Agbo Dennis
Nigerians love to dance and it is something that is in our DNA. Many Nigerian artists know this, so they are always making songs for the hottest dance, or creating a new dance move for fans to rock to and increase the shelf life of their songs. Here are the top 10 Nigerian dances of all time.
Fascinating Facts About Tiv Culture
Over the years, numerous dance steps have been introduced by various artistes but very few have actually gone viral and rocked the dance floors. Some of these dance steps where not invented by Nigerian artists, but the moment they crossed into our airwaves, we made them our own, and created trending jamz around them.
1. Makossa
Makossa may have been the first dance trend of the 2000s. The dance trend rode on the spread of a very rhythmic Congolese sound of the same name.
Riding on the wave, artistes like Koffi Olomide and Awilo Longomba toured the continent with their massive hit songs and everywhere they went, Makossa became a wave, a vibe and everything else, especially in Nigeria.
Makossa means “Dance” in the native tongue of Cameroon’s Douala; and it really made us dance.
2. Galala
This dance step is associated with the ghetto or Ajegunle, Lagos. It originated from the pseudo-reggae sound made popular by artistes like Ras Kimono, Blacky, Fada U Turn, etc.
However, Daddy Showkey will be most remembered as the initiator of the dance; it is as much a part of his identity as his long dreadlocks and is one of the top 10 Nigerian dances of all time.
3. Alanta
This was a very unique but crazy dance movement originated by a group called “Artquake”. This involved a crazy movement of the arms and legs in an alternate manner and crazy facial expressions that were slightly debasing, beating an imaginary drum on the stomach.
Alanta could genuinely put you in a state of shock and dismay. Terry G has also promoted this dance movement with his free madness series.
You May Also Like; Top 10 Richest Musicians in Nigeria 2021
4. Yahooze
Olu Maintain is to be thanked for this. The Kennis Music star released “Yahooze” in 2008 and created madness across the country. It involved popping two figures in the air in the like manner of spraying imaginary money.
As usual, it started all simple, until Nigerians got more crazy with it and developed its steps to various styles. Yahooze was a force that launched an artiste’s solo career, and dominated the country for some years.
5. Azonto
Azonto became popular in Nigeria thanks to Ghanaian singer Fuse ODG whose monster hit song “Azonto” featuring Tiffany was released October 2011.
It gained more popularity when Wizkid did a freestyle on it and when the video above went viral, gaining more views than even the official video by Fuse.
It has gone on to become one of the greatest dance movement in the last decade, spreading from Ghana to other African countries and Europe.
6. Skelewu
The Nigerian Afro-pop singer, Davido impress and excite everyone with his hit single ‘Skelewu’ realesed on 18th of August 2013. That followed it up with a beautiful dance step to promote the song.
The song gave the Nigerian artist recognition home and abroad; most memorable was when it was played during the half time of a Spanish La Liga match. Skelewu is one of the top 10 Nigerian dances of all time.
Incase You Miss; 10 Great Places In Nigeria To Spend Vacation with Family
7. Shoki
Shoki will be remembered as one of Nigeria’s most controversial dance steps because about three acts claimed to be its originator. They are Dre San, Lil Kesh and Orezi.
It had bubbled underground in Lagos for a year before Lil Kesh gave himself and the style a massive push with the release of his hit single “Shoki” in the year 2014.
Leaving the originator issue behind, Shoki was a hit, considering how easy it is and it is one of the top 10 Nigerian dances of all time
8. Shakiti Bobo
This dance begins and ends with the self-styled King of the Streets, Olamide. In 2015, Olamide released another one of his sneak attacks on radio and the clubs titled “Bobo”.
In what looked like a mere freestyle when it was first released, Olamide’s Bobo became a monster hit when its visuals was released with a trending dance step that many embraced with both arms.
Bobo became so famous that it sneaked into churches across the federation.
9. Shaku Shaku
This is another controversial dance step which blew up at the end of 2016 but those who are more familiar with its origins claim it has been a rave in Agege for two years and counting.
Songs like “Shepeteri” and “Legbegbe” became massive sleeper hits while riding the shaku wave, and their successes raised the careers of two underground acts that you would do well to pay attention to Mr Real and Slimcase.
Also Read: Top 10 Richest Comedian in Nigeria 2021
10. Zanku
Zanku is currently the freshest dance step of them all. It was introduced by Zlatan Ibile in late 2018, and it involves plenty of ten-ten like foot marches and karate-like jump kicks locally called gbeing body.
Some of the biggest Zanku songs include Chinko Ekun’s Able God featuring Zlatan and Lil kesh, Burna Boy and Zlatan’s Killin Dem, etc.
If you find post interesting kindly share and leave a comment
