Who are the top 20 most influential artists in Nigeria in 2024?
Fans of popular singers from all corners of the globe frequently pose this question on numerous occasions.
So here’s what I’d want to do for you…
Without hesitation, I will offer you the solution you require.
With that stated, today, you and I will take a look at Nigeria’s most influential artist in 2023.
It gets interesting!
Without further ado, let’s get right into the top 20 most influential musicians in Nigeria of all time.
Top 10 Most Influential Artists In Nigeria 2024
Who are the top 10 most influential artists in Nigeria? I’m pleased about this since I have a list of artists that have incredible talent, and I enjoy writing about them.
Let’s have a look at the most influential artists in Nigeria.
1. Don Jazzy (From Delta State)
Jazzy’s net worth makes him one of the wealthiest in the country.
I don’t believe anyone in today’s music scene is unfamiliar with Don Jazzy.
Because he is one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and very popular too.
Don Jazzy was born in Abia, Nigeria, which is a state.
I’m sure you’re asking why I put Delta State next to his name. It’s because his origins and history can be traced back to Delta State.
Michael Collins Ajereh rose to prominence in 2004 as a songwriter.
The notable vocalist founded the record company Mohits with popular star D Banj in 2004 but split up in 2011.
Don Jazzy founded Mavin Records in 2012, which houses artists such as Tiwa Savage and his blood brother D Prince.
His most recent hit feature has sparked interest among followers worldwide, with positive critical accolades for his poetic abilities.Â
For example, if you’ve heard songs like “How Are You My Friend,” you’ve definitely received a taste of his poetic talent.
He also has over 12 million Instagram followers. His efforts and accomplishments have resulted in a net worth of $20 million.
Recently, there’s been a battle between Don Jazzy and MI towards signing a young talented hawker who went viral on social media; feel free to check it out here.
2. Davido (From Osun State)
Afrobeats has grown in popularity in recent years, and Nigerian musician Davido is one of the most prominent performers driving the movement.
David is currently one of the most popular musicians in Nigeria, feet owe to 10 years of consistency.
After releasing “Dami Duro,” the second single from his debut studio album, he earned the Next Rated Award at The Headies in 2012.
In 2019, he released his second studio album, A Good Time, which was followed by tracks such as Blow My Mind, which featured Chris Brown.
He is, without a doubt, one of the most awarded artists in Nigeria and has collaborated with some of the world’s best artists.
Davido was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2021, and he is widely regarded as one of the most powerful voices in the Afrobeats genre.
There have recently been allegations concerning Davido’s three-year-old kid Ifeanyi drowning in their pool due to a lack of monitoring.
Having said that, the pop diva has released four studio albums and received 48 awards.
So how much is he worth? Davido’s net worth is an estimated $27 million making him one of the richest musicians in Africa.
Did I tell you that he also loves cars? Well, in a separate article, I wrote about Davido cars so you can read that too.
Except for Don Jazzy, who tops the list of the most influential artists in Nigeria, David comes second. His influence in the Nigerian music industry is unmatched.
3. Olamide (From Lagos State)
Olamide is a Nigerian hip-hop performer with a large following on social media platforms throughout Africa.
He is well-known for recording largely in Yoruba, his native language. Trust me, it is for reason alone that Olamide endorsement deals continue to skyrocket.
I have always been in love with Baddo since his breaking into the mainstream and songs like Hate Me are a testament to his consistency.
So how old is he? Olamide will be 34 years old in 2023.
In 2010, he launched his career by releasing his first single, Eni Duro, on the Coded Tunes record label.
Later, he launched his debut album, Rapsodi, which included prominent singers such as Wizkid, Dbanj, and 9ice.
With that said, he didn’t stop following the success of his debut album; he went on to release his second album, YBNL.
Olamide Badoo is continually producing smash songs after blockbuster songs. If you’ve heard tracks like Pawon and Motigbana, you’ll understand what I mean.
Aside from that, the prominent singer resorted to social media to refute Wizkid’s claim that rap is dead, claiming that the genre is on the upswing right now.
Olamide has a net value of $12 million and 10 million Instagram followers.
4. Burna Boy (From Rivers State)
Burna Boy is another talented Nigerian singer and composer on our list.
He gained widespread recognition and acclaim for his exceptional talent, establishing himself as one of Nigeria’s most influential Afrobeat artists.
Burna was born on July 2, 1991, and his true name is Damini Ogulu.
He shot to fame after releasing “Like to Party,” the first single off his debut studio album, L.I.F.E. in 2013.
