TOP 10 HOTTEST ARTISTES IN NIGERIA + TOP 10 FASTEST RISING ARTISTES IN NIGERIA -

NIGERIA

The Nigerian music scene has witnessed a phenomenal boost in recent times and yes, we can go head to head with the best of them worldwide… dare say. Our music is being heard across continents and our artistes can boast of having performed at international concerts and also sold-out shows. In continuation of our Top10 franchise, Suruleretv brings to your reading pleasure, its list of the Top10 hottest artistes in Nigeria + 10 fastest rising artistes in Nigeria as of now. Of course we cannot possibly fit the vast amount of highly talented musicians into 10 slots and so, we have selected 10 hottest artistes & 10 fastest rising artistes as of now.

Checkout The TOP 10 HOTTEST ARTISTS IN NIGERIA

D’BANJ: Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (popularly known as
D’banj, born 9 June 1980) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and businessman. He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the BET Awards 2011, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World
Music Awards. He adopted the stage name D’banj, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo. D’banj is currently best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit ” Oliver Twist”, an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeat and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.


2FACE IDIBIA: Innocent Ujah Idibia (born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria), better known by his stage name 2face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is commonly referred to as 2face (sometimes stylised as Tuface) or 2Baba (sometimes stylised as Tubaba). He officially discontinued the use of the name Tuface and selected Tu-baba as his stage name. He is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa. He is one of the most bankable artists in Africa. 2Face has received one MTV Europe Music Award, one World Music Award, five Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), four Channel O Music Video Awards and one BET award for his musical work, four MTV Africa Music Awards, one MOBO award, one KORA award, and numerous additional nominations.


DON JAZZY: Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), better known as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian Multi award-winning record producer, singer-songwriter, musician, former CEO of Nigerian record label Mo’ Hits Records founded in 2004 and current CEO of the Mavin Records label which he founded in May 2012 after his split up with childhood friend and Mo’Hits partner, D’banj. Born in Umuahia in Abia state, his first signing was D’banj who was at that time also the Vice-President of the label and now President after split. He recently was rated as the 36th. “Most powerful celebrity in Africa” according to Forbes.


PHYNO: Phenomenal rapper of Eastern descent, Phyno is most definitely hot. And I’m not just talking about his hair or tattoos, stunnaz and shades. Since causing an uproar with well received tracks like Ghost Mode and Man of the Year (Obago), Phyno has stayed blazing. Breaking his 2014 career year, was the release of his debut, “ No Guts
No Glory“ – an album that housed now popular tracks like O Set, Alobam, Parcel and Anamachi Versace (not forgetting the aforementioned tracks), which have dominated requests on the
airwaves. In the re-wake of Mo’cheddah‘s music career, her choice for a feature on Destinambari, was with none other than Phyno. He’s been swinging action and turning up at several club gigs and Industry Night sessions where he literally shuts things down with his electrifying performances.


BURNA BOY: Damini Ogulu (born July 2, 1991), known by his stage name Burna Boy, is a Nigerian Reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. He grew up in Ahoada, Rivers State, and later relocated to Lagos state. He attended Montessori International School, and later attended Corona, Agbara for his secondary school in Lagos. In a 2013 interview with the net, Burna Boy said that he was looking at launching his own company at the start of 2014. In May 31, 2012, Burna Boy released a single titled “Like To Party” which saw his rise to prominence. On September 5, 2012, the video for “Like to Party” was released. The music video, which was shot by Squareball Media services, ran for 4 minutes and 9 seconds. In September 24, 2012, Burna Boy released a single titled “Tonight” On 31 December 2012, he released the video for the song. In the music video, Burna Boy expresses his innate feelings.


P-SQUARE: P-Square are a Nigerian R&B duo composed of
identical twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye. They produce and release their albums through
Square Records. In December 2011, they signed a record deal with Akon’s Konvict Muzik label. In
May 2012, they signed a record distribution deal with Universal Music South Africa. Singing duo, Peter and Paul Okoye aka P-Square are no doubt one of the hottest Nigerian artistes in demand. This is by evidence from their large fan followership in Nigeria, South Africa, Atlanta USA and Canada
where they’ve continued to tour and sell out shows. Their tribute video to pop/R&B music legend, Micheal Jackson titled Personally,
broke barriers when it crossed borders and attracted the attention of Jermaine Jackson (MJ‘s brother) who openly appreciated
their work. Their track of 2014, would be Taste The Money – a song that has enjoyed generous airplay on radio frequencies and has become a fave at various party gigs and not forgetting their feature on eastern rapper, Phyno’s O Set. There’s also been speculations about a collaboration with international rapper, T.I (photos were released to that effect). Bigger things are indeed poppin’!


