Nigerian Old School Music – Nigeria has a rich and diverse musical heritage, with a vibrant history that spans decades.
The country’s old school music scene, especially during the 1960s to 1990s, produced timeless classics that continue to resonate with music enthusiasts today.
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This comprehensive list showcases some of the most iconic tracks that have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s musical landscape.
- Bobby Benson – Taxi Driver
- Water no Get Enemy – Fela Kuti
- Mammy water – Sir victor Uwaifo
- Cardinal Rex Lawson – Jolly Papa
- Wrinkars Experience – Fuel For Love
- African Style- Bright Chimezie
- Fire in soweto – Sonny Okosun
- Papa’s Land – Sonny Okosun
- Ebenezer Obey – Edumare soro mi dayo
- Joromi – Victor Uwaifo
- Time na Money – Mike Okri
- Lady – Fela Kuti
- Oko mi ye – Stella Monye
- Happy Birthday – Evi Edna Ogoli Okosi
- Send down the Rain: Majek Fashek
- Aparo – Tunji Oyelana
- Peoples Club – Oliver De Coque
- Ngozi – Felix Liberty
- Whats gonna be gonna – Bongos Ikwe
- I love my country – Tunji Oyelana & Wole Soyinka
- Osondi owendi – Osadebe
- Eddie okonta – Sawa Sawa
- Sweet Mother – Prince Nico Mbarga
- Baby Jowo – Dr Victor Olaiya
- Ise aje – I.K. Dairo
- Veno Marioghae – Nigeria Go Survive
- Ketekete – Ebenezer Obey
- Funmi Adams – Nigeria is my County
- Dele Ojo – Iya ni wura
- Ina Ran – Haruna Ishola & His Apala Group
- Oriental brother’s – Chi Awu Out
- Hubert Ogunde – Oni Moto
- I need someone – Kris Okotie
- Oby Onyioha – I Want to Feel Your Love
- Ever Liked My Person – Christie Essien Igbokwe
- Biri Ka Mbiri, Pt. 3 – Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque
- Lorine Okotie – Love Medicine
- Asiko – Tyna Onwudiwe
- Ayinla Omowura – National Census 1973
- Dora Ifudu – When Will it Be Right Time
- It’s Time For Juju Music – Admiral Dele Abiodun
- Iya mi – Christien essien Igbokwe
- Omo Ode De – Emperor Pick Peters
- Ololufe Mi – Orlando Julius Ekemode
- CAC choir – Odun lo sopin o
- Ace – Shina Peters
- Roy Chicago – Olowo Gba’ya Ole
- Iyawo Asiko – Orlando Owoh
- Mike Ejeagha – Ome Ka Agu
- One Love – Onyeka Owenu
- Make Nigeria Better – KSA and Nigerian All stars
- Iwaju lokan mi – KSA
- Identity – Oliver De Coque
- Rumba style – Ras Kimono
- Heart of stone – Oritz Wiliki
- Rosie – Blakky
- Cock crow at dawn – Bongos Ikwe
- Biri ka’m biri – Oliver De Coque
- Baby Kilode – Dizzy K Falola
- Ziga ha ozi – Sunny Okosun
- Under pressure – Ras Kimono
- Wait for me – KSA & Onyeka Onwenu
- Seun Rere – Christy Essien Igbokwe
- Eddie Kwansa – Peacock Int’l Band
- Orlando Julius – Adara
- Iya mi – Christie Essien Igbokwe
- Iyawo Asiko – Orlando Owoh
- Papa Bless Me – Isaac Black
- Make You Dey Look Well – Edna Okoli
- Stop the Fight – Edna Okoli
- Cloud 7 – Beautiful woman
- Omoge – Mike Okri
- Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Shakara
- Sonny Okosun – Which Way Nigeria
- Onyeka Onwenu – Ekwe
- Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Yellow Fever
- Tunji Oyelana – Alaru T’onje Buredi
- Ebenezer Obey – Olomi
- Dr Olando Owoh – Kangaroo
- Dizzy K. Falola – Excuse Me Baby
- Ofege – Try & Love
- Alex Zitto – Walakolombo
- Salawa Abeni – This is waka music
- Chris Mba – Baby Don’t Cry
- Bright Chimezie – African Style
- Felix Liberty – Ifeoma
- Mike Okiri – Omoge
- Evi Edna Ogholi – Obaro
- Dr Victor Olaiya – iye Jemila
- Kill Me With Love – Jide Obi
- Oritz Wiliki – Heart Of Stone
- Harry Mosco – Sugar Cane Baby
- Alex O- Celebrate
- Prince Adekunle – AYE Nreti Eleya
- Prince Adekunle – Tell Me that You Love me baby
- Dora Ifudu – When Will it Be Right Time
- Tunji Oyelana – Alaru T’onje Buredi
- Sunny Ade – Syncro System
- Ik Dairo- Feso Jaiye
- B L O – Native Doctor
- Adawa Supper – Dele Abiodun
- Kayode Fashola – Rantiomo Eni Tiwo NSe
- Fire – Lijadu Sisters
- Ketekete – Ebenezer Obey
- Dauda Epoakara – My Mother
- Mandy Ojugbana – Taxi Driver
- Wasiu Ayinde – Talazo Fuji
- Segun Bucknor – Adebo
- Ayinde Barrister – Fuji Gabage III
- Cloud 7 – Searching
- Kollington Ayinla – Ijo Yoyo
- Fella Kuti – Suffering & Smiling.
- won Kerry si number wa – Fatayi Rolling Dollar
- Board Members – Ebenezer obey
- Logba logba – Orlando Owoh
- Challenge Cup – Ayinla Omowura
- Na poor I poor – Tunde Nightingale
- Owere elejigbo – lijadu Sisters
- Guguru perere – Tunji Oyelana
- Yegede – Yusuf Olatunji
- Olomori – Olu fajemirokun
- Back to the basics – Esse Agesse
- Oun Toba Dara – Funmi Adams
- Consolidation – kwam 1
- Segun Bucknor – Who Say I Tire
- Paulson Kalu – Poor Man Life
- Celestine Ukwu – Ije Enu
- Dan maraya – Ginger Bashi
This list, spanning across various genres like Afrobeat, highlife, juju, and funk, reflects the diversity and creativity of Nigerian musicians during this period. Each track tells a unique story, capturing the essence of Nigerian culture, history, and social issues.
These Nigerian Old School Music were not only musically groundbreaking but also carried powerful messages, addressing social and political themes relevant to the times.
They provided a platform for artists to express their creativity and advocate for change, making a lasting impact on both the Nigerian music industry and society as a whole.
Nigeria’s old school music classics continue to inspire contemporary artists and music lovers worldwide. As we revisit these timeless tunes, we celebrate the artistic legacy of the musicians who paved the way for the thriving music scene that Nigeria enjoys today.
Their contributions have shaped the nation’s cultural identity and left an enduring imprint on the global music landscape.