Your Music Will Not Go Viral If You Did Not Do These 9 Things

Introduction: Viral Music Is Not by Luck—It’s by Strategy

Every day, thousands of songs are released in Nigeria, but only a handful go viral. So why do some songs blow up on TikTok, Audiomack, or Instagram while others—even better songs—go unnoticed?

The truth is: going viral is not about talent alone. It's about strategy, timing, and doing the right things behind the scenes.

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If you're serious about growing your fanbase and finally making your music explode online, this guide will show you 9 practical steps most Nigerian artists skip—and why skipping them could cost you virality.

1. You Don’t Have a “Hook” That Sticks

Let’s be honest—attention spans are short. If your song doesn’t have a catchy hook within the first 10–20 seconds, most people will skip it.

What Works:

• Short, repeatable chorus (e.g. “Who’s Your Guy” by Spyro)

• Melodic chants or funny punchlines

• Hooks that match a current trend or challenge

Action Tip: Test your hook on WhatsApp status or Instagram Reels before release. If people don’t remember it after one listen, tweak it.

2. You Didn’t Promote with Short Videos

TikTok and Instagram Reels are where most viral music moments start now—not radio.

Songs like “Elon Musk” by Shallipopi or “Zazoo Zehh” went viral because of short, wild, or humorous videos.

What to Do:

• Record 3–5 short videos using your song weeks before dropping

• Include dance moves, skits, or trending sounds with your lyrics

• Ask dancers or influencers to join the trend

Don’t wait for fans to make content—lead the trend yourself.

3. Your Song Doesn’t Spark an Emotion

If your song doesn’t make people feel something, it won’t move them to share it.

What works:

• Lyrics that touch emotions (love, hustle, heartbreak)

• Beats that match the message

• Authentic stories (e.g. Portable’s struggle-to-fame story)

Tip: Share a real story behind your song. If fans relate, they’ll promote it for free.

4. No Influencer Posted It

In Nigeria, micro-influencers can help your song reach tens of thousands for as low as ₦3,000–₦10,000. But many artists ignore this or only try the big celebrities.

Instead:

• Use 5–10 small influencers with good engagement

• Target TikTokers or skitmakers who love using new music

• Partner with music pages on Instagram or Facebook

Example: A Warri-based artist got 20,000 Audiomack plays in 2 days just by paying 4 TikTok comedians to use his chorus in their skits.

5. Your Cover Art is Weak

First impressions matter. If your cover art looks like it was made in 2012 on Microsoft Paint, most people won’t take your music seriously—even if it’s fire.

Invest in clean, modern artwork.
It’s not about making it too flashy—but it should look like it belongs on a chart.

Pro Tip: contact Spotivik with the WhatsApp button below for nice artwork.

6. You Didn’t Build a Pre-Release Buzz

Dropping music without hype is like opening a store in a forest—no one will know.

Here’s how to build anticipation:

• Tease your hook with a dance or skit

• Ask fans: “Should I drop this?”

• Share BTS of the recording process

• Post a countdown: “3 days to go…”

Even just 7–10 days of light hype can boost your release impact massively.

7. You Ignored Blogs and Music Curators

Too many Nigerian artists rely only on Audiomack and Instagram. But blogs and playlist curators still matter, especially for search traffic.

What to do:

• Submit your music to platforms like Spotivik.com

• Reach out to playlist curators on Audiomack and Boomplay

• Use keywords when uploading your music so you can appear in search results (e.g. “Afrobeat Lagos party jam”)

Don’t underestimate the power of visibility.

8. You Didn’t Engage With Your Listeners

When someone shares or comments on your post, reply. When someone uses your sound, repost. These little actions build community and trigger the algorithm.

Many artists fail to engage with their audience, and that’s why their content stays hidden.

Try This:

• Thank new followers with a voice note or shoutout

• Repost every fan-made content using your song

• Go live and play your track for feedback

People support people they feel connected to.

9. Your Timing Was Off

Dropping your song when the industry is quiet (e.g., late January, early August) can help you stand out.

Avoid releasing:

• During major holidays without promotion

• When big artists are dropping (Davido, Burna Boy, etc.)

• On days with trending sad news (people may ignore entertainment)

Study trends and time your release for maximum impact.

Conclusion: Going Viral is Not by Luck—It’s by Doing the Work

Every artist wants to go viral, but only a few understand the hustle behind the scenes. If your last song didn’t blow, don’t beat yourself up. Look at this list, identify what you skipped, and fix it on your next drop.

Music promotion is like farming—if you plant the right seed and water it with consistency, results will follow.

Your next viral song might just be one post, hook, or influencer away.

FAQ: Your Viral Music Questions Answered

Q: How much should I spend to promote my music in Nigeria?
A: You can start with as little as ₦5,000–₦10,000 for micro-influencers, artwork, and a bit of TikTok promo.

Q: Do I need to go viral to succeed?
A: Not necessarily. Consistent moderate success and fan engagement often pays off more in the long run than one viral hit.

Q: Can I go viral with just Instagram?
A: Yes, but combining Instagram with TikTok, Audiomack, and WhatsApp groups gives you a stronger chance.

Q: What hashtags help music go viral in Nigeria?
A: Try #NewMusicNigeria, #AfrobeatsTrend, #NaijaVibes, #MusicOfTheDay, and #Spotivik.

Q: Where can I upload my music to earn and get visibility?
A: Try platforms like Spotivik, Audiomack, Boomplay, and submit to blogs or curators that promote Nigerian music.