Afrobeats is more than a music genre, it has transitioned into becoming a global phenomenon and one of Nigeria’s greatest export in modern times.
Simply put, in recent times, the Nigerian entertainment industry has found a way to leave it’s footprint across the world and make viewers perceive the most populated black nation as a creativity hub. The talent in Nigeria is immense and the contribution from the coterie of youths in the nation is insurmountable.
In the coming year, numerous Nigerian artistes will be looking to win the much coveted Grammy award. Artistes such as Asake, Olamide and Davido will be looking to achieve a significant milestone in their impressive music careers.
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It would be recalled sensational artistes such as Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tems already made history to grab the gold plaque.
Prior to the Grammy award ceremony that will be coming up in 2024, News Round The Clock will be looking at the 10 artistes who have been releasing groundbreaking singles to promote Afrobeats culture, lifestyle and perspective across the globe.
While the likes of Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy have done well to pulsate the ideology of Afrobeats to listeners of worldwide, emerging artistes such as Asake, Rema and Tems have received the baton and they are doing significantly well to preserve the legacy of Afrobeats that commenced by the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Let’s see the ten artistes who have been doing well to maintain the culture and values of Afrobeats.
The list goes thus;
- Asake
Nigerian recording artiste, Ololade Ahmed who is better known as Asake or Mr Money has experienced a meteoric in the music industry since his major record label debut in the early part of 2022.
The talented singer-songwriter who is signed to Olamide’s Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL) has released two studio albums, Mr Money With The Vibes (2022) and Work of Art (2023), he has also worked with other notable artistes such as Tiwa Savage as he continues to climb the ladder of mainstream success.
2. Tems
Temilade Openiyi, a talented Grammy award winner who is better known as Tems is yet to release her debut studio album, however, she has two impressive EPs under her belt.
In 2020, she released For Broken Ears before she released a second EP titled, If Orange Was A Place in 2021. The 28-year-old songstress has continued to garner worldwide experience by working with international artistes.
Following her debut with ‘Try Me’ in 2019, Tems has remained one of the most sensational female vocalist to appear in recent times. Despite not yet releasing an official studio album as at the time of this publication, Tems has been able to garner a huge following across the globe.
She has dubbed her fanbase, ‘Rebel Gang’ or ‘Rebels’.
More Artistes Below…
3. Rema
When Rema arrived unto the scene in 2019, he wasn’t immediately received by a Nigerian populace that wanted nothing to do with cartoons or perceived juvenile lyrics. Fast forward to 2023, Rema performed at the 2023 Ballon D’Or ceremony where he became the first singer from Africa to attain that height.
Easily one of the most hardworking artistes from his generation, Rema has released four EPs and a studio album. Additionally, he has performed with several international artistes such as Selena Gomez and Justin Skye.
4. Ayra Starr
In 2021 when Ayra Starr released her debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous, it became apparent that the youngster had so much to offer the world.
She has continue to influence her generation with her personality and ideology through her music.
More Afrobeats Artistes…
5. Omah Lay
When it comes down to writing lyrics that discusses the theme of depression and struggle with mental ailment, singer-songwriter, Omah Lay is a maestro in that regard.
Omah Lay has been able to carve a niche for himself via his sometimes melancholic and tedious outlook on life. There are moments when the Port Harcourt-born musician is lovey-dovey and wants to talk about romance and love, however, listeners prefer when he talks about his aches, pain and heartbreak.
In 2022, Omah Lay released his debut studio album, Boy Alone which sprung several hits such as ‘Soso’ and ‘Attention’ featuring Canadian artiste, Justin Bieber.
6. Libianca
American-born Cameroonian musician, Libianca is one of the prominent artistes born outside Nigeria that will feature on this Afrobeats list.
On the remix version of her global hit, ‘People‘, she worked with Ayra Starr and Omah Lay, two of the finest musicians to emerge from Nigeria.
Libianca takes influence from genres prevalent in her upbringing, Cameroonian music, Nigerian music, and Highlife.
Further…
7. Fireboy DML
There have been arguments about which artiste has the best writing skill among modern artistes, Fireboy DML has been pointed as one of the most sophisticated songwriters in the music industry.
In 2019, Fireboy DML who is signed to Olamide’s Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL) released his debut studio album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps. At the time, the album was easily of the remarkable as it had no feature and each track surpassed the 3-minute mark, a practice that is beginning to decline among new age artistes.
Fireboy did not stop there, he has since gone on to release two more studio albums. In 2020, Fireboy followed up his impressive debut studio album with Apollo. He released his third studio album, Playboy in 2022.
8. Tyla
South African songstress, Tyla has expressed her interest in Nigerian music, culture and also, Nigerian men. She has once mentioned that her favourite musician and one whom she’ll like to date is talented singer-songwriter, Rema.
In 2024, the 21-year-old Tyla will be looking to win the Grammy award for ‘Best Africa Music Performance’. She will be competing against notable Nigerian heavyweights such as Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr and Asake (alongside Olamide).
The Concluding Part Of The List…
9. Buju (Also known as BNXN)
Daniel Etiese Benson, a talented who is better known as Buju (otherwise known as BNXN) is the next man on our list. He is efficient with the pen and has a unique vocal propensity.
Buju has released one studio album and four EPs. In 2023, he released his debut studio album, Sincerely, Benson.
10. Fave
Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, known professionally as Fave, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and recording artist. She gained recognition after releasing several minute-long videos on Twitter during the COVID-19 lockdown.
She is affiliated with Mr Eazi’s EmPawa Africa and Tumblar record label.
In 2022, she won Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2022 and was nominated for Most Promising Artist and Best Artist in African Reggae, Dancehall at the All Africa Music Awards.
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