Get ready to discover the hottest Nigerian artists that have taken social media by storm! These 10 trailblazers have proven that social media is the future of music discovery and that a strategic approach can yield impressive results. In this digital age, artists are gaining traction on social media by creating and sharing compelling content that resonates with their fans. It’s a tricky formula, but when applied correctly, it can be incredibly effective in propelling an artist to fame.
Gone are the days when breaking into the Nigerian music industry was solely dependent on intermediaries like radio and TV stations, and record labels. Thanks to the power of social media, artists can now connect directly with their core audience and create a solid career out of it. The impact of social media on the careers of Nigerian artists cannot be overstated. It allows artists to promote their new music, get feedback on unreleased songs, and even catch the attention of major record labels.
As a result, young artists looking to break into the industry have realized that building leverage on the internet can establish them as forces to be reckoned with. No longer do they have to solely rely on traditional media for song promotion. Record labels and management companies have caught on to this trend, and they are actively searching for potential stars on social media.
At Naijatastic, we have compiled a list of the top Nigerian musicians who have made a splash on social media and entered into the limelight. So, get ready to discover these trailblazers who have redefined the music industry through the power of social media.
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Here are the top 10 Nigerian artists that were discovered on social media:
1. Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr is one of the top 10 Nigerian artists that were discovered on social media. Formerly known as Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, she was born in Benin and later moved to Nigeria. Initially, Ayra Starr started her career in the fashion industry when she was 16 years old, working with Quove Model Management. However, she eventually realized her true passion was music. In 2019, she began showcasing her talent by posting covers of popular songs on social media, including tracks by Andra Day and 2Face Idibia.
After receiving a positive response from her online audience, Ayra Starr posted her first original song titled “Damage” on Instagram in December 2019. The song quickly gained traction, and the music video garnered thousands of views. It was then that the renowned record executive, Don Jazzy, discovered her talent and decided to sign her to his prestigious record label, Mavin Records. Hence, Ayra Starr’s incredible singing talent propelled her to become one of the top 10 Nigerian artists discovered through social media.
2. Mayorkun
Mayorkun, also known as the Mayor of Lagos, was previously employed at a bank while nurturing his dream of becoming a musician. It was during this time that he came into the limelight after posting a freestyle cover of Davido’s hit song “The Money” on Twitter, featuring Olamide. Davido noticed Mayorkun’s musical talent and began following him on both Twitter and Instagram.
After realizing the potential in him, Davido signed Mayorkun to his record label, Davido Music Worldwide. In 2016, Mayorkun released his first official single titled “Eleko,” which received massive airplay and attention. Davido has repeatedly acknowledged that signing Mayorkun to his label has been one of his most rewarding decisions.
3. Terri
Starboy Terri is among the exceptional talents in the Nigerian music scene who were discovered on social media. He caught the attention of Wizkid by posting a refix of DJ Jimmy Jatt’s Oshe featuring Wizkid. After watching the video, Wizkid enlisted the help of Mut4y (of Legendury Beatz) to locate Terri, kickstarting a turning point in Terri’s career.
As a result, Terri was signed to Starboy Entertainment and made his significant debut appearance alongside other artists on Wizkid’s Soco in 2018, cementing his place among the top 10 Nigerian artists that were discovered on social media.
4. Ruger
Ruger’s musical journey began in his early years, as he was an active member of his school’s music band and his church choir. He started writing and performing songs at various events and school functions. On 21 January 2021, Ruger made his debut on the music scene with his appearance on One Shirt, a collaborative single featuring D’Prince and Rema, released by Jonzing World. Prior to his big break, Ruger used to work as a phone repairer at Computer Village, a well-known technology marketplace in Nigeria.
However, D’Prince discovered his talent on Instagram and offered him a record deal. During an interview, Ruger mentioned that he used to upload his freestyles on Instagram during his free time, and D’Prince contacted him via DM while on tour in America with Rema, expressing his interest in working with him upon his return to Nigeria. Ruger’s story highlights the power of the internet and social media in discovering and promoting new talents.
5. Rema
Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, began his music career as an underground artist during his secondary school years. However, his breakthrough moment came in 2018 when he went viral after posting a cover of D’Prince’s song “Gucci Gang” on Instagram. D’Prince was impressed by the cover and invited Rema to Lagos, where he offered him a record deal.
