Zinoleesky is more than a moniker, but a sensation. From the grimy, dirty streets of Agege to taking over Nigeria’s airwaves and the rest of the world, Oniyide Azeez Abdul Adigun has a seat at the table in Nigerian music. Zinoleesky blends Afrobeat, pop rap, and street pop into something genuine, with lyrical integrity, melodic sensibilities, and street-smart swag. You know whether he’s singing about love, problems, or wealth, it is coming straight from the heart.
The Marlian Records artist began with freestyle collaborations with colleagues like Lil Frosh and Ibradosky, but his drive and unique voice propelled him to rise and become a breakout star. He first broke out in 2020 with the romantic but coded ‘Ma Pariwo,’ and it hasn’t died ever since. Tracks that explore topics of secrecy, love, strength, and success have made Zinoleesky a voice of his own generation.
Top 10 Zinoleesky Songs
1. Ma Pariwo
2. Kilofeshe
3. Naira Marley
4. Personal
5. Call of Duty
6. Loving You
7. Jaiye Foreign (Tiwa Savage ft Zinoleesky)
8. Party No Dey Stop (Adekunle Gold ft Zinoleesky)
9. Abanikanda (ft Naira Marley)
10. Don’t Call Me (Lil Kesh ft Zinoleesky)
Top Zinoleesky Songs
If you love music that longs for depth masked in danceable hooks, Zinoleesky’s got a playlist waiting for you. Let’s dive into ten of his best tracks, each with a narrative to share, a vibe to get you there, and a peek at the man on the mic.
1. Ma Pariwo
Wanna know the song that welcomed Zinoleesky into stardom with open arms? Here it is. Released in 2020, ‘Ma Pariwo’; to describe it in simple terms, it was a sensual blend of secrecy and love. The song essentially narrates an underground romance that he wants to keep confidential, away from nosy neighbors and public display. It’s a smooth ride of intimacy, soft instruments, and effortless rhythm.
But don’t be deceived by the cool demeanor; the lyrics burn with passion and desire. Zino talks about how this lady has him in her pocket, but he’s not managing to keep the affair under wraps. The crux of the song, ‘Ma pariwo oh-ohh,’ meaning ‘don’t shout,’ encapsulates the whole idea. A masterpiece of subtle romance.
The track made a huge splash on music streaming platforms, with over 5 million views on YouTube. ‘Ma Pariwo’ also hit no.14 on Apple Music’s chart and no.12 on YouTube trending chart in Nigeria in 2020. It cemented Zinoleesky as a fast-rising star to anticipate– what a performance!
2. Kilofeshe
‘Kilofeshe’ is street-pop gold. Translating to ‘What do you want/what do you want to do?’ in Yoruba, the song is a boastful declaration of not caring. It’s Zino saying to you, “Ordinary things no fit move me again; if you’re coming, come with something out of the ordinary.
He blends witty lyrics with dance-hall potential beats, taking individuals on a ride of self-belief. It celebrates youth, happiness, and being fearless to live large. As he states, ‘Life is yolo, you no know tomorrow,’ meaning that he’s living every day like it was his last—bold, fearless, and lavish. The Mayorkun and Busiswa remix took it further, adding pan-African flavor.
The original song garnered over 7 million views on YouTube and is still a party song. It also fueled dance challenges and trended immensely on social media, and it is one of the most successful songs of his career.
3. Naira Marley
Zinoleesky is pulling all tribute vibes here. The song, named after his boss and Marlian Records owner, Naira Marley, is both testimony and admiration. It’s a grace anthem, unequivocally asserting that his blessings aren’t luck but the handiwork of divine alignment and hard work.
With lines like ‘The door to my blessings cannot be locked,’ Zino uses this song to shut down naysayers and say that greatness was built into him. It’s catchy, authentic, and victorious, the kind of track that’ll have you bopping your head while questioning how much better you’ve become.
Produced by Niphkeys, ‘Naira Marley ’ is a testament to Zino’s progress and development in his music. Though it came without the accompaniment of a music video, the song was received everywhere and was on the radio stations, music websites, and clubs, symbolizing the commitment of Zino’s increasing fan base.
4. Personal
If there was ever a song about walking in your truth and minding your business, then ‘Personal’ is the one. It was put out on the Grit & Lust EP, and it captures the angst of being misunderstood in the wake of success. Zinoleesky sweetly reminds everyone that success isn’t a walk in the park at all; no one saw the grind behind the shine.
‘Just being myself, don’t take it personal,’ he raps– a mature way of embracing self-acceptance, spirituality, and the importance of remaining grounded in the midst of fame’s maelstrom. The beat may be smooth, but the message? Rock solid.
‘Personal’ resonated with fans going through those same changes, particularly young listeners going through fame, ambition, and criticism. It became one of the standouts on the Grit & Lust EP and amassed millions of streams in weeks.
