By Nonso Mordi
Music is a powerful force. For one, it can make you feel joyous and alive, leaving you swaying or dancing to the beat or it can bring a bucket full of sadness, bringing and making memories, purging you of all pain and doubts. It can also be a form of self-expression and even protest against global and societal issues. From Afro beats and R&B, to Hip Hop and Rap, to Reggae and Highlife, Music does mean different things for different people, like they say different strokes for different folks.
Nigerian music in particular has been on the rise for a couple of years now with artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Yemi Alade gaining global recognition for their work and putting us on the map as a country with enormous musical talents.
After a year that brought the coronavirus pandemic to the fore, which changed the world and economies as we knew it -with No one prepared for the number of deaths nor the fear of the unknown and the total lockdowns/Isolation, Nigerian Music throughout 2021 has helped to bring the world together and promote true global citizenship
If anything, 2021, with its own ups and downs, saw a number of breakout stars and new artists providing a fresh and different take on Nigeria’s famous Afro beats genre. Artists like Ladipoe, Fireboy DML, Oxlade, Amaarae, Buju, Goya Menor and nektunez and a host of others are adding a new dimension to Nigerian music and paving ways for incoming artists as well.
Here are 5 Nigerian artists that have had a remarkable 2021
- Tems
If there is one artist that has had an amazing year and has made 2021 extremely juicy for us, it is Tems. From Essence to Crazy tings, she amongst others have made the year for not just Nigerians but the world as well.
Temilade Openiyi, better known by her stage name Tems was born 11 June in Lagos, Nigeria. 2021 was definitely her break out year after featuring in ‘’Essence’’, a single in Wiz kid’s Grammy nominated album, Made in Lagos in late 2020.
In 2021, Tems also became the subject of much global fanfare after she was featured on Drake’s blockbuster album ‘’Certified Lover Boy’’ with the song ‘’Fountains’’.
These collaborations earned her two US top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, and a Grammy Award nomination. In the same year, Tems, was ranked number one on the Billboard ‘’Next Big Sound’’ chart and number-five on the billboard ‘’Emerging Artist’’ chart. Two weeks after ‘’Certified Lover Boy’’ came out, She released her sophomore EP, If Orange Was A Place-an EP that showcases her growth musically and has reached the top ten on the Billboard world Albums chart.
The EP ‘Crazy Tings, which is the project’s lead single has got us grooving and dancing, the video a delight to watch as well.
She has other hit songs like ‘’Mr Rebel’’, ‘’Try Me’’, ‘’Damages’’ and more. With Her unique voice which we will like to describe as deep, velvety and relaxing, She is one artist who has stayed true to herself and her music and one who we look forward to seeing more of it in 2022.
- Ckay
Another artist on our list who has had a remarkable 2021 is the ‘’Love Nwantiti’ ’Crooner and gifted singer, Ckay. Chukwuka Ekweani, better known by his stage name, Ckay is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa. He was formerly signed to Chocolate city, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA.
With his captivating voice and equally captivating sound, He is one musician who is not afraid to express himself and has made tracks in a variety of genres including Afro beats, R&B and dancehall. Ckay’s hit tune, ‘’Love Nwantiti’’ was the number one song in the world on Shazzam’s global charts in September this year. Originally released in 2019, it became an international hit after it went viral on Tiktok in 2021, charting across Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, also reaching number 23 in the UK, earning him his first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has now gained more than 5 billion views on the platform. The single is a force to reckon with and has been remixed by many Disk Jockeys, Singers and upcoming acts in both French, German, Spanish and the likes.
He was featured on the song ‘’Beggie Beggie’’ from Ayra Starr’s debut studio album 19 & dangerous, released august, 2021, a song that is not only sonorous but also pushes you to feel and belt out the lyrics as well.
In February, he released his third extended play ‘’Boyfriend” which has hits like ‘’Felony’’, ‘’Kiss me like you miss me ‘’and the likes. In July, he received his first YouTube plaque for reaching 100k subscribers. In October, he became the first African artist to hit 20 million Spotify Listeners, with over 21 million monthly listeners on his Spotify page.
The creative genius has released another single ‘’Emiliana’’, which is fast becoming another Tiktok sensation with a dance step made specially for the song- Talk about juicy!
