List of Nigerian Musicians: Past and Present

Nigerians are talented. This is actually an understatement. They have featured in so many local and international shows and they have made names for themselves, in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.   Talk of the movie industry and you will find so many talented Nigerians that have made names for themselves in this industry.

They are known both locally and internationally. Talk of the African level too and you will find so many Nigerian actors and actresses making waves across Africa.  What about the world scene, Nigerian actors and actresses are already getting more popular than ever before.

Aside from acting, Nigerians are also among the best when it comes to the music industry. There are so many Nigerian musicians in various genre of music, like Gospel, Highlife, Jazz, Reggae, Rock, hip-hop, Rap, Pop, Rnd, Juju, Fuji and so on. Mention the genre and you will find at least one Nigerian doing great in that particular genre.

Truth of the matter is that talents possessed by Nigerians can even be exported to other parts of the world and the music industry is strong enough in this country to be able to serve as source of foreign exchange to the Nigerian economy. This is however determined by how focused or sensitive the Nigerian government is in detecting potential areas where the gifts and talents that abound in the country can be harnessed to take the country to the next level in the international community as far as music is concerned.

So many folk music can be found in the Nigerian music industry. The music genres to are very popular. Nigerian musicians are among the very first to take African music beyond the coast of Africa and win accolades for the continent in the international community. A very good example of musicians that has given Nigeria and Africa a place of honour in the music world is King Sunny Ade.  He is one of the most prominent musicians in Nigeria. During the period he was reigning, he took the world by storm and he was also recognized by Queen of England.

Lots of ethnicity has been introduced into the music industry in Nigeria. Nigerian musicians are also using the opportunity of their popularity to showcase the culture of Africa. For example, there are many of them that compose their lyrics using the local language. Despite the use of such local languages, these songs still receive Africa-wide popularity and they are also recognized beyond the coast of Africa.

In times past, especially in the latter part of the 20th century, the only music that was reigning then were foreign music from Britain and America. Nigerian musicians could not really break the jinx  and establish themselves until several years later towards the middle part of the first decades of the 21st century.

Not as if local music was not receiving much patronage, but only certain music genre were given recognition then. Some of these earlier winners were Gospel music, Juju music, Fuji Music and other local forms of music. Nigerian musicians, who were involved in other genres like hip-hop, RnB and the likes were not making much wave despite their efforts in those early days.

However, things have changed these days. It is not common to hear foreign music anymore in Nigeria anymore; the local artistes have taken over today and they are not showing any sign of giving up at all. They seem to be improving by the day too and their fan base is increasing like nothing else.

One of the things that make their music exceptionally interesting and pleasant to the ear is the great beat that they add to their music. Yes, the beats are great. It has even reached a state in which people rarely listen to the lyrics anymore; they now listen to beats mainly and all a musician need to do is to add great beat and he is sure of selling lots of copies of that album.

Many actors and actresses have also ventured into music and they too have released some winsome tracks that have set the street on fire while they were reigning. In this write up, a list of all Nigerian musicians, be it old or new, will be highlighted to get you informed about these individuals that have proved indefatigable in the Nigerian music industry.

Nigerian musicians

Ada
Alabai
Amaray
Asa
Ayinla Omowura
Ay.com

Baba Fryo
Banky W
Black Magic
Bobby Benson
Boogey
Bongus Ikwue
Bouqui
Bracket
Brymo
Bright Chimezie
Buchi
Burna Boy

Capital FEMI
Celestine Ukwu
Chamillionaire
Chiddy Bang
Chidimma
Chinyere Udoma
Chris Mba
Choco Girl
Cidyrella
Cyrus Da Virus

Dagrin

Danny Young
Dammy Krane
Darey Art
Darey Un Darey.ted
Dayo Bello
Davido
D’banj
DJ Zeez
Dizzy
Don Jazzy
D’Prince
Dr Sid
Dr. Victor Olaiya
Duncan Mighty
Durella

Ebenezer Obey
Edu Ghana
Eedris Abdulkareem
ELDee
Emma Nyra
Emeka Morocco Maduka
Erigga New Money
Evangelist Bola Are
Eric Obuh
Esther Igbekele
Eva
Evi-Edna Ogoli

