After a rocky 2020 that witnessed a pandemic and national protests against police violence, Nigerian artists are hitting 2021 with a newfound force. Here is our selection of the best Nigerian music of 2021 so far.

Our Nigeria-based journalist Joel Praise has selected his favourite Nigerian tracks of the year.

From Fela Kuti to Burna Boy, these songs convey protesters’ swirl of anger, frustration, melancholy and hope while buoying up their fight.