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Having said that, he rose to prominence for popular songs such as Last Last, On The Low, and since then, he has been unstoppable.
Burna now has over six studio albums to his credit and is one of my top ten most popular performers in Nigeria.
Twice As Tall was recognized as Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021.
So, how much is he really worth? Burna Boy’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million.
Furthermore, Oluwa Burna has around 12 million Instagram followers.
Burna is one of the most awarded artists in Africa, thanks to his successful run from 2018 to 2022.
5. Wizkid (From Lagos State)
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid by his millions of admirers worldwide, is without a doubt one of Nigeria’s biggest music sensations.
The numerous award-winning artist has not only established himself as one of the most awarded artists in the world, but he is also breaking new ground.
Wizzy’s debut seven-track record with the Glorious 5 sold over 10,000 copies.
After releasing his hit tune “Holla at Your Boy” in 2010, he shot to fame.
He is now the first African pop singer to perform/sell out London’s Royal Albert Hall. You could say it is well deserving that he made the list as one of the best musicians in Africa
Also, he is the only Nigerian artist to hold the number one slot on the iTunes World Chart for more than one week, thanks to his collaboration on “One Dance,” a single in which Drake featured him.
Wizkid has sparked new controversy in the music business by declaring that he has stopped listening to rap music because it has become stale.
So, how much is he really worth? Wizkid’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million, ranking him as one of the richest musicians in Nigeria, with over 16 million followers on social media.
6. 2 Baba (From Benue State)
2baba is a well-known Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has been in the business for more than two decades. When you talk about the best Nigerian musicians, he is easily top 10.
2Baba debuted in the music industry in 1994 as a member of the boy band Plantashun Boyz.
Blackface, Faze, and 2Face were members of a 1990s rap group.
Following their disbandment, the release of his chart-topping single, ‘African Queen,’ propelled him into the global spotlight, establishing him as a renowned public figure. Notably, the song garnered numerous accolades both domestically and internationally, further cementing his success.
His songs created waves and had a lot of airplay on music streaming services.
He has won several awards, including the World’s Best Entertainer of the Year at MTV Music Award and Channel O Music Award.
2 Baba currently has 7 studio albums and 51 awards from 70 nominations.
The African singer with the most music honors has a net worth of $18 million and over 7 million Instagram followers.
7. Tiwa Savage (From Lagos State)
Tiwatope Savage, better known as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian-born British composer and performer.
Savage performs in both English and Yoruba, and her music is a fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop.
Crazy to hear her best song? Well, I would suggest you listen to Somebody’s Son featuring Brandy. It is simply a masterpiece.
The most popular musician in Africa began her musical career as a backup singer for prominent musicians such as Mary J. Bling and George Michael after graduating from high school.
Her first studio album, Once Upon a Time, was released in 2013. Seven hit singles backed it up.
Savage became the first female artist to win Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Later, she confirmed her record agreement with Universal Music Group and her departure from Mavin Records in May 2019.
Tiwa Savage originally teased her followers in an interview that a sex tape would be revealed. This is a long-running debate surrounding the musician.
Tiwa has received 24 awards from 68 nominations for her five studio albums.
So, how much is she really worth? Tiwa Savage has a $7 million net worth.
8. Naira Marley (From Lagos State)
Naira Marley is the stage name of Nigerian singer-songwriter Azeez Fashola.
He was born on May 10, 1991, in Agege, Lagos State, and is referred to as the “Marlians President,” the leader of his contentious fandom.
Growing up, Naira wanted to be an MC, but he subsequently discovered a love for music and began singing in 2014.
He got his moniker after the legendary Jamaican musician Bob Marley, whom he really admires and imitates by wearing dreadlocks.
Before he became famous in 2017, he had a long career in music.Â
With the smash hit track Issa Goal, which included stars like Olamide, Falz, Simi, Slimcase, and Lil Kesh in the remix of the song, Naira Marley shot to fame in Nigerian music.
After releasing songs like “Am I a Yahoo Boy” and “Soapy,” which caught the notice of the EFCC and led to his imprisonment, his celebrity increased in 2019.
Since then, his name has been well-known throughout the music business, making him one of Nigeria’s most important musicians.
So, what is his current market value? The overall net worth of Naira Marley is $6 million.
9. D Banj (From Kaduna State)
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, better known as D’banj, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, rapper, businessman, and television personality.
D’banj, a blend of his personal name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo, became his stage name.
His passion for music prompted him to form a collaboration with Don Jazzy, a producer he met in London, with whom he would later return to Lagos and begin his recording career.
