The Nigerian music industry is blessed with an array of talented artists full of big dreams, hope, and vision. Being in the music industry is not an easy task, and for this reason, we should learn to regularly dish out accolades to this community of people for putting in the best to put Afrobeats and Nigeria on the world map.
2021 was rough for everyone, but we had those in the music industry constantly bringing the energy and putting out amazing music and body of work credible of public consumption. Everyone one did absolutely amazingly, but we have singled out 10 of Nigeria’s ace artists, as they have been described as the Top 10 best Male Nigerian artists of the year 2021.
1. CKay
Born in 1995, Chukwuka Ekweani, better known by his stage name CKay came to global limelight with his song, Love Nwantiti in 2019, which now has numerous remixes. Ckay-yo is quite versatile, he has made songs in the genres of Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall. Some days ago, Love Nwantiti got certified Gold in France, and in the U.S.
CKay’s dedication to the game has shown many artists like himself, that it’s not just about having the vocals and talent, but you have to put in the work too. CKay has broken lots of records with a single track, and has the world’s most Shazamed song. How cool is that?!
2. Wizkid
This list would not be complete if we refuse to add Ayodeji Balogun, Wizkid, one of Nigeria’s ace artists. Born and bred in Surulere, Lagos, he began music at the age of 11 and as fate would have it, he got signed into Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009, a label owned by Banky W. He proceeded to release his debut album, Superstar in 2011, which housed the single that rose him to prominence, Holla At Your Boy.
As we write. Wizkid has 4 studio albums to his name, Made In Lagos being the most recent one, and has collaborated with international Big names like Drake, Damian Marley, Beyonce, H.E.R, Naomi Campbell to mention a few. Today, Wizkid has produced some of the biggest records in and outside Nigeria and has won multiple awards to his name. In 2021 alone, he added 35 new awards to his shelf. He is Indeed the G.O.A.T.
3. Buju
In 2021, Buju was easily the most featured artist in the music industry. He could be best described as the hottest cake in the music industry in terms of features in the past year. Buju, whose real name is Daniel Benson (which, by the way, came as a shock to most Nigerians), is a Nigerian singer, record producer, and dancer. He was born on the 19th of May, 1997, and hails from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
During Wizkid’s Made In Lagos tour in 2021, Wizkid initiated Buju’s debut o2 arena stage appearance in front of 20,000 people (sell-out capacity). He was also featured in one of the tracks on MIL Deluxe, Mood, and also on Ladipoe’s hit song, Feeling. On the 28th of October, 2021, Buju, signed to Burna boy’s spaceship records, premiered his debut EP, Sorry I’m Late.
4. Davido
Omo Baba Olowo as he is fondly called stepped into the limelight in the year 2012, with his self-titled debut album, Omo Baba Olowo. David Adeleke, widely known as Davido is a Nigerian-American artist, who despite his disparity among his colleagues in the industry, he keeps on grinding. Davido has been faced with lots of backlashes owing to the fact that he was born into a wealthy family and as most would say, he does not need the money and fame.
However, he has always been determined to prove naysayers wrong, by staying true to the grind. Currently, Davido has 6 studio albums to his name, the most recent being A Better Time (ABT), which was premiered in the year 2020. Davido is one who is big on collaborations and has worked with most international and African artists.
5. Ruger
Newbie Ruger with the signature eye patch gave us a glimpse into what he is truly made of after he got signed to Jonzing World. He is a singer, rapper, and songwriter. Originally born, Michael Adebayo, He hit the limelight on the 18th of January, 2020 after being announced as the newly signed artist to D’Prince‘s label.
Ruger once revealed that his musical influences growing up includes Bob Marley, Rihanna, Boyz II Men, Beyonce, R. Kelly, 2Baba. His hit single, Bounce Music Video has over 22.5 million views on Youtube and we feel this song made lots of people fall in love with the young artists. His most recent song, Dior has successfully secured top spots in Apple music in over 3 countries.
6. Burna Boy
Born Oluwadamini Ogulu, but widely called Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who rose to prominence in the year 2012. Burna Boy is one Nigerian artist who has an incomparable confidence level. As a matter of fact, he has severally compared himself to the late legendary musician and activist, Fela Anikupalo Kuti.
In 2021, the Portharcourt Born singer became the first Nigerian afrobeat artist to ever win a Grammy award, after his 5th studio album, “Twice As Tall” got nominated for the category of Best Global Music Album, making it his 2nd nomination, but 1st official win. He lost the first to 4-time GRAMMY-winner, Angelique Kidjo.
7. Ladipoe
Ladipoe is not just an artist but a deep thinker. His deep lyrics and unique rap style rose him to limelight in the year 2017 after he got signed into Mavin Records, one owned by ace music producer, Don Jazzy.
Ladipoe has collaborated with a lot of musicians both far and wide and one thing that stands him out is his ability to bring life to any rap song. His most recent hit, Running, where he featured YBNL signer, Fireboy is still buzzing in the clubs and on the streets.
8. Adekunle Gold
AG baby as he fondly likes to be called is one special artist whose growth and evolution is nothing short of grace, consistency, and hard work.
Adekunle Gold, who is now proudly married to vocal powerhouse, Simisola shot to limelight back in 2014, after releasing SADE, a cover to One direction’s, story of my life. He has a couple of albums to his name and is still enjoying the success of his most recent hit song, HIGH, where he employed the service of Nigeria’s official vibe machine, Davido.
9. Lojay
Lojay is probably the first Newbie who was able to get Wizkid on his debut EP, LV N ATTN. The “Monalisa” crooner, whose real name is Lekan Osifeso is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performing artist. In an interview that went viral on social media a while back, it was learned that he always wanted to work with Wizkid who has been a source of inspiration to him right from the outset, and as fate who’d have it, it worked out on his very first project.
Lojay has successfully captured the minds of music lovers worldwide with singles like Tonongo and Monalisa. It goes without saying that Lojay is one of the new-age artists, who will take Afrobeats to mighty heights.
10. Joeboy
Joseph Akinwale-Akinfenwa is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who was discovered by Mr. Eazi’s label, ‘emPawa Africa back in the year 2017. He describes his genre of music as R&B and Afropop. Joe boy’s consistency, despite lots of comparisons to male counterpart, Fireboy shows that he is in no competition with no one but himself.
The Lagos-born singer dished out his 2021 debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Music and blew the minds of his fans, as he portrayed several dimensions of himself. His latest hit single, Alcohol is still buzzing and still receiving massive airplay. Also, Alcohol was one of the most talked-about songs in the latter months of 2021, all thanks to its controversial social media challenge.
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