Wizkid
Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, is arguably the most visible music artiste in Africa at the moment. He has been able to successfully export his sound across the world, and he has caught the ears and eyes of people that matter in the global entertainment space.
At the risk of sounding like a cleric making predictions, 2018 will be the year that Wizkid would reinforce his claim to the music throne. He will likely have more collaborations with American artistes this year and his fame will spread to other continents as well.
Davido
David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is indeed a lucky chap. He is also very hardworking and talented. He practically ruled the Nigerian music industry in 2017, and it seems he will keep the ‘fia’ burning this year. His rating is very high right now, and millions of fans are eager to witness his exploits in this new year. In demonstrating his resolve to still dominate the industry, the singer came on strong in the first week of 2018.
Olamide
Perhaps the most prolific Nigerian artiste of his time, Olamide, releases songs like they are going out of fashion. Since 2011, Olamide has released albums every year, and it doesn’t look like he will change the formula in 2018. Olamide dominated the airwaves with hits such as Wo, Update, Shaku Shaku, among others. It is almost certain that the Bariga-born singer/rapper is in the studio right now concocting the next brew with which he will enrapture the world. We wait.
Tiwa Savage
Call her the Queen of Nigerian music and you wouldn’t be wide off the mark. Tiwatope Savage worked really hard in 2017 and the results favoured her. 2018 promises to be a fulfilling year for the mother of one, and she seems poised to keep giving her best.
Yemi Alade
Even though Yemi Alade became more popular in other African countries than in Nigeria, that doesn’t take away from the fact that she was very big in 2017. This is another year for Yemi to shine and her antecedents show that she knows what to do to stay relevant. She is hardworking, vibrant and has lots of fans all over Africa.
Falz
Folarin Falana, aka Falz, had one of the most interesting and unique concerts of 2017. Infused with both drama and music, Falz was at his best at the ‘Falz Experience’ show and guests had a great time. He was able to keep guests entertained by himself for over five hours. Over time, he has proved to doubters that he is indeed a man of many parts. Many of his songs topped charts in 2017, and the odds are stacked in his favour to shine brighter this year. In both music and movies, Falz is the guy to watch out for.
9ice
Back in 2008, Abolore Akande, aka 9ice, was one of the biggest Nigerian artistes as he ruled the airwaves with hit songs such as Gongo Aso, Photocopy, Party Rider, among others. However, soon after that, the artiste fizzled out and he was no longer as relevant as he used to be. 2017 was his comeback year and he slid back to reckoning with songs like Living Things and Basiri Mi. If he continues with the same tempo in 2018, he may well find himself at the top of the music industry food chain again.
Runtown
Self-acclaimed ‘sound god,’ Douglas Jack Agu, aka Runtown, is one of the artistes that will dominate the music industry in 2018. He had a good run last year and barring unforeseen circumstances, he would soar higher this year. There is a lot of attention on him and his fans keep increasing by the day. He is likely to do a lot of collaborations both in Nigeria, and within the African continent.
Niniola
Niniola Apata did quite well last year. Her songs, Maradona and Sicker were some of the biggest hits of 2017. The Project Fame academy alumna also released her debut album, This is Me, to rave reviews. With her talent and energy, Niniola can surely sparkle, and 2018 may well be the year that she would become one of the reigning queens of the industry.
Teni D’Entertainer
With just one single, Fargin, Teniola Apata, aka Ten D’Entertainer, took the music industry by storm. The song generated a lot of buzz and a lot of established acts such as Davido regularly praised her on social media for her creativity. She followed up with another single, Pareke, in the last days of 2017, and it is already spreading like wild fire. Teni has got a lot of eyes on her; it’s up to her whether she delivers or not. By the way, she is Niniola’s ‘baby sister.’
Simi
Simisola has been in the industry for quite some time, so her rise did not catch many by surprise. She is clearly talented and she has the drive to back it up. Her eponymous debut album enjoyed positive reviews and some songs off it have gone on to become hits. Many are waiting with bated breaths to see if Simi would solidify her position in the music industry this year. She is already regarded as one of the biggest female artistes in the country but it’s left to be seen if she will eventually wear the crown as the ultimate queen of the Nigerian music industry.
Adekunle Gold
Ever since Adekunle Kosoko, aka Adekunle Gold, breezed into reckoning with his hit song, Sade, he has been pretty consistent. Many didn’t give him a chance to succeed because of his style of music, which he calls urban highlife. However, it is gratifying to note that Gold is one of the most prominent alternative music singers in Nigeria at the moment. He has exported the music outside the shores of the country and his fan base keeps expanding. He is expected to do more in 2018.
Mayorkun
To many observers, Davido hit the jackpot when he signed Mayorkun to his record label, Davido Music Worldwide. Mayorkun has been able to churn out a number of hits such as Eleko, Mama and Che, within a short period and he seems poised to achieve even more feats this year.
Kiss Daniel
There is no doubt that Anidugbe Daniel, aka Kiss Daniel, is talented. His debut album, New Era, was very successful and he has followed up with hit singles like Yeba and No Do. He split from his label, G-Worldwide Entertainment and floated his own company, Flyboy Inc in the latter part of last year. 2018 promises to be a promising year for him.
Mr. P
The dust has settled on the fact that pop twins, Mr. P and Rudeboy of P-Square have gone their separate ways. However, it remains to be seen if the brothers would both succeed as solo artistes. Peter, aka Mr. P, has shown that he is very serious about his solo career, and he actually released songs before his twin brother. His song, For my Head, generated a lot of buzz on the Internet and a lot of fans are waiting to see what he has to offer in 2018.
Rude boy
Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, is regarded as the vocal powerhouse of the defunct P-Square group. It is left to be seen if he would recreate the same magic with his solo career. The songs he released in 2017, Nkenji Keke and Fire, did quite well, but 2018 would be the defining year for him and his solo career.
Solid Star
2018 may just be the year that Solid’s star will shine (pun intended). Since his debut, Joshua Iniyezo, aka SolidStar has been quite consistent, but he hasn’t been able to really break through to the top of the industry. Perhaps, that breakthrough would happen this year.
Maleek Berry
Maleek Shoyebi, aka Maleek Berry, used to be known solely as a producer. But in 2017, the entertainer got more prominence as a singer. His feature on Ycee’s hit song, Juice, increased his visibility. His songs, Eko Miami, Kontrol, Been Calling, among others also did quite well. 2018 may be the year that would cement his transition into a full-fledged singer.
Reekado Banks
Ayoleyi Solomon, aka Reekado Banks, released a couple of hit songs in 2017, and with the level of energy he has been exhibiting, 2018 may see him grow even bigger. He seems to know what the audience wants and he gives it to them steadily. After Tiwa Savage, he is unarguably the most successful artiste signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records right now. A lot of eyes are on him to perform this year.
Tekno
Singer and producer, Augustine Kelechi, aka Tekno Miles, has a bright future. Talented and hardworking, the singer has it all going for him. He has also started attracting international attention, and 2018 would surely witness a lot of surprises from him.
Small Doctor
Raw off the streets, Temitope Adekunle, aka Small Doctor, had the whole country eating out of the palm of his hands with his hit song, Penalty. There is a lot of attention on him, and many people want to see what he would offer this year. He has still got the ears of Nigerians, so it wouldn’t be so difficult for him to ‘reign’ in 2018.