There are so many Afrobeats slang words that it’s hard to keep up sometimes!
The impact of Afrobeats goes beyond just making waves on the global stage. The genre has grown into a cultural force, shaping not only music but also the way people talk, dress, and express themselves. In Nigeria, where new slang pops up almost every day, Afrobeats has played a huge role in introducing words and phrases that quickly become part of everyday conversations.
Some of these slangs stick around for years, while others fade out as quickly as they came. But no matter how old they get, they remain a crucial part of Nigerian pop culture.
Here are 20 Afrobeats slangs that went mainstream—some are still in use today, while others are just nostalgic throwbacks.
1. Turkey Nla
When Wande Coal dropped Turkey Nla, he introduced a new way to describe a thick, curvy woman. And just like that, “turkey nla” became the go-to phrase for describing an endowed woman. Some women even started adopting it as a nickname.
2. Shekpe
If you’ve ever heard Davido randomly shout “Shekpe!”, then you know this one. It doesn’t have a direct meaning in conversation, but in the early 2010s, it was just a cool thing to say.
3. Yaaga
Wizkid made “Yaaga” his signature ad-lib in the early 2010s. At some point, Nigerians even started using it as a casual way to say “yes” in conversations.
“Are you coming to the party?”
“Yaaga!”
4. Gbe Body E
Zlatan popularized this slang, which means “carry your body” in Yoruba. In his music, it was a call to dance, especially with the rise of the Zanku dance. But in real life, it can also mean “move from there” or simply “carry your body”
5. Ji Ma Sun
In the late 2010s, you couldn’t escape hearing “Ji ma sun” in Nigerian street-hop music. Meaning “wake up, don’t sleep”, it was often used to encourage people to stay alert and not be caught slacking.
6. Soapy
Naira Marley’s Soapy introduced a controversial slang that became code for masturbation. It’s one of those phrases that’s less offensive than outrightly saying the word, making it a classic “if you know, you know” slang.
7. Tesojue
After Reminisce dropped Tesojue, the phrase became a slang meaning “put it there”—often used in a suggestive or confident way.
8. Trabaye
To trabaye means to be high or intoxicated. Street-hop artists helped spread this slang, and it quickly became a favorite phrase, with people casually saying “Mo fe trabaye” (I want to ge high).
9. Comot Body Jor
This is one of Poco Lee’s favorite hypeman phrases. In the party scene, it’s used to hype up dancers, but in regular conversations, it can mean “mind your business” or “stay out of this”.
10. Kapaichumarimarichupako
Zlatan randomly came up with this word, and even though it has no meaning, it still sounds like it should. Nigerians ran with it, and now, you might even hear it in Nollywood movies during incantation scenes.
11. Tule
Davido unintentionally started a trend when a video of him shouting “Tule jare!” went viral. Though not tied to any song, it became a slang for “free it” or “let it go”—best said with energy!
12. Dey Play
A sarcastic way of saying “if you like, keep fooling yourself”.
“I’ll be a billionaire by next year.”
“Dey play.” (Yeah, sure.)
Burna Boy even made a song titled Dey Play, solidifying its place in the slang hall of fame.
13. KPK
Thanks to Rexxie and the late Mohbad, KPK (Ko Por Ke) became a street anthem. It means “it’s plenty”, and is usually used to express excitement or exaggeration. OPP (O Por Pa) is a similar slang, literally meaning “it’s too much”.
14. Lamba
This one is classic Nigerian slang for exaggeration or lies. If someone is overhyping themselves, you can simply say “That’s lamba” to call them out.
15. Evian
Popularized by Shallipopi, Evian is one of those slangs that can mean anything you want it to mean. According to Shallipopi himself, it was even his family’s name for a while.
16. Aza
Aza is short for “account number”. If someone tells you “send your aza”, you already know they’re about to bless you with some money. No time for long talk.
17. Chale
Chale is the Ghanaian slang for “friend” or “buddy”. It made its way into Nigerian conversations, thanks to cross-border music influence. It’s a casual way to address someone, especially when greeting them.
“Chale, how far?”
18. E Choke
Another Davido slang that took over. E choke means “it’s a lot” or “too much”. Whether you’re overwhelmed by something good or bad, this phrase works perfectly.
19. Mafo
Popularized by Naira Marley, Mafo is a Yoruba slang that means “don’t fear” or “don’t be intimidated”. It’s often used to encourage someone to be bold and confident.
20. Wa Ti Ma Gbo (WTMG)
Culled from Adekunle Gold and Davido’s hit song, Wa Ti Ma Gbo translates to “You must’ve heard”. It’s a way of saying “I’m sure you already know” in a stylish way.
21. O Tun Ti Zeh
Brought to life by Portable, O Tun Ti Zeh is a hype slang that means “It has happened again”. People use it when celebrating unexpected wins or blessings.