- Arya Starr
Naming her Debut album, 19 and dangerous was not a mistake as it speaks to her undeniable power, something she uses with confidence and caution. She is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr.
Choosing the Arabic name, Ayra which means honourable and respected, The 19 year old musician who started her career covering popular songs on Instagram, is a living proof that young people in Africa can command attention, have an outstanding global presence no matter your age.
After being signed to Mavin Records, she received mainstream recognition with her hit track ‘’Away’’ which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria’s Turntable Top 50 and went to number 17 on US billboard Top Triller Global and was listed by OkayAfrica as one of the best Nigerian songs of January 2021, Paving the way for the release of her first album, 19 & dangerous, this year 2021. It was the number one album on the Nigerian iTunes and Apple music chart at the time of its release. The lead single ‘’Bloody Samaritan’’ peaked atop the Top 50 chart, becoming the first solo song by a female artist to reach the number one position and in August, she ranked number two on Billboard’s ‘’Next Big Sound’’.
Her Music, which is categorized mainly as Afro pop and R$B is fun to sing and to dance to. She definitely had a remarkable year and with her Silky and soulful voice plus her charm and attitude, the 19 year old singer is one of the few artists to achieve this kind of success in a very short period and definitely one of Nigeria’s most promising new voices.
- Buju
Making our list is Daniel Benson, known as Buju, a fast rising Afro-Fusion Singer, songwriter and pianist. Also known as, BujuToYourEars, The exceptional singer with his unforgettable tune has won hearts all over the country, catching the attention of bigwigs in the industry like Burna boy, Timaya and Wizkid.
Buju, which is an acronym for Beauty underneath just understood, got popular through social media after requesting that the audience help him in tagging Zlatan ibile to a viral recording session video he posted so that he could give him a free verse which came to pass. After the viral video and a blessed verse, he was discovered by Burna boy and together, they worked on the remix ‘’L’Enu and on April, 2020, Burna boy’s record label, Spaceship Records, announced the signing of Buju, making him the third act to be signed to the label after Burna boy and Burna boy’s sister, Nissi Ogulu and since then, Buju has been making waves.
In 2021 alone, Buju has been featured in songs and also released an EP titled ‘’Sorry I’m late’’ which has gained massive recognition with the single ‘’Outside’’ topping charts and taking 2021 out of space. He has featured in songs like ‘’Feeling’’ by Ladipoe, ‘’Mood’’ by Wizkid, ‘’your body’’ by Basket mouth, ‘’Cold Outside’’ by Timaya, ‘’Confident’’ by Savage.
One of his biggest feats this year asides the back to back hit songs, was performing at Wiz kid’s Concert at the O2 arena in London, UK. The singer, overwhelmed with joy as he had fans singing his songs ‘’word for word’’, in a tweet reflected on his life’s journey, reflecting when nobody believed in him but he rose through the hate as Grace (and Wizkid) made him perform on one of the most popular stage in the world.
The Superb entertainer, has no award since his breakthrough in the music industry, nevertheless, looking at how talented, creative and unique his sound is, it won’t be long before he begins to receive awards.
The viral sensation and one of Nigeria’s freshest music acts definitely had a remarkable year.
- Ruger
If there is any breakout artist who has been very assured, decisive and confident in 2021, it is Ruger. With his unique identity-the left eye patch, pink hair, assertiveness and his bravado lyrics, Ruger has commanded attention in the music industry.
Micheal Adebayo Olayinka known professionally as Ruger, is an Afro-dance hall artist discovered by D’Prince- the head of honcho of Jonzing world on Instagram after watching one of his freestyles.
In February this year, Ruger released his self-titled debut single, ‘’Ruger’’ which immediately threw him into the limelight. A month later, he released his six track debut Pandemic EP and since then, his fame has spread like wildfire across Nigeria, with songs like ‘’Bounce’’, creeping to the top of the biggest songs in Nigeria. At some point the single peaked at number one on Apple music. Other hit songs on the EP, are ‘’Bow’’, Abu Dhabi’’ and the likes.
He dropped the second EP recently titled, The Second Wave, with hit songs Dior and Snapchat making waves, topping charts and of course stealing the hearts of his fans in his own unique way.
These artists have not just made 2021 remarkable for themselves but for us as well and as we enter the New Year, we look forward to seeing more of them in 2022.