Faze
Fela Kuti
Femi Kuti
Fatai Rolling Dollar

Frank Edward
Funmi Williams
Flavour N’abani

Goldie
Gozie Okeke
GM Compere
GT da guitarman

H-man
Harrysong
Henrisoul

Ibiso
Ice Prince
Iceberg Slim
I.K Dairo
Ikenga Superstars
ill Bliss
i-Mike
Isaac Black
Iyanya

Jaywon
Jesse Jags
JJC
J Martins
Jennifer

Kcee
Kefee
Kelly Handsome

Kiss Daniel

Kollington Ayinla
Kris Okotie
Kunle Ajayi
Kwam 1

Lagbaja
Lami
Lanre Teriba
Lara George

Lil Kesh

Majek Fashek
May D
MC Loph
MGabriel
M.I
Mike Okri
Mo’ Cheddah
Mode 9
Mr. Raw Nwanne
Mystro

Naeto C
Nelly Uchendu
Nice ( 9ice)
Nosa

Okukuseke
Olamide
Oliver De Coque

Olu Maintain
Omawunmi
Onyeka Onwenu
Orezi
Orlando
Owoh
Osita Osadebe
Osayomore Joseph

Panam Percy Paul
Patoranking
Paul Nwokocha
Pea****  Band
Pelli
Phyno
Pryse
Psquare

Ras kimono
Rex Lawson
Rugged Man

Sammie Okposo
Sauce Kid
Sasha
Seagulls of Portharcourt
Segun Obe
Seyi Shay
Sheyman
Sikiru Ayinde Barrister

Sinach
Sir victor Uwaifo
Skales
Slow Dog
Sola Rotimi
Solomon Lange
Soje Isreal
Solidstar
Sonny Badu
Sonny Okosun
Sound Sultan
Splash
Starboy
Stormrex
Str8Buttah
StylPlus
Sunny Ade

Timaya
Terry G
Terry Tha Rapman
Tiwa Savage
Tillaman
T J Bala
Tony Okoroji
Tope Alabi
Tuface (2face)

