MTV Base addresses debate on their Top 20 Best Naija songs list

Below is the press release..
Music channel MTV Base ignited a fierce
social media debate about the best of
Nigerian music following a programme
which aired on Nigeria’s Independence Day
called “The Best Naija Songs Ever on MTV
Base”.
The list of artistes and songs featured in
the programme was determined by viewers
of MTV Base, who voted via the MTV
Base website www.mtvbase.com to choose
their musical favourites starting from the
channel’s launch on 22 February, 2005 till
the present day. The “Top 20” voted
for by MTV Base viewers comprised:
1. 2Face: African Queen
2.         9ice: Gongo Aso
3.         D’Banj: Oliver Twist
4. P Square Feat. Waje : Do Me
5. Wizkid: Holla At Your Boy
6. Davido: Dami Duro
7. Ice Prince: Oleku
8. D’Banj: Why Me
9. M.I.: Safe
10. Olu Maintain: Yahooze
11. Naeto C: Kini Big Deal
12. Davido: Skelewu
13. Banky W: Lagos Party
14. Wizkid: Pakorumo
15. Asa: Jailer
16. P Square: Chop My Money
17. Wande Coal: Bumper To Bumper
18. Dr Sid: Surulere
19. Flavour: Nwa Baby (Remix)
20. KCee: Limpopo
Bonus Track: Iyanya: Kukere
Other artists/tracks that received an
honourable mention included: Styl Plus:
Olufunmi; Shank: Julie; DJ Jimmy Jatt:
Stylee; Ikechukwu feat. Don Jazzy & D’banj:
Wind Am Well; D’Banj: Fall in Love.
Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President &
Managing Director, Viacom International
Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, welcomes
the heated debate sparked by the
programme “We are thrilled to see the
passion with which people are engaging in
the discussion about the Best Naija Tracks.
There has been concern in some quarters
that the list didn’t include some of Nigeria’s
most seminal artists and songs - it seems as
if some people may have misinterpreted the
campaign. This list of tracks, as voted by the
public, was never intended to reflect the Best
Naija Tracks of all time; the creation of this
campaign is part of the build up to our 10th
birthday and it was supposed to highlight
artistes that have been played on our channel
since the launch of MTV Base in 2005, hence
the title “The Best Naija Tracks Ever on MTV
Base". We understand that the positioning
could have been misleading on some of our
platforms and we regret any confusion
caused.”
“As a brand, we acknowledge and respect
the fact that Nigeria has a long music history
beyond the last 10 years and our work since
launching MTV Base is to help develop and
showcase the best of Nigerian and African
music to a global audience. The "Best Naija
Tracks Ever on MTV Base” campaign is
really about celebrating the new generation
of talent who have benefitted from the
legends who paved the way for their
successes today.”
Continued Okosi, “ The important thing is that
everyone has their own views about what
makes a great song or a great artist, and
we’re keen to hear their thoughts. We are
continuing the debate and encouraging music
fans to further engage with the campaign via
our digital media platforms. We will also be
filming a special MTV Base Nigerian music
roundtable in Lagos on this topic, featuring
artistes, DJs and music industry experts. The
roundtable will air on MTV Base in
November 2014 as part of the channel’s build
up to our 10th birthday
celebrations. Simultaneously, MTV Base is
challenging music fans to create their own
lists of Best Naija Tracks, and to post them
on MTV Base social media assets, or to get
involved in the conversation by using the
hashtag #BaseBestNaijaTracks . Those
engaging in the campaign stand the chance to
have their comments featured in the
roundtable discussion on MTV Base ."