Undoubtedly, Nigeria has developed over the years, mostly in the music industry, with some of the most talented and accomplished musicians on the African continent. In recent years, Nigerian music and Nigerian musicians have been the center of attention of the world following the rise of a new generation of musicians, singers, and performers who have displayed their talent with much aplomb on the global stage and have ranked on the list of famous Nigerian musicians.
With the extraordinary musical talent and outstanding beats displayed over the years, it is hard to come up with a definitive ranking of the musical talent in Nigeria. The following is a list of famous Nigerian musicians in the current year. You should also note that the list comprises musicians who have Nigerian heritage irrespective of whether they are based in Nigeria or not.
Most Popular Nigerian Musicians Right Now
1. D’Banj
- Age: 44 years old
- State of Origin: Ogun State
- Net Worth: $13.5 million
- Record Label: DB Record Label
- Number Of Albums: 10
- Most Famous Song: Oliver Twist
- Active Since: 2004 to present
D’banj, who goes by the name Oladapo Oyebanjo Daniel, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians known mainly as the Kokomaster. He ventured into music in 2004, kicking off with launching his music record label known as Mo’Hits record with Don Jazzy. He released his first album, No Long Thing, in 2005 with his hit single Tongolo. The song was followed by other chart-topping tracks in the following years. His fame was notable at the international level after he released the song Oliver Twist in 2012 featuring Kanye West. The song became a top hit in the UK singles chart that same year, taking second place in the UK R&B chart.
Aside from his music career, he is famous for being the brand ambassador of many top companies like Heritage Bank, Ciroc Nigeria, SLOT. He is also a known businessman and has established many businesses like D’Kings Men Media, CREAM platform, MCOMM, Koko garri, and many more. He has also won several awards for his outstanding musical talents, like the MTV Europe Music Awards for Best African Acts and many more.
2. 2Baba
- Age: 49 years old
- State of Origin: Benue State
- Net Worth: $16.5 million
- Record Label: Hypertek Digital
- Number Of Albums: 7
- Most Famous Song: African Queen
- Active Since: 1994 to present
Innocent Ujah Idibia, also known as 2Baba, was popularly known as TuFace Idibia. He took to the world stage with a storm with the release of his hit single, African Queen, in 2006. To date, 2Baba remains one of the most decorated hip-hop artists on the African continent. He started his music career as a member of the Plantashun Boiz. Alongside other group members, they successfully released two albums before the group split. He started his solo music career in 2004 with his debut solo album, Face 2 Face. 2Baba has also released several hit songs and albums since his rise to stardom and has gained many recognitions.
2Baba is also known to endorse several top brands, which have skyrocketed his fame. Among his most notable international awards are; 1 MTV Europe Music Award, 1 World Music Award, 1 BET award, and 4 Channel O Music Video Awards for his compositions and performances.
3. P-Square
- Age: Peter 43 years old; Paul 43 years old
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Net Worth: Peter $11 million; Paul 16 million
- Record Label: Square Records
- Number Of Albums: 6
- Most Famous Song: Senorita
- Active Since: 2003-2017; 2021- present
Peter and Paul Okoye, mostly known as P-Square, are considered by many people to be the most popular musical act to come from Nigeria. They started performing while studying in a high school in Jos, a State in Northern Nigeria. Today, they have become a household name in Nigeria and many other countries all over Africa and the world. Their debut single, Senorita from their debut album Last Nite, played a major role in announcing them to the world. The duo released many albums and songs from 2003 to 2017 when they split due to some issues.
From 2017, they started their solo career with Peter as Mr. P and Paul as Rudeboy. The two released many songs as well throughout their solo career till 2021. In 2021, before their birthday, they followed each other back on Instagram and announced their reunion on their 40th birthday on November 18, 2021. Their endorsement deals, music collaborations, and other ventures such as acting have helped in making the spotlight rest more on them. They have also won awards during their collaboration and solo career.
4. Burna Boy
- Age: 33 years old
- State of Origin: Rivers State
- Net Worth: $17 million
- Record Label: Spaceship Records
- Number Of Albums: 7
- Most Famous Song: Like To Party
- Active Since: 2011 to present
Burna Boy, who also goes by the name Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians who rose to the limelight with his first lead single Like To Party in his debut album L.I.F.E. Also known as the Giant of Africa, he started singing under the Aristokrat records before he moved on to establishing his record label in 2015. He has also worked extensively on his music career, releasing many songs and albums that have given him world recognition.
