On this article, we will be discussing 10 of the most sensational female artistes in Nigeria.
The year 2023 has produced numerous top musicians, in commemoration of the international women’s day, we will be unravelling some female artistes who have been able to turn heads and win hearts with their soothing vocals.
While singers such as Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido are battling for the position of the head honcho in the Afrobeats department; Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Teni have no doubt played their role in propagating the Afrobeats culture across the globe.
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Below is a list of 10 of the most sensational female artistes in the country who deserve recognition for their intense contribution in the music industry.
- Tiwa Savage
Numerous music pundits have described sensational musician, Tiwa Savage as the queen of Afrobeats. Following her breakthrough in 2012, Tiwa Savage has continued to release songs that have topped charts both home and abroad.
The 43-year-old singer-songwriter who is signed to Universal Music Records has released three studio albums, and two EPs, including her most recent music project, Water & Garri in 2021 which spurned the hit single, ‘Somebody’s Son‘.
Fledgling musicians such as Ayra Starr and American singer, Brettina have cited Savage as one of their key musical influences.
2. Yemi Alade
The 33-year-old sensational musician is one of the most creative female musicians in the Nigerian entertainment industry. She composes music in both English and French, additionally, she has been able to amass fans and mesmerize them with her lyrical dexterity.
The self-acclaimed Mama Africa has released five studio albums and three EPs.
Yemi Alade has been mentioned by many artists like Tems, Guchi and Busiswa as an inspiration, mentor and role model.
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3. Simi
Simi is easily one of the most talented musicians. Aside from her unique vocals, Simi is also a songwriter, record producer and record label executive.
In 2019, she commenced her own record label, Studio Brat after her contract with X3M Music came to a conclusion.
The singer-songwriter started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008, titled Ogaju. She also played as one of the top judges in season 7 of the Nigerian idol TV show in 2022.
In 2022, she released her 5th studio album, To Be Honest.
4. Teni
In 2021, Teni released her debut studio album, Wondaland. Prior to releasing her body of work at the time, the impressively talented musician released numerous hits that enthralled her listeners and quickly turned her into a force to reckon with.
Due to her consistency and excellence, in October 2022, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), a Nigerian National award was conferred on Teni by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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6. Niniola
Niniola Apata, who is better known as Niniola is an enigma in the entertainment industry. Her music which has been described as Afro-House has been able to help her penetrate the South African market due to her similarities with Amapiano sound, a genre that was pulsated in the country.
She participated in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. After releasing her debut single “Ibadi”, she was nominated for Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
She has released two studio albums and two EPs.
7. Guchi
Kaduna state-born sensational musician, Ugochi Lydia Onuoha, known professionally as Guchi, is a fast-rising Afropop singer.
Her debut single, “No Be Jazzy”, was released in April 2019.
After signing with PG Records Entertainment, she released “Addicted” later that year, followed by “Closer” and in October 2020, a 5-track EP including that song, I Am Guchi.
She is popular on the social media platform, Tik Tok.
8. FAVE
GodsFavour Chidozie, better known by his stage name Fave SZN, is a popular Nigerian singer and songwriter.
She is one of many outstanding artists who have harnessed the power of social media to propel themselves into the limelight.
The Golden Generation…
9. Ayra Starr
In 2021, Ayra Starr released her self-titled debut EP pulsating her into immediate success. She has remained one of the most influential musicians from her generation.
Signed to Don Jazzy‘s Mavins Records, Starr’s debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous has made quickly set her apart from her contemporaries.
In her interviews for local and international media, she stated that throughout her childhood, she had a wide range of musical influences, including 2Face Idibia, Wande Coal, Angélique Kidjo, Lijadu Sisters and Tope Alabi, and in college, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Sia and Tiwa Savage.
She credited Shakira as her biggest influence vocally along with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus:
It was just the power I would feel listening to their music. We didn’t get a lot of Nigerian female singers singing strongly about things like them, not as we do now.” Lyrically, she admires Aṣa and has said that she “wrote so beautifully [and] was one of those people [she] would listen to just to learn how to write properly.
10. Tems
Grammy award winner, Temilade Openiyi who is better known as Tems will be the concluding name on our list.
She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence”, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber.
Since her emergence, Tems has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award, two NAACP Image Awards, two BET Awards and two Soul Train Music Awards.
She also co-wrote the song “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
