Wizkid is considered the best musician in Nigeria. The Afrobeats master whose career has spanned over two decades tops the list with a total number of 65 awards, 4 studio albums, and one EP.
It is quite a herculean task to compile this list given that Nigeria is furnished with the best-rated musical talents on the African Continent. Then again, because there are various music genres in the country, each with its unique audience, it becomes challenging to reach a consensus about the top best. However, our criteria are based on each artist’s number of albums and hit songs, the number of awards won, success rate, and popularity.
Wizkid is the Best Musician in Nigeria
- Net worth: $63.3 Million
- Age: 33 years
- Genre: Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, R&B, and hip hop
- Number of Albums: 4
- Number of Awards Won: 65
- Record Label: Starboy Entertainment, RCA
The Nigerian music industry is endowed with musicians with extraordinary talents and accomplishments. Even though Wizkid is usually compared to his colleague Davido, another superstar in the industry, the Starboy Entertainment boss has been named a music legend for his immense contribution to the African sound’s global acceptance (Afrobeat).
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, best known as Wizkid, is considered to be on the top of the list even though there could be controversies to disposit him as the best. But, we also should note that the criteria are not only based on local recognition but also on international. The musician has made his mark in the music world most significantly, by following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti’s style of music.
Wizkid has won about 65 awards making him the Nigerian musician with the highest awards. He has so far released 4 studio albums and 1 EP; Superstar, Ayo, Sound from the Other Side (SFTOS), Made in Lagos, and Soundman Vol. 1. His debut album, Superstar launched him into the limelight and later earned him an award for the Best Album of the Year in the then Nigerian Entertainment Award. His third and fourth studio albums topped at Number 2 Billboard Chart in US world albums alongside other foreign billboard charts.
Moreso, Wizkid got international recognition with the single One Dance which he worked along with Drake. This hit peaked at No.1 in 15 countries, including the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. His collaboration with Beyonce on the song Brown Skin Girl won him a BET and Grammy Award. Thanks to his significant contribution to the Nigerian music industry, some of his other notable awards include
- 2 BET Awards
- 3 Billboard Music Awards
- 1 MTV Europe Music Award
- 4 MTV Africa Music Awards
- 3 MOBO Awards
- Six The Headies Awards
- 2 Channel O Music Video Awards
- 6 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
- 2 Ghana Music Awards
Other Artists That Make Up the Top 10 List of Best Musicians in Nigeria
1. Burna Boy
- Net worth: $17 Million
- Age: 32 years old
- Genre: Afro-fusion, Afrobeats, dancehall, hip hop, pop, R&B
- Number of Albums: 5
- Number of Awards Won: 37
- Record Label: Spaceship Records, Atlantic Records
Owing to his consistency, creativity, and numerous awards, Burna Boy follows right after Wizkid on this list of best musicians in Nigeria. Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, has so far dropped 5 studio albums and 2 EPs; L.I.F.E, On a Spaceship, Outside, African Giant, Twice as Tall, Redemption, and Steel & Copper.
The performing artist rose to stardom in 2012 with his single Like to Party from his debut album L.I.F.E. To say the least, Burna Boy is one of the best things that has happened to the Nigerian music scene and indeed the entire continent at large. Some of his prestigious awards are
- The Headies
- 2 BET Awards
- 4 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival
- South-South Music Awards
- Edison Awards (Best World Album)
- MOBO Awards (Best International Act)
2. Davido
- Net worth: $70 Million
- Age: 31 years old
- Genre: Afrobeats, Afro-pop music, pop, electropop, dancehall, R&B, reggae
- Number of Albums: 3
- Number of Awards Won: 29
- Record Label: DMW
Davido, whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke, started his musical journey in 2010 and gained recognition in 2012 with his second single, Dami Duro. Over the course of his music career, Davido has released 3 studio albums and 1 EP; Omo Baba Olowo, A Good Time, A Better Time, and Son of Mercy. His first album, Omo Baba Olowo released in 2012 won him the Next Rated Awards at The Headies. Davido was able to establish himself in the spotlight through his collaborations with top Nigerian and international artists.
