Nigeria’s Underground: Top 10 Rising Stars Of Nigeria Music

In the last 2-3 years, there has been a rapid increase in stars moving from being relatively unknown to peak stardom in a short while.

Here is a list of stars set to take the Nigerian music industry by storm in 2019.

 

 

ZLATAN IBILE

The industry is expecting great thing from the “prince of the street” the originator of the street dance Zanku which means Zlatan abeg no kill us. He is really on track to be one of the greatest from the street, with is verse in the monster hit “Able God”. He has a lot of features and songs with the biggest Nigerian artists, quite recently he did a Song with Davido title “bumbum” and probably one of the hottest track right now with Burna Boy- “Killin Dem”.

 

LADY DONLI

A lot of people expected Lady Donli to kick off last year, although she soared to greater heights than she did the previous year, there is this sense of not quite there yet. She featured countless big projects in the past year like Mr. Eazi’s Lagos to London Album and M.I’s A Study On Self Worth.

There is a belief that if anybody is going to take the country by storm from the Alte Scene it is going to Lady Donli.

 

TERRI RYN

After featuring on probably the biggest track of 2018, “Soco” big things are expected from Terri. Signed to Starboy Records, he was first discovered when he uploaded a cover of DJ Jimmy Jatt song “Oshe”, shortly after the video went viral and grabbed Wizkid’s attention which leads to him penning a contract with Starboy.

He has since released his debut Song “Bia” which was well received by fans but it is expected that he steps up in 2019.

 

VICTOR AD

Victor AD had everyone singing to his “wetin we gain” song, that we soon forgot that he is new to the music scene, the promising Talent has gone ahead to get himself a career-changing deal with music Label ETINS records and management. He recently dropped a single in which in featured Davido “tire you” and has also been on tracks with rap star Erigga. He definitely one to watch out for.

 

JOHNNY DRILLE

Johnny Ighodaro popularly known as Johnny Drille, has serenaded fans with his lovely voice. His first taste of the Nigeria music industry was at the 2013 MTN project Fame in 2013, he was evicted at the latter stages. Shortly after in released his hit song “Wait for me” which shot him towards the limelight. His style of music makes it a little bit difficult to dominate the Nigeria scene but there are big hopes in Johnny Drille. He is currently signed to Mavin Records.

 

SANTI

Truth is that Santi has been around for a while, he initially dropped a mixtape in July 2011, after which he released a 13 track EP called the Birth of Santi. These days he is one of the pioneers of the “alte” sound and has a lot of music in SoundCloud, much like Lady Donli it is expected that Santi to be on another level this 2019. There are rumors he has a song with Wizkid.

His latest single Rapid fire has created a lot of buzzes and it is expected that his Album will drop soon.

 

BARRY JHAY

Oluwakayode Junior Balogun, the son of late Fuji icon Balogun is one of the top prospects to look at for in 2019, he is often compared to superstar Wande Cole, he has released a lot of songs like Olodo, Don Pablo but his most notable is hit song “Aiye” which is very popular in the western part of the nation.

Currently signed to Cash Nation Entertainment. Barry Jhay has received a number of awards like New Act of the year at the City People Music Awards in 2018 and been nominated for several others. He is set to take the Nigeria music industry by storm with his eccentric style.

 

WAVY THE CREATOR

Another artist from the alternative music scene, Jennifer Ejoke is known to the public as Wavy the Creator is a singer, songwriter and photographer.

Although Wavy has been around the music industry, she recently just made the transition to being known for her music, as she was originally known as Olamide’s personal photographer under the name Wavy Films.

Her achievements last year were tremendous, it saw her gain attention from local and foreign brands like NativeMag and Vogue. She was opened for United Kingdom Star Skepta’s BBK crew, which consists of established stars like Jhus, Wizkid, and Davido.

Another landmark was that Wavy release the visuals of her hit single “stay”. It is safe to say that 2019 is looking like it going to be a wavy year.

 

TENI

Teniola Apata better known as Teni the Entertainer is the younger sister to popular singer Niniola, Teni came into the spotlight with her hit song “fargin” but as since intrigue fans with her diversity with Songs like Askamaya, wait and Uyo Meyo.

She is currently signed under Dr. Dolor Entertainment after previously being under Magic Finger, a record label owned by Nigeria Top producer, Shizzi.

Teni went on to win Soundcity’s new artist of the year and “rookie of the year” award at the Headies 2018, beating off competition from Peruzzi. It seems like there is no stopping of Teni Makanaki as she is also called and her aim seems to be the pinnacle of the Nigeria industry.

 

PERUZZI

Tobechukwu Victor Okoh, a singer and songwriter better known as Peruzzi has marvel fans with his voice, he currently signed by “Davido Music Worldwide(DMW) a deal which he signed in 2017, Peruzzi said he got the deal because Davido “liked his vibe” and that nobody connected him to Davido.

 

Peruzzi has always had a thing for music already playing the piano at age 7, he was nominated for “rookie of the year” at the 2018 Headies but lost to Teni. He has really embraced the Nigeria music set up, and he is one to be taken seriously with songs with top stars like 2baba and his fellow DMW stars Mayorkun and Davido.

Popnable /Popnable Media