Nigerian
Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...
musicians.
Only
notable
Notability is the property
of being worthy of notice, having fame, or being considered to be of a high degree of interest, significance, or distinction. It also refers to the capacity to be such. Persons who are notable due to public responsibi ...
individuals are included here; for groups, see List of Nigerian musical groups. Names are to be arranged by the first letter of Wikipedia reference.
0–9
* 2face Idibia - hip hop and R&B singer
* 9ice - hip hop and afropop singer
A
*
A-Q
Gilbert Bani (born August 1, 1986), popularly known by his stage name A-Q, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. His single "Agu Ji Ndi Men" was nominated for Best Rap Single at The Headies 2016.
Early life
Born into a family of six as the las ...
- hip hop artist
*
Abiodun Koya
Abiodun (Abi) Orinayo Koya (born 22 December 1980) is a Nigerian-born classical and operatic singer based in the United States.
Biography
Born to a musical family in Ijebu-Ode, in Nigeria's Ogun State, the last of five children, Koya's fathe ...
(born 1980), gospel singer, opera singer
* Ada Ehi - Gospel Artiste and songwriter
* Adé Bantu - Nigerian-German musician, producer, front man of the 13 piece band
BANTU
Bantu may refer to:
*Bantu languages, constitute the largest sub-branch of the Niger–Congo languages
*Bantu peoples, over 400 peoples of Africa speaking a Bantu language
*Bantu knots, a type of African hairstyle
*Black Association for Nationali ...
Adewale Ayuba
Adewale Ayuba (born 6 May 1966, commonly known as Mr. Johnson), is a Nigerian singer known for singing Fuji music.
Biography
Early life and education
Adewale Ayuba, popularly known as Ayuba, Mr. Johnson, and the Bonsue-fuji maestro, was ...
Afrikan Boy
Olushola Ajose, better known by his stage name Afrikan Boy (born 28 March 1989) is a Nigerian-born Grime (music), grime artist from the Woolwich district of London. He went viral with a track entitled "One day I went to Lidl" recorded at That SP ...
- rapper
*
Afro Candy
Judith Chichi Okpara (born 12 July 1971), better known as Afro Candy (also spelled Afrocandy), is a Cinema of Nigeria, Nigerian film actress, director, producer, singer-songwriter, model, and Pornographic film actor, pornographic actress. She i ...
- pop singer
*
Alamu Atatalo
Alamu Atatalo was a pioneer of sekere, a type of traditional Yoruba music. A native of Ibadan, he was popular in Yorubaland throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. By the middle of the 1960s, however, his popularity began to wane when he was incri ...
- sekere singer, a type of traditional Yoruba music
* Ali Nuhu - Hausa singer and songwriter,
Kannywood
Hausa-language cinema, known informally as Kannywood, is the Hausa-language film industry of Northern Nigeria. It is based in Kano.
Kannywood
Kannywood is the sobriquet for Hausa-language cinema. It is a part of the larger Nigerian cinema, ...
*
Ali Jita
Ali Isah Jita (born 15 July 1983), simply known as Ali Jita. He is a Nigerian Hausa musician, singer and song writer.
Early life
Ali Jita was born into the family of Alhaji Sallau Jibrin Kibiya who is a butcher and his mother Hajiya Ummul-Kha ...
- Hausa singer and song writer
* Amarachi - singer, dancer, violinist
*
Andre Blaze
Andre Blaze Henshaw (born 14 August 1983) is a Nigerian radio personality, rapper, television host and executive producer. He first gained notice as a member of the hip hop group Tuck Tyght Allstars. His radio career began at Rhythm 93.7 FM Port ...
Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (born 2 July 1991), known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album, ''L.I. ...
Celestine Ukwu
Celestine Ukwu (1940 – 7 May 1977) was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician during the 1960s and 1970s, best known for his hit songs "Ije Enu", "Igede" and "Money Palava". Described as a "prolific and outstanding composer" by music critic Benson ...
- highlife musician
* Chidinma - pop singer
* Chike - singer, songwriter and actor
*
Chinko Ekun
Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel (born 13 September 1993), known professionally as Chinko Ekun, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. He is a graduate of Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University.
Early life
Chinko Ekun was born in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nig ...
Dauda Epo-Akara
Dauda Akanmu Epo-Akara (23 June 1943 – August 2005), a Yoruba musician from the historical city of Ibadan, was the main force behind the popular Yoruba
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts ...