D’Banj, a Nigerian Afro star, debuted in 2005 with his debut album, No Long Thing, published on the Mo’Hits record label.
D’Banj began collaborating with American singers such as Snoop Dogg in 2010. In 2011, he secured a deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label.
In addition, he is most known globally for his summer song “Oliver Twist,” which topped the global charts in 2012.
He has received multiple music accolades for his successful songs, including Best African Act at the MTV Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Music Awards 2009, and many more.
There have recently been claims that the pop artist conspired with corrupt government officials, which led to his detention in Abuja.
So, what is his current market value? D’Banj has an estimated net worth of $11 million.
10. P Square (From Plateau State)
Peter and Paul Okoye are identical twin brothers who form the R&B group P-Square in Nigeria. The duo, at some point, was among the top 5 most influential artists in Nigeria.
Those years are, however, long gone, and I could only manage the 12th place on this list due to not focusing on building young talents. However, they are one of the most streamed artists in Nigeria.
They secured a record deal with Akon’s Konvict Muzik label in 2011.
Their adventure began when they joined their high school’s music and theatre club and began singing, dancing, and impersonating songs by MC Hammer, Bobby Brown, and Michael Jackson.
Recommended For You: Psquare vs Don Jazzy vs D’Banj vs 2face Net Worth
Danger, their best-selling album to date, was released late in 2009.
Collaborations on the album include 2 Face Idibia, J Martins, and Frenzy.
The ensemble has shared the stage with worldwide performers such as Ginuwine, Sean Paul, Akon, and Busola Kenshiro.
P Square is, without a doubt, the most successful African act, as seen by the huge popularity of their countless shows across the continent.
The pop duo has six studio albums, 12 million Instagram followers, and 17 awards to their credit, ranking them as one of the most awarded artists in Nigeria.
So, what is their current market value? Psquare has been valued at a total of $14 million.
Top 20 Most Influential Artists In Nigeria 2024
So far, so good; there are still a couple more to go. Nigeria has lots of amazingly talented and influential musicians.
Let’s dive into the remainder of the most influential artists in Nigeria, shall we?
11. Timaya (From Bayelsa State)
Enetimi is among the most influential artists in Nigeria and has been in the music scene for quite some time.
Timaya is the stage name of Nigerian singer and composer Enetimi Alfred Odom.
At a young age, he developed a liking for music and gained notoriety by placing highly in contests for pupils at his school.
After the release of his popular song “Dem Mama,” he experienced his first significant success. Due to his performance on this tune, he earned the Bayelsa moniker Egberi Papa 1 (the town crier of the people).
Early on, he collaborated with a range of underground artists and delivered backing vocals for Eedris Abdulkarim.
He has managed to make his music flourish throughout the course of a career spanning more than ten years in a field recognized for being very competitive.
In addition to being a successful artist, he has also received various honors, such as Album of the Year in 2008, Best Dance-hall/Reggae Album in 2009, Best Collaboration in 2009, and Best Collaboration in 2010.
Aside from music, he has dabbled in other areas of life, such as being an entrepreneur and a promoter of his hometown.
The plantain seller has 7 studio albums in all, 2 million Instagram followers, and 13 trophies to his name.
So, what is his market value? Timaya is worth $14 million on the whole.
12. Wande Coal (From Lagos State)
One of the most influential Nigerian musicians is Wande Coal, who is well known for his several hit songs, including Iskaba, You Bad, and Bumper to Bumper.
Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe was born to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Omolara Oluwayemisi Ojosipe on Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria.
He began singing in the church’s teen choir, as do most great artists.
He started off as a dancer in the Nigerian entertainment business, kept honing his voice technique, and was eventually signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo’ Hits recordings in 2006.
It has been said that his first hit from the CV album, “Ololufe,” is the best love ballad ever recorded by a Nigerian back in the day.
In addition to being a superb vocalist, he is also a brilliant performer, as seen by his numerous appearances, which include music festivals in 2006 alongside Jay-Z, Beyonce, and others.
He has won several honors, including the 2008 Next Rated Hip Hop World Awards and the 2008 Naija’s Fastest Rising Superstar UNIPORT Awards.
There have recently been claims that Wande Coal abducted his son from his baby mama. There has been much discussion about the musician in the past.
Wande Coal has 1.6 million Instagram followers and a net worth of $6 million.
Keep an eye out if you don’t want to miss Wande Coal’s meteoric journey to stardom as the future of African RnB.
13. 9ice (From Oyo State)
Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande, also known as 9ice, is a Nigerian singer and politician born on January 17, 1980.
He is from a polygamous family in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, with five women and nine children.
