Afropop, a Nigerian music genre which is an infusion of Afrobeat and Pop music, is making enormous waves around the world. From 2Baba to Wizkid, current Nigerian music is a marvel to witness, and it is no surprise that international artists are flocking to our shores to sample our offerings.
Presently, many Nigerian musicians are gaining well-deserved international prominence as a result of this. Getting purposeful acknowledgment for an artist is fantastic because it demonstrates their reach and influence.
Here is a run-down of a few of them whose music is (or has been) making waves around the world of entertainment:
Burna Boy
Burna Boy is one of Africa’s most well-known musicians. His music has a huge audience. He rose to prominence after his popular song “Like to Party” became viral in Nigeria, and he has since gone from glory to fame. He has been nominated for Grammy Awards twice and has won one of them. He has worked with a variety of worldwide artists, including Beyonce, Sia, Sam Smith, and others. At the 2019 BET Awards, he was named Best International Act. He is also the first Nigerian to receive two Grammy nominations in a row. Joe Biden featured his song “Destiny” on his inauguration playlist.
Wizkid
Wizkid, often known as Star Boy, is one of Africa’s most sought-after musicians. His influence on the music industry is enormous. Wizkid’s name is synonymous with contemporary Afrobeat. This is the extent of his clout. In the music world, he has attained an excellent position. When his smash song ‘Holla at your Boy’ was released, he shot to prominence. He did not receive international recognition until he partnered with Canadian rapper Drake on the song “One Dance.”
Wizkid’s song earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, making him the first Afrobeat musician to do so. Since then, he has worked with artists such as Beyonce, H.E.R., and others.
Wizkid became the most streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Spotify in 2021, with a total of 3,485,993,216 Billion streams across all credits. Due to his recent fashion partnerships and declarations, Trendybeatz labeled Wizkid as a Nigerian performer who may become a fashion celebrity if not for music.
Davido
In Africa’s music landscape, Davido is a well-known name. He is regarded as one of Africa’s most powerful artists. His music has had a huge impact on the world, and it will not be forgotten soon. With the release of his smash song “Dami Duro,” Davido shot to fame. He did not acquire international notoriety until 2017, when he released “Fall.”
The South African Recording Industry awarded “Fall” platinum certification, and it went on to become the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard’s history. Davido’s popularity as an artist was aided by the success of “Fall.” He went on to work with artists such as Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, and others from other countries.
Davido was named “Best African Act” and “Best Worldwide Act” at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.
P-Square
P-Square is the most influential musical group in Nigeria, consisting of two twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye. Back-to-back songs and incredible dancing talents wowed fans and outsiders alike. They were previously a top-charting pair, despite the fact that they are now disbanded.
With the release of their first hit, “Senorita,” released in 2003, they shot to fame.
However, when they paid tribute to Michael Jackson in their music video “Personally”, released in 2014, they earned international attention. As a result, Jermaine Jackson, a member of The Jackson Five and the Jackson family, agreed to be featured. T.I., Rick Ross, and others have collaborated with them. MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, Ghana Music Awards, and BET Awards are just a few of the honors they have received.
D’Banj
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, often known as DBanj or Koko master, is a seasoned musician in Nigeria who has had a lot of successes. Following the release of his breakthrough single “Tongolo” on Mohits Records, he rose to prominence. After releasing his breakthrough song ‘Oliver Twist,’ which featured Kanye West and Big Sean in the music video, he earned international attention. The song reached number two on the UK R&B chart and was among the top 10 singles in the UK in 2012.
2Baba
Innocent Idibia, well known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian music legend. He has been around for more than two decades. With the release of his timeless song, ‘African Queen’, he first rose to prominence in Nigeria in 2004. Since the hit song was used on the soundtrack of the film ‘Phat Girlz,’ that helped to earn international prominence for him. 2Baba was the first African artist to win the MTV Europe Best African Act Award in 2015.
Tiwa Savage
She started out in the music industry as a backup singer for performers like George Michael and Mary J. Blige. In 2009, Savage earned a publishing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing after competing in the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music.
Her debut hit song “Kele Kele Love” from the Album “Once Upon A Time” was released in 2013, followed other hit songs like “Love Me”, among others. That marked the beginning of her reign in the Nigerian Music scene.
Savage won Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards in November, becoming the first woman to do so. She signed a record deal with Universal Music Group in May 2019.
In October 0f 2021, she released the video for her acclaimed hit single, “Somebody’s son” which features the American singing sensation, Brandy, and as expected, the video was widely received at home and abroad alike.
Tems
Temilade Openiyi is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who goes by the stage name Tems.
Tems recorded “Mr Rebel,” a song she wrote herself, in 2018. She released the single “Try Me” in August 2019, which became a smash. DJ Edu named her one of the “ten musicians to watch” in 2020. That year, she was approached by American artist Khalid, who asked her to collaborate with him and fellow Nigerian Davido on an Afrobeats remix of “Know Your Worth.”
Tems was number one on the Billboard Next Big Sound list and number five on the Billboard Emerging Artist chart in May 2021. Tems was signed to RCA Records and named Apple Music’s Up Next artist of the month in September 2021.
Tems’ second extended play, If Orange Was a Place, was released on September 15, 2021, and was primarily produced by GuilyBeatz. It was supported by the single “Crazy Tings,” which reached number three on the UK Afrobeats chart, and debuted at number seven on the Billboard World Albums chart and number nine on the Heatseekers Album chart. The song “Found” from the EP, which she co-wrote with Brent Faiyaz, debuted at number seventeen on the Hot R&B Songs chart, number thirty-three on the New Zealand hot singles chart, and number one on the UK Afrobeats Chart.
Asa
Bukola Elemide, better known by her stage name Asa, is a French-Nigerian singer best known for her hit songs “Fire on the Mountain” and “Eyé Adaba.” Fortunately, her debut record was well-received around the world. Her albums after that received a lot of worldwide radio. She was awarded the coveted Prix Constantin Award in 2008.
King Sunny Ade
King Sunny Ade is a multi-instrumentalist and juju singer who goes by the real name Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of all time and the first Nigerian to receive a Grammy nomination.
When he released music under the Island Records label in 1982, King Sunny Ade achieved international prominence. His music was featured in the film “Breathless,” starring Richard Gere, in 1983. In 1987, he also appeared in the comedy ‘O.C. and Stiggs’.
His music was featured in the world-famous actor Richard Gere’s film ‘Breathless’ (1983) as well as ‘One More Saturday Night’ (1986),a comedy film, and he (King Sunny Ade) played an acting role in Robert Altman’s ‘O.C. and Stiggs’ (1987), also a comedy film. In December of 2016, he was inducted into the Hard Rock Cafe Hall of Fame.
