You can’t write the history of rap music or afro-pop for that matter without including Chocolate City.
During the early 2010s, Choc City became a powerhouse with artists like M.I Abaga, Ice Prince, and a much younger Brymo on the roster. These guys didn’t just shine, they actually changed the game.
Ice Prince was one of the most commercially successful rappers on the continent, even getting recognition internationally. M.I was already becoming a major veteran and record exec with a pull that is unrivaled. Meanwhile, Brymo was pop’s poster boy with his major tunes like “Ara” and “Good Morning” getting massive airplay. That was indeed an era.
That era, though, was characterized by Brymo’s voice on several tunes that disturbed the country. Songs like “Ara” (his own single) and collaborations like “Oleku” with Ice Prince and “Action Film” with M.I Abaga.
Of all those songs, “Oleku” stands out as the one that got the most love. Not just because the beloved Ice Prince was on the song, but because the song is a complete pop song that defined what music used to be in that era. A smooth chorus by a talented vocalist, a seamless flow from a renowned rapper, and a beat that you can’t get out of your head ever.
The song was first released as a single in 2010, and later as part of Ice Prince’s debut album, “Everybody Loves Ice Prince.” It’s safe to say that “Oleku” is one of the songs from that period in Nigerian music that have survived the test of time. Because if you still decide to play it today, it still bangs!
Maybe there are a few songs in Nigerian contemporary music history that have made more impact than Ice Prince’s “Oleku” with Brymo. But one thing is sure, there aren’t many. For me, it’s top five of all time.
What do you think?
Do You Agree That Ice Prince & Brymo’s “Oleku” Is Top 5 Nigerian Pop Songs Of All Time?
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