9ice has always wanted to be a musician, which caused him to leave Lagos State University while studying law.
He became engaged in music when he was 14 years old. His parents learned how talented he was in music and decided to let him pursue his aspirations.
In 1996, 9ice recorded his first demo, Risi de Alagbaja, but it wasn’t until 2000 that he released his first official solo single, Little Money.
Popular songs such as Gongo Aso garnered popularity and acceptance throughout the country.
In 2008, one of 9ice’s greatest achievements was performing at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute Concert in London.
He went on to win Best Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards.
9ice declared his intention to seek political office as a House of Representatives member in the 2015 elections sometime in 2014.
9ice has a net worth of $3 million and 500k followers on his Instagram profile.
14. Runtown (From Enugu State)
Runtown is the stage name of singer, songwriter, and producer Douglas Jack Agu.
The musician was born in Enugu on August 19, 1989, but spent some time growing up in Abuja and Lagos, where he completed his elementary school.
He collaborated with Timaya, J Martins, and a few others before becoming famous.
In 2010, Runtown became more well-known as a result of the success of the song “Forever.”
Prior to being one of the label’s partners, he was one of the first musicians signed to the Penthauze record label in 2011.
He released Activity Pikin, his first successful single, on the label.
After collaborating with Davido on the smash track “Gallardo,” Runtown gained notoriety in Nigeria and across the world, making him one of the most influential artists in Nigeria.
Runtown is pursuing a passion for fashion in addition to music because he is a student at a New York fashion institute.
Additionally, he inked a number of multi-million dollar contracts with well-known businesses and brands around the nation.
The current estimated net value of Runtown is 700 million Naira. He has a lot of lucrative endorsement contracts, including one with the well-known company Adidas.
15. Yemi Alade (From Abia State)
Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989) is a Nigerian Afro-pop singer better known as Yemi Alade.
She rose to the limelight after winning the Peak Talent Hunt Show in 2009. No doubt, she is one of the most influential artists in Nigeria today. But even that is playing down how influential she has been across Africa.
In 2012, she was signed to Effyzzie Music Group and released her first single, Ghen Ghen Love.
Following that, she launched her blockbuster King of Queens Album, which had 17 songs.
Today, she is most known for her hit tune “Johnny,” which was highly welcomed and swept the Nigerian music scene.
She is also the first female performer to surpass one million YouTube subscribers.
She received the ELOY Award in 2013 and the Best Female award at the MTV African Music Awards in 2015.
In addition to music, she enjoys accessories. She is the owner of the Yemi Alade Collections jewelry brand.
Yemi Alade is known for her noteworthy generosity, which includes donating the profits from her album Mama Africa to the Feed a Child Charity Initiative.
She is one of the wealthiest female musicians, with a net worth of $5 million and a total of 17 million Instagram followers.
16. Phyno (From Anambra State)
Phyno is the stage name of Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
His high school friend gave him the moniker “Phyno,” which is taken from the term “phenomenal.”
Phyno grew up wanting to pursue public administration while having a passion for flying. While still in his second year of school, he began using his musical gift.
In 2003, he began working as a producer in the music industry. No Guts No Glory, his first studio album, was later made available in 2014.
Phyno, through his several hit releases, became one of the most reputable and influential rappers in Nigeria.
He has collaborated with musicians including Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, Mr. Raw, and J. Martins as a producer.
He collaborated with Olamide to create the album’s first track, “Ghost Mode,” later in 2012.
After winning Best Collabo at the 2012 Headies Awards, the song immediately gained popularity.
The biggest dispute was from American singer Pia Mata stealing the song “I Am A Fan” from Phyno, who had previously published it.
So, how much is he worth right now? Phyno is worth $12 million in total.
17. Flavour (From Anambra State)
Chinedu Okoli, a.k.a. Flavour Nabania, is a Nigerian singer who combines sexuality, music, and luxury.
His career began when he was a little child who enjoyed playing the drums and joined the choir at his local church.
His renowned song “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)” has made him well-known throughout Africa and the rest of the globe.
He released his debut record, N’abania, in 2005. After the successful release of his second studio album, Uplifted, in 2010, Flavour became one of the most in-demand musicians in Africa.
Flavour has excellent musical taste in addition to having a strong fashion sense.
As seen by his big successes and sold-out crowds, many people believe he is the current King of Highlife music.
Flavour has been successful in obtaining endorsement deals from several companies over the years, including Nigerian breweries life beer and bullet energy drink.
He is one of the wealthiest musicians in Nigeria, according to his net worth of $7 billion.
