#BumpThis: Dance to the New-school Apala

Apala music in modern swagger.

Apala, the iconic genre that once dominated Nigerian airwaves, is back and slowly mixing with the pulse of contemporary music. The new-school Apala movement is breathing fresh life into contemporary sounds, blending ancient beats with modern swagger.

From Musiliu Haruna, the self-acclaimed President of Apala music, to Qdot to Terry Apala, who’s currently carrying the torch, we’re spotlighting the artists pushing boundaries and making Apala cool again by bringing it closer to the younger audience.

Flaunt Weeekly Opon Apala Ti Sun — Musiliu Haruna Ishola

This song is familiar to both the millennials and Gen Z. Opon Apala Ti Sun sings about the new dawn of Apala, Musiliu’s musical gifts and being the rave of the moment. Musiliu Ishola, the most popular son of the late Apala maestro Haruna Ishola, now represents the genre as its foremost act.

Flaunt Weeekly Apala Disco — Terry Apala

Terry Apala teams up with DJ Tunez to recreate Apala for new-age music listeners. This jam is not too deep; it’s your reminder to have a good time. The “disco” in the song title only signals a party moment.

Flaunt Weeekly Apala Formula — Rasheed Apala

Rasheed Apala started his music career by making Apala covers. His 2024 single Apala Formula entertains listeners with narratives of good time, sexual pleasure and other allures of the street.

Flaunt Weeekly With Time — Wasiu Haruna Ishola

Wasiu Haruna Ishola is one of Haruna Ishola’s sons. Like his dad, he’s an Apala musician. In his new single, With Timehe sings about destiny and perfect timing. The song booms out with drums and sonorous backup vocals.

Flaunt Weeekly Apala New Skool — QDot

This song came out in 2017, and makes QDot an artist ahead as the leader of the new wave of artists refurbishing local music genres. This song offers social commentary on hustle culture, Yahoo Yahoo and the general noises about money.

Flaunt Weeekly Apala Interlude — Seyi Vibez

As one of the most diverse new-age acts, Seyi Vibez adds Apala music to his range of music compositions. He throws salutes in the air to God, the terrestrial powers and goes to hail A-list artists like Olamide, Davido and Wizkid by calling them their kids’ first names. He ends with praises for his dad too.

Flaunt Weeekly Apala Trap 2 — Kvng Vinci

Apala music meets trap on this joint by Kvng Vinci, a Nigerian music producer. Haruna Ishola’s Kasumu Adio’s “Eni Fi Bi Su Oloore” glides on the beat as the 808s boom underneath it. No other vocals, just good old Adio’s voice and the new-age Hip-Hop sound.

Flaunt Weeekly Apala Riddim — ZicoFlows

In awe of his babe, ZicoFlows sings of her importance in his life. He switches between that and taking his guys on a drinking spree. The current pulse of Afrobeats merges with Apala to lay a smooth sonic bed for ZicoFlows. You can dance to this.

Flaunt Weeekly Listen here:

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