Davido’s style of music is a blend of global mainstream pop with traditional African elements to produce an intriguing and infectious sound. He grew from club-ready early music to charting tracks and features from big music names like Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj on his album, A Better Time. With a total number of 29 awards, Davido is considered one of the best musicians in Nigeria. In 2018, he made the first African-based singer to receive an award on BET Awards main stage.
3. Olamide
- Net worth: $10 Million
- Age: 35 years old
- Genre: Hip hop, Afrobeats, rap
- Number of Albums: 8
- Number of Awards Won: 22
- Record Label: YBNL Nation
With 8 studio albums, 3 EPs and collaborations, and 22 awards to his credit, Olamide is in no doubt one of the best musicians making waves in the country right now. His single Omo To Shan from his debut album Rapsodi established him in the Nigerian music scene and since then, the music maker has not dropped a step backward in his musical strides.
The YBNL Nation boss is recognized to steer the wheel in the Nigerian rap and hip hop genre. He has won numerous awards for his successful works, some of which include
- 7 TooXclusive Awards
- 3 Nigeria Music Video Awards
- Channel O Music Video Awards
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards
- 3 City People Entertainment Awards
4. Tiwa Savage
- Net worth: $5 Million
- Age: 44 years old
- Genre: Afrobeats, R&B, pop, hip hop, soul
- Number of Albums: 5
- Number of Awards Won: 20
- Record Label: 323
With Tiwa Savage in the entertainment industry, it is proven that success, fame, and wealth are not gender-based. The celebrated singer has so far dropped 5 studio albums; Once Upon a Time, R.E.D, Sugarcane, Celia, and Water & Garri, and a total of 20 awards. Tiwa has over the course of her career built a lot of fame and remains one of the Nigerian music idols who have considerably influenced the music industry within and across the country.
Tiwa Savage took off her music career in 1996 in the UK as a stage performer for famous international singers like George Micheal, Chaka Khan, and Mary J. Blige. In 2012, upon returning to Nigeria, she simply took over the industry and has since maintained her position as the best and leading female artist in Nigeria. The Queen of Afrobeats as she is fondly called is usually overbooked with both local and international shows. Below is a list of some of her awards
- 4 MOBO Awards
- AFRIMA Best Female West Africa
- Soundcity MVP Awards
- Channel O Music Video Awards
5. Falz
- Net worth: $5 Million
- Age: 33 years old
- Genre: Afropop, rap, hip hop
- Number of Albums: 4
- Number of Awards Won: 12
- Record Label: Bahd Guys Records
Folarin Falana, best known by his stage name Falz the Bahd Guy, has four studio albums under his belt; Wazup Guy, Stories that Touch, 27, and Moral Instruction. Falz’s songs have done nothing but strike chords in the hearts of its listeners due to their unique rap lines. The rapper is one of the most sought-after and best musicians in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He has a total of 12 awards which include
- Nigeria Music Video Awards
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
- BET Awards
- The Headies
- City People Entertainment Awards
6. Patoranking
- Net Worth: $5 Million
- Age: 33 years old
- Genre: Reggae, dancehall
- Number of Albums: 3
- Number of Awards Won: 12
- Record Label: Amari Musiq
Patoranking gained prominence following the release of his 2014 single Girl O. The song peaked at number 9 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 Chart. Some of his famous hits that were chart-toppers across the African continent are My Woman; My Everything, Daniella Whine, Abule, Suh Different, etc. Moreover, he has dropped 3 studio albums; God Over Everything, Wilmer, and Three.
The dancehall artist has done several excellent works in his musical career which have in turn placed him among the most notable musicians in the country right now. Patoranking since his launch to fame remains on top of his career and ruling Nigerian dancehall with a tight grasp. He creates his own sound by combining various music styles to provide his fans with what they want.
The Abule crooner has taken 12 awards home over the course of his music career.
