It is no doubt that Nigeria is one of the leading county in the entertainment industry, not to talk of its Afrobeat artistes.
Today Afrobeat has become one of the most widely listen genre in the world with our home artist setting the pace both in Nigeria and internationally.
The list of Afrobeat artistes in Nigeria is endless, but in this article I’ll be pointing out a few in no particular order:
1. Davido
David Adedeji Adeleke also known as Davido, is a Nigerian artist born in Atlanta Georgia, November 21, 1992. He owns the record label DMW (Davido music worldwide). Here are some of Davido’s hit albums :
a. Son of mercy (2016)
b. A good time (2019)
C. A better time (2020)
Davido also has three children, 2 girls and a boy (Aurora Imade, Hailey Veronica and Ifeanyi David Adedeji Adeleke).
2.Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun is also one of Nigeria’s finest Afrobeat artist. Wizkid started his music career officially in 2011, he was signed under Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).
He currently owns a record label, Starboy Entertainment that was established in 2013. Wizkid was born in July 16 1990.
A few of his albums are;
a. Superstar (2009)
b. Sound from the other side (2017)
c. Made in Lagos (2020)
3.Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu also known as ‘Burna Boy’ Born July 2, 1991 . Burna Boy is a song writer and a music producer, his first official release was in 2012 ‘Like to party’ .
A few of his albums are;
a. Outside (2018)
b. Twice as tall (2020)
C. Love, Damini (2022)
4.Kizz Daniel
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe also known as kizz Daniel or Vado. He is a singer and a song writer . He was born on 1 may 1994. Kizz Daniel has won a couple of awards like
a. The Headies Award
b. Nigerian entertainment award
Amongst others, kizz Daniel welcomed a set of triplet but unfortunately lost one.
Kiss Daniel’s professional music career kicked-off while he was a student at the Federal University of Agriculture. He was studying Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology at the time. The singer eventually completed his degree in 2013 and gave his music career his full attention.
Kiss Daniel’s single in 2014 Woju, was an instant hit. The song became one of Nigeria’s biggest tracks of the year and was nominated for “Hottest Single Of The Year” and the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
His recent hit ‘Buga’ on which he featured Tecno has helped the artist kizz Daniel hit numerous milestone.
5. Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage, the African bad girl herself! Tiwa savage is a versatile artist, the hardworking artist has been on the singing game close to a decade now. Tiwa Savage also has a son (Jamil Balogun) with her ex Tunji Balogun . She was born 5th February, 1980. It is no doubt she is locally and internationally recognized as she was a backup singer for George Michael, Mary J. Bilge, Chaka Khan and others.
She has also won several remarkable awards such as
a.MTV Europe Award for Best African Act (2018)
b. The Headies Award for Best Collaboration (2018),
c. MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female Artist, and more.
6.Fireboy
Adedamola Adefolahan professionally known as Fire boy DML is a Nigerian Artist signed into YBNL records. A record label owned by the famous rapper Olamide. Fireboy was born 5th February 1996. In October 2018, Olamide Adedeji signed Adedamola Adefolahan (Fireboy DML) to his record label (YBNL Nation).
Fireboy dropped his first single ‘jealous’ in 2018 which was produced by cracker mallo.
A few of his albums are:
a. Apollo
b. Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps
He has also won a few awards like Soundcity MVP award and he was also nominated for Headies next rated award.
Fireboy is also known globally as he recently recorded ‘Peru’ remix featuring Ed Sheeran.
7. Rema
Divine Ikubor also called Rema, he is a singer and a rapper that rose to stardom with the release of ‘iron man’. Rema was born 1 May, 2000 and he hails from Edo state. He was discovered by D’prince, he had picked up an interest in music from his teenage years, having discovered that he was gifted in the field.
As a secondary school student, he thrilled his classmates and the whole school with his singing and rapping skills. He is signed into MAVIN Records and has also won a few awards like:
a. City people music awards for the revelation of the year (2019)
b. Headies awards for the next rated artist
8.Naira Marley
Adeshina Fashola known by his stage name, Naira Marley. He is also known as the president of the ‘Marlians’ fan base. Naira Marely was born 10 May 1991 and he had his early education at PorlockHall before attending Walworth School, all in the United Kingdom where he obtained his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
Naira Marley later graduated with a distinction in business from Peckham Academy, also in London, United Kingdom.
He also studied business law at Crossways College now known as Christ the King Sixth Form College in London.
A few of his albums are
a. Lord of lamba (2020)
b. God timing is the best (2021)
Azeez Adeshina Fashola is well-known for his multiple contributions to the Nigeria music industry, and his then court case with EFCC which is now resolved.
He Kick-started his career in the Nigerian music industry in 2014, He rose to the limelight following the release of his hit single titled “Am I a Yahoo Boy?”
Naira Marley won the Viewer’s Choice Award for his hit single “Soapy” at the Soundcity MVP Awards on 11th January 2020. In 2019, he was also nominated for
a. Best Pop
b. Street Song of the Year
c. Artiste of the Year (Male)at the City People Music Awards.
9.BUJU
BNXN, Daniel Benson was born 14 may 1997, he was formally known as BUJU or Buju to your ears, he hails from Awka ibom state, he is known for his soothing voice, Like most artist, Buju started writing music in junior secondary school in 2011. he went with the stage name ‘Drizzle’ at the time.
In February 2018, Buju released his first song “Catch a Vibe”.
Later, he dropped his second song “A Day in Lagos “
BNXN was also nominated in the Headies.
10. Olamide
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji popularly known as ‘Olamide Badoo’ or ‘Badoo-sneh’ He is one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa. He records in Yoruba and English.
He was born in 15 March 1989. He is the founder of the record label YBNL Nation, Olamide has 2 children (Batifeori Maximilliano Adedeji and Tunrepin Myles).
Some of his albums are:
a. Rapsodi (2011)
b. Baddest guy ever Liveth ( 2013)
c. Eyan Mayweather (2015)
d. Carpe Diem (2020)
In 2013 he won 3 awards from the Headies, he also won Channel O Music Video Award for Most Gifted West, The Headies 2014 Award for Album of the Year, The Headies 2014 Award for Best Rap Album. To list a few.