New younger and proficient artistes made their debuts in the Nigerian music trade in 2022, making the yr an spectacular one. For some, it was a take-off yr, whereas others noticed it as a yr to consolidate their positive aspects.
These new crops of skills are leveraging on the use of streaming companies and social media.
Artistes like Ayola, Logos Olori, Yemzzy, Raebel, Shine TTW and others have discovered their ft in the trade, 2023 would possibly simply be a yr of no restrict for them and some different rising stars.
As we started a new yr, right here is a listing of Nigerian artistes to look out for in 2023 in all genres in no explicit order.
Ayola
Ayola continues to discover the intersection of beloved genres as a dynamic Nigerian Indie-Pop star in his genuine Naija voice and effortlessly melodic model.
The Canada-based singer, whose actual identify is Abdullah Abubakre is additionally a prolific songwriter, African Folk, and Afro-Pop act with out-of-box creativeness and storytelling proficiency which is impressively loved in his music.
Born in Osun State and raised in Kwara State, Nigeria, Ayola grew up singing at house and listening to the nostalgic Afro-juju songs of King Sunny Ade on street journeys with his father.
After getting a style of the music enterprise whereas learning in the UK and turning down a document deal to focus on his training, Ayola moved to Windsor in 2016 for his second Masters diploma at the University of Windsor earlier than shifting to Montreal, Quebec. He started writing the songs on Scum in early 2019.
Ayola launched his first main venture, ‘Scum EP’, which he described as an Afrosoul sanctuary of emotional knowledge and a frank strategy to fashionable relationship drama. It was launched on all main streaming platforms on twentieth November 2020. He adopted it up with a debut album “Conversation Till Dawn” in late 2021 and had a good run all through 2022. Ayola has certainly earned his popularity as an impartial musician to look out for in 2023.
Logos Olori
Very few artistes on this record have the penmanship of Logos Olori, even fewer have the uncanny potential to create hit data with seemingly little to no effort. Logos Olori seems prime for a document-breaking 2023, by no means thoughts that his final single ‘Lale’, produced by the greatest producer of 2022 — Magicsticks, was put out in late July 2022.
With his consistently iced out and bedazzled neck/wrist, co-indicators from Olamide, Davido, and a slew of others, and his distinctive take on the Afrobeats sound— Logos is by far our favorite newcomer.
Yemzzy
After bursting into the music scene lower than just a few years in the past with first single “Only One” in 2020, Yemzzy has cemented his place as one of the expertise to watch out for in the yr 2023.
In the final two years, the Afropop act has releases completely different tasks to proof he’s the new child in the bloc. His EP, ‘Son Of Moses’ was Yemzzy’s first main venture since the starting of his musical profession. He additionally has a pair of singles and covers to his catalogue.
The EP got here after Yemzzy dropped a single titled ‘Tire‘ devoted to many Nigerian youths who had been protesting the present state of Nigeria throughout the #EndSARS saga.
The music touches on points like ‘Police Brutality’, harassing and killings of harmless and peaceable protesters who are demanding for a greater Nigeria, corruption’ and different matters affecting Nigerians.
The music was a sequel to his beforehand launched “Remember“, “Blessings” and “Only One” which are nonetheless having fun with huge airplay. His lastest single “Call on Me” proved that Yemzzy is a pure expertise, good music background, consciousness and this displays in his lyrics and sounds, as he is always out to create music that has a message.
Raebel
Raebel is a Nigerian artiste who is presently creating her personal house in the music trade with a recent sound that is a mirrored image of various R&B, Neo-soul, reggae/dancehall, and a sprinkle of the conventional Nigerian taste.
Raebel’s 2022 greatest music ‘Miniskirt’ was initially a freestyle she did turned a smash hit single after she teamed up with Timbun who produced the music. The music is now a radio anthem and dance ground filler, one of the trending songs on social media.
The music fuses components of dancehall and afrobeat into an infectious beat met with Raebel’s highly effective and distinct vocal model. Her lyric, ‘I’m Not Like Your Other Girls’ message is superbly captured by the instantaneous sing-alongside hook, guaranteeing MINISKIRT will be girls’ anthem in nightclubs this festive interval.
She additionally teamed up with Africa’s most interesting video director TG Omori who now doubles as her Creative Director to give life to the visuals of the music. Raebel is prepared to take her followers on a new journey this yr, particularly THE RAEBELLIONs; the identify of her fan base throughout the world.
