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Nigeria has the most popular musicians in Africa no doubt Nigeria is the giant of Africa.Here is the list of Top 10 most popular musicians in Nigeria 2023
Given the number of reputable artists in different genres across Nigeria, selecting the top 10 most popular best Nigerian musicians without bias is challenging. Here is a list of the top 10 popular/best Nigerian Musicians based on awards and notable releases.
Top 10 most popular Musicians in Nigeria 2023
1. Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu M.F.R., also known as Burna Boy, is One of the most popular Nigerian artists, songwriter and record producers. He catapulted to stardom in 2012 with the release of “Like to Party” from his debut album L.I.F.E. (2013). Later that year, he signed a deal with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records for the United States and Warner Music Group internationally, culminating in his major-label launch Outside (2018).
Burna Boy made history in 2020 when he became the first Nigerian artist to be nominated at back-to-back Grammy Awards with his fifth studio album, Twice as Tall. This milestone was further cemented by winning Best International Act at B.E.T. Awards that same year.
Burna Boy’s influence is undeniable, and his music has earned him millions of fans worldwide. In July 2022, Burna Boy released his sixth studio album, Love, Damini, which also became the highest debut of an African album on Billboard 200, as well as charts in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and France.
Twice as Tall was voted Album of the Year at the All Africa Awards in 2019. The album has been nominated twice at the Grammy Awards for the Best World Music Album. His success and accolades make him one of the most successful artists in Nigeria.
2. Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun is a Nigerian singer and songwriter better known by his stage name Wizkid. In 2018, Wizkid had a significant breakthrough when he featured on the number-one hit “Checklist” by Normani and Calvin Harris. His success continued to skyrocket the following year when he featured in Beyoncé’s single “Brown Skin Girl,”.
This song topped the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart and earned him a coveted Grammy Award for Best Music Video. In October 2020, Wizkid further solidified himself as an international superstar with his fourth studio album, Made in Lagos, hitting number one on Billboard’s World Album Chart.
The album includes the groundbreaking single “Essence” featuring Tems, which made history by becoming the first Nigerian song to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100. The song skyrocketed into top ten rankings when Justin Bieber released a remix. By February 2021, Wizkid had earned over 3.4 billion streams on Spotify alone – proving himself as one of Nigeria’s most-streamed artists ever.
3. Davido
The next top musician in Nigeria after Wizkid and Burna Boy is Davido. He is a distinguished singer, songwriter, and producer.
Davido’s first single from his debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo did not get much attention. His second single, Dami Duro, from the same album, introduced him to the mainstream industry.
The artist has three studio albums: Omo Baba Olowo, A Good Time, and A Better Time. The singer is accredited with an extended play called Son of Mercy. Davido has released many hit songs, including Coolest Kid in Africa, If, and Fall.
If sparked international social media activity. Fall became the first Nigerian pop song to feature on the Billboard charts. Davido founded Davido Music Worldwide (D.M.W.) to sign and promote other artists in Nigeria.
Davido has received 29 awards, including The Headies Next Rated award and B.E.T. Best in International Act Award. His hit songs and albums have also received many nominations.
4. Olamide
Olamide is one of the best hip-hop recording artists in Nigeria. He sings in Yoruba and English. The Superstar started by releasing street songs and is considered the Street King by many fans in Nigeria.
Olamide rose into prominence in 2011 after releasing Omo To 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.
He released Carpe Diem and UY Scuti albums, as well as an extended play called 999 between 2020 and 2021. Singles such as Lagos Boys, Motigbana, and Bobo demonstrate his creativity and ability to make indigenous raps global hit songs. Olamide has been the recipient of many local and international awards.
The Nigerian hip-hop artist has won 22 awards from the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, B.E.T. Awards, The Headies and other organizations tasked with ranking and awarding artists.
5. Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage is the best female artist in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Apart from singing and writing songs, Tiwa is also an actress. She started her career as a backup singer for various artists in the United Kingdom like Mary Blige and George Michael.
Although men currently dominate afro beats, Tiwa Savage has been able to stand out and give other artists a run for their money. The artiste uses English and Yoruba to release songs about politics, money, and love. She has worked with celebrity producers like Pheelz and Blaq to release quality Afrobeats tracks.
She released her first album titled Once Upon a Time in 2013. The album was nominated for Best Pop Album at the Headies and Best Album of the Year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2014.
Tiwa released her second album, R.E.D, in 2015 and an extended play called Sugarcane in 2017. Tiwa Savage has received several accolades, including Best African Act in 2018.
6. Yemi Alade
For female musicians, Yemi Alade is second to Tiwa Savage in the Nigerian music industry. She debuted in the music industry in 2013, following the release of her first single, Johnny. The single was a hit song in Nigeria and other African countries.
Since then, the University of Lagos alma mater has gained much cognition and is considered one of the best female artists in Africa. Yemi followed up the hit single with five albums King of Queens, Mama Africa, Black Magic, Woman of Steel, and Empress. She sings in Igbo, Yoruba, Pidgin, Swahili, and English.
The Superstar is also applauded for her stage performance, electric dances and videos. Yemi’s talent, unique style, and popularity have earned her many nominations and awards.
She has been voted Best Female musician in Western Africa and Best Female Artiste. Yemi has won the Best Performer award three times.
7. Patoranking
Patoranking is a popular musician in Nigeria. He is famous for his peculiar blend of reggae and dancehall genres. He started his career by working with veteran musicians like Konga and XProject before making a breakthrough in the mainstream industry.
He mastered the art of creating quality and memorable songs while working with these veteran artists. Patoranking has released three studio albums, God Over Everything in 2016, Wilmer in 2019, and Three in 2020. The artist’s hit songs like My Woman and My Everything and No Kissing Baby topped music charts in Nigeria and the world.
Patoranking has more than 12 major awards. He won the Next Rated Awards in 2014 at The Headies and the Best New Act of the Year. The dancehall-reggae artist has also received nearly 161 nominations throughout his career.
8. 2Baba
2Baba, formerly known as 2face Idibia, is a Nigerian songwriter, singer, and producer. Apart from specializing in music, 2Baba is an activist and philanthropist. 2Baba has been active in music since 1994.
He has diversified his style to remain relevant and cement his spot as one of the best musicians in Nigeria. The singer and producer has released many types of work. He has seven studio albums under his belt, including Face to Face, Grass to Grace, The Unstoppable, and The Ascension.
2Baba has received multiple nominations and won many awards. He was the first African artist to win the Best African Act Award at MTV Europe in 2015.
He has five Headies Awards, four MTV Africa Music Awards, and a single B.E.T. award. His music is unique, timeless, and mature, making him one of the most relevant Nigerian musicians.
9. Falz
Falz is another solid musician in Nigeria. The Nigerian songwriter and rapper started his career by releasing a mixtape called Shakira in 2009.
His single Marry Me, featuring Yemi Alade, and Poe rose the rapper to stardom. His discography comprises four studio albums, one extended play, one mixtape, and multiple singles.
He released his first and second albums, Wazup Guy and Stories That Touch, in 2014 and 2015. He later released two additional albums called 27 in 2017 and Moral Instruction in 2019. Falz has won 12 awards, including Africa Magic Viewer Choice Best New International Act, B.E.T. Award, Nigeria Music Video Awards, and the Headies Best Collabo.
10. Simi
Simi is a promising singer and songwriter in Nigeria. Her success in the male-dominated industry can be attributed to her consistency, creativity, and hard work. Simi’s discography includes three albums named Ogaju, Simisola, and Omo Charlie Champagne Vol 1.
She has one collaborative album with Falz titled Chemistry and an extended play titled Restless II. Simi has 12 significant awardsto her name.
She won the Best Act award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2016. Her hit song Joromy won her three different awards at the Headies Awards in 2018.
Who is the most popular Musicians in Nigeria 2023? Burns Boy is the most popular Musician in Nigeria 2023
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