It is not unexpected that Nigeria has given birth to some of the most well-known musicians in the world given its extensive musical history. Nigeria, one of the countries in Africa with a rich musical heritage Ain addition to performing, is gifted with a variety of cultures, faiths, and tribes. One of Africa’s most populated regions is known for its diverse musical traditions, which include gospel, Juju, Highlife, Fuji, Afrobeat, hip hop, rock, and rhythm and blues. Recently, a number of Grammy-winning Nigerian musicians have made waves with their amazing songs.
Nigerian musicians are so talented that they have featured in so many local and international shows, making names for themselves, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. In this piece, we will be looking at some distinctive Nigerian musicians who have resiliently added value to the music industry of the country with so many young people looking up to them.
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Nigerian musicians are the first to take African music beyond the coast of Africa and win accolades in the international community. These musicians have amassed millions of naira in earnings thanks to their popular songs, albums, and endorsement deals, which can be worth thousands to millions of naira. Without further ado, let’s look at the greatest musicians that Nigeria has produced.
King Sunny Ade
In addition to being born into the Yoruba royal family of southwest Nigeria, King Sunny Ade also had noble rank as a result of his popularity as the “King of Juju” from the late 1970s. In his youth, Ade performed highlife, a genre of urban dance music that originated in Ghana in the late 19th century and incorporated elements of native African traditions, sea shanties, church music, and brass bands from the military. Thousands of fans all over the world have flocked to see his distinct tone and exciting live performances.
Sunday Adeniyi (real name) was born in September 22, 1946, Oshogbo, Nigeria. Ade is a true trailblazer, blending traditional Nigerian sounds with Western influences to create his own innovative sound. He has released over 50 albums and has been added into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
His work has been praised for its vibrant energy and positive message, and he remains a popular live performer. Finally, no one compares to Ade’s impact on the Nigerian music industry – he is undoubtedly the greatest artist of all time.
Throughout his career, Sunny Adé has won a lot of accolades. The AFRIMA award was given to him in November 2016. He was admitted to the Hard Rock Cafe Hall of Fame in December 2016. At The Headies 2020 in February 2021, he received the Headies Hall of Fame induction.
2Baba (Benue state)
2Face is a musician, record producer, composer, businessman, and philanthropist who was born in Nigeria.
He is one of the most well-known musicians in Nigeria since he has consistently produced hit songs that have won awards throughout the years.
2Face began his musical career at the university. He was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He founded the “PlantashunBoiz” collective in 2000 alongside Blackface and Faze.
Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003), two successful albums by the group, were both released. After going solo in 2004, they returned in 2007 to record their third and last album, Plan B.
2Face has established himself as a successful musician, whether he is performing with a band or on his own, by releasing albums that include hit songs like African Queen, Ole, Right Here, Police (Skit), No Shaking, Implication, Enter the Place, etc.
He made some money at the Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) GB fan club by writing and singing jingles. Later on, he did leave school to focus on his music career.
Together, 2Face, Faze (Chibuzor Orji), and Blackface (Ahmedu Augustine) founded the band “PlantashunBoiz” after relocating to Lagos state. Body and Soul and Sold Out, the band’s two albums, were released in 2000 and 2003, respectively.
They parted ways in 2004, the same year that 2Face released Face 2 Face, his debut solo album, establishing him as a successful and skilled solo musician. The popular hit song African Queen will receive the bulk of the credit for the album’s success.
In 2006 and 2007, he released his second album, Grass 2 Grace; the trio of musicians then regrouped to create their third and final album, Plan B.
After Grass 2 Grace, 2Face recorded 4 more albums that propelled him to fame. Away and Beyond, The Ascension, The Unstoppable, and The Unstoppable International Edition are among them.
2Face Idibia has won lots of awards in his music career. Here is a list of some of the awards.
2Baba has been nominated for and won numerous accolades. In 2015, he became the first musician from the continent to take home MTV Europe’s Best African Act Award.
He has won four MTV Africa Music Awards, five Headies Awards, and one B.E.T. He is one of the most influential musicians from Nigeria because of his distinctive, classic, and mature music.
Wizkid (Lagos)
Wizkid is a Nigerian singer and composer. He is well known for promoting Afro rhythms on a global scale and sounding a lot like FelaKuti. Superstar, Ayo, Sound from the Other Side, and Made in Lagos are the four studio albums that The Superstar has released.
