From traditional tribal dances rooted in centuries-old customs to modern urban moves that reflect contemporary youth culture, Nigeria's rich dance scene has captivated audiences for generations. This dance-loving culture thrives as Nigerian artists consistently introduce new dance steps with their songs, creating trends that help extend the lifespan of their music.

Interestingly, some of these dance steps aren't originally Nigerian. Once they cross borders and enter the local music scene, they are embraced, adapted, and transformed into something uniquely Nigerian—a testament to the country's dynamic ability to absorb and reimagine cultural influences.

Lagos’ urban music scene is a melting pot of languages, influences, and genres, reflecting the city’s diverse musical landscape. The fusion of cultural elements gives rise to an array of sounds, from the energetic rhythms of Afrobeats and Afropop to the deep melodies of Alté and the traditional harmonies of Highlife and Fuji.

Dance in this urban scene serves as a means of expression and entertainment within the Nigerian urban music scene, making it an integral part of the enterprise. New dance steps often emerge alongside hit tracks, making it a cultural phenomenon in its own right.

In many ways, makossa may have been the first dance trend of the 2000s. The dance trend rode on the spread of a rhythmic Cameroonian sound, the Congolese Rumba. Riding on that wave, artists like Koffi Olomide and Awilo Longomba toured the continent with their massive hit songs and everywhere they went, Makossa dance became a wave, a vibe, and everything else, especially in Nigeria.

Galala, another trend in the early 2000s, originated in the ghettos of Ajegunle and was popularized by Daddy Showkey. The dance move eventually gained popularity in social gatherings, especially when the Nigerian song "Sample Ekwe" or “E Dey Pain Me” by Original Stereoman was played.

Olu Maintain’s Yahooze was another game-changer. It featured a simply addictive move where you pop two fingers in the air, mimicking the act of spraying imaginary money. Nigerians, in typical fashion, took it to the next level, adding variations and creativity. Then came Alanta, a wildly energetic dance with exaggerated arm and leg movements, crazy facial expressions, and an imaginary drum on the stomach. Although credited to ArtQuake, it was Terry G who truly made it a nationwide sensation around 2007/2008.

Then came Azonto from Ghana, a freestyle dance filled with expressive hand gestures, footwork, and body isolations. Claimed to have been created by Ghanaian dancer Bukom Banku, the dance was introduced globally by Fuse ODG with his hit track Azonto featuring Tiffany in 2011. The dance became even bigger in Nigeria after Wizkid’s viral freestyle video. The dance incorporates a variety of moves, including hand gestures, footwork, and body isolations.

In 2015, Davido joined the list of artists with unique dance steps to promote their song with Skelewu, but it didn’t catch on until MC Galaxy introduced Sekem. This variant involved moving to the side while still performing the Skelewu dance with one hand on the chest and the other on the waist as the music instructs.

That same year, Olamide shook the scene with Shakiti, a viral dance step that took over clubs and parties following the release of his hit single "Bobo". Soon after, Shaku Shaku came in and was attributed to the hit street anthem ‘Legbegbe’ by Mr. Real featuring Idowest. Songs released during the same period followed the trend to popularize the dance further, including ‘Shepeteri’, ‘Oshozondi’, and ‘Shaku Shaku’. It is a dance performed by crossing your arms in front of each other at the wrist, widening your legs slightly, and launching into a half-gallop. The rest of the movement involves mainly the dancer’s feet and is mainly freestyle. It incorporates a combination of legwork, arm movements, and body shakes.

Zanku, short for “Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us,” was one of the most popular and long-lasting dance steps in the history of Nigerian pop culture. Popularized by Zlatan and Naira Marley, with influencer Poco Lee pushing it further, this high-energy dance took over the urban music scene, becoming a must-learn move for any Nigerian music fan.

Honorable mentions include shoki, gwara gwara, kukere, alkayida, and other dance crazes that have shaped Nigeria’s pop culture. As the music industry grows, dance remains a crucial part of song promotion, helping songs go viral. The adoption and exchange of dance trends across Africa continue to strengthen their global impact, proving that music and dance are inseparable forces shaping cultures worldwide.

In the Nigerian music scene, unique dance steps attributed to a new song serves as a means of promotional technique.

DANCE STEPS IN THE NIGERIAN URBAN MUSIC SCENE

In the Nigerian music scene, unique dance steps attributed to a new song serves as a means of promotional technique.

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