ArewaFusion: The Rise of Northern Nigeria's New Musical Wave
ArewaFusion: The Rise of Northern Nigeria's New Musical Wave
Iliya by Gen-Z Arewa Song by Firstklaz and Iliya Entertainment Music
When it comes to indigenous music, Africa remains a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. While many associate the continent with its rich mineral resources, its cultural wealth, particularly in music, remains vastly untapped. For this discussion, I’ll focus on the realm of music, specifically the Nigerian context, where an exciting new artist is breaking through with a fresh sound.
At a time when it seemed nearly impossible for African music to make significant inroads internationally, Burna Boy defied the odds. His groundbreaking success, marked by a Grammy win, placed Nigeria firmly on the global musical map. Critics may argue that Burna Boy had to leverage the U.S. market to push his brand, but he undeniably brought the Grammy back home. Following in his footsteps, we've seen other artists, like Wizkid and the South African songstress, push the boundaries of what African music can achieve globally. 
But today, I want to talk about a new wave of talent that’s emerging from Northern Nigeria, led by an artist whose song I stumbled upon and haven’t been able to stop listening to. It's not surprising that heavyweights like Olamide and Blaqbonez have already noticed this young star, even going as far as sliding into his DMs to show their support. What excites me most is that this budding talent may be crafting a new musical genre in Northern Nigeria. He calls it "Arewa GenZ," but I prefer to name it "ArewaFusion."
The song "Iliya by Gen-Z Arewa
Song by Firstklaz and Iliya Entertainment Music is unlike anything I’ve heard before. Its authenticity, raw energy, and cultural depth set it apart. The Northern sound is being redefined, and this track feels like the start of something much bigger. The story behind the song adds even more intrigue, it was born out of an unplanned freestyle collaboration.
If you’ve ever been in Abuja, you’re likely familiar with the local Hausa musicians who roam parks, playing and serenading picnickers with their percussion and goje instruments alongside, and singing their hearts out. Often, when their melodies catch your ear, you’re compelled to tip them. If you’re not in the mood, it’s best to give them a small tip anyway because they won’t leave until they get one.
In this case, the Arewa GenZ artist was at the popular Unity Fountain working on a project when a group of drummers disrupted his flow. Instead of paying them to leave, he saw an opportunity and seized it. The impromptu collaboration sparked something magical. What started as an interruption evolved into a fully-fledged musical partnership, as the artist promised to record a song with them if their freestyle garnered 500 comments online. Not only that, but he also vowed to share royalties with the drummers. Unsurprisingly, the freestyle took off and quickly became a viral sensation across the internet.
I’ve seen at least five short video skits of this newly-formed group on YouTube and TikTok, and the energy they bring is nothing short of contagious. The rhythm, the fusion of traditional Hausa music with a modern twist, feels like the beginning of a new chapter for Northern Nigerian music. This group, if they strategize well, has the potential to bring home not just recognition but perhaps even the Grammy itself.
In my opinion, their next move should be to work on an album as a team, maybe even bring in a few collaborations to solidify their sound. This kind of organic, collaborative energy is rare, and when nurtured, it can grow into something massive.
Attached to this article are various skits of the song and a full version for you to enjoy. It's already a YouTube and TikTok sensation, and it's clear that Nigeria, especially the Northern region, still has untapped musical potential waiting to explode onto the world stage.
Indeed, Nigeria has it all, it's only a matter of time before the world takes notice. Just imagine Olamide jumping on the track, or MI bringing his signature modern twist. Again, picture an international collaboration with someone like Beyoncé, it could be a game-changer for this genre.
Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions about this emerging sound in the comment section. I’d love to hear what you think!
Thank you for reading!
Full song on YouTube music
