The Nigerian music scene is never stagnant. Just when you thought the Amapiano wave had peaked, a new, glossier, and decidedly more “boujee” sub-genre has emerged from the capital city.
Welcome to the era of “Nepopiano.”
If your timeline has been flooded with clips of high-end Abuja parties, sleek cars, and a sound that feels like Amapiano went to private school, you are already witnessing the takeover. Leading the charge is the viral anthem “How Far” by NO11, Ayjay Bobo, and Monochrome.
Here is everything you need to know about the sound defining January 2026.
What is “Nepopiano”?
The streets (and TikTok) are calling it Nepopiano (a play on “Nepo baby” + Amapiano), though some prefer Afronepo.
Unlike the gritty, high-energy street Amapiano of Lagos, Nepopiano is distinctively Abuja-coded. It is “soft-life” music. It features the signature log-drums we love, but the tempo is often smoother, the production is cleaner, and the lyrics scream “luxury.” It is the soundtrack for “private jet captions,” exclusive lounges, and late-night drives in Maitama.
It isn’t just a sound; it’s an aesthetic. If street-pop is for the trenches, Nepopiano is for the terraces.
The Anthem: “How Far”
Released just as we crossed into 2026 (December 31, 2025), “How Far” has become the unofficial opening ceremony for the year.
The Trio Behind the Hit:
- NO11 (pronounced “Not Even Eleven”): The face of the movement. An Abuja-bred artist whose branding is as polished as his sound. He brings the cool, laid-back delivery that defines the genre.
- Ayjay Bobo: Provides the melodic backbone that makes the song catchy enough for radio but chill enough for a lounge.
- Monochrome: Adds the texture that gives the track its replay value.
Why It’s Taking Over: The song debuted at #107 on the Spotify Nigeria Daily Top Songs, a massive feat for an indie release, and has been climbing ever since.
The magic of “How Far” is its simplicity. It doesn’t scream at you to dance; it invites you to vibe. It captures the current mood of young Nigerians who are tired of the “struggle” narrative and just want to enjoy the finer things—or at least look like they are.
The Abuja Factor
For years, Lagos has dictated the tempo of Nigerian music. Nepopiano is shifting the gaze North.
Abuja’s nightlife has always been distinct—more private, more expensive, and less chaotic than Lagos. “How Far” encapsulates this perfectly. It is the first time in a while that a sub-culture from the FCT has arguably out-trended the Lagos mainstream, proving that you don’t need to be in Surulere to blow a song in 2026.
Is It Here to Stay?
Critics might call it a fleeting internet micro-trend, but the numbers don’t lie. With “How Far” racking up streams and spawning thousands of “soft life” video recreations on social media, Nepopiano is shaping up to be the dominant sound of Q1 2026.
If you haven’t added it to your playlist yet, you are officially late to the party.
Have you caught the Nepopiano bug yet? Let us know in the comments if you think this Abuja wave will overtake Lagos street pop!
Relevant Video
To hear “How Far” in the mix with other trending hits of the month, check out this January 2026 mix (the song starts at track #4):
