In commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd year of independence, Apple Music is joining in the celebration through the Oshe Naijacampaign, which spotlights the rich history of Naija music and its ever-expanding influence on contemporary culture.
Over recent years, Nigerian musicians have consistently achieved remarkable milestones on Apple Music, elevating the genre to a growing global audience. Take a look at the remarkable accomplishments of the top five Nigerian artists of all time:
1. Burna Boy, the most-streamed Nigerian artist on Apple Music, has continuously shattered records with his blockbuster albums. His latest release, “I Told Them,” not only set the African record for first-week streams but also simultaneously topped the albums chart in 69 countries worldwide, marking a groundbreaking achievement for the genre.
2. Wizkid, a hitmaker and the second most-streamed Nigerian artist, still holds the record for the most-streamed African song of all time with “Essence (feat. Tems).” This track has maintained a presence on the Daily Top 100 charts in over 100 countries, three years after its initial release.
3. Davido, ranking at number three, made history with his 2022 album “Timeless,” setting new records in the process.
4. Rema, a versatile singer and rapper at number four, achieved global success with his Afrobeats hit “Calm Down,” which now holds the record for the African single with the longest run in the top 15 of the Global Daily Top 100 charts.
5. Asake rounds out the top five, with an impressive 11 songs reaching the Global Daily Top 100 charts.
With a new wave of Nigerian artists on the horizon, these monumental achievements are sure to continue. Continue reading to discover five of the most prominent emerging Nigerian artists currently making waves on Apple Music.
1. Seyi Vibez
Seyi Vibez has captivated a global audience with his contemporary twist on Apala, a traditional Yoruba-rooted genre. His music fuses elements of Fuji, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, and Afro-soul, earning him recognition worldwide. Since his breakthrough track, “God Sent,” hit Apple Music’s Daily Top 100 in 2021, the 23-year-old artist has amassed over 50 songs in the chart across 20 different countries. Seyi Vibez reached new heights with the release of his album “Billion Dollar Baby” in November, securing his first No. 1 on Nigeria’s Daily Top 100 chart. His journey includes a feature on Burna Boy’s star-studded album “I Told Them,” with his streams growing an astonishing 435% in the past year.
2. Odumodublvck
Odumodublvck is a rising star in Nigeria, seamlessly blending Drill, Grime, Afrobeats, and more in his music. After receiving a co-sign from Skepta and signing with NATIVE Records, his single “Picanto” in November became his inaugural track to grace Nigeria’s Daily Top 100. However, it was his March release, “Declan Rice,” that catapulted his streams, securing the top spot on the Nigerian chart and charting in 11 other countries. In the past year, Odumodublvck’s streams have surged by a staggering 3,500% on Apple Music worldwide.
3. Shallipopi
Shallipopi had an exceptional year thanks to his viral Afrobeatshit, “Elon Musk.” The song gained traction in March, marking Shallipopi’s first entry into Nigeria’s Daily Top 100. This led to his significant breakthrough, including his first No. 1 in Nigeria with “Ex Convict” during the summer. He achieved chart success in 12 countries worldwide and was named an Apple Music Up Next artist in Nigeria, alongside talents like Khaid, Pawzzz, and Novemba. A remix of “Elon Musk” featuring Afrobeats star Fireboy DML in late June propelled Shallipopi’sstreams by 508% in Nigeria and 467% worldwide within a week.
4. Victor Thompson
Nigeria and other African nations consistently lead in Christian and Gospel music listening, with this genre claiming a substantial share of the Daily Top 100 charