The Nigerian contemporary music industry is evolving at a breathtaking pace, faster than it ever has since the inception of the first generation of young, urban artistes that dominated the scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
over the last 5 years, the industry has witnessed groundbreaking changes, most of which could best be attributed to the rapidly growing availability of the internet in most Nigerian urban centres, the rise of multiple online music retail outlets and streaming technology as well as the boom in social media promotional tools, most notably Instagram which has all but eliminated the massive chasm that existed between artistes and distribution outlets before and expanded the communication links between the artistes and the music consuming populace in every demographic.
The Contemporary music scene- Afropop, Hip-hop, Dancehall, R&B and the burgeoning Alte scene- in Nigeria has so far been one of the biggest global beneficiaries and has taken advantage of the digital renaissance to bridge the gap between the Africans in diaspora and the music scene back home, thus opening the floodgates for a marriage of diverse musical sounds and the emergence of a new generation of artistes who are fearlessly taking the reins of their career progression and promoting their music digitally to the whole world without necessarily requiring the backing of a powerhouse label structure.
As a result, the number of emerging and new creatives in the country has tripled over the past few years and has led to a healthy saturation of the music scene with a seemingly endless variety of musical talent, sonic derivatives and visual aesthetics.
On that account, we at NS have decided to end the year by profiling some of the musical leaders across various genres whom we believe have the potential, the music and the right momentum to elevate themselves from the most known unknowns to household names in the country and beyond.
Here is a list of 17 promising Nigerian acts to watch next year.
1. Tems
Real Name:- Temilade Openiyi
Record Label:- Independent
Genre:- Alternative Pop/Soul
Musical Influences:- Asa, Adele, Frank Ocean, Lauryn Hill & SZA.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- The Collectiv3 – Kiss The Fire Featuring Tems [2018]
Associated Acts:- The Collectiv3, Show Dem Camp, Rebel Gang, Lady Donli
Notable Guest Appearances:- LadiPoe – Falling Featuring Tems, Lady Donli – Good Time Featuring Tems
Biggest Record Yet:- Try Me
2. Hotkid
Real Name:- Moshood Adeola
Record Label:- Dr Dolor Entertainment
Genre:- Afropop
Musical Influences:- Daddy Showkey, Wizkid, Kizz Daniel & Davido.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Ozana [November 10 2019]
Associated Acts:- Teni, Broda Shaggi, Dr Dolor Entertainment.
Notable Guest Appearances:- NIL
Biggest Record Yet:- Ozana
3. Prettyboy D-O
Real Name:- Donald Ofik
Record Label:- Plugg Records
Genre:- Alternative Pop/Dancehall
Musical Influences:- Craig Davids, Jay Z, Naeto C, Timaya, Video Games & 90’s Nollywood Movies.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:– Karashika Featuring BOJ & Teezee [March 9 2015]
Associated Acts:- DRB, Odunsi, Santi, Falz, July Drama, Wani, Sarz.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Strafitti – Kuronbe Featuring Zlatan, Prettyboy D-O & Ice Prince, Lord Vino – 504 Featuring Prettyboy D-O
Biggest Record Yet:- Dey Go Hear Wehh
4. PsychoYP
Government Name:- Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi
Record Label:- Independent
Genre:- Hip-hop
Musical Influences:- WSTRN, Lotto Boyz, Skepta, M.I Abaga, Drake, Yxng Bane.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Lolu Foresythe And Partners – Jungle [Remix] Featuring PsychoYP [Feb 17 2018]
Associated Acts:- Apex Village, Ayuu, Fasina, Denzel Oaks, Marv OTM, Zilla Oaks, Kuddi Is Dead, Terri, BOJ.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Dapo Tuburna – Penthouse Featuring Ycee & PsychoYP, Alpha – Ocean Boy [Remix] Featuring Blaqbonez, Dremo & PsychoYP
Biggest Record Yet:- Be Like You
5. Street Billionaires
Government Name(s):- Blessing Akiode Mariam – Candy Bleakz
Adekunle Marshall – Lemon
Akande Olashile Juwonlo – Ijay
Akorede Ayantunji – Gbafun
Record Label:- Chocolate City
Genre:- Alternative Rap/Street Rap/Street-pop
Musical Influences:- Olamide, Da Grin, MI Abaga, Migos, Cardi B, Don L37.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Street Billionaires – Snooker [April 6 2017]
Associated Acts:- M.I Abaga, Blaqbonez, Loose Kaynon
Notable Guest Appearances:- NIL
Biggest Record Yet:- Yoruba Ni Mi
6. Good Girl LA
Real Name:- Euphemia Ekumah
Record Label:– LA Confidential
Genre:- Alternative Pop
Musical Influences:- Britney Spears, CeCe Winans, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Tiwadara – Hypnotized Featuring Goodgirl LA [June 17 2018]
Associated Acts:- Tiwadara, AQ, Boogey & Alpha
Notable Guest Appearances:- A-Q – Blessed Forever Featuring GoodGirl LA, Boogey – Happily Never After Featuring GoodGirl LA.
Biggest Record Yet:- Bless Me
7. Mohbad
Real Name:- Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba
Record Label:- Bankz Nation
Genre:- Street Rap/Yoruba Rap
Musical Influences:- Olamide, Da Grin, Sinzu, Reminisce, Lord Of Ajasa, Seriki.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Celeb Ibile – Lakademouslakan Featuring Mohbad [August 12 2019]
Associated Acts:- Zinoleesky, Lil Frosh, Small Doctor, Baddy Oosha, Leke Lee, Bella Shmurda.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Leke Lee – Mountain Of Fire Featuring Mohbad, Mr Bee – E Get Why Featuring Mohbad & Small Doctor
Biggest Record Yet:- Balan Zia Gar [Remix] Featuring Small Doctor
8. Lil Frosh
Real Name:- NIL
Record Label:- Davido Music World
Genre:- Street Rap/Yoruba Rap
Musical Influences:- Davido, Olamide, Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Reminisce.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Khidian – Selense Featuring Lil Frosh
Associated Acts:- Davido, 30 Billion Gang, Zinoleesky, Mohbad, Idowest.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Ice K – Apple Featuring Mz Kiss, Lil Frosh, Dollarsyno & Zinoleesky, Jhybo – Small Work, Big Money Featuring Lil Frosh & Chinko Ekun
Biggest Record Yet:- Davido
9. Zinoleesky
Real Name:- Azeez Oniyide
Record Label:- Independent
Genre:- Afro-pop/Street-Pop
Influences:- 9ice, Seriki, Reminisce, Q.Dot Alagbe, Oritse Femi, Lil Frosh.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Ice K – Apple Featuring Mz Kiss, Lil Frosh, Dollarsyno & Zinoleesky [July 13 2019]
Associated Acts:- Lil Frosh, Mohbad, Dablixx, Papisnoop, Baddy Oosha, Small Doctor.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Ice K – Apple Featuring Mz Kiss, Lil Frosh, Dollarsyno & Zinoleesky, Patolee – Answer, Eko – Make Cash Featuring Lil Frosh, Mohbad, Dablixx & Zinoleesky.
Biggest Record Yet:- Joromi
10. Oxlade
Real Name:- Ikuforiji Abdulrahman Olaitan
Record Label:- Independent
Genre:- R&B/Afro-pop
Influences:- 2Baba Idibia, Davido, Fireboy DML,
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- D’Marino – Standard Procedure Featuring Oxlade [August 31 2015]
Associated Acts:- Davido, Fireboy DML, Blaqbonez, Joeboy, Juls & Spax
Notable Guest Appearances:- Blaqbonez – Mamiwota Featuring Oxlade, Juls – Angelina Featuring Falz & Oxlade
Biggest Record Yet:- Shugar
11. Flash
Real Name:- NIL
Record Label:- 1789 Music
Genre:- Afro-pop
Musical Influences:- Wizkid, D’Banj, Wande Coal,
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Balanciego (Oct 7 2018)
Associated Acts:- Sarz, DJ Neptune, D’Banj, Show Dem Camp.