- Yoruba musician
*
Davido
David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), popularly known by his stage name Davido, is an American-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. His music blends traditional African elements with global mainstream pop. Davido is widel ...
- pop singer
*
Dekumzy
Derek Osonwa, professionally known as Dekumzy, is a Nigerian record producer, musician, composer, pianist, and songwriter. His first major production was the album of the Duo "Resonance" titled "Chinweike" in 2006. Since then he has gone forth t ...
- R&B and highlife singer
* Dele Ojo - juju music singer and performer
*
Dice Ailes
Shasha Damilola Alesh better known by his stage name Dice Ailes, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. In July 2014, he signed a record deal with Chocolate City. He was nominated for Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2016. In 2016, Too ...
DJ AB
Haruna Abdullahi (born 30 December 1993), known professionally as DJ AB, is a Nigerian rapper, music producer, songwriter and performing artist.
Early life
DJ AB was born in Kaduna State, Nigeria where he obtained his JSCE and SSCE from Feder ...
- rapper, songwriter and record producer
* DJ Lambo - singer
*
Don Jazzy
Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'ba ...
- recording artist and record producer
* D'Prince - Afro-pop singer
* Dr Sir Warrior - Igbo highlife musician and performer
* Dr. Alban - Nigerian-Swedish recording artist and producer
* Dr SID - pop singer
* Duncan Mighty - reggae singer
Echezonachukwu Nduka
Echezonachukwu Chinedu Nduka (born 19 July 1989) is a Nigerian poet, author, pianist, recording artist, and musicologist specializing in piano music by West African composers. His work has been featured on BBC, Radio Nacional Clasica de Argent ...
Emeka Nwokedi
Emeka Nwokedi is a Nigerian conductor and music director. Since 1995, he has been the conductor and music director of Muson Centre. In February 1988, he co-founded Lagos City Chorale.
Early life and education
Nwokedi is from Ichida, Anaocha, ...
– conductor and music director
* Emma Nyra – R&B singer
*
Emmy Gee
Emmanuel Nwankwo, known by his stage name Emmy Gee, is a Nigerian rapper based in South Africa. His debut single "Rands and Nairas" peaked at number 7 on South Africa's official music chart. He started recording music at age 16 and worked with pr ...
Evi Edna Ogholi
Evi Edna Ogholi (born 6 July 1966). is a Nigerian female reggae musician popular for her song "Happy Birthday".Falz - rapper, songwriter
* Faze - R&B singer
*
Fela Kuti
Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the pi ...
- afrobeat, jazz singer-songwriter and instrumentalist
* Fela Sowande
*
Femi Kuti
Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti (born 16 June 1962), popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, Women's ri ...
- afrobeat, jazz singer-songwriter and instrumentalist
*
Fireboy DML
Adedamola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996), known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer. He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide. His debut studio album '' Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps'' w ...
I.K. Dairo
Isaiah Kehinde Dairo MBE (1930 – 7 February 1996) was a Nigerian Jùjú musician.
Early life
I.K. Dairo was born in the town of Offa, located in present-day Kwara State; his family was originally from Ijebu-Jesa before migrating to Offa. ...
Idahams
Hart Idawarifagha Ishmael (born May 19), known professionally as Idahams, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He secured a record deal with Grafton Entertainment in 2016 and joined the Universal Music Nigeria roaster in 2019. Id ...
- Singer and song writer
* Iyanya - pop singer
* Ikechukwu - Singer, rapper and actor
Jasën Blu
Jasën Blu is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer and score composer. His debut project, the ''Road 2 Soulwave'' EP was released in October 2020 after several unofficial releases as well as commercial singles which include "Already" ...
- R&B singer-songwriter and record producer
* Joeboy - singer
*
Joe El
Joel Amadi, known as Joe El, (born 23 March) is a Nigerian afrobeats, afrobeat singer, songwriter, and performer, signed with Kennis Music. In 2006, he participated in the Star Quest singing competition in Jos and later on in the annual Kennis M ...
King Wadada
King Wadada, also known as Austin Peter, (born on 6 August 1975) is a Nigerian reggae musician, singer, and songwriter. He won the Kora Awards in 2010 as Africa's best reggae artist of the year. He is best known for his song "Holy Holy."
Ea ...
Lara George
Lara George is a US-based Nigerian-American gospel recording artiste, songwriter and producer.
Early life and education
Lara George was born on 23 June 1978 into the family of Oluwole Bajomo in Lagos State, the administrative division of Nigeri ...