He recorded Soundman Vol 1, an extended play. Wizkid is the most decorated Nigerian musician, having won 65 awards in total.
Superstar, his debut album, earned the best album of the year award, and Sound from the Other Side helped cement his reputation as Lagos’ reigning musical king. More B.E.T. awards have been given to Wizkid than any other African musician. With renowned worldwide artists like Chris Brown and Drake, he has recorded songs.
He was a featured artist on Beyonce’s Grammy-winning song Brown Skin Girl from 2021. After joining Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) in 2009, Wizkid has solidified his position by maintaining consistency over the years.
Burna Boy (Rivers state)
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu was born on 2 July 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
After releasing “Like to Party,” the main single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013), he became famous in 2012. 2017 saw Burna Boy sign with Warner Music Group internationally and Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the US. Outside (2018), his third studio album, marks his major-label debut.
The most talented artist in Nigeria by far is Burna Boy. He performs as a rapper, songwriter, and singer. The musician is particularly well-known for his afro-fusion sound, which fuses R&B, reggae, dancehall, rap, and afro beats.
Burna Boy began singing in high school and eventually left school to focus on music. When The Superstar released the track Life to Party from his self-titled studio debut in 2012, he entered the mainstream. Since then, Burna Boy has put out a ton of popular singles and albums.
In addition to L.I.F.E, on a Spaceship, Outside, The African Giant, and Twice as Tall, the hitmaker has also released five studio albums. Redemption and Steel 7 Copper are two of the extended dramas that he has published. 2019’s Best International Act B.E.T. winner was Outside.
At the 2019 All Africa Awards, Twice as Tall Won Album of the Year. The album has received two Grammy Award nominations for Best World Music Album. He is one of the most well-known performers in Nigeria as a result of his accomplishments and success.
Burnaboy also took the 2019 BET award held in California.
Burna boy’s net worth has grown substantially since 2018 when. his hit song Ye did more than 100 million views on YouTube.
His most recent African Giant album has hit songs like On the Low and Anybody. which were all massive hits.DaminiOgulu has been very vocal and critical of the bad government that continues to hinder the economic growth of Nigeria.
His voice has been a tool that the younger generation needs to stand up to career bureaucrats. Thankfully some of the things he sang about haveinspired a lot of huge to vote for the right candidate that can take Nigeria forward.
Today Burna boy has more than 4 studio albums since his debut in the music industry.
Olamide
Olamide rose into prominence in 2011 after releasing Omoto Shan from his debut album named Rapsodi. His other albums include Y.B.N.L., Baddest Guy Ever Liveth, Stree O.T., 2 Kings and The Glory.
One of Nigeria’s top hip-hop recording artists is Olamide. He sings in both English and Yoruba. Many Nigerian followers of The Superstar refer to him as the Street King because he first released street tunes.
Between 2020 and 2021, he published the albums Carpe Diem and UY Scuti as well as an extended play titled 999. His inventiveness and capacity to turn local raps into international hits are on full display in the singles Lagos Boys, Motigbana, and Bobo. Olamide has won numerous national and international honors.
The Nigerian hip-hop musician has received 22 honors from the Nigerian Entertainment honors, B.E.T. Awards, The Headies, and other groups that evaluate and honor artists.
Baddo has over 23 million followers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter combined. This is how he continues to touch his fan base with amazing music.
Davido
Whether you agree with him or not, Davido is one of the most well-known musicians in Nigeria. He also has a very high net worth, making him one of the richest public figures there.
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer Davido is well-known.
Omo Baba Olowo, Davido’s lead single off his debut studio album, received little notice. DamiDuro, his second song from the same album, made him known to the general public.
Three studio albums by the artist—Omo Baba Olowo, A Good Time, and A Better Time—have been released. Son of Mercy, an extended play, is credited to the vocalist. The smash singles Coolest Kid in Africa, If, and Fall were all released by Davido.
It generated activity on social media across the globe. The first Nigerian pop song to appear on the Billboard charts was Fall. Davido established Davido Music Worldwide (D.M.W.) to sign and support further Nigerian musicians.
