Return of the classics

For many Nigerian artistes, sampling or recycling a section of one song in another has become an innovative playground, allowing them to do cross generations and continents. Whether they’re remixing ancient Naija songs or incorporating worldwide hits, these musicians are recreating history. In this feature, Weekend Trust lists out some prominent Nigerian artistes that have […]

For many Nigerian artistes, sampling or recycling a section of one song in another has become an innovative playground, allowing them to do cross generations and continents. Whether they’re remixing ancient Naija songs or incorporating worldwide hits, these musicians are recreating history. In this feature, Weekend Trust lists out some prominent Nigerian artistes that have creatively recreated or sampled popular songs from both domestic and foreign stars.

Song: Davido – With You (2025)

Sample: Bright Chimezie – Because of English (2018)

In April 2025, Davido released his album ‘5ive’ which featured the hit song “With You” featuring Omah Lay and produced by Tempoe. The track also samples Bright Chimezie’s ‘Because of English’ which was released in 2018. A part of Davido’s verse which says “If I speak English, oh-oh, Cho-cho-cho, no working, I no wan punish, woah, woah. I want to punish you, idiarabanko”, was attributed to Chimezie’s original lyrics in the 2018 track. In a viral video, Davido expressed his gratitude to the iconic artist and his eagerness to meet him. However many on social media have demanded that Davido give Chimezie all royalties he is due.

 

Song: Tems – Love me Jeje (2024)

Sample: Seyi Sodimu feat Shaffy Bello – Love me Jeje (1997)

Tems released “Love Me Jeje” in April 2024, a modern version of Seyi Sodimu’s popular hit from 1997, also called “Love Me Jeje”. The original song, which featured Shaffy Bello, was a big love song in Nigeria in the late ‘90s. Tems used part of the original lyrics — “Love me jeje, love me tender” — in her new version. However, she changed the sound and gave it a jumpy and party feel.  In February 2025, “Love Me Jeje” won the Best African Music Performance at the Grammy Awards which made Tems one of the few Nigerian artists to win a Grammy as a solo performer. Seyi Sodimu also praised Tems for the remake, saying it was a proud moment to see the song loved by a new generation. Shaffy Bello also noted that hearing the new version felt like going back in time.

 

Song: Asake (ft. Travis Scott) – Active (2024)

Sample: Jazzman Olofin (ft. Adewale Ayuba) – Raise Da Roof (2004)

Another sample worth noting is that of Asake’s hit song “Active” which is a recurring vocal from the Fujì hit “Raise Da Roof” by Jazzman Olofin featuring Adewale Ayuba, originally released in 2004. The hit song which features American rapper Travis Scott mixes Afro-beats, Amapiano, house, and hip-hop, and a sting of traditional Fuji music. The popular line “ma jo fine girl,” sung by Ayuba, runs throughout the song, giving it a nostalgic yet fresh energy. The track became a hit, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart and #7 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100

 

Song: ID Cabasa and friends – Olufunmi Reimagined

Sample: Styl Plus – Olufunmi (2006)

In 2024, Nigerian music producer, ID Cabasa, released a new version of the popular Styl-Plus song “Olufunmi” titled “Olufunmi Reimagined”, featuring Fireboy DML, Odumodublvck, BOJ, and Joeboy. The song maintained the well-known chorus from the original track but added fresh verses and new styles from the featured artists. Fireboy DML brings smooth and emotional vocals, while Odumodublvck adds energetic rap. BOJ and Joeboy also give the song their unique sound, mixing the old with the new. ID Cabasa said the goal of the project was to connect fans of the original 2006 hit with today’s Afrobeats audience. He explained that the idea behind the song was to create something that cuts across generations and shows the beauty of collaboration between different eras in Nigerian music. The music video which was directed by Clarence Peters, follows a storyline where all the artists try to win the heart of one woman which is similar to the original Styl-Plus video.

 

Song: 2face – Searching (2021)

Sample: Bongos Ikwue – Still Searching (2010)

Legendary singer 2Face Idibia, known as 2Baba, teamed up with veteran musician Bongos Ikwue on his song titled “Searching”, which was a modernised version of Bongos Ikwue’s folk-pop classic “Still Searching.” The sample keeps the same message but adds a new perspective. It opens with Bongos Ikwue’s familiar voice singing the original line, “Men I’ve been searching for true love…” before 2Baba brings in his part, blending new lyrics with the same feeling of longing. He sings about trying to find a woman who will bring peace and meaning into his life, and even gives a special shout-out to women from his hometown of Benue State. Though both men are from different generations, their voices blend well, and their message remains the same, which is the search for love, no matter their age.

 

Song: Ayra Star – Jazzy Song (2025)

Sample:  Wande Coal – You Bad (2009)

Mavin Records singer Ayra Starr paid tribute to her mentor Don Jazzy in her song titled “Jazzy’s Song” which sampled Wande Coal’s 2009 hit “You Bad” also produced by Don Jazzy during the Mo’Hits era. The new version keeps the melodic vibes from the original, while Ayra Starr adds her own lyrics to talk about growth, celebration, and her journey in music. She also sings about how grateful she is to Don Jazzy for believing in her from the start. In a radio interview with Cool Fm, the artist mentioned that she had always wanted to sample “You Bad” because it was one of her favourite songs growing up, and she wanted to honour Don Jazzy with something that felt personal. The song is part of her album titled The Year I Turned 21.

 

Song: Big Sheff – Gentle Lady (2015)

Sample: Queen Salawa Abeni – Gentle Lady (1991)

Nigerian rapper Big Sheff, son of waka music queen Salawa Abeni, released “Gentle Lady (Remix)” in 2015. The song samples the original “Gentle Lady” recorded by his mother in 1991 and reissued in 2013. In the song, Big Sheff adds his own rap verses to the familiar melody and chorus sung by Salawa which delivered a modern twist to the waka‑fuji style, while his mother’s powerful vocals reminded listeners of her legacy. The remix was produced by Dre Sticks and accompanied by a music video directed by Q, in which both mother and son appeared alongside his father, Fuji legend Kollington Ayinla

 

Song: Burna Boy – Last Last (2022)

Sample: Toni Braxton – He Wasn’t Man Enough (2000)

Another popular sample is that of Burna Boy’s Grammy-nominated anthem “Last Last” which opens with a loop drawn from Toni Braxton’s early-2000s R&B hit, ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’. Last Last, which was produced by chopstix, features Burna’s heartbreak confessional over Braxton’s mournful guitar strings. The song is more than just a sample; it’s a thematic mirror. Where Braxton lamented the harsh feelings of betrayal, Burna expressed the anguish of lost love with a Nigerian twist.

 

Song: Rema – Baby (Is It A Crime) (2025)

Sample: Sade – Is It A Crime (1985)

Another standout twist will be Rema’s “Baby (Is It a Crime)”, released in February 2025 which samples British-Nigerian icon Sade Adu’s 1985 hit, “Is It a Crime?” The song starts with Sade’s familiar voice asking, “Is it a crime?”, then Rema follows with lyrics about love and longing. He tells his lover that he is serious about her and wants something real, not just a game. The track produced by P. Priime, fuses jazz sounds with modern Afro rhythms, creating a chill and romantic feel. Rema had teased the song months before it came out, and many were excited to see how he would handle such a classic sample. Since its release, “Baby (Is It a Crime)” has performed well on streaming platforms and is one of the most talked-about Nigerian songs of 2025 so far.