Kayode
While Kayode is an simple expertise and star in rising, who’s been making music formally for the previous three years, he blew up the music charts with Live Forever, which dropped in 2021.
Like everybody else, he grew, up hooked on sounds from Wizkid, Mo’Hits and different acts but he was particularly drawn to music from American rapper Lil Wayne, up until the time he had to take a break from making music and cites him as a significant affect of his sound.
Live Forever, by Kayode was a prime trending document on Tik Tok. Due to its properly composed vocals, this joint has additionally been gaining heaps of streams and views on the numerous music platforms.
With his full identify being Oluwakayode Oyetoro additionally recognized as Kay Kay, is critically working exhausting for himself, to guarantee he achieves his want for music.
YKB
With a rising discography, Oluwo Yusuf Gbolaga additionally recognized as YKB has steadily been constructing his profile in Nigeria. Armed with a ardour in wordplay, polished vocal supply and over the previous few years YKB has been homing his artistry. Sitting between the worlds of Indie, R&B, Afrobeats and Pop, YKB has discovered his sound and house in the world soundscape.
Born in Ketu, Lagos Nigeria, YKB (Yusuf Kan Bai) grew up with a want to specific himself creatively. Experimenting with in images, graphic design, and style, YKB would discover a house in music. Growing up listening to the eclectic sounds of Celine Dion, Lil Wayne, Drake, and many others it was not lengthy earlier than he efficiently took a go at music.
With the impartial launch of his venture “Before I Blow”, YKB captured the consideration of followers, friends, and media alike round the world and amassed over 2 million streams. YKB just lately dropped “SAN SIRO” and it’s big.
Shine TTW
Nigerian singer Shine TTW (Chukwuma Chinaza Ferdinand) just lately made a big debut in the music trade with the music “No Religion“ and adopted it up with Designer.
Judging by how related these songs have linked with popular culture, Shine TTW could be topping the charts with his upcoming songs this yr.
Snazzy
Snazzy the Optimist is distinctive—his hypnotizing voice flirts with worldwide superstardom while nonetheless sounding like your little secret. Born in the jap half of Nigeria and grew up in South Africa. His expertise and creativity has steered him into songwriting, the place he started writing and overlaying songs. He produced and recorded his first-ever single “Ekele” in 2018, underneath the moniker Lil Snazzy. Since then, he has launched couple covers on his Soundcloud.
Snazzy the Optimist model of emotive singing is heat, fuzzy, and immediately addictive. The Nigerian born rapping singer (as a result of that’s in all probability the best way to describe what he does) made a splash with his 2021 hit single “Seluna”. A somber expression of love, one of the greatest singles of 2021, taking benefit of his second. Since its launch, he has acquired essential love but maintained a fairly low profile.
Snazzy the Optimist has stored his releases valuable but highly effective, gracefully confirming himself as one of the most compelling artists of the now, but most importantly he’s a extremely proficient musician with an ear for melody and a pure charisma.
Excell Boy
Born in the jap half of Nigeria. Excell Boy has one of these voices that you can immediately choose out from 1,000,000 others. It’s overwhelmingly wealthy and full of the Soulful rap. When listening to Excell Boy’s music, it turns into clear that the Nigerian-raised artist doesn’t suppose like everyone else. In sound and in model, he operates on his personal phrases, and as a consequence, has discovered a sound that can’t be ignored. He is completely different, and completely different will get remembered.
Excell Boy’s 2020 single “Mummy Don’t Cry” the place he preached about life experiences, remembrance, care, and development. Is an endlessly catchy and equally eccentric music, the Nigerian expertise continued on his streak with a number of new singles, rising in momentum as he soared with his unabashedly trustworthy lyrics on “Home” the place lush piano solos, with electrifying vibes and his voice, mix to paint an image of house love. to the enriched relatable melodies of “Fast Car.”
With a quick-rising fanbase, a quick-increasing catalog of music, and a plan to hold evolving his sound, 2023 is going to be particular for Excell Boy.
Shugavybz
Shugavybz is one of the few voices that has what it takes to finish 2023 as a world star. He possesses all of the mandatory components, together with crew, sound, and model.
The younger expertise is additionally a greaty producer and his has manufacturing, mixing and mastering credit score to some of your favorites hits together with One Side by Iyanya, “Lituation” that includes Paulash Panache, Roger Lino and Leeroy Afrika.
Shugavybz is unquestionably a significant pressure to be reckoned with in 2023.
