating Adewale Ayuba’s 2004 Fuji gem “Ijo Fuji,” Pheelz strikes a delicate balance between reverence and reinvention.
The track retains the original’s infectious groove while injecting it with a modern, genre-blurring sensibility that feels fresh and innovative. It’s a masterclass in showing how timeless classics can remain relevant, proving Pheelz’s knack for curating music that resonates across generations.