WIZKID: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known by his stage name Wizkid (sometimes stylised as WizKid), is a Nigerian recording artist, songwriter, and performer. He rose to prominence with his song ” Holla at Your Boy”. In 2009, he signed a record deal with Banky W’s imprint Empire Mates Entertainment. His work and contribution to the Nigerian Music Industry has earned him several achievements, including a BET Award, a MOBO Award from 2 nominations, three The Headies Awards from 8 nominations, a Channel O Music Video Award from 6 nominations, three Nigeria Entertainment Awards from 11 nominations, a Ghana Music Award from 7 nominations, two Dynamix All Youth Awards from 3 nominations, two City People
Entertainment Awards from 4 nominations, and a Future Award. In addition, he has been nominated three times at the MTV Europe Music Awards as well as four times at the World Music Awards. He was ranked 5th on Forbes and Channel O’s 2013 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists. In February 2014, Wizkid became the first ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter. Wizkid’s most notable songs include “Holla at Your Boy”, ” Don’t Dull”, “Love My Baby”, “Azonto”, “Pakurumo”, “Tease Me/Bad Guys”,
“Dance For Me” with EME, and “Jaiye Jaiye”, among others. His discography resume includes collaboration with international and domestic acts such as Bracket, Angel, Lynxxx, Iyanya, Wande Coal, Ice Prince, R2Bees, Wale, Young Jeezy, Akon and Femi Kuti, among others. Wizkid’s debut album, Superstar, was released in 2011. He is currently working on Chosen, his second studio album scheduled to be release in 2014.


DAVIDO: David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), better known by his stage name Davido, is a Nigerian American recording artist, performer, and record producer. In 2011, he co-produced and released ” Dami Duro”, a song well-received throughout Nigeria. Along with his elder brother Adewale Adeleke, Davido is the co owner of HKN Music, a record label home to Sina Rambo, B. Red and DeeKay. He has produced for
numerous artists, including Naeto C, Skales, Tiwa Savage, and Sauce Kid. In April 2012, he signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria. On October 23, 2013, Davido partnered with Guinness
for the “Guinness World of More” concert. Davido has won a BET Award, a Kora Award, a Channel O Music Video Award, a Ghana Music
Award, a Nigeria Music Video Award, two MTV Africa Music Awards, two African Muzik Magazine Awards, three The Headies Awards, four Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and two Dynamix All Youth Awards, among others. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Davido relocated to Lagos at a young age. He released his debut
album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012, which contained the singles “Back When” featuring Naeto C, “Dami
Duro”, “All of You”, “Overseas” featuring Sina Rambo, “Ekuro”, “Gbon Gbon”, and “Feel Alright”
featuring Ice Prince. Davido has released the singles “Gobe”, “One of a Kind”, “Skelewu”, “Aye”, and “Tchelete (Goodlife)” off his upcoming album; the upcoming album, currently untitled, was slated to be released in the fourth quarter of 2014. In a 2014 interview with the Nigerian
Tribune, Davido said that his second studio album will not be released in 2014.


OLAMIDE: Olamide Adedeji (born March 15, 1989),
popularly known by his stage name Olamide, is a Nigerian Hip hop recording artist from Bariga, Lagos State. He records mostly in Yoruba, his native tongue. In 2011, he released his debut studio album, Rapsodi, while signed to Coded Tunes. YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint YBNL Nation. The album was supported by the singles “First of All”, “Voice of the Street”, “Stupid Love”, and “Ilefo
Illuminati”. On November 7, 2013, he released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album’s singles include “Durosoke” and “Yemi My Lover”, among others. On July 17, 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc. Olamide has won several
music awards, including multiple Nigeria Entertainment Awards, The Headies, and Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA), to name a few.


