MTV Base Head Alex Okosi Responds To “The Best Naija Songs Ever” List Uproar

In celebration of Nigeria's independence day, MTV Base asked their viewers to vote for “The Best Naija Songs Ever on MTV Base”. Unfortunately the subsequent result did not go down well with Naija music fans. That fiery social media debate has caught the attention of the channel Head and he responded this week.  

The list of artistes and songs featured in the programme as determined by viewers of MTV Base, who voted via the MTV Base website www.mtvbase.com, was compiled from a pool of songs that have appeared on the channel since its launch in February 2005 till the present day.

These were the “Top 20” that made the cut in the poll:

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, has now reacted to the frenzy the show caused. 

Okosi has welcomed the heated debate sparked by the show's poll and this is what he had to say; 

“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.” 

“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. 

Okosi further stated that those engaging in the campaign stand the chance to have their comments featured in the roundtable discussion on MTV Base.