Davido has won over 29 honors, including the B.E.T. Best in International Act Award and The Headies Next Rated Award. Numerous nominations have also been given to his popular songs and albums.
Don Jazzy
Veteran singer, songwriter, and record producer Don Jazzy. He has collaborated with well-known worldwide performers including Jay Z and Kanye West.
Don Jazzy’s music and production style may be heard in his music with up-and-coming musicians like Rema, despite the fact that he does not yet have an album. The singer, who was raised in Lagos, has won numerous honors, including The Beatz Award for 2019 and two Headies Awards for producer of the year.
Timaya
When he released Dem Mama in 2005, he began his musical career. He became well-known in Nigeria and some other African nations because to this great song.
Between 2005 and 2008, he put out two albums, True Story and Gift & Grace. De Rebirth, his third studio album, helped him gain notoriety on a global scale.
Upgrade, his fourth album, was made available in 2012. He has won numerous honors for his songs and albums, including four Headies and two A.F.R.I.M.M.A. awards.
Falz
Another talented musician from Nigeria is Falz. In 2009, the Nigerian rapper and composer Shakira debuted his career with the release of a mixtape of the same name.
YemiAlade and Poe were featured in his song Marry Me, which catapulted the rapper to fame. Four studio albums, an extended play, a mixtape, and other singles make up his discography.
In 2014 and 2015, he issued his debut and follow-up albums, Wazup Guy and Stories That Touch. Later, in 2017 and 2019, he released two more albums, 27 and Moral Instruction. Falz has garnered 12 honors, including Best New International Act by Africa Magic Viewer Choice, B.E.T. Award, Nigeria Music Video Awards, and Headies Best Collabo. (Add recent devs)
Asa
Asa is a smoky-voiced Nigerian-French singer/songwriter who infuses her warm neo-soul compositions with foreign influences such as soul, pop, folk, and reggae. She made her debut in 2007 with a self-titled album, then in 2010 she released Beautiful Imperfection, which earned her a nomination for the Victoires de la Musique in France, where she frequently tops the charts. 2019 saw the release of Lucid, her fourth studio album, twelve years after her first.
Asa was born BukolaElemide in Paris to Nigerian parents, and when she was a young child, her family relocated to Lagos. Her father, a cinematographer, shared a record collection with her when she was a child that included songs by Nina Simone, Bob Marley, FelaKuti, and Aretha Franklin. Later, as a young adult, Asa would return to Paris before beginning her singing career.
In 2007, Asa, her debut album from Nave Records, was released. Its lead track, “Fire on the Mountain,” received rotation on radio stations all over Europe.
Although the majority of the words in her songs are in English, she also sings in Yoruba, a West African language that is extensively used in Nigeria. The album was well-received in France, where it charted in the Top 20 and earned her the Prix Constantin in 2008.
Before the formal follow-up, Beautiful Imperfection, which debuted at number 14 in France and earned her a nomination for a Victoires de la Musique award for Female Artist of the Year in 2010, she released Live in Paris in 2009.
Asa’s third studio album with producer Benjamin Constant, Bed of Stone, was released in 2014. It reached its highest point at position one.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage created history as the first female to receive the honor of MTV European Music Awards. She is a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, and fashion icon Best African Act.
Rema
Nigerian singer, rapper, composer, and stage performer Divine Ikubor is from that country. He goes by the name Rema. He was nurtured in Nigeria’s Edo state’s Benin city, where he was born.
Before D’Prince, the CEO of Jozingworld Records and the younger brother of Don Jazzy, the CEO of Mavins Records, discovered him, he began performing in churches.
Born on 1st May 2000, the young star, Rema, is just 22 years old (as at the year 2022).
In 2021, Rema used the term “Afrorave” to describe the fusion of Indian and Arabian music with the Afrobeats genre. In 2022, he released his debut full-length, Rave & Roses, which included 6LACK, Chris Brown, and AJ Tracey among others. The album spent some time in the rankings, peaking at number five on Billboard’s World Albums chart and making it all the way to position 196 on the Top 200 chart.
A Selena Gomez cover helped one of the album’s songs, “Calm Down,” become an unexpected blockbuster success the following year. Both versions received more than one billion streams in total, making them the highest-charting African songs to date on the Billboard Hot 100. In April, Rave & Roses ULTRA had a deluxe release.