Notable Guest Appearances:- DJ Neptune – Ojoro Featuring Flash & D’Banj, Show Dem Camp – Tropicana Featuring Flash
Biggest Record Yet:- Balanciego
12. Alpha P
Real Name:- Emmanuel Princewill
Record Label:- Universal Music Group
Genre:- Afro-pop
Musical Influences:- XXXTentacion, Tyler The Creator, Ice Prince, Kida Kudz, Milli.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- King Of The Wolves EP [November 19 2019]
Affiliations:- Rema, TMXO, Altims Mavin, Tomi Owo.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Tomi Owo – Number One Featuring Alpha P
Biggest Record Yet:- Paloma
13. Tomi Agape
Real Name:-
Record Label:- Independent
Genre:- Alternative Pop/Afro-pop
Musical Influences:- Beyonce, Rihanna, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Fela Kuti.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Mystro – My Way Featuring Tomi Agape [Feb 16 2018]
Associated Acts:- Juls, Amaarae, Santi, Show Dem Camp, LadiPoe
Notable Guest Appearances:- Santi – Rapid Fire Featuring Amaarae, Tomi Agape & Shane Eagle, Juls – Black Girl Magic Featuring Tomi Agape & Santi
Biggest Record Yet:- In the Night Featuring Nonso Amadi
14. DJ Abba aka DJ AB
Real Name:- Haruna Abdullahi
Record Label:- Yaran Northside Records
Genre:- Hausa Rap
Musical Influences:- Terry Tha Rapman, Eedris Abdulkareem, Morell, Tupac Shakur,
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Haka [October 7 2015]
Associated Acts:- ClassiQ, Kheengz, Magnito, BOC Madaki, Yung 6ix, Deezell, Badman Binladin.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Morell – An Kawo Wuta [ Remix ] Featuring BOC Madaki, DJ Abba, Kiid Pro, Percy Young, Ozee, Lil B, Martino Elcasino & Dalahdawa, Usman – Abun Kallo Featuring DJ AB, Ozee & Magnito
Biggest Record Yet:- Kumatu
15. Bella Shmurda
Real Name:- NIL
Record Label:- One World Global
Genre:- Street Rap/Yoruba Rap
Musical Influences:- Olamide
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Vision 2020 Featuring Olamide [Sept 13 2019]
Associated Acts:- Olamide, Zlatan, Mohbad, Lil Frosh, Diamond Jimma & CDQ.
Notable Guest Appearances:- Mohbad – Adura Featuring Bella Shmurda, Papisnoop – If To Say Featuring Bella Shmurda.
Biggest Record Yet:- Vision 2020 Featuring Olamide
16. Payper Corleone
Real Name:- Tombra Asikpi
Record Label:- Trap House Entertainment
Genre:- Hip-Hop/Street Rap
Musical Influences:- Jadakiss, Styles P, DMX, Jay Z,Erigga, Sinzu, Ghetto P.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- Ether [Freestyle] [May 5th 2015]
Associated Acts:- Ycee, Erigga, Tentik, Slimkelz, Sinzu & Vector
Notable Guest Appearances:- Vector – The Purge Featuring Payper & Vader The Wildcard, 100 Crowns – Passport Featuring Tentik, Payper & Blaqbonez
Biggest Record Yet:- As E Dey Go Featuring Ycee
17. Nuno
Real Name:- Nuno Zigi
Record Label:- Penthauze Music
Genre:- Street Rap/Igbo Rap
Musical Influences:- Phyno, Mr Raw Nwanne, Ransome, Blueface, Zoro.
First Appearance On Nigeriansounds:- 8th Mood [November 1 2018]
Associated Acts:- Phyno, Rhatti, Cheque, DJ J Masta,
Notable Guest Appearances:- Penthauze Records – Nyem Space Featuring Rhatti, Nuno, Phyno and Superboi Cheque, Phyno – Fuwa Sewa [Remix] Featuring Nuno & Rhatti
Biggest Record Yet:- 8th Mood
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