Alte music has slowly gained ground in Nigeria over the past few years. The genre has evolved into its own niche subculture, with a slew of dedicated fans drawn to the genre-bending sounds set apart from mainstream Afrobeats. We spoke to a few of these fans to find out what songs they’d consider the ultimate alte classics, the ones that defined the sound and still hit just as hard today.

Precious:

“Star Signs” is definitely up there. “Tonight” by Nonso Amadi is evergreen, pure musical genius. I also absolutely loved the “I love girls with Trobul” album, and “MAD” was clearly a fan favourite from that. 

I’d add “Eko Miami”, part of that legendary Maleek Berry run before he disappeared. Then there’s Blackmagic’s “Repete”, an OG classic which should be in everyone’s top five, in my opinion.

Timi:

ShowDemCamp alone could fill this list with the number of classic alte songs they have, but I’ll go with “Up to You” featuring Funbi because of the nostalgia it carries, as one of the first SDC songs I fell in love with. “Star Signs” is a no-brainer; it just has to be on every list of classic alte songs.

I’ll also pick “Repete” because it was the first alte song I fell in love with. At the time, I didn’t even know what alte was, but I could definitely feel that it represented something different from mainstream music. And then there’s Ajebutter22 & BOJ’s “Omo Pastor”, a coming-of-age song for a lot of people my age. It’s the perfect blend of witty and groovy.

Abdul-Hamid:

I’ll go with Blackmagic’s “Repete”, ShowDemCamp and Funbi’s “Up to You”, Tems’ “Try Me” and Santi’s “Rapid Fire”.

Eniafe:

My first pick would be SDC, Boj, and Ladipoe’s “Feel Alright”! Play it at any proper alte vibe, and it’s a hit. “Desire” by Odunsi the Engine and Tay Iwar is evergreen. Don’t let me get started on “Pata Pata” by Temi Dollface, an alte OG herself. 

I’d also pick Santi’s “Gangsta Fear” and SDC’s “Popping”: the ultimate alte groove. Perfectly balanced. 

Seyi:
Alte classics? Damn. In no particular order, my picks are:

– Alte Cruise (Odunsi the Engine, Cruel Santino, Zamir)

– ⁠Popping (ShowDemCamp)

– ⁠Cash (Lady Donli)

– ⁠Rapid Fire (Santi)

– ⁠SUGARDADDY (Tay Iwar)

Iniobong:

I’ll go for DRB’s “Trouble”; they were the first real alte guys, and it had Tems on it, which is always a plus. Then there’s Santi’s “Rapid Fire”; everyone loves that song. I’d also include Odunsi’s “Tipsy”, featuring Raye, and SDC’s “Live Life” (again, because of Tems).

Josh:

My list would be: “Murvlana” by Santi; “Do Me Nice” by SDC and BNXN; “So Mi So” by Wande Coal; “Gone Girl” by Obongjayar x Sarz; “Tipsy” by Odunsi; and maybe “Essence” by Wizkid and Tems.

Abdul:

“Repete” is the easiest choice, it embodies everything about what alte means, especially because of how undeniably good it was, even though it was different.  That’s more or less the same for Nonso Amadi’s “Tonight”; the song was just so good that it outgrew the alte categorisation to become mainstream. 

I’d also add “Necessary” by DRB Lasgidi and Odunsi, and “Feel Alright” by SDC. I also want to say an early Burna Boy song like “Tonight” or “Don Gorgon”, but I’m not sure they’re exactly considered alte. (Editor’s note: pre-African Giant Burna WAS alte and I’ll die on this hill). 

Halima:
I’m just here to add a list of classics the others didn’t mention, which absolutely cannot be excluded: Prettyboy D-O’s “Dey Go Hear Wehh” and “Living in Bondage”; Show Dem Camp’s “Tropicana” and “True Story” featuring Burna Boy; Cruel Santino’s “Freaky” and “Raw Dinner”; Burna Boy’s “Like to Party” and “Wickedest Love” featuring L.O.S; Amaarae’s “Birthday” with Yinoluu and “Spend Some Time” with Wande Coal; and Tems’ “Mr Rebel” and “Looku Looku”.