Uche Ogbuagu

Various mix
Vector Tha Viper
Victor Uwaifo

Wale
Waje
Wizboy
Wande Coal
Wizkid

Xproject

You May Also Like

KT Tunstall’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What Is KT Tunstall’s Net Worth?KT Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist who has a net worth of $6 million. KT Tunstall is probably best known for the singles “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Suddenly I See,” and “Other Side of the World.” Tunstall has released the studio albums “Eye to the Telescope” (2004), “Drastic Fantastic” (2007), “Tiger Suit” (2010), “Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon” (2013), “Kin” (2016), “Wax” (2018), and “Nut” (2022), and her debut reached #1 in Scotland and was certified 5× Platinum in Ireland and the U.K. KT broke into the public eye when she performed her song “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on “Later… with Jools Holland” in 2004, and she has enjoyed commercial and critical success since, earning several awards and a Grammy nomination. Tunstall has written music for the soundtracks of films such as “Bad Moms,” “The Kid,” “Winter’s Tale,” “Million Dollar Arm,” “Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast,” and “About Ray.”Early LifeKT Tunstall was born Kate Victoria Tunstall on June 23, 1975, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Tunstall’s half-Scottish, half-Chinese mother, Carole Anne, put KT up for adoption shortly after her birth. Tunstall has never met her biological father, John, who was Irish, but she met her two half-sisters from his second marriage after learning that John had passed away in 2002. KT was adopted by Rosemarie and David Tunstall when she was 18 days old, and she grew up with older brother Joe (who was also adopted) and younger brother Dan in St Andrews, Fife. Rosemarie taught at a primary school, and David worked at the University of St Andrews as a physics lecturer. KT asked her parents for a piano when she was just 4 years old, and she attended Lawhead Primary, Madras College, and the High School of Dundee. She spent her senior year of high school at the Connecticut boarding school the Kent School, and she busked in Vermont. After graduating from high school, Tunstall earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama & Music from Royal Holloway, University of London in 1996. In 2011, the school presented her with an honorary doctorate in science for her dedication to environmental issues.SuccessWhen KT was in her twenties, she played in indie bands such as Tomoko and Elia Drew. After signing with the British record label Relentless Records, Tunstall released her debut studio album, “Eye to the Telescope,” on December 13, 2004. The album was re-released after KT’s performance on “Later… with Jools Holland,” and it reached the top 10 in France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and the U.K. as well as the U.S. “Billboard” Top Rock Albums chart. “Eye to the Telescope” was certified Platinum or higher in five countries and featured the singles “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Other Side of the World,” “Suddenly I See,” “Under the Weather,” and “Another Place to Fall.” “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” was certified Platinum in Canada and Silver in the U.K. and earned a Grammy nomination, and “Suddenly I See” went Platinum in Canada and Gold in the U.K. and Australia and won an Ivor Novello Award. KT got her North American break when Katharine McPhee performed “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on “American Idol,” causing the single to jump from #79 to #23 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart.Tunstall released her second studio album, “Drastic Fantastic,” in 2007, and it reached #1 on the “Billboard” Alternative Albums and Rock Albums charts as well as the Scottish Albums Chart. The album was certified Gold in the U.K. and Ireland, and her third studio album, 2010’s “Tiger Suit” was certified Silver in the U.K. KT’s next four albums, “Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon” (2013), “Kin” (2016), “Wax” (2018), and “Nut” (2022), all reached the top 10 on the Scottish Albums Chart. Tunstall has also released the EPs “False Alarm” (2004), “Live in LA – EP” (2006), “Have Yourself a Very KT Christmas” (2007), “The Scarlet Tulip EP” (2011), “Golden State EP” (2016), and “Extra Wax” (2019) and several live albums, including “Live from SoHo” (2008) and “Live Islington Assembly Hall” (2013). In 2016, she contributed the tracks “Bad Moms (Suite),” “Enough Is Enough (Suite),” and “Get Your Tits Up (Suite)” to the soundtrack of the hit comedy “Bad Moms.”Personal LifeIn 2003, KT began a relationship with Luke Bullen, who played drums in her band, and they became engaged on Christmas in 2007. Tunstall and Bullen married on September 6, 2008, and they divorced in May 2013 after a year of separation. KT wed Alexander Preston on February 5, 2015, and she filed for divorce in August 2022. In 2008, Tunstall took part in the Disko Bay Cape Farewell expedition, which traveled to the West Coast of Greenland. Fellow musicians Jarvis Cocker and Martha Wainwright also joined the expedition, and its purpose was to “inspire the creative team to respond to climate change in the Arctic and on their return.” Cape Farewell is a British arts organization that “works with artists, scientists and communicators, and brings them together to produce art based in scientific research and findings.”A childhood infection resulted in KT having an undersized kidney, and she underwent surgery to correct the condition in April 2007. In 2008, she began experiencing hearing problems in her left ear, and within a decade, she started having balance problems as well as full hearing loss in that ear. In July 2021, Tunstall announced that she was cancelling her summer tour dates because she had begun experience tinnitus in her right ear. She tweeted, “My thoughts on touring so intensively and consecutively have made me question whether my remaining hearing will be able to handle it, and as a result I have decided that the only healthy way forward for me as a ‘live’ musician is to completely avoid lengthy back-to-back touring, which causes inevitable exhaustion and stress.”Awards and NominationsIn 2005, Tunstall won a Q Award for Best Track for “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and earned a Mercury Music Prize nomination for Album of the Year for “Eye to the Telescope” as well as a BBC Sound of 2005 nomination. In 2006, she earned a European Border Breakers Award for “Eye to the Telescope,” an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for “Suddenly I See,” a Scottish Style Award for Most Stylish Band or Musician, and a Brit Award for Best British Female Artist. That year she also received Brit Award nominations for Best British Breakthrough and Best British Live Act and World Music Award nominations for World’s Best New Artist and World’s Best Pop/Rock Artist. In 2007, KT earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” and the following year, she won BMI London Awards for “Suddenly I See” and “Other Side of the World” and a UK Music Video Award for Best Telecine in a Video for “If Only.” She also received a Brit Award nomination for Best British Female in 2008. In 2016, the Music Week Awards named Tunstall Inspirational Artist of the Year, and she earned a nomination for Best Song – Animated Film for “You Will Always Find Me in Your Heart” from “Smurfs: The Lost Village” at the 2017 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. In 2018, she received a She Scores -Best Composer nomination for “Late” at the Underwire Film Festival.Real EstateIn 2018, KT paid $1.587 million for a home in Topanga, California. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home measures nearly 4,700 square feet, and Tunstall put it on the market for $3 million in November 2022 after a $1 million renovation. KT also owned a bungalow in Venice, California, which she sold for $2.5 million in 2019.
Read More