The Giant of Africa has collaborated with top Nigerian artists and international artists to release hit songs. He has gained more fame with the international awards he has won, like the Edison Awards in the World Album category for Africa Giant and Best International Act at the MOBO Awards. In addition to his fame, he has featured on the cover of the May 2021 edition of the British edition GQ Magazine, Evening Standard Magazine. His Lagos mansion emerged on the October 2021 edition of Architectural Digest and AD YouTube Channel. His endorsement deals have also served as a publication platform for the musician.
5. Wizkid
- Age: 34 years old
- State of Origin: Lagos State
- Net Worth: $30 million
- Record Label: Starboy, RCA
- Number Of Albums: 4
- Most Famous Song: Holla At Your Boy
- Active Since: 2001 to present
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who is known by his stage name Wizkid or BigWiz, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians. The musician started singing with a church group known as the Glorious Five at the age of 11. In 2011, he started his professional music career, signing a record deal with the Empire Mate’s Entertainment (E.M.E). The spotlight shone on him after releasing his lead single Holla At Your Boy from his debut studio album Superstar in 2011, including his other hit songs like Don’t Dull and Tease Me, Bad Guys. With his success in his music career, he established his record label Starboy Entertainment in 2013.
His success in his music career has also earned him the name The King Of Afrobeats. Wizkid’s collaboration with many top Nigerian and international artists has helped him gain more fame within and outside the country. He signed a multi-album worldwide record deal with RCA Records, a subordinate of Sony Music. The awards and nominations received by the musician have also succeeded in putting him on the finalist of many people. He also received two Guinness World Records for his contribution to Drake’s One Dance which was the first to hit a billion stream on Spotify. His robust endorsements with top companies like GLO, Pepsi, Guinness have also made him gain more fame.
6. Davido
- Age: 32 years old
- State of Origin: Osun State
- Net Worth: $40 million
- Record Label: Davido Music Worldwide
- Number Of Albums: 6
- Most Famous Song: Dami Duro
- Active Since: 2010 to present
David Adeleke, who goes by the stage name Davido, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians who started his professional music career at a young age. Davido made it to the fan list of many people after he released his second single, Dami Duro, which was among his debut album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012. The song earned him the Next Rated awards at the 2012 Headies award. Having kicked off in music under the HKN music, he founded Davido Music Worldwide in 2016, signing many successful artists. With a thriving music career, he has also signed record deals with top labels like Sony Music and RCA Records. He has also pinned the spotlight on himself with music collaborations with top Nigerian and international artists.
As the son of one of the Nigerian billionaires, Davido is also famous for being a director at Pacific Holdings Limited. The musician has appeared in some movies and has also signed lucrative endorsement deals that boosted his public appearances with top companies like MTN and Guinness. Davido is also active on social media, with over a 22.5million followers. He is known to have a large heart and is famous for giving back to society. His N201 million donations for his 2021 birthday and Rolls Royce were given back to the orphanage home with an additional N50 million from him. This led to global recognition as it was announced on many radio stations and was interviewed on many international TV stations like CNN.
7. Olamide
- Age: 35 years old
- State of Origin: Lagos State
- Net Worth: $12 million
- Record Label: YBNL Nation, Empire
- Number Of Albums: 9
- Most Famous Song: Omo To Shan
- Active Since: 2010 to present
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, who is known by the stage name Olamide or Badddo, made it to the limelight with his lead single Omo To Shan from his debut album Rapsodi released in 2011. He ventured into music under the record label Coded Tunes and established the YBNL Nation label in 2012. The success of his debut album made him one of the most sought-after artists for music collaborations. His collaborations with top Nigerian and international artists have also boosted his fame. He also signed a partnership deal with Empire, American music distribution and record label, in 2020.
Since the release of his debut album, he has also released many hit songs, which gave rise to his fame. Some of his achievements, such as being the first artist to become a brand ambassador to Ciroc in Nigeria, awards, and recognition, have helped boost his fame.
