If you search for “Eko” or “Lagos” on any streaming platform, you’ll find an endless variety of songs, each attempting to bottle the essence of Nigeria’s most vibrant city.
From Afrobeat classics to street-hop anthems and even soulful ballads, the city has proven to be more than just a geographical location, but a muse for many artists.
There are countless ways to describe the city, but one thing stands out above all: Lagos never stops moving. And when I say never stops moving, I mean to say that everyone is working, hustling and grinding to make ends meet.
From the danfo conductors calling out destinations with noise, to the relentless rush of office workers navigating Marina. For Nigerian artists, their experience is partly a love story and cautionary tale, a city that embodies duality in its purest form.
The city’s magnetic chaos finds its way into the music of Olamide, whose song, “Lagos Boys” in 2015 immortalizes the swagger and grit of its streets. But the city isn’t only about the hustle.
Brymo’s “Eko” reveals the city’s softer, almost romantic side, and even Maleek Berry compared it to Miami in his song “Eko Miami”.
However, there is an undercurrent of pride in the way artists frame Lagos, and this endless fascination with this city of excellence has given us an extensive playlist of Lagos-themed songs, some celebrate its resilience while others lament its challenges.
Here are five of the most memorable tracks dedicated to Lagos:
1. “Lagos Anthem” – Zlatan
Nobody embodies the hustle and braggadocio of Lagos like Zlatan. With “Lagos Anthem,” he captures the city’s luxury lifestyle and its eternal pursuit of jaiye (enjoyment).
The chorus—“Every night Bentley, every night Rolls Royce, lo na Toll Gate won fe lo jaiye”—is a vivid snapshot of the city’s dual nature: where the grind is incessant, but so are the rewards. Zlatan reminds us that this is the kind of place where ambition and extravagance share the same lane.
2. “Eko” – Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel’s “Eko” opens with an unforgettable line: “If you no fit wise for Lagos, you no fit wise for anywhere o.” It’s a proclamation rooted in truth because the city sharpens its people in ways no other city can.
Against the backdrop of infectious melodies, Kizz captures the essence of Lagos as a school of hustle, where the currency is street smarts. It’s a track that salutes the resilience of Lagosians.
3. “I Love Lagos” – Olamide
Olamide’s relationship with Lagos is both a love story and a testament to its shaping power. From the streets of Bariga—where he is from—to the luxury of Banana Island, Lagos courses through his music.
In “I Love Lagos,” Baddo romanticizes the city with lines like, “If I carry you go Banana, my guy, you go love Lagos o.” It’s a celebration of Lagos’ charm—the kind of place where even in its mess, beauty persists.
4. “Eko Akete” – Fatai Rolling Dollar
Before the street-pop era, Fatai Rolling Dollar gave us “Eko Akete,” a highlife classic that salutes Lagos as a cultural and historical beacon.
With his signature guitar riffs, Rolling Dollar’s Lagos is one of pride, capturing its enduring allure through timeless highlife rhythms. It’s a gentle reminder that while Lagos is fast-paced today, its soul has always been steeped in resilience and artistry.
5. “Lagos State” – Ebenezer Obey
Ebenezer Obey’s “Lagos State” is a love letter to Lagos’ prestige. Known for chronicling Nigerian cities in his music, Obey’s Lagos is a city of affluence, filled with titans of industry and culture.
Delivered in his signature juju style, the song captures the aspirational energy of Lagos, a city that refuses to settle for anything less than greatness.