*
Laycon
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba (born 8 November 1993), known professionally as Laycon, is a Nigerian media personality, rapper, singer and songwriter. He is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 5 and currently the youth ambassa ...
*
Lil Kesh
Keshinro Ololade (born 17 March 1995), known professionally as Lil Kesh, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. He rose to limelight after releasing the hit single "Shoki".
Early life and education
Ololade was born and raised in Bariga, an area in ...
Mayorkun
Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel (born 23 March 1994), known professionally as Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist. He released a cover of Davido's "The Money" single and was discovered by the singer on Twitter. Mayorkun was signed to ...
Singer-songwriter
*
Maud Meyer Maud Meyer was a Sierra Leonean Nigerian jazz singer who rose to prominence during the 1950s. She was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in Nigeria. From an early age, Meyer was exposed to music and had learnt from her mother who had a band. Musi ...
- jazz singer
*
Mercy Chinwo
Mercy Nnenda Chinwo is a Nigerian gospel musician, singer, actress, comedian and songwriter. She started singing at age 8 in her church children's choir, she won the '' Nigerian Idol'' Season 2 in 2012.
Life and career
Mercy Nnenda Chinwo w ...
- Gospel Artiste
*
Mike Ejeagha Mike Ejeagha (born August, 1932) is a Nigerian folklorist, songwriter, and musician from Enugu State, Nigeria. Ejeagha started his career in music in the mid-20th century. Also known as Gentlemen, Ejeagha has been influential in the evolution of mus ...
- Highlife musician
*
Miraboi
Miracle Kelechi Chike (born March 24, 1998) popularly known as Miraboi is a Nigerian businessman and talent manger. His parents are from Abia State, Bende local government area in Nigeria but he was born and brought up in Lagos State, Ojo ...
Nneka
Nneka is an Igbo It can also be a shortened version of the Igbo name Nnemkadi. The following people have the name:
* Nneka (singer) or Nneka Egbuna, Nigerian-German singer and songwriter
* Nneka Egbujiobi, Nigerian-American lawyer
* Nneka Abulokw ...
- hip hop and soul singer
*
Nonso Amadi
Nonso Amadi (born September 1, 1995) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer. He is a self-taught songwriter and music producer who embarked on his music career in 2012, while at Covenant University, where he studied chemical enginee ...
* Nonso Bassey - Musician, actor and model
* Nosa - gospel artist
Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu (born 31 January 1952) is a Nigerian singer/songwriter, actress, human right activist, social activist, journalist, politician, and former '' X Factor'' series judge. Dubbed the "Elegant Stallion" by the Nigerian press, she is a f ...
Osita Osadebe
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (March 17, 1936 – May 11, 2007), often referred to as just Osita Osadebe, was a Nigerian highlife musician from Atani. During his career spanning over four decades, he became one of the best known musicians of Ig ...
Muraina Oyelami
Chief Muraina Oyelami (born 21 February 1940) is a Nigerian painter and drummer of Yoruba descent. He was among the first generation of artists to come out of the Osogbo School of Art in the 1960s. He was a drummer and actor with the theatre com ...
- dùndún and Batá drummer
P
*
Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor, (born 14 September 1958) is a Nigerian veteran musician, fashion designer, gospel singer, and actress. She won the Best Supporting Actress 2012 & 2013 award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. She is known for taking the ...
Paul Play Dairo
Paul "Play" Dairo is a Nigerian musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his songs "Angel Of My Life," "Forever," and "You and Me." In 1999, under the music label Kennis Music, he produced a remix of the song "Mo So Rire." Dairo has ...
- R&B Singer
*
Pepenazi
Opeyemi Gbenga Kayode (born 16 April 1988), known by his stage name Pepenazi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
Early life and education
Pepenazi was born in Lagos and grew up listening to Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Adé, The Beattles, I. K. ...
- rapper, hip hop artist and record producer
* Pericoma Okoye
* Peruzzi
* Peter King
* Phyno - rapper and record producer
* Pheels - Singer and record producer
* Praiz - R&B singer and songwriter
*
Prettyboy D-O
Donald Ofik, popularly known as Prettyboy D-O, is a Nigerian recording artist with chaotic blend of afrobeats, hip hop, alté, dancehall, and R&B. His debut mixtape ''Everything Pretty'' reached the number one spot on iTunes. He was nominated ...
Rema
Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest contine ...
Safin De Coque
Safin De Coque is the Son of the Nigerian Highlife Legend Late Chief Oliver De Coque. He was mentored and blessed by his father to be a great singer.
Safin De Coque was discovered and signed up in a record deal in 2011 by Kaycee Records, a U ...
Salawa Abeni
Salawa Abeni Alidu (born 5 May 1961) is a Nigerian singer. An Ijebu Yoruba from Ijebu Waterside, in Ogun State, she began her professional career in waka music when she released her debut album titled, ''Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed'', ...
- Waka singer
* Samsong - gospel singer
* Sarz - Producer and musician
* Sasha P - rapper and singer
*
Sean Tizzle
Morihanfen Oluwaseun Oluwabamidele (born 15 December 1989), known by his stage name as Sean Tizzle, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formally signed to Sound Sultan's Naija Ninjas.
Early life and Career
Sean Tizzle was born into a C ...
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Afropop
African popular music (also styled Afropop, Afro-pop or Afro pop), like African traditional music, is vast and varied. Most contemporary genres of African popular music build on cross-pollination with western popular music. Many genres of po ...
*
Seun Kuti
Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti (born 11 January 1983), who is called by the name Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of the famous Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80.
Biography
The y ...
- afrobeat, Jazz singer-songwriter and instrumentalist
* Seyi Shay - pop singer and songwriter
*
Slimcase (singer)
Oluwafemi Oladapo (born in August 22, 1982) better known as Slimcase, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and hype man, and actor, He is known for featuring on fellow Nigerian artist D'banj's single,'Issa Banger' and 'Gucci Snake', by Wizkid with a ...
Sunny Ade
Sunny is a daytime weather condition. It may refer to:
People
* Sunny (name), including a list of people and characters with the name
* Sunny (singer), member of Girls' Generation
* Sunny, of Sue and Sunny, who also recorded as a solo artist
...
- jùjú singer
T
*
Tamara Jones
Tamara Eteimo (born July 24, 1987) also known by her stage name Tamara Jones, is a Nigerian R&B singer-songwriter and Actor. Since her Nollywood film debut in 2011, right after she won the seventh edition of the ''Next Movie Star'' reality sh ...
- R&B singer-songwriter
* Tekno Miles - Afropop singer-songwriter and producer
* Tems - singer
*
Teni Teni may refer to:
* Teni (singer) (born 1992), Nigerian singer
* Thiazole tautomerase, enzyme
* Theni
Theni is a valley town situated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu at the foothills of Western Ghats. It is the headquarters of the Theni di ...
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage (born 5 February 1980) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performing artist. Born in Isale Eko, she relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing backup voc ...
Tony Tetuila
Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye, better known as Tony Tetuila, also regard as the golden father of Afrobeats artist from Nigeria.
His name, Olanrewaju, means "My wealth is increasing". He was a member of the now-defunct hip-hop group of The Remedie ...
*
Tonye Garrick
Tonye Garrick (born 27 August 1983), simply known as Tonye is a British-born Nigerian singer and songwriter. Her accapella song titled "''What About Us''?" was used at the Nigerian Youth Presidential debate in 2011. Born in England, Tonye was rai ...
Tunde Nightingale Earnest Olatunde Thomas (10 December 1922 – 1981), known as Tunde Nightingale or The Western Nightingale, was a Nigerian singer and guitarist, best known for his unique jùjú music style, following in the tradition of Tunde King.
Born in ...
William Onyeabor
William Ezechukwu Onyeabor (, ; 26 March 1946 – 16 January 2017) was a Nigerian funk musician and businessman. His music was widely heard in Nigeria in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite his success, he remained an enigmatic, private and ...
Yinka Ayefele
Olayinka Joel Ayefele MON is a Nigerian music producer, gospel singer, radio presenter, and founder of Fresh and Blast FM network of radio stations across south-western Nigeria.
Early life
Ayefele was born in Ipoti-Ekiti, a city in Ekiti Sta ...
-gospel singer
*
Yinka Davies
Yinka Davies (born July 16, 1970) is a Nigerian vocalist, dancer, lyricist and judge of reality show, '' Nigerian Idol.'' Yinka has been in the Nigerian entertainment industry for 28 years.
Pitch
''Slogan – Time has come to speak up for ourse ...
Zayn Africa
Abdulmajid Aliyu (born 1 June 1994) known professionally as Zayn Africa, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer.
Early life
Zayn Africa was born in Kaduna State, Nigeria where he obtained his JSCE and SSCE from Command Secondary ...
- R&B and pop singer-songwriter
* Zoro African Rapper
Nigerian
Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...