8. Tiwa Savage
- Age: 44 years old
- State of Origin: Lagos State
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Record Label: Universal Music Group
- Number Of Albums: 4
- Most Famous Song: Kele Kele Love
- Active Since: 1996 to present
Tiwatope Savage, who goes by the stage name Tiwa Savage, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians who kicked off with music at an early stage. She became a household name with her debut album Once Upon A Time, which comprises many hit singles like Kele Kele Love, Love Me, Without My Heart, Ife Wa Gbona, Folarin, Olorun Mi, and Eminado. The debut album was nominated as the Best Album For The Year for the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best R&B/Pop album at the 2014 Headies awards.
Before her fame, she has worked as a background vocalist for many international artists like George Michael, Mary J. Blige, and many more. She worked as a songwriter for the Sony/ATV Music Publishing Company before moving down to Nigeria to join Mavin Records. She released many hit songs and collaborated with several top local and international artists in releasing songs that have put her on the top list of most people. The talented singer has gained more fame through her endorsement deals with top brands, awards, and recognitions. She also appeared in the movie For Colored Girls and eight episodes of the TV Series Shuga. Tiwa Savage is known for her large heart and is a strong advocate of youth empowerment and breast cancer screening projects. She is also known to raise funds to build schools in Nigeria.
9. Don Jazzy
- Age: 42 years old
- State of Origin: Delta State
- Net Worth: $18.5 million
- Record Label: Mavin Records
- Number Of Albums: 13
- Most Famous Song: Dorrobucci
- Active Since: 2002 to present
Michael Collins Ajereh, mostly known by the stage name Don Jazzy, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians who ventured into music early. He kicked off in 2004, launching a music record label known as Mo’Hits record with D’banj. Though he doesn’t sing on his own, he is known for his intro in some music collaborations, It’s Don Jazzy Again, and his background vocals. He has collaborated with many artists and has produced many songs under the Mo Hits Records.
In 2017, he launched Mavin Records and signed many upcoming artists. He has also produced songs and collaborated with many top artists under Mavin Records. He also gains more fame through his appearances in comedy skits. His endorsement deals have also succeeded in drawing public awareness to him.
10. Flavour
- Age: 41 years old
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Net Worth: $9.8 million
- Record Label: 2Nite Entertainment, 2Nite Music Group
- Number Of Albums: 7
- Most Famous Song: Nwa Baby
- Active Since: 2005 to present
Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, also known as Mr. Flavour, Flavour N’abania, Ijele Africa, or Palliative Umu Ashawo, is one of the famous Nigerian musicians who made it to the spotlight with his single Nwa Baby from his second studio album Uplifted. His second album, which also included hit singles like Oyi, Adamma, led him to global recognition. The musician kicked off with music early with his church choir before moving on to Soundcity to perform during concerts. At the age of 19, he joined the music industry but started performing professionally in 2005.
He produces most of his music in the Igbo language, which makes his music extraordinary. With his rise to stardom, he collaborated with top local and international artists, boosting his fame. Mr. Flavour has also gained more popularity in playing many supporting roles in some Nollywood films like the Globaccom-sponsored comedy TV series Professor Johnbull. His robust endorsement deals have equally played a major role in bringing him to the eyes of the public.
- D’banj
- 2Face
- P-Square
- Burna Boy
- Wizkid
- Davido
- Olamide
- Tiwa Savage
- Don Jazzy
- Flavour
FAQs
Who are The Famous Nigerian Musicians in 2024?
The famous Nigerian musicians in 2024 include Rema, Omah Lay, Victony, Fireboy DML, BNXN, Ayra Starr, Davido, Asake, Seyi Vibez, Odumodublvck, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Kizz Daniel. These musicians account for the hottest songs out of the country for the year.
Who are The Best Nigerian Rappers?
The best Nigerian rappers are Falz, Blaqbonez, Phyno, Olamide, Yung6ix, M.I., Vector, Illbliss, Ice Prince, Eldee, Jesse Jagz, Erigga etc. Some of these rappers have been in the game for a long time while others are new comers.
Who are The Biggest African Musicians in 2024?
The biggest African musicians in 2024 include Diamond Platnumz, FallyIpupa, Me Eazi, Sarkodie, Nasty C, Murumba Pitch, Holy Ten, Davido, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy etc.
Who are The Famous Nigerian Gospel Musicians in 2024?
The famous Nigerian gospel musicians in 2024 are Judikay, Mercy Chinwo, Steve Crown, Moses Bliss, Dunsin Oyekan, Ada Ehi, Nathaniel Bassey, Tim Godfrey, Nikki Laoye, Tope Alabi etc.