What Nigerian bops could potentially soundtrack Pride Month? For obvious reasons, there aren’t many Nigerian songs that explicitly wave the rainbow flag, but are there any that extend comfort or visibility to the queer community? We reached out to queer individuals to find out which Nigerian songs exemplify Pride and evoke feelings of power, identity or bad bitchery for them, and answers rolled in as voice notes, IG replies, text dumps and half-joking messages. Here are the jams that made the cut.
Temmy
Most of Dwin The Stoic’s songs do it for me, but Without Your Love in particular sits with me a lot, especially with the way I love my woman. WTF would I do without her love? It’s a comforting song for me. Also, the lyrics of Brymo’s Meji Meji remind me that that queer people deserve to be with a person they love (if they want). It’s just like Temi ni Temi by the same artist: even in a place where invisibility is the safest option, you still have that hope that the love you deserve will find you. Finally, Asa’s Show Me Off feels like every queer person’s prayer in a country like this. They want to be shown off just like how heterosexual couples are.
Leah
I’d say water and salt and fire (for Yinka) by Tega Ethan, because of the whole “lover is on the other side” thing and the journey for a love that’s so worth it.
Desmond
My picks are:
Bloody Civilian — Family Meeting
Listening to this song evokes a familiar scenario for many queer people: that point in your life when you start having disagreements with your family because you have either come out or they strongly suspect you of being queer. For me, it feels familiar, and it’s validating to hear that specific experience put into a song.
It’s the chorus for me. Pride is all about being unapologetic and this song is really about standing your ground, rejecting a ‘mad apology’ and being a bad bitch about it. You leave the song holding your head high.
Teni has always felt like such a queer icon. Her style is one of the reasons for sure, but Uyo Meyo solidified it. So much of queerness and the celebration of queerness through pride is about platforming the marginalised amongst us, and Teni does that with Uyo Meyo. I can’t speak on her intent, but I can speak on the impact: this song makes you feel very Prideful.
Amaarae is a stunning bisexual icon in this song and the video. With a pretty boy and a pretty girl on her, it’s one of the purest, fullest representations of on-camera queerness we have seen in a song ever. Easily the top Pride anthem from this part of the world.
I think this song is a queer anthem because most queer people in Nigeria will tell you that the first step to personal queer freedom, especially from your parents, na money. This song is a good manifestation bar for when you want to remind yourself what your ‘first things first’ should be, which is being addicted to cash (and making it!).
Anon:
All my picks are tied to how sensual they are. Anything by Tiwa Savage, because of her appeal and just how her songs evoke bad bitchery and ooze confidence. Wurld’s Mad is the kind of song you’d play for any lover, and Trobul as well. I’ll definitely pick Amaarae’s Reckless & Sweet without thinking. Darkoo’s Favourite Girl is also really sensual.
Nancy:
Odunsi, Deto Black, Amaarae & Gigi Atlantis’ Body Count, because it plays with gender roles and shows the artistes being bold and free about sex and identity, in a way that doesn’t follow the usual straight rules. Amaarae’s Angels in Tibet shows a deep desire that doesn’t suggest gender, it’s very fluid. Her Celine as well, it celebrates unconventional love which kind of aligns with her visuals and queerness. Plus these artistes are all non-conforming, unconventional alte/queer artistes.
KCOB:
What Nancy said for “Angels in Tibet” is the same for Sad Girls Luv Money. Also, “I’m in love with girls who like to party, drink Bacardi straight and talk about star signs” is honestly just describing every queer person ever, the whole song is very queer coded. And Odunsi’s wicked, sexy! has lyrics about a sexy girl and her desire to be with both male and female partners as an expression of herself.
