Nigeria’s music industry has always been blessed with star-studded artistes over the years, no doubt.
Over the years, it has produced legends like late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Uwaifo, late Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (the famous “Osondi-Owendi” crooner), Majek Fashek, and Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idibia, among others.
Today, let’s take a look back into the year to bring you 10 hottest Nigerian artistes who made milestones in year 2017. Through their songs, they’ve achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the Nigerian musical landscape and even beyond.
1. WIZKID:
Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known by his stage name Wizkid tops our list due to his many wins during the year. On November 29, 2017, he won the ‘Best International Act’ award at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards held in Leeds, UK, where he defeated popular American rappers/artistes like Jay-Z, Drake, SZA, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled, Migos, Solange Knowles, and Travis Scott.
Few weeks before then (November 12 precisely), the 27-year-old “Ojuelegba” crooner won the best African male artiste at the 2017 All African Music Award (AFRIMA) held in Lagos. At AFRIMA, Wizkid’s award included, Artiste of the Year, for his song “Come Closer’’, Song of the Year for the same song and Best Male Artiste in West Africa.
Also, he beats South Africa’s Aka, Babes Wodumo, Nasty C; Ghanaian Stonebwoy as well as Nigeria’s Davido, Tekno and Mr Eazi to win the “Best International Act: Africa” at the BET Awards held in Los Angeles, California, USA on June 25, 2017.
Earlier in 2017, Wizkid, also known as “Star boy” became the first Afro-beat artist to appear in the 2018 Guinness World Records for his contribution to Drake’s hit song “One Dance.”
Other awards he won during the year include: Echo Award for Song of the Year (One Dance), Billboard Music Award for Top R & B Collaboration and Top Streaming Song – Audio (One Dance), iHeartRadio Music Award for Hip-hop Song of the Year (One Dance) and The Future Awards Africa – Nigeria Prize for Young Person of the Year.
2. DAVIDO:
David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, fall in Number 2. The Nigerian songwriter cum singer who will thrill music lovers at his “N30billion concert” billed for Eko Hotels in Lagos on Wednesday, made remarkable exploits within the year.
The 25-year-old artist won the “MTV Europe Award for Best African Act” award and also beats Eugy, Juls, Maleek Berry, Mr Eazi, Sarkodie, Tekno, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, and Wizkid to clinch the “Best African Act” Award at the MOBO Awards in November.
Other awards he won in the year include: City People Music Award for Popular Song of the Year (If), Nigerian Entertainment Award for Afropop Male Artist (If) and Best Single, MTV Base Hottest Naija Song of 2017 (If) as well as The Future Awards Africa Nigeria Prize for Music.
3. SIMI:
‘Smile for Me’ by Simisola Ogunleye, popularly known on stage as “Simi” was one of the first songs that set the bar high in 2017. The X3M music artist presented an outstanding lyrical content and creativity in this song, which also won her the “Songwriter of the Year” award at the 2017 AFRIMA. She also won City People Music Award for “Best Collabo of the Year” (No Forget). Her song “Joromi” was also named among the MTV Base Top 20 Naija songs of 2017.
4. TIWA SAVAGE:
Marvin Record’s Queen, Tiwatope Savage, started the year with the release of “All Over” which was produced by Baby Fresh and was quickly followed up with a smashing hot video shot in Miami, Florida and directed by Patrick Elis. The song won her “Best Female artist in West Africa” at the 2017 AFRIMA award. The song was also Number 17 among the MTV Base Top 20 Naija songs of 2017. She also won City People Music Award for “Music Artist of the Year (Female).”
5. 2BABA:
Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idibia, famously called 2baba won the City People Music’s “Music Industry Giant Award” as well as “Best African Reggae/Dance-Hall” (Holy holy) at the 2017 AFRIMA. His song “Gaaga Shuffle” was also named among the MTV Base Top 20 Naija songs of 2017.
6. OLAMIDE:
Olamide Adedeji popularly called Olamide has won few awards within the year, namely: The Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Rap Act of the Year and Best Album of the Year (The Glory). His songs “Wo” and “Pepper dem” were named among the MTV Base Roundtable Top 20 Naija songs of 2017.
7. TEKNO:
Augustine Miles Kelechi popularly known as Tekno, won City People Music Award for “Music Producer of the Year” for the song “IF” which he produced for Davido during the year. His songs which were club banger during the year include “Yawa” and “Rara,” among others. Yawa is one of his fans favourite with over 18 million views on Youtube since it dropped in March and produced by Masterkraft.
8. WANDE COAL:
Born as Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe, Wande Coal as he’s fondly called won “Best African Contemporary” award for his song “Iskaba” featuring DJ Tunez at the 2017 AFRIMA. The same song also won him the Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Collaboration. Same song was named Number 4 among the MTV Base Roundtable Top 20 Naija songs of 2017 recently.
9. ASIKEY:
Pendulum records artist, singer and guitarist, Asikey George, also made our list of hottest artists in 2017. The Ogun-born Pop-singer won the “Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music” award for her song ‘Earth Attack’ at the 2017 AFRIMA.
10. YCEE:
Born Oludemilade Martin Alejo, but popularly called YCEE, this Nigerian rapper is enjoying the popularity of his song “Juice” which features Maleek Berry. The songwriter, who is currently signed to Tinny Entertainment, was named among the MTV Base Roundtable Top 20 Naija songs of 2017 recently where the same song came fifth.