TIWA SAVAGE: Tiwatope Savage-Balogun (born February 5,
1980), known by her stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist, performer, and actress. She is currently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mavin Records. She co-wrote the track “Collard Greens & Cornbread” on Fantasia Barrino’s Grammy-nominated album Back to Me. Savage was featured on Solar Plexus, a compilation album that was released a day after the establishment of Mavin Records. On July 3, 2013, she released her debut studio album Once Upon a Time. Savage sings in English and Yoruba. As a singer, her achievements include one MTV Africa Music Award, one The Headies Award, one Channel O Music Video Award, one Nigeria Music Video Award, and two City People Entertainment Awards, among others.

TOP 10 FASTEST RISING ARTISTS IN NIGERIA

ICE PRINCE: Panshak Zamani (born 30 October 1986), better known by his stage name Ice Prince, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist and actor. He rose to fame after releasing “Oleku”, one of Nigeria’s most remixed songs of all time. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His achievements include one BET Award, one Ghana Music Award, three The Headies Awards from 12 nominations, two Nigeria Entertainment Awards from 6 nominations, and two Channel O Music Video Awards from 7 nominations. Ice Prince is currently signed to Chocolate City. His debut studio album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, was released in 2011. It was supported by the
singles “Oleku”, ” Superstar”, “Juju”, and “Magician”. In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani, his second studio album. The album
contained the singles “Aboki”, “More”, “Gimme Dat”, and “I Swear”.


REMINISCE: Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru, known by his
stage name Reminisce aka ALAGA IBILE is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and song writer from Ogun State. Reminisce decided to use the name Reminisce because the first 4 letters is a short form of his first name “Remilekun”, and the word
reminisce in English language means “Indulging in enjoyable recollection of past events”; his
dream has always been to make music that people will reminisce about in the future. He grew up in Lagos, studied purchasing and supply at Kwara State Polytechnic, and is a versatile rapper, singer and song writer. He sings in English and his native language, Yoruba. The prolific producer I’d Cabasa discovered him alongside his friends like Jahbless, 9ice & Lord Of Ajasa and Olamide. His
album, recorded at Coded Tunes studio, was never released.


IYANYA: Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986),
known by his mononym Iyanya, is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, songwriter, and performer best known for winning the 2008 MTN Project Fame West Africa as well as for his song “Kukere”. He is the co-owner of Made Men Music Group, a record label home to artists such as Emma Nyra, Tekno, Selebobo and Baci. Iyanya sings in English and Efik. He released his debut studio album, My Story, in 2011. It was supported by the singles “No Time” and “Love Truly”. Iyanya vs. Desire, his second studio album, contained the singles “Kukere”, “Ur Waist”, “Flavour”, “Sexy Mama”, and “Jombolo”. He won the Artist of the
Year award at the 2013 The Headies.


PATORANKING: Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie (born 27 May 1990), known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian Reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. Patoranking who is a descent of Ebonyi, started his musical career doing underground collaborations with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone. He signed a record deal with K-Solo’s Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing “Up in D Club” under the outfit. Patoranking became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after collaborating with Timaya on his
song “Alubarika”. In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released “Girlie
O”, a single that made him rise to prominence.


WANDE COAL: Wande Coal (born 18 October 1985), born as Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe in Lagos Island, Lagos state, Nigeria, to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Mrs
Omolara Oluwayemisi Ojosipe. The first of two children, Wande had his primary school education at Staff Nursery and Ijaniki Primary School, and his secondary education in Federal Government
College ijanikin in Lagos State, and went on to University of Lagos (Unilag), Lagos State, where he studied Curriculum Studies. Wande, a.k.a. Captain Mushin, like most great musicians started singing in the teenage choir at
his church. He got his break in the Nigerian entertainment industry as a dancer. He continued improving on his vocals skills and got signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo’hits records in 2006. He featured on D’banj’s Rundown/Funk you up album on singles such as “Loke”, “tonosibe” and “why me”. Being signed to Mo’ Hits records he is also a member of the Mo’ Hits allstars and played a major role in the released CV (Curriculum Vitae)
album. His first single of the CV album, “Ololufe”, has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written by a Nigerian. Wande Coal has also recorded tracks with other
Nigerian artists including ikechukwu, Naeto C, Dr SID, D’Prince, Wizkid and many more. In 2012 following a fallout between record label Executives Don Jazzy and D’banj, Wande Coal, Dr SID, D’Prince and Tiwa Savage signed on to Don Jazzy’s new Record Label Mavin Records. Wande Coal left Mavin Records in 2013. In October 2013, he released a single called “Baby Face” and in 2014 released a single called “Baby Hello”.


