When you want to truly get a feel for how the world of Nigerian music is evolving, all you have to do is look beyond these shores at the rest of the world. Whether it’s classic Afrobeats or some soulful melodies and ballads, the world of Nigerian music has never been richer. To show you what we’re talking about, we’re going to take a look at the 5 Nigerian artists that are building global followings in 2024. Enjoy!
Burna Boy has truly crossed over
Whether you like the beats, the lyrics, or just the way it makes you want to get up and move, it’s safe to say that Burna Boy has made quite the impression recently. A lucrative new promotional deal with luxury fashion brand Burberry is just the tip of the iceberg for a musical genius who is already looking to move into new settings around the world.
A unique beat combines with a deep, burning passion, both of which come together in perfect harmony to create something truly timeless. When you put it like that, it’s not hard to see why Burna Boy is lighting up billboards the world over and enjoying plenty of newfound fame. Of course, Nigerian music lovers don’t need to be told this — it’s the rest of the world that is waking up to the Boy’s top talents.
Rema is making noise but needs time to heal
Listening to your body and being honest about your mental health is something that Rema has pioneered alongside his music. Deep, meaningful music that touches the heart and is able to cross boundaries and cultural borders may be his hallmark, but it’s his raw authenticity that has seen him reach a whole new level.
With a rapid rise to fame comes continual touring, media appearances, and a battle to find those quiet creative moments in the studio that started the journey in the first place. Rema knows this more than most and so has decided to put all of his upcoming tour dates on hold for the rest of 2024. You might think that this is hurting his appeal with wider markets and audiences, but that’s to miss the point of what his actions really mean.
The world loves someone who is real and raw, and they don’t come any more authentic and open than an artist who admits they need to rebalance. Expect Rema to come back even bigger and better in 2025.
Tems is already collaborating with music royalty
When you’re pioneered a personal sound that gets Justin Bieber wanting to work with you, and Drake asking to produce for you, there’s a lot you’re doing right. The beauty of the music Tems is putting out there is that it has already crossed cultural borders and gone so much further than Nigeria.
This is about as mainstream as it gets when you’re looking to go global by cracking the American market, and it’s something every Nigerian musician can take inspiration from. Seeing someone from our corner of the world go global in such a short space of time is a striking example of what’s possible when you work to put your creativity out there. It’s about finding new ways to change the look and feel of the Nigerian scene, all so new artists can continually put themselves under a global spotlight.
Wizkid is already a Grammy winner
If you have Beyoncé collaborating with you, big things are certainly going to happen. It’s all about finding new ways to get yourself out there and show the world what you can do, and a Grammy win shows you’ve done all of it in style. “Brown Skin Girl” was an overnight sensation that quickly turned into a timeless classic, and it’s not hard to see why. The authentic touch and creative spark Wizkid added tipped the balance in a lot of eyes, showing the world the raw power of Nigerian music in the process.
Wizkid has since gone from strength to strength, with countless collaborations, live tour dates, and guest appearances off the back this global breakthrough. It’s the perfect spark of inspiration for Nigerian artists who dream of bigger and better things while at the same time wanting to stay true to the authentic nature of their sound.
Davido is elevating the Afrobeat sound
Finding a way to introduce a whole new genre of music to different parts of the world is something few can do. Davido has made the jump by regularly collaborating with a wide array of artists, each of whom has added their own personal touch and spark to his unique sound. The result is lively, thoughtful, and richly meaningful music that allows anyone to switch off and take it all in. Just what you want to hear when it’s time to set the tone in a truly timeless way.
The future is certainly bright for the 5 artists we’ve shouted out here, but it’s safe to say that this is also only just the beginning. By finding a new way to change how the world sees Nigerian music, these trailblazers are breaking new ground for all of the aspiring artists who look up to them. It’s about finding a whole new way to change the game so that everyone can walk onto the global stage in a way that’s raw and authentic.
The beauty of the streaming world is that anyone can now access authentic Nigerian sounds with the click of a button, no matter where they are in the world. Just like you can book a budget vacation or find the best online casinos within seconds of picking up your phone, platforms like Apple Music and Spotify make it just as easy to go and explore the world of music.
We’re certainly excited to see where the next wave of musical talent goes and what they produce along the way.