St. Seii
St. Seii is one of the most promising Nigerian musicians with an outstanding vary of artistry judging from his meteoric rise. Talent is considerably intoxicating, having the potential to do a selected factor close to excellent is overwhelming and enhance extremely self-confidence.
“Bittersweet”, an EP that received the coronary heart of Afropop lovers round the world, and an exhilarating performances thereafter in Burj park downtown Dubai alongside South African celebrity Focalistic, Ghanian legendary Sarkodie, and others.
His candy-voiced, Energetic, Charismatic and usually infusing pop, dancehall and typically pidgin english which appears fashionable and confrontational flavour of Afrofused
However, the greatest distinction between the earlier era of musicians and the rising new guard of Afrobeats is the gulf in writing, whereas earlier generations tried their greatest, these new cats have pushed the lyrical content material of our songs into native poetry max. St. Seii is undoubtedly a prime-high quality musician to look out for in 2023.
Spyshitta
Shitta Bolanle Razaq popularly recognized as Spy Shitta is an wonderful and hardworking quick-rising Nigerian singer and songwriter, born on 10 November 1999 in Abesan property, Alimosho native authorities, Lagos.
He launched his first official single titled “Whine” on February 12, 2021 and the music has been getting loads of buzz. It has so far been properly-accepted by music listeners. Spy is assured in his music as a result of of how relatable his songs are. He went on to drop his main venture, ‘The EP’.
From the first single to the first EP, it’s fairly an fascinating view to expertise these artists’ journeys i, Spy Shitta, is presently on an spectacular path to attaining his lifelong dream of being a profitable Afrobeat artist.
He has labored with some acts together with Olamide, Buju, Victor AD, and many others. He is impressed by distinguished artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tems. Spy is making ready himself for huge issues, and 2023 is good yr to focus on him.
PDSTRN
Born July 27 1999 in Lagos, Nigeria and raised between Lagos & Toronto, Canada, Bennett Obeya professionally recognized as PDSTRN is a rapper, singer, and songwriter on the rise in the trade.
With the first music he ever wrote TOXIC being on WeTalkSound’s critically acclaimed compilation album LOFN; an album that went #1 on the Apple Music Alternative Charts in Nigeria in 2020, and profitable the Hennessy Artistry VS Class VIII.
PDSTRN has adopted a singular strategy to his profession by way of his writing and talking on delicate matters, with his coarse baritone voice and distinctive singing model that merges his rapping and singing into an ideal sonic mix to help with the rhythmic flavour of employed instrumentals.
Wadude
Born Omolayo Iyanoluwa Olamide, and raised in Oworonshoki, in Lagos, Wadude started his musical journey professionally in the yr 2021 with the launch of his hit music Zanzibar.
As a Nigerian singer, and songwriter who not solely charms with his songs but additionally with his character and this tremendous proficient singer has chunned out completely different songs together with Expensive Love Ft Bella Shmurda.
Wadude’s expertise and potential for greatness had been noticed by Mr. Eazi and the crew at emPawa, prompting the two in August 2022 to signal a distribution deal that will see Wadude’s songs make their way into new markets, extra playlists, and propel the budding artist’s musical profession to new heights.
It is a recognized reality that the music trade will get a little bit shaken up by the emergence of artistic skills who spark an curiosity that goes past the high quality of their music and one of such an fascinating characters to watch out for in 2023 is Wadude.
Raybekah
Raybekah is a younger proficient Nigerian musician who got here into limelight following her dope collection of Instagram freestyle movies which she does add on her official web page. One of which was a freestyle “Boo” with Kholi that went viral getting repost from prime celebrities in the Nigerian Industry.
The proficient singer whose actual identify is Rebecca Chinonso Arinola is initially from Abia State but grew up in Festac, a locale in Lagos State.
Raybekah is one of the promising and bold feminine singers from Nigeria. Some of her jaw-dropping data embody; Uncensored, Cinderella, Cut Soap, Ex Boyfriend and many extra. The gifted songstress is simply getting began as she has a heaps of goodies in inventory for us all in 2023.
Feranbanks
Feranbanks began music professionally in 2018, good out of secondary college he launched his debut single and was nominated in three completely different classes for Ondo state musical awards the place he received all three.
Feranbanks initially recognized as David Oluwaferanmi Feranbanks’ model can be described as a fusion of Afro and Fuji. Can additionally be referred to as afro fusion.