Overall, Flavour is an accomplished and gifted musician who has unquestionably become one of Nigeria’s top performers.
18. Patoranking (From Ebonyi State)
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie performs as Patoranking, a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and composer. He made the most influential artists in Nigeria list because of how influential his songs have been for the Gen-Zs.
Although he was nurtured at Ijegun-Egba Satellite Town in Ebute Meta, Lagos State, where he was born on May 27, 1990, his family really hails from Onicha, Ebonyi State.
Beginning his musical career, Patoranking collaborated informally with artists, including the X-project, Konga, Slam, and Reggie Rockstone.
He signed a record deal with K-Igberaga Solo’s Records in 2010, and he released “Up in D Club” under that label.
Patoranking signed with Foston Musik in 2014 and dropped the single and music video for “Girlie O” following a string of obscure tracks.
A successful remix featuring Tiwa Savage’s vocals followed the song’s modest success a few months later.
Over the course of the following two years, he proceeded to release songs, including “Love You Die” (co-written with Diamond Platnumz) and “Particula” by Major Lazer.
Patoranking joined as a judge for the newly established televised singing competition The Voice Nigeria at the beginning of 2016.
The image of renowned Nigerian musician Patoranking and infamous Bayelsa-born kidnapper John Lyon has become more popular online.
What does he now sell for on the market? Patoranking has a total net worth of $5 million.
19. Kizz Daniel (From Abeokuta State)
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, who goes by the stage name Kizz Daniel, is a singer and songwriter from Nigeria.
Kizz Daniel was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria on May 1, 1994.
After finishing his education, Kizz Daniel was lucky to meet Emperor Geezy, the CEO of G-Worldwide Entertainment, who took him under his wing and signed him to the company.
He then released his debut studio album, New Era, in May 2016.
The musician later left the label to launch his own, FlyBoy Entertainment.
He then released his second studio album, No Bad Songz, which increased his fan base.Â
A creative talent, Kizz Daniel has collaborated with artists like Davido, Tekno, and Tiwa Savage.
Kizz Daniel’s commitment to music allowed him to break into the mainstream easily. The lyricist found influence in artists like Wande Coal, Danfo Drivers, and 2Baba.
At the 2016 The Headies Awards, Kizz Daniels was nominated for four awards; he took home three of them.
So what is his current market worth? In all, Kizz Daniel is worth $3 million.
20. Adekunle Gold (From Lagos State)
Fans of high-caliber music are aware that AG Baby has consistently excelled in his field.
On January 28, 1987, Omoba Adekunle Kosoko was born in Lagos State to a royal family.
His passion for music inspired him to join the church choir, where he performed for 11 years.
He obtained a freelance position and was hired as the official graphics designer for YBNL Nation before beginning his music career.
He began his musical career in 2010, then in 2015, he joined YBNL formally and dropped his debut studio album, “Gold.”
His album Gold remained at No. 7 on the Billboard Global Album Chart for more than a week.
Adekunle Gold, not too long ago, launched the track “Orente,” which also became popular and brought him the exposure he required for the success of his musical career.
Later, he didn’t extend his deal with YBNL and ended it. Instead, he established his own record company, The 79th Element—the atomic number of gold in chemistry—under the name of his preferred band.
Due to the success of the song “Money,” he was named the Alternative Artist of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
What is the value of his market right now? AG Baby is worth $3 million in total.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this part, I’ll address some of your burning questions.
With that said, let’s answer more questions on the top 20 most influential artists in Nigeria in 2023 topic.
Who is the Most Influential Artist in Nigeria?
So who is the most influential artist in Nigeria? Don Jazzy is, without a doubt, the most influential musician in Nigeria. With such songs, partnerships, and accolades, it is reasonable to state that there is no debate over who the most influential artist is.
Who is the Most Influential Female Artist in Nigeria?
So who is the most influential female artist in Nigeria? The most influential female artist is Tiwa Savage. Her distinctive musical taste has earned her several accolades in the music business, including Best Female Act and African Artist of the Year in 2018 as well as international acclaim.
Who is the Most Influential Male Artist in Nigeria?
By all measures, Don Jazzy is currently the most well-known artist in Nigeria. He is one of Nigeria’s most honored artists. His accomplishments are tremendous. Nearly all of the tracks he has recently released have become successes right away.
Conclusion
The Nigerian music business has been utilized to promote the country throughout Africa and beyond the world.
Nigerian artists have collaborated and performed with musicians from all around the world.
I hope you discover your favorite popular Nigerian singer on our list of the top 20 most influential artists in Nigeria.
So that’s it for now.
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