The year 2020 saw disruption of normalcy in the music industry with the COVID-induced shelter-in-place. The pandemic severed activities such as live performances, tours and physical promotion. The Electioneering campaign followed, having direr impact on the music industry where, for some artistes, releases were put on hold. Much as 2020 was a difficult year for most artistes, it afforded some a rare opportunity to shine. As most hibernated because of the global pandemic, others made a bumper harvest of the lean season. Music became a companion for many as radio listenership soared during the lockdown.
With the music industry now coming in full circle, artistes like Sarkodie have risen to the occasion; with buzzing concerts like Rapperholic, Stonebwoy with Activate featuring Davido and Shatta Wale with his hugely popular song “Hajia Bintu”. Jams such as “Cold” by Joey B featuring Sarkodie, King Promise’s “Alright” which features Shatta Wale and Ekorso by Kofi Jamar are still with us.
The list below is a list of the top 10 songs released in 2020 which had the most airplay. Do note that there are songs which might have done better than the songs which made it into the year’s chart but were released the year before. An example of songs which could have made the list but are ineligible because of the year of release are Dw3 – Mr. Drew and Krymi featuring Sarkodie which was released on the 18th of December 2019; Oofeetso by Sarkodie featuring Prince Bright released November 23rd 2019 and Nominate by Stonebwoy featuring Keri Hilson off the Anloga album released on the 8th of November 2019.
Here is a list of the Top 10 songs for 2020…
- La Hustle remix
For months unbend, La Hustle Remix became a street anthem – so popular was the song that it started new online and street terms. The song was released on 25th of September 2020 and has thus far been viewed some 1.7million times on youtube. La Hustle was produced by Dj Krept and features AMG Boss Criss Waddle and Joey B.
- Inna Song (Gin & Lime)
Darkovibes released perhaps his most successful commercial track yet in March 2020. The song features silky singer King Promise and became the toast of many a music lover. Originally released with an animation, the song became so popular that a video had to be shot for it and was, later in the year, followed with a remix which featured Stonebwoy. The song was produced by Streetbeatz.
- Money
Rising Hip Hop artiste Kweku Flicks released “Money” in June 2020, easily his biggest hit; Money has made the rounds and been in the charts and chants since its release with the song peaking towards the end of 2020. The song was produced by Apya.
- Sisa
King delivered on the Promise of hits and classy music in February 2020 with the release of SISA. The mid-range well composed and even better vocally delivered track has been one of the biggest songs of 2020, peaking around March and staying in the charts for several months. The song was produced by Killbeats with an appropriate video which has attracted over 3.4million views on YouTube as of press time.
- Putuu (Pray)
Putuu was received with mixed reactions by fans and foes of brand Stonebwoy alike. It marked a departure from what one had come to expect from the Ghanaian Superstar. The introduction of “Gibberish” has never been associated with him; mostly known for classy, stylish, deep and mostly “conscious” music Putuu was not only different in kind but also in hit value as it swept the soul of the Ghanaian Music landscape with every radio buzzing and bars blurring the piece as often as they could. Putuu was released in July 2020 and produced by QobrahbBeatz.
5.Happy Day
Happy Day simply hits differently….. On release two things hit every listener, the beat (Sound) and the controversies which accompany this monster hit. Happy Day was Sarkodie’s major show on “Hit-lane” all through 2020. The song was perceived to be an endorsement of the Ghanaian president as the lyrics suggests. However, Sarkodie claimed it was not an endorsement. Further there was a disclaimer from the featured artiste – Happy Day has been more like 2020 itself… confused yet present and relevant. Happy Day by Sarkodie features Kuami Eugene and was released on November 3rd 2020 and produced by M.O.G Beatz.
- Enjoyment
Released in January 2020, Enjoyment, probably, has the highest Beat Per Minute (BPM) KiDi has released thus far. It became an instant party favourite and a radio Jam. The song has stayed in the charts since it first appeared in February 2020. No wonder the accompanying video has one of the highest views on YouTube locally in 2020. As at press time Enjoyment had over 5.4million views. Enjoyment was produced by MOG Beatz.
- No Dulling
No Dullling is the biggest hit music Duo “Keche” has had in a couple of years. The song met the gradual, cautious and careful return to normalcy and thus enjoyed plays at pubs and bars and in small corner shops and homes; that was not to reduce the frequency of play on radio neither did it stop rotation of its very beautiful cinematic work of art on television. No Dulling features Kuami Eugene and was produced by Willisbeatz and released in July 2020.
- Say Cheese
Easily the lockdown song of 2020, the song off the Blue EP by VGMA album of the Year act, KiDi was about the only song by an ace act for several months. The song became the toast of many and had a remix that made it to the ‘billboards’. On social media, Say Cheese was “the song” and was equally huge on Radio. The song was released on the 8th of May 2020 and produced by Kayso.
- Open Gate
As though it were prophetic or rather a message to the government “Open Gate” came when many a Ghanaian were tired of being kept home amidst pressures of the Corona-induced lockdown and the cessation of mass gatherings and public events. Days after the release of what would be one of the biggest songs of his young music career, bars and pubs were opened, events started, airports were opened and there was some sort of ‘Open Gate”. The song released on August 7th 2020, played across the length and breadth of Ghana. It became the toast of Radio and its equally beautiful video was all over television as well. At press time the video had some 4.9million views. The song was produced by Willisbeatz.
