𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚃𝚘 𝙷𝙱 𝙴𝙽𝚃, 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝙾𝚏 𝚀𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢.

Nigeria’s music scene is a vibrant mosaic, with genres beyond Afro Pop like Oghnest’s that reflect the country’s cultural diversity, history, and innovation. Here’s a concise overview of other prominent Nigerian music genres, each contributing to the nation’s global musical influence:

1. Afrobeat: Pioneered by Fela Kuti in the 1960s, Afrobeat blends Yoruba rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife with socio-political lyrics. It’s characterized by complex percussion, horn sections, and extended grooves. Modern artists like Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti carry the torch, distinct from the more pop-leaning Afrobeats.

2. Afrobeats: A contemporary evolution of Afrobeat (with an “s”), Afrobeats fuses Afrobeat, highlife, and hip-hop with pop and dancehall influences. Popularized by artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, it features catchy melodies, electronic production, and global appeal, dominating charts worldwide.

3. Highlife: Originating in the early 20th century, highlife is a melodic genre combining West African rhythms with jazz and guitar-based sounds. Artists like Victor Olaiya and E.T. Mensah defined its golden era. It remains influential, often blended into modern Afrobeats or Afro Pop.

4. Jùjú: A Yoruba genre popularized in the 1920s, Jùjú features talking drums, guitars, and call-and-response vocals. Legends like King Sunny Adé and Ebenezer Obey shaped its sound, often performed at social gatherings. Its influence persists in modern Yoruba music.

5. Fuji: Rooted in Yoruba Islamic traditions, Fuji emerged in the 1960s, blending percussion, chanting, and praise-singing. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) are iconic figures. Fuji’s energetic rhythms influence urban street music and Afrobeats.

6. Apala: Another Yoruba genre, Apala is a percussion-driven style with Islamic vocal influences, often used for storytelling or praise. Haruna Ishola popularized it in the mid-20th century. It’s less commercial today but informs modern fusion sounds.

7. Naija Hip-Hop/Street Hop: Nigerian hip-hop, influenced by American rap, blends local languages like pidgin with Afro rhythms. Artists like MI Abaga, Olamide, and Zlatan dominate with subgenres like street hop, featuring gritty beats and hustle-driven lyrics, as seen in songs like Zlatan’s “Zanku.”

8. Alte: A newer, alternative genre, Alte (short for “alternative”) mixes Afrobeats, soul, R&B, and experimental sounds. Artists like Odunsi (The Engine) and Tems push boundaries with introspective lyrics and genre-blending production, appealing to younger, urban audiences.

9. Waka: A Yoruba Islamic music style, Waka features fast-paced percussion and vocal dexterity, popularized by Salawa Abeni. Though niche, it influences Fuji and other Yoruba genres.

10. Gospel: Nigerian gospel music, spanning Afrobeats, highlife, and pop, is a major genre with artists like Sinach and Nathaniel Bassey. It blends spiritual lyrics with infectious rhythms, resonating across Africa and the diaspora.

These genres, often intermingling, showcase Nigeria’s musical richness, from traditional roots to globalized sounds. Oghnest’s Afro Pop, for instance, draws from Afrobeats, highlife, and hip-hop influences, reflecting the fluidity of Nigeria’s music landscape. Each genre carries unique cultural narratives, making Nigeria a powerhouse in global music.

Oghnest is likely influenced by regional genres like Urhobo Fuji, his music may nod to these traditions.

While these influences are inferred from Oghnest’s Afro Pop style and the Nigerian music scene, his previous mention of being an upcoming artist tied to HB ENT, a platform celebrating new music, suggests he’s actively engaging with both local and global trends. 

Traditional Afrobeat Roots: Oghnest likely draws heavily from the pioneering work of Fela Kuti, the godfather of Afrobeat. Fela’s fusion of jazz, funk, highlife, and Yoruba rhythms laid the foundation for modern Afrobeats, and his socially conscious lyricism resonates in the storytelling often found in Afro Pop. Oghnest’s music, with its pulsating rhythms and cultural pride, reflects this legacy, adapting it for a new generation.

Modern Afrobeats Icons: Contemporary Nigerian stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido are probable influences, given their dominance in shaping the global Afrobeats sound. Burna Boy’s genre-blending approach, mixing reggae, dancehall, and pop, likely inspires Oghnest’s ability to craft crossover hits. Wizkid’s smooth, melodic delivery and international appeal could influence Oghnest’s vocal style and radio-friendly hooks, while Davido’s high-energy performances and relatable lyrics may shape his dynamic stage presence.

Nigerian Hustle Culture: Oghnest’s music also seems influenced by Nigeria’s vibrant street culture and hustle mentality, as seen in his alignment with motivational themes. Songs like those referenced in prior discussions, such as “Grind No Stop,” echo the spirit of trending Nigerian tracks by artists like Zlatan and Hotyce, which celebrate resilience and ambition. Local references to places like Oshodi and Lekki in his lyrical inspirations ground his music in the Nigerian experience, reflecting the influence of Lagos’ bustling urban soundscape.

Global Pop and Hip-Hop: As an Afro Pop artist, Oghnest likely incorporates elements from global pop and hip-hop, genres that have heavily influenced Afrobeats’ evolution. Artists like Drake, Chris Brown, or Tems (who bridges Nigerian and Western sounds) may inspire his melodic choices and production style, helping him appeal to international audiences. The polished, genre-bending production in modern Afro Pop, with glossy beats and electronic flourishes, suggests Oghnest is attuned to these global trends.

Cultural and Regional Sounds: Growing up in Nigeria, Oghnest is likely influenced by regional genres like Urhobo, highlife, fuji, and juju, which continue to inform Afrobeats’ rhythmic and harmonic structures. The call-and-response patterns and percussive grooves in his music may nod to these traditions, blended with modern synths and trap-inspired hi-hats to create a fresh sound.