With 2019 coming to an end and a new decade about to kick start in a few days, there has been debates on the internet/social media about who is the Nigerian artiste of the decade. The Davido’s fans around the world has been vouching for the superstar while The Starboy FC are not left out as thousands of them has made loads of posts on social media with proofs which makes them think the Starboy is the artiste of the decade.
In the last 10 years, some Nigerian artistes has grown from grass to grace and our criteria for selection include success in their careers, popularity, social media following, headline moments, cultural influence, and awards. The list contains artistes who have become exemplary figures, shown greatness and performed wonders not just locally but internationally. Here are the top 10 Nigerian artistes over the last decade:
1. Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid is arguably the number one Nigerian artiste of the decade for so many reasons. Wizkid who has been in the music industry since 2009 finally made it to the top in 2019 with his hit single “Holla At Your Boy” and since then Wizkid has worked so hard to become one of the biggest of the decade. In March 2013, Wizkid left Empire Mates Entertainment to float his own label. He released a lot of amazing songs that won him awards. Among his multiple awards, there are not only Nigerian ones but also the prestigious awards from BET, Billboard, iHeart Radio, MTV Europe, MTV Africa, and others. In 2015, Wizkid nominated for Grammy once. It was in 2015, and he received a nomination for his collaborative work with Drake on the album “Views”, Wizkid has made alot of histories and one of them is shutting down the 02 Arena twice which has never been done by any Nigerian artiste. He walked the runway with one of the biggest models of our time, Naomi Campbell, featured on Drake’s album, released four studio projects which were well accepted and won him awards, featured on Beyonce’s last studio album, he is one of the Nigerian singers with most endorsement deals bagging an endorsement with Pepsi, United Bank of Africa, MTN, GLO, Guinness and many more.
2. Olamide
Olamide Adedeji, known by his stage name Olamide is the second on the list. The singer used to be a fierce rapper who had several hit tracks under the genre after releasing his single “Eni Duro” in 2012 which brought him to limelight shortly after the death of Dagrin. In the last decade, Olamide has had over 15 hit tracks which has made him arguably the most consistent Nigerian artiste, he has released 8 studio albums which were well accepted, he is also well known for growing others after bringing the likes of Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, Viktoh, Chinko Ekun, Davolee, Zlatan, Naira Marley and many more into limelight one way or the other.
3. Davido
David Adedeji Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido broke into limelight with his hit single “Dami Duro” which was released after he dropped his debut single “Back When” which features Naeto C and was produced by himself. Since the released of “Dami Duro” back in 2011, Davido has become an household name and he has been relevant in the game giving his fans hits back to back from “Fall” to “If” to “Aye” to “Skelewu” and many more. Davido won the Headies next rated award n 2012, he has released 2 studio albums and an extended play, he has helped acts like Mayorkun, Dremo, Peruzzi and many more known by Nigerians. Davido is, alongside Wizkid, leading Africa’s Afrobeats movement.
4. 2Baba
Innocent Ujah Idibia, known by his stage name 2face Idibia now 2Baba is the number four on the list. The singer has been around for two decades now and he has worked so hard to earn the legendary status in the game. In the last decade, 2Baba has given us hits after hits like Oyi, Only Me, I Hate What You Do To Me, Amaka, Gaga Shuffle and many more, he has released three studio projects within the decade two of which were commercially and critically acclaimed (Away and Beyond released in 2012 and The Ascension released in 2014), won several Headies awards, won the MOBO awards and many more.
5. D’Banj
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, known by his stage name D’banj is one of the legends in the Nigerian music industry and he has been around for almost two decades now just like 2Baba. In the last decade, the former Mo Hits Records star has been giving us hits like Oliver Twist, Mr Endowed, Suddenly, El Chapo and many which we still can’t get over, he got signed to Kanye West’s record label – G.O.O.D Music in 2011, released two studio projects, won several awards likes BET, MTV Europe Awards, Channel O Music Award, The Headies Awards and many more. D’banj has done a lot to the Afropop genre with his energetic and mind blowing voice.
6. Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy is the man of the moment and he has been having a good time in the game since 2013. Burna has given us several hits tracks like On The Low, Soke, Pree Me, Deja Vu, Don Gorgon, Hallelujah, Dangote and many more. The singer has risen from grass to grace and he is really taking over the game as he recently got nominated for the Grammys Awards, won several awards like BET Awards, The Headies Awards, The Future Awards and many more, got featured by several international acts, shuts down Wembley Arena in London.
7. Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Savage, known professionally as Tiwa Savage broke into limelight in 2011 with her hit single “Kele Kele Love” which was released on November 4, 2010 and was well accepted by Nigerians. Two years after becoming an household name, Tiwa Savage signed with Don Jazzy’s record label, Mavin Records. Under the label, the songstress released three studio mind-blowing studio projects – “Once Upon A Time”, “R.E.D” and “Sugarcane”, the singer has won several awards like The Headies Awards, MTV Europe Music Award, Nigerian Entertainment Awards, MTV Africa Music Award and many more. She also left Mavin Records earlier this year to get signed to Universal Music Group.
8. M.I Abaga
Jude Abaga, well known as M.I Abaga aka Short Black Boy. The rapper’s success is recorded in the fact that he made rap music which appealed to Nigerian sensibilities, while being as technically dope as any rapper anywhere could be. M.I Abaga is arguable the number one rapper in Africa since he broke into limelight in 2009 with his first studio project “Talk About It” which was released in 2008. In the last decade M.I has been relevant in the game dropping several projects like – M.I The Movie 2, The Chairman, Illegal Music 3, Rendezvous and A Study On Self Worth. Also, by his extensive role at Chocolate City, M.I has seen to the growth of musical talents like Ice Prince Zamani, Brymo, Jesse Jagz, Victoria Kimani, Koker, Dice Ailes, and more recently, Blaqbonez.
9. P Square
Identical twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye (P Square) might have broken up but their legacy remain forever as one the best duo that has ever come out of the country. In the last decade, they weere at the peak of the career, the twin brothers were the largest artistes in Africa and they were hard to do without. They both sold out stadiums in Nigeria and abroad, they rocked the world with the dance moves and they were referred to as Nigerian Micheal Jackson and Usher Raymond, got signed to Akon’s record label, Konvict Muzic, they won several awards like the Nigerian Music Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards and many more.
10. Yemi Alade
Yemi Eberechi Alade, well known as Yemi Alade gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009 and ever since then, she has risen to be one of Africa’s biggest artistes. In the last decade, the energetic performer had a great time in the game making hit songs like Johnny, Koffi Anan, Taking Over Me and many more. The 30 year old singer was among Nigerian artistes who featured on Beyonce’s last studio project, she has released several studio projects like King of Queens, Black Magic, Mama Africa and Woman of Steel under Effizye Music which is signed to. Yemi Alade has bagged several awards and endorsement deal. Her song, Johnny, with 110 Million YouTube views, is possibly the biggest Nigerian song/visual in the last decade.
The End!!
What do you think about the list above? Cool or not? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
No Comments