As a result, Rema signed a joint management and recording agreement with Jonzing World, which is owned by D’Prince, and Mavin Records, which is owned by Don Jazzy. Rema’s journey is a testament to the power of social media and how it can catapult an artist to fame in a matter of seconds.
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6. Joeboy
At the age of 16, Joeboy embarked on his music career, and the following year, he released his first Afrobeat track, “Gbeseyin.” In 2017, he gained widespread attention in Nigeria and internationally with his cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.” Mr Eazi was so impressed by Joeboy’s vocal prowess that he made him the first recipient of sponsorship from his philanthropic music initiative, emPawa Africa.
With the support of emPawa Africa and Mr Eazi, Joeboy released “Faaji,” which was well received. However, it was his 2019 romantic hit, “Baby,” that propelled the singer into the mainstream spotlight, cementing his place as one of the most successful artists in Nigeria.
7. Boy Spyce
Boy Spyce, one of the top 10 Nigerian artists that were discovered on social media, gained recognition after his cover of Wizkid and Tem’s hit song, “Essence,” went viral. His captivating voice and exceptional talent caught the attention of Don Jazzy, a record label executive, who discovered him. Boy Spyce continued to showcase his musical abilities by dropping several impressive freestyles on various social media platforms, garnering a significant amount of engagement.
These efforts ultimately caught the eye of Don Jazzy, who invited him to join his artist grooming school, The Mavin Academy. After completing his training, Boy Spyce was officially unveiled to the world in April 2022 and subsequently released his debut EP, which received a positive reception from music enthusiasts.
8. Johnny Drille
Johnny Drille, who initially started out as an independent artist from Benin City, was officially announced as a member of Mavin Records in 2017. His rise to fame began in 2015 when he uploaded a cover of Di’Ja’s hit single “Aww,” which caught the attention of Don Jazzy. Speaking to Daily Sun about his signing with the label, Johnny Drille shared that his first contact with Mavin Records was with Don Jazzy in February 2015 after he dropped his cover of “Awww.”
Don Jazzy reached out to him on Twitter, expressing his appreciation for the cover and his desire to hear more from him. They maintained contact over time, but there was a period of silence until August 2016 when Don Jazzy messaged Johnny Drille on Twitter, inquiring if he was in Lagos at the time. Fortunately, he was, and Don Jazzy invited him to his office, where he offered him a spot at Mavin Records.
9. Teni
Teniola Apata, who was still in school in the United States at the time, leveraged social media as well as the internet to build up a fan base. Her Instagram account, featuring amusing videos and captivating freestyles showcasing her melodious voice, was steadily gaining popularity among her fans. In 2017, she uploaded a video on Instagram of herself freestyling over an Osita Osadebe soundtrack, which quickly went viral.
One of the people who were captivated by her talents was Osadolor Nate Asemota, also known as Dr Dolor, a former telecommunications expert and showbiz investor. He offered her a recording deal with Dr Dolor Entertainment, through which she established a solid industry presence with chart-topping hits like “Case,” “Fargin,” “Uyo Meyo,” and “Askamaya.”
10. Zinoleesky
Zinoleesky and his friend, Lil Frosh, gained popularity as buzzworthy freestyle rappers on Instagram. As Zinoleesky’s freestyles continued to capture the attention of more people, he began to amass a fanbase both online and offline. Allegedly, Davido had expressed interest in signing the singer to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), but Zinoleesky declined the offer. Eventually, he signed with Naira Marley’s Marlian Record, under which he released a string of hit songs including “Caro,” “Kilofeshe,” “Mapariwo,” and many more.
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Conclusion
Social media has proven to be a powerful tool in the Nigerian music industry, as it has helped artists gain exposure and create a solid fan base. The top 10 Nigerian artists that were discovered on social media are a testament to the fact that the music industry is constantly evolving, and artists need to adapt to stay relevant.
The internet has created a level playing field for upcoming artists, and with the right approach, success is achievable. As we look to the future, we can only expect social media to continue to play a pivotal role in music discovery and promotion. The sky’s the limit for these trailblazers, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in the years to come!