5. Call of Duty
Don’t be fooled by the title. ‘Call of Duty’ bears no relation to video games; every relation is to romantic battle. Zinoleesky uses the game’s imagery to describe the tension and demands of love. He confesses to loving two women at once and being conflicted.
It’s a healthy spin, a mix of vulnerability and braggadocio. It’s all commitment, loyalty, and giving, while trying to resist temptation. It’s catchy, cheeky, and relatable all at once, most especially with lines like ‘I love you, but I love Simbi too’.
The fans enjoyed it, and most ranked it among his most skillfully assembled tunes. That it featured on the Grit & Lust EP further confirmed Zino’s ability to blend street sensations with real emotions.
6. Top Zinoleesky Songs: Loving You
This is Zinoleesky being his most romantic. Having been motivated by Asa’s ageless ‘Be My Man,’ he creates a modern-day Afrobeat romance. The moment the beat drops, you recognize it is not so much about loving someone. It is about making the leap, being partners, and living life together.
‘Even inside the rain, we’ll go all the way,’ he promises to stay with the one he desires, no matter what. The harmonies are rich and smooth, making the song perfect for dancing and professing your love to the person you desire.
‘Loving You’ was released in 2022 as a single and became a hit– it went viral on social media handles, especially TikTok, where the song was being used by couples as a background score for love videos. This song is one of Zino’s greatest hits and cuts across generations.
7. Jaiye Foreign (Tiwa Savage ft Zinoleesky)
Two titans clash on this one. With Tiwa Savage, ‘Jaiye Foreign’ is a silky but emotionally charged collaboration. It’s the tale of two beings caught between love and uncertainty. They’re feeling each other, they’re grooving, but labels? Nah, not yet.
Zino’s rap is filled with charm, and Tiwa is perfectly balanced with softness and hardness. Lines like ‘I’m only in love with my song’ have that relaxed, cool sound, but the romantic tension underneath makes you want to play over and over again.
The track made massive waves when it was released in 2022– it was trending on several music streaming platforms. The blend of Afrobeats and seedy sensual vocals gave the track massive airplay and propelled Zino’s fan base to a wider pop audience.
8. Party No Dey Stop (Adekunle Gold ft Zinoleesky)
This is the anthem of the year. ‘Party No Dey Stop’ is a celebration of victory, good vibes, and happiness of living your best life. Adekunle Gold and Zinoleesky exchange in perfect harmony; they both delivered verses oozing confidence and gratitude.
This isn’t a party jam; it’s an inspiration. Zino reminds everyone that no matter what haters do, ‘Good vibes, no bad energy.’ It’s the kind of tune you turn up after getting paid or getting over a rough period. And who can forget that it was topping Nigerian charts and making waves globally, showcasing how far Zino’s music has gone.
Rolling Stone ranked it No. 13 on its ‘The 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023’ and peaked at No. 1 on the TurnTable Nigeria chart. It continued to trend on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which just testifies to the international appeal of the song.
9. Abanikanda (ft Naira Marley)
Another song featuring his big shot labelmate, ‘Abanikanda’, is for the sceptics who wronged him in the past. It’s aggressive, it’s provocative, and it’s brimful of swagger. The message? If you didn’t believe in him at that time, it’s too late now.
They rap success unapologetically, shading haters and driving on luxury imagery like fancy cars and thick wads of cash. It’s unapologetic street-pop that makes anyone who had to grind for validation proud.
While not a mainstream single, the song caught up with Zino’s street core fan base. It cemented his allegiance to Marlian Records and his affinity for real, authentic street narrative.
10. Don’t Call Me (Lil Kesh ft Zinoleesky)
Bouncing off this list is a song that speaks for itself; if it ain’t progress, don’t call. ‘Don’t Call Me’ is the anthem of the grind. Lil Kesh and Zinoleesky rhyme about how long and hard the process was, and now that they made it to the top, they’re keeping it on lock with everything they have.
With the line ‘Every day, I dey put my phone on DND,’ Zino makes it quite clear: peace of mind and paper first. It’s a banger for any hustler tired of distractions and just wants to keep it on the bag.
The song hit gold with hustlers and go-getters, quickly climbing charts and landing on millions of motivational TikToks and reels. ‘Don’t Call Me’ became Nigeria’s anthem of resilience for the young, ambitious crowd.
Zinoleesky has proven over and over again that he’s not just a one-hit wonder. His tracks express real-life pains, victories, and happiness, but wrapped in the type of beats to get you grooving, reflecting, and at times weeping. Love, confusion, street life, or self-worth, he delivers them all with the same attitude.
Conclusion
These 10 songs are merely a preview of what Zinoleesky has in store. So.. if you haven’t already, put your headphones in and immerse yourself in the melodies of one of Nigeria’s best street-pop acts.
Zino for president? Perhaps not. But for vibes? Absolutely.
