In this article, we will be looking at the top 10 greatest Nigerian artists of all time.
The Nigerian music industry is one of the leading music industries in Africa. Nigerian musicians have not just produced evergreen sounds, but they have shown that the giant of Africa takes the cake effortlessly when it comes to creativity.
For Nigerians, it is not just about doing a thing but doing it well and coming out on top. That tenacious spirit drives Nigerians everywhere they find themselves. So in this article, we will look at the greatest Nigerian artists of all time.
Related: Burna Boy Biography: Journey to Global Stardom Unveiled
Greatest Nigerian Artist Of All Times
1. Wizkid
From Ojuelegba to selling out the London 02 Arena, which has a twenty thousand seater capacity, Wizkid, as many say, is the greatest of all time.
To be the best, you have to tap from the best, and his adoption of Fela style in his fashion, music, and performance is enough dose of greatness.
With his songs like Essence and his collaboration with Queen Beyoncé on Brown Skin, Wizkid has gone ahead to top international and local charts worldwide. He has established himself through his music in Nigeria and the world.
In Minnesota, USA, October 6th is celebrated as Wizkid’s day; now that is greatness redefined. The Starboy, as he is fondly called, was the youngest Nigerian artist to get a Grammy nomination at the age of twenty-six.
2. Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, can be said to be cut from the same cloth as Fela because of the direction and flow of his music.
He has made a difference by focusing on genres like Afrobeats, Nigerian street music, pop, Afro-pop, etc.
Not an easy feat to achieve, Burna Boy joined the league of Nigerian Grammy winners as he bagged a Grammy for his Twice as Tall album.
It is not the fact that he won a Grammy that makes him one of the greatest, but the content of his albums so far does not just make you move your body.
As one of the Greatest Nigerian Artist Of All Time, Burna Boy also makes you think while bringing to the forefront the struggles of Nigerians and Africans generally. It is refreshing to see a youth interested in the more profound things of life.
Burna Boy has chosen music as a medium of expression to talk to the government and his fellow Nigerians, just like Fela did.
He adopts Fela’s performance and delivery style when conveying his message, which is enough inspiration.
Looking back to when Burna Boy started to the incredible feats he has achieved so far by taking the Afrobeats sound to the global stage just like Wizkid, he deserves the accolades.
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3. Fela
It is no news that Fela is the pioneer of the unique and trending sound called Afrobeats and played a significant role in taking Nigerian music to the global stage.
He has become a source of inspiration to many, and almost three decades after his death, Fela serves as a reference point to many.
Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti was so much and the definition of a bundle of talent. He was a singer, performer, bandleader, political activist, instrumentalist, composer, and pan-Africanist.
He made sure to use his music as an instrument for correction in society and gave a voice to the voiceless.
Fela is the greatest Nigerian artist of all time because of how instrumental his songs are and the relevance they still hold to date.
Big stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, etc., have made him their source in a good way. When it comes to what music should be used for and what it should stand for, this paradigm possesses it.
To show that he was made for music, even his children (Seun Kuti, Femi Kuti, etc.) have taken after him, and people love them sincerely because of their father’s legacy.
While he was active in the political scene, he dropped over fifty albums in the music world, with every song having its uniqueness.
He bagged several awards and produced songs with beats composed of funk, rock, jazz, etc. His songs include Beast of no Nation, Zombie, Monkey Banana, Everything Scatter, etc.
Fela made a name for himself as he ensured that Nigeria became a better place, and his legacy is bound to live on forever.
Greatness is not just about being the vibe of the moment, but will your song still be relevant in twenty to thirty years to come? Will your music stand the test of time? Beyond the melodic sound are the lyrics, priceless and endless.
When you check the boxes of the questions above, now that is greatness, and Fela is the embodiment of the word greatness because he still lives on in the hearts of Nigerians.
4. 2Baba
Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, 2Face, or 2Baba, is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and so much more. Right from his days as a member of the Plantashun Boiz, many have stated that he was destined for greatness.
He is known for his rise to fame in the early 2000s, and his song African Queen remains evergreen. Regarding Nigerian musicians whose music has stood the test time, 2Baba tops the list.
His songs include If Love Is A Crime, Amaka, See Me So, Target You, Gaga Shuffle, etc. Tuface embodies the word’s longevity and uniqueness effortlessly. He is one of the Nigerian musicians that made singing in pidgin cool.
5. King Sunny Ade
This list will be incomplete without Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye MFR, also known as King Sunny Ade.
Like Fela, he is one of the pioneers of the Juju music genre and Afropop in Nigeria. King Sunny Ade stands out as not just one of the greatest Nigerian artists of all time but one of the most influential musicians.
This rare gem was among the first set of Nigerians to gain international recognition and success. To date, his music is a source of inspiration to many and is still being played by many.
His unique delivery, melodic depth, instrumentation, and arrangement are worth applauding at any time. His songs include Merciful God, Ma Jaiye Oni, Appreciation, Ja Funmi, and many more.
6. MI Abaga
MI Abaga took rap music to a new level when they stepped into the Nigerian music scene. His consistency and evergreen songs have made many reference him as the Nigerian rap legend who leads, and others follow.
The rap industry is filled with many biffs between rappers, and the beauty of it is that they translate these biffs into lyrics, and it just comes out beautiful.
In his latest album titled The Guy, MI addressed all the people that have called him out, and he revealed what he thinks about them. The fact remains that rap is a beautiful music genre.
MI, who recently changed his name to the Guy, has always maintained his spot as the rap king in Nigeria.
You cannot talk about rap music in Nigeria and not speak about MI. Many others are doing well, but MI takes the cap in grand style.
7. Olamide
When it comes to the street, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, popularly called Olamide, is the street king. Since his advent into the Nigerian music industry, he has opened the door for many youngsters and evolved his sound and lyrical delivery.
Over the years, Baddo, as he is fondly called, has paved the way for the growth of Nigerian street music.
Although we can’t talk about street music and not mention, Mad Melon and Mountain Black, Baba Fryo, Daddy Showkey, etc., Olamide stands out.
Greatness is not just about being the first but being able to evolve, and Olamide is that street king.
8. Tiwa Savage
Everyone calls Tiwa Savage the queen of Afrobeats because she has not just taken afrobeat to the global stage but earned that title in spades.
She was talking about Nigerian musicians who have remained relevant and consistent over the years and have shown that music is beyond beats and lyrics.
It is about embodying what you sing and connecting to the next person beside you. Tiwa Savage is one of the greatest Nigerian musicians of all time.
9. Ebenezer Obey
Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi MFR, popularly known as Ebenezer Obey, is the father of Juju music in Nigeria.
He did not just create the foundation many Nigerians are standing on today. But he is also a point of reference and inspiration to many.
10. Davido
David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is another Afrobeats king and the Greatest Nigerian Artist Of All Time.
Davido has shown the world that Nigerians have what it takes to get and stay at the top. Like his counterpart, Wizkid, Davido can be termed a GenZ music king.
As he is fondly called, OBO makes music for the young and old. He is a Nigerian musician who shows that music is all about selflessness and benevolence.
With the rate at which young and old Nigerian musicians are breaking boundaries and setting the pace for other African countries. We, indeed, are the giant of Africa.
Time after time, Nigerian musicians always top the list of best African musicians. Looking at the greatest Nigerian musicians of all time, we are blessed with millions of talented individuals.