- AFRIMA Award
- Ben TV Award
- MTV Africa Music Awards
- Vodafone Ghana Music Awards
- TooXlusive Online Music Awards
- City People Entertainment Awards
7. 2Baba
- Net Worth: $22 Million
- Age: 48 years old
- Genre: Afrobeats, R&B, hip hop, reggae, gospel, Afropop
- Number of Albums: 7
- Number of Awards Won: 21
- Record Label: Hypertek Digital
Innocent Idibia, whose stage name is 2Baba or 2Face, is one of the long and well-established artists in Nigeria. The list of best musicians in Nigeria will never be complete without a notable mention of this successful hitmaker and record producer. 2baba has been in the industry for almost 3 decades and has consistently been ranked as one of the best African musicians. Alongside numerous hit singles, the African Queen crooner has 7 albums under his belt.
He went solo in 2004 after the disbandment of his first music group, Plantashun Boyz which comprised of himself, Faze, and Black Faz. He gained local and international prominence in 2006, following the release of his hit song African Queen. African Queen has remained a hit till today and still plays on various TV and radio programs. His songs gather massive airplay and receive favorable reviews. The awards he has received are
- MTV Europe Music Award
- World Music Award
- MTV Africa Music Award
- 5 Headies Award
- MOBO Award
- AMEN Awards
- 3 AFRIMA Awards
- KORA Award
- 4 Channel O Music Video Award
8. D’banj
- Net worth: $13.5 Million
- Age: 43 years old
- Genre: Afrobeats, pop, hip hop, R&B
- Number of Albums: 4
- Number of Awards Won: 29
- Record Label: DB Records
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj or KOKO Master, is another celebrated Nigerian musician that has taken the industry to the next level. He is one of the artists that transformed the Nigerian music space and made it more responsive to the young and rising stars.
Some of the songs that established him in the industry and earned him fame include Tongolo, Oliver Twist, King Don Come, Why Me, Rundown Funk U Up, Curriculum Vitae, Move Your Body, Shake Your Body, Scapegoat, No Long Thing, and others. A recipient of many awards both national and international, D’banj needs no introduction to the Nigerian mainstream entertainment.
D’banj has numerous hit singles and 4 studio albums to his credit. Moreso, he is celebrated for having won 29 awards in his music career so far. He gained international relevance following the release of his 2012 song Oliver Twist. The song made it to the top 10 hits in the UK singles chart of that year, and also peaked at number 2 on the UK R&B chart.
D’banj has remained relevant in the music scene and his contribution to the industry earned him a good number of international and local awards.
- Evolution Award; Best Selling African Artist
- BET Awards; Best International Act
- World Music Awards; Best Selling African Artist
- MTV Europe Music Award; Best African Act
- MTV Africa Music Award; Artist of the Year
9. Simi
- Net Worth: $1 Million
- Age: 36 years old
- Genre: Afropop, soul, alt-rock, world, R&B
- Number of Albums: 5
- The number of Awards Won: 14
- Record Label: Studio Brat
Simisola Bolatito Kosoko known by her stage name Simi is another female singer that has amassed a lot of fame in her career as a musician. She began as a gospel singer in 2008 but was shot to fame in 2014 after releasing her hit song, Tiff. The song earned her a huge fanbase as well as a couple of awards. Simi has won the hearts of her listeners with her sonorous and captivating voice which lingers in their heads long after the song has ended.
With a total number of 14 awards, 5 studio albums, and 1 EP (Ogaju, Chemistry, Simisola, Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1, To Be Honest, and an EP Restless II), Simi is one of the best musicians currently dominating the country. Her lyrics are unique, thoughtfully written, and capable of standing the test of time. She has won 14 awards including
- The Headies
- Nigerian Entertainment Awards,
- AFRIMA Awards
- Future Awards Africa
- Nigerian Teen Choice Award for Choice Upcoming Female Artist
- Soundcity MVP Awards Festival
- City People Entertainment Award
- Nigerian Entertainment Award
Recap of the Ten (10) Best Musicians in Nigeria
- Wizkid
- Burna Boy
- Davido
- Olamide
- Tiwa Savage
- Patoranking
- Don Jazzy
- Falz
- 2Baba
- Simi