Rep Your Music Era: Celebrating Nigeria’s Musical Heritage Through The Generations

We celebrate the 64th Independence Day and reflect on the richness of our cultural legacy, with music being one of our most vibrant expressions. Nigerian music has shaped our identity and inspired generations worldwide, from our rhythmic beats of Jùjú to the rise of Afrobeats on the global stage.

For the love of Naija, we’re launching a special celebration: “Rep Your Era." This is your chance to take a nostalgic trip to the music of the era you love the most, listen to and celebrate Nigeria's sonic progression, and pass the torch to the next generation.

Music has always been the pulse of Nigeria, capturing our history, struggles, victories, and aspirations. This campaign honours the pioneers of each era and invites you to engage with the evolution of Nigerian music. It’s not just about nostalgia, but celebrating how our music has bridged gaps, influenced the world, and positioned Nigeria as a cultural powerhouse with our superstar artists.

The Era That Defined Us:

Jùjú Music Era: Laying the Foundation (1920s–1950s)

BlenEratraditional Yoruba rhythms with Western instruments, Jùjú music paved the way for modern Nigerian sounds, led by icons like Tunde King and I.K. Dairo. This era embodied the aspirations of a post-colonial Nigeria, fusing heritage with innovation.

Highlife Music Era: The Sound of a New Nation (1950s–1960s)

As Nigeria gained independence, highlife music with its mix of jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and African beats became the soundtrack of a confident, forward-looking nation. Artists like Bobby Benson and Victor Olaiya captured the spirit of freedom and modernity.

Rep Your Era: 60s

Afrobeat Music Era: The Sound of Revolution (1970s–1980s)

When Nigeria called for change, Fela Kuti answered with Afrobeat, a genre that mixed jazz, funk, and traditional rhythms with powerful political messages. This era saw music becoming a force for social reform, challenging the status quo with bold, revolutionary sounds.

Rep Your Era: 90s

Nigerian Pop Era: Bridging Tradition and Modernity (1990s–2000s)

In the late '90s, artists like 2Baba, P-Square, and D’banj introduced Nigerian pop, blending R&B, hip-hop, and reggae with local rhythms. This period set the stage for modern Afro-pop and earned global recognition for Nigerian music

Rep Your Era: Nigerian Pop

Afrobeats Era: Nigeria Takes the World Stage (2010s–Today)

Today, Afrobeats has taken the world by storm, merging various genres with Nigerian flair. Stars like Olamide, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Tiwa Savage have propelled Nigerian music onto the global stage, making it a worldwide phenomenon that transcends borders.

Rep Your Era: Afrobeats

How to Join the ‘Rep Your Era’ Celebration:

1. Stream the playlists:

We've curated exclusive playlists on Boomplay featuring songs and artists from each era: Jùjú, Highlife, Afrobeat, Pop, and Afrobeats. Stream them as much as you like, and rediscover the music that shaped you.

2. Oya, Rep Your Era!

Pick your favourite tracks from your era and post a screenshot on your favourite social platforms from the Boomplay app, tagging @BoomplayNigeria and using the hashtags #RepYourEra #NigeriaAt64. Whether you’re vibing to King Sunny Adé, reliving Fela’s legendary Afrobeat, or dancing to Rema, let the world know which era you’re repping! Multiple entries are allowed.

3. Tag Your Friends:

To keep the momentum going, tag your friends and challenge them to rep their era too! The more people that join, the louder we can celebrate the journey of Nigerian music together.

4. Guidelines

• You must be 18+ to participate.

• Follow @BoomplayNigeria on all social platforms.

• Use the hashtag #RepYourEra #NigeriaAt64 and tag at least 3 friends when you post.

• Mention Boomplay's official handle in your post.

5. Engage and Win!

The campaign will run from October 1st to October 31st, and participants stand a chance to win exclusive Boomplay merchandise, VIP access to upcoming music events, Boomplay premium subscriptions, and more exciting prizes. The winners will be announced in the first week of November. So keep streaming, posting, tagging, and sharing to increase your chances!

Join the celebration, Rep Your Era, and Let Your Music Speak!

#RepYourEra #NigeriaAt64 #BoomplayNigeria