The singer beforehand launched a smash document which he titled “Saro”. The music gained huge consideration from far and close to with some notable numbers on streaming platforms to present as document.
Feranbanks is signed to WIRE RECORDS and is set to be one of the entrance faces of the document label. Since coming to the musical stage formally, Feranbanks have launched songs like ‘Doubt’ in which he options Nigeria’s quick rising afro pop star, Jamopyper of ZANKU data. He is obtained alot coming in 2023 and you ought to watch out for him.
6uff
One of the Nigerian quick-rising singers, 6uff has continued to show himself to be one of few voices that has what it take Afropop to new stage globally. Many of his earlier songs inclusing the function with Peruzzi, ahave been gaining followers consideration and accumulating heaps of streams on the digital streaming shops.
After garnering some success in 2022, 6uff is poised for greater issues in the Afrobeats, and we can’t wait to see what he does subsequent.
Oladapo
Tonade Oladapo Adetunji, higher recognized by his stage identify Oladapo, was born on the nineteenth of August 1999, and hails from Ogun state. His music profession formally kicked off in 2018, the place he began releasing freestyle movies on his Instagram web page and constructing an viewers composed largely of college students of The University of Lagos.
In 2019, his debut single Mango obtained shortlisted by Mr. Eazi’s music initiative Empawa Africa and that platform enabled him to additional propel his music profession.
His musical model which he describes as Afro-fusion is extra of a combination of highlife sounds with distinctive modern components embellished gracefully with his native influences which contains his mom tongue, Yoruba, and the Nigerian pidgin.
He goals for his music to be emotionally intimate, bridging the hole between himself, the music and its listeners, sharing a real connection.
Tolibian
Abubakar Abdulmutolib Ottan Professionally know as Tolibian is a Nigeria Comedian, Singer and Songwriter born in Ilorin Kwara State, Tolibian is an energetic performing artiste with high quality sound in Afrobeat, Acapella, Apala, Hiphop and Amapianos.
Tolibian was first seen on-line in 2019 and he’s been constant with his craft since his first look until date, Tolibian is recognized for the uniqueness in his music like Malaysia, Shower your blessings, End SARS, A December to Remember, Lori Iro, and the current single ABAYA PALAVA that’s is Making heavy wave on-line on numerous platforms like Audiomack with over 540k lively performs inside the interval of 3 weeks of launch.
In February 2021 Tolibian was signed underneath TCA Entertainment, A document label owned by one of the quick-rising Instagram influencer and content material creator “ The Cute Abiola” and this was a significant breakthrough for this younger proficient artiste which introduced loads of consideration in the direction of his craft and model.
Moving ahead Tolibian is working on loads of tasks for his followers and this particular musical content material is titled “Hello” dropping quickly.
1UCID
Kwadwo J Bedihene who is publicly recognized as 1UCID was born in Accra but left for the United States at simply 9. It doesn’t take much to turn into completely entranced by 1UCID. His easy combine of English and African lyrics, spectacular circulate, relatable and eye-opening lyrics, melodious and with his excessive pitch thrives. An glorious singer-songwriter with an extremely infectious voice.
1UCID 2022 single “Miss U” is one of his most awesomely erratic and abrasive but, it is a masterpiece of restraint, stuffed with soulful, trustworthy accounts of lacking beloved one. “Miss U” takes listeners/viewers on a wavering jaunt that commences with lacking beloved one and the reminiscences shared, rapidly ascending right into a relatable narrative.
There’s one thing a few 1UCID music that identifies it as uniquely his. Maybe it’s his love-impressed lyrics, perhaps it’s his extremely infectious voice. But no matter the motive, the basic sound connects with a variety of audiences, and his profession is trying brighter each day.
Tagging his sound “Afroblues”, 1UCID has managed to make the most of his artistry energy. Holding a Bachelor of Science from The University of Akron, 1UCID is prepared to change the established order of the trade one music at a time. His comply with-ups like “It’s Giving” helped spherical up his 2022. The proficient artist’s success so far is properly-deserved, but his potential going into 2023 is much more thrilling.
Hercules
Fast-rising Afropop singer Hercules dropped his debut single “Dreams” to announce his arrival in the leisure scene final yr. His message is that one other star has emerged as the New Kid On The Block.
Born Matthew Harris-Hercules, the Cambridge-born singer, and songwriter who has been in the music scene for some time working behind the scene had proven a promising begin for music lovers and we are right here for what he is bringing this yr.