DAMMY KRANE: Oyindamola Johnson Emmanuel (born in c. 1992 in Lagos, Nigeria), popularly known as Dammy Krane, is a Nigerian singer, composer and performer. In January 2012, at age 18, he signed a record deal with Hypertek Records (currently Hypertek Digital / 960 Music Group). He is most famous for his single hit “My Dear”. He’s known for his melodic voice, engaging lyrics and his exciting genre of African alternative music. Dammy Krane has received numerous
nominations including The Next Rated award at the Headies and won one Award, Rookie of the Year at the Headies 2012. Inspired by artistes like Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti,
Lagbaja, King Sunny Ade, 2Face, D’Banj and Sauce kid, he started recording songs on his own and performing at various university shows with his ability to merge all genres of music.


RUNTOWN: Douglas Jack Agua, stage name, Runtown, is a fast rising Nigerian artiste. His hit song, Garllado featuring Davido received massive airplay. In this interview, he tells Newton-Ray
Ukwuoma all about his musical career. People call you Mr Successful. I am sure they want to know your story. Runtown started music professionally in 2010. That was when I recorded Party like 1980. Then I used to go around studios, trying to meet a lot of people. Then I was staying with Timaya. He was the one that groomed me. We were also working with Phyno in a partnership called Penthouse. We released the song Party Like 1980. The song started getting a lot of reviews. It was a rough journey then. With time a lot of people
started accepting the song. When we wanted to do the remix of the song, I felt we should collaborate with Davido. But when we went to
David(o)’s place, he heard Garllado and immediately wanted to be part of the song. So, instead of Party Like 1980, we remixed Garllado which featured David(o). That was the song that brought me to lime light and since then I have been doing a lot of gigs in and outside the country. A lot of other African countries have invited me to perform the song in their country. Garllado is a song with
a beat that seems to cut across other musical cultures. So, the song has been attracting a lot of attention from other African countries.


OREZI: Esegine Allen (born 28 March 1986), better
known by his stage name Orezi, is a Nigerian musician from Delta State. He rose to prominence
with his song “Rihanna” in 2013. Early life and education Esegine Orezi Allen was born in Owhelogbo, Isoko, Delta State, where he grew up with his family. He is the first of five children. He attended the Command Secondary School in Abakaliki. He graduated from the University of Lagos and
completed the mandatory one year NYSC program. Music career Orezi began his music career in early 2009. He has worked with several producers, including Kiddominat, Del B and Dokta Frabz. Orezi’s
first musical release was “I No Fit Lie”. The music video for the song was shot in South Africa. When
the song was released and sent to radio stations across Nigeria, it received great acknowledgement from the public. The song became Radio Continental’s theme song. Subsequently, Orezi headlined a show named after the song. The show was organised by the Continental Broadcasting Services (CBS), owners of Radio and TV Continental. In 2010, Orezi released “High B.P”. The music
video for the song was endorsed by MTV Base. In late 2010, he released another single titled
“Jamilaya”, featuring UK disk jockey DJ JamJam. Like its predecessors, the song received rave reviews. In early 2011, Orezi was featured on the track “Emoti” alongside Danagog, Igho, and DJ Debby. It was played on Trace TV, MTV Base, Sound City, and One Music. Orezi bursts onto the Nigerian Music scene after collaborating with DJ Jimmy Jatt. He was featured on Jatt’s “Komije” single alongside Sauce Kid, Muna, and Igho. Orezi released the music video for his song “Booty Bounce” which featured cameo appearances from Karen Igho, Bovi, Wande Coal, Kay Switch, Sina Rambo, Vina, Danagog, Skuki
and General Pype, among others. For several weeks, the song was one of the top ten African songs on Trace Urban, Channel O, and MTV. The music video for the song received a nomination in the Reggae/Dancehall category at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards. Orezi performed at the 2010 Star Trek musical concert tour held in Kaduna and Markurdi. He also graced the stage at Nigeria’s 50th Independence
Anniversary celebration in 2010. In early 2011, Orezi performed at DJ Jimmy Jatt’s “Jump Off Show”. The show was held at the Get Arena in
Lekki. He has performed at several club tours, both in Nigeria and South Africa. He was part of the Emoti Tour organised by DJ Debby. He also performed at Club Inc in South Africa. In 2012, Orezi performed at the Rhythm Unplugged concert in Ibadan, and toured with Trace Urban & St. Remy. Orezi, who is currently working on his debut album, has released the music video for his “You Garrit” single.


YEMI ALADE: Yemi Eberechi Alade was born on March 13th, 1989, in Abia State, Nigeria, to Helen Alade (nee Uzoma), a business woman, and James Alade, a retired Police Commissioner. Her
mother, a native of south-eastern Nigeria and her father is of south western Nigerian descent, thus earning her the moniker, that
yoruba-ibo girl. The fifth of seven siblings, Yemi, has four brothers and two sisters. Yemi grew up
listening to popular music of the late eighties and early nineties, and began singing in her church choir at the age of twelve and was
known to have made melodies from everyday conversations. In her words I have practically lived my life on stage, Yemi was exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. She grew up in several Nigerian cities owing to her fathers job description. Yemi was educated at Saint Saviours British Primary School, Lagos and then Victory Grammar School, Lagos, before proceeding to the University of Lagos where she majored and graduated with a BSc in Geography in 2010. Yemi began making music professionally in 2005, then, under the supervision of Bayo Omisore, she went on to win the maiden edition of the Peak Talent Show in 2009. Her debut single Fimisile featuring eLDee peaked commendably with over ten thousand hits on YouTube in barely a month. In July 2012 Yemi Alade released GHENGHENLOVE ,produced by the Legendry OJB , which is now a monster Hit and also has a video for the track directed by Gambit
Pictures , with the executive director Taiye Aliyu(CEO effyzzie music Group), also in 2013 Bamboo shot by Director Frames . Currently on Youtube in less than one month, Yemi Alade’s GhenGhenLove video has 20,000 views and counting. She has also released songs like birthday song and My head O!! Produced by Shadybizniz, Uche Face featuring L.O.S and produced by EL-MCEE, also Bamboo produced by Fliptyce , Faaji Produced by T-Flava, GhenGhenloveRemix Ft Iceprince and Sasha P produced by OJB and Show Me produced by
OJB again. Currently at work on her yet to be titled debut album, she has made the rounds in the industry; performing on over one hundred stages across Nigeria, featuring on tracks with major acts such as Dipp, IcePrince, ELDee, M.I, Sauce Kid, Shank, Sir Shina Peters, Waje, Wizkid, Yemi Sax, to mention a few, plus working with big and budding music producers;
OJB Jezreel, ELDee, E. Kelly, IBK, MajorOne, SizzlePro, DJ Klem, Bigfoot, Shadybizniz, Dtunes, Nomoreloss World renowned South
African producer; Garth, and Flip Tyce. Yemi Alade is currently signed to Effyzzie Music Group.


SEAN TIZZLE: Morihanfen Oluwaseun Oluwabamidele popularly known as “Sean Tizzle”is one of Nigeria’s fast rising artiste that has been able to get millions of music lovers’ attention to his side in less than two months after the release of his hit single “Sho Lee”. In just few weeks that he came into the Nigerian music industry with this banger “Sho Lee”, Sean Tizzle is now one of the best young artiste to be reckoned with. His mouth watery single is now on the lips of music lovers across the nation and that has
really placed him ahead his game. According to Sean, he has been an artiste under the label since 2009 before D’tunes became a big shot in the industry. Now a fast rising star, Sean Tizzle grew up in Ikorodu where he attended Community Grammar School, Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos. The Ondo born Ilaje boy, started music at his early age as a rapper, but professional started his solo career 5 years ago. He is from a family of six, and also bagged a Diploma in Theater Arts at the University of
Ibadan. Sean is an artiste that is competing with nobody but himself, which means he’s set
to drop hits after hits according to him and hopes to be at the top of his game in few years to come.

We have done incredibly well for ourselves this year as far as music is concerned and as you can imagine selecting just 10 hottest artistes + 10 fastest rising artistes was no mean feat. Our criteria included artiste popularity, quality of music as well as their shows and awards.

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