The digital graveyard for forgotten Nigerian hits is looking emptier by the day, and we have TikTok to thank. The social media platform has become a powerful defibrillator for the music industry, shocking life back into everything from Highlife classics to early Afrobeats anthems. These seven throwback tracks are living proof that good music never truly dies; it simply waits for the right dance challenge to explode across your timeline.
The Viral Hits Making a Comeback
Wande Coal's 'Baby Hello' (Original Release: 2014) proved that the Black Diamond is still a gem. His 2014 hit experienced a massive surge in popularity in 2024 after a sped-up clip of its hook became the soundtrack for a viral TikTok dance trend. A new generation of listeners, some of whom were children when the song first dropped, fell in love with the beat, cementing Wande Coal's status as Afrobeats royalty.
P-Square's 'Collabo' featuring Don Jazzy (Original Release: 2015) came roaring back to life in mid-2024. The smooth and catchy chorus of this 2015 monster hit became the go-to audio for "couple goals" videos, memes, and relationship skits across TikTok and Instagram. The resurgence showed that the twin duo's dance-pop magic remains potent enough to captivate a whole new audience.
The comeback of Skales' 'Shake Body' (Original Release: 2014) is a story fit for the movies. The 2014 anthem got a second wind in early 2025, thanks to Barcelona's teenage football sensation, Lamine Yamal. A viral TikTok clip, which amassed over 265 million views, showed Yamal and his teammates dancing to the track. The frenzy was so immense that Skales was invited to perform at Barcelona's Copa del Rey celebrations, giving the artist a massive global platform a decade after the song's initial release.
Unexpected Resurgences from the Archives
In a truly historic revival, the Highlife classic 'Ebezina' by Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (Original Release: 1996) found a new audience. Since late 2022, the Igbo song, whose title means "do not weep," became a popular sound on TikTok. Users embraced it in videos celebrating Igbo culture through dance, introducing Osadebe's timeless artistry to a generation more familiar with modern genres.
Perhaps the most astonishing timeline jump belongs to Gentleman Mike Ejeagha's 'Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo' (Original Release: 1983). This 41-year-old Highlife masterpiece was pulled from obscurity in mid-2024 after Instagram comedian Brain Jotter created a hilarious dance challenge around it. The trend went ballistic, spreading to TikTok with top creators like Craze Clown and Taoomaa joining in. The resurgence was so significant that Brain Jotter sought out the 93-year-old legend to compensate him, setting a respectful precedent in the digital age.
Nostalgia and Gospel on the 'For You' Page
The nostalgia for mid-2010s Igbo rap brought 'Who Get Dat Thing (Remix)' by Dekumzy, SlowDogg, and Stormrex (Original Release: 2016) back into the spotlight in 2024. Its bouncy beat was perfect for dance trends, leading to the #DesperateChicks challenge. This viral moment particularly shone a light back on Stormrex, the 'Queen of the East,' whose career had faded from the mainstream.
Even gospel music had its viral moment. Prince Gozie Okeke's 'Akanchawa' (Original Release: 2005), an anthem of joy and blessings, made a surprise comeback in 2025. This time, its revival wasn't driven by dance but by pure Naija humor and nostalgia, as users created funny POVs and throwback videos, spreading good vibes across the platform.
