For Seyi Vibez, the success of ‘Different Pattern’ boldly communicates his ability to make songs that pack cultural richness and musicality to attract varying classes of listeners as expected of a popstar with superstar ambitions.‘Different Pattern’ is the most streamed song on Apple Music Nigeria in 2024: What does this mean?
When Seyi Vibez dropped his EP NAHAMciaga in December 2023, Different Patterns quickly became a fan favourite.
Known for his uptempo party anthems, powered by speaker-thumping log drums and a fusion of Apala music and hip-hop influences, Seyi Vibez has won over a wide audience, though his style has sometimes been polarizing. However, Different Patterns stands out with its rich musicality, blending the melodic touch of Yoruba Highlife legend Orlando Owoh with the soulful, chest-thumping rhythm of Apala music. This shift in style attracted a fresh wave of listeners who might have previously found his high-energy street-hop sound overwhelming.
With Different Patterns, Seyi Vibez achieved his most widely embraced track to date, earning praise from both fans and peers alike. A year after its release, its success is reflected in its status as the most-streamed song of 2024 on Apple Music Nigeria.
After three years of log drums dominating the Nigerian pop scene, the fusion seems to have reached its peak, leaving audiences craving something fresh.
In the quest for the next big sound, some artists are turning inward. Seyi Vibez’s Different Pattern embraces indigenous Yoruba music, while Kizz Daniel’s Twe Twe is a deep blend of Nigerian folk drums. The success of these tracks, combined with the impact of Kaestyle’s southern Highlife fusion on Egberi, suggests that the future of Nigerian pop may lie in exploring and reinterpreting indigenous genres.
Meanwhile, more artists are looking north, with the rich musical traditions of Northern Nigeria gaining attention, especially through the impressive work of fast-rising star First Klass.
For Seyi Vibez, the success of Different Pattern underscores his ability to create songs that blend cultural depth and musicality, appealing to a wide range of listeners—a key trait for any artist with superstar aspirations.
In this writer’s view, Seyi Vibez would benefit from creating a project that leans heavily into the indigenous genres of Fuji and Apala. This would not only showcase his versatility but could position him at the forefront of the next wave of Afrobeats pop.
Overall, the current top 20 songs on Apple Music reflect a shift in 2024, signaling the waning days of Amapiano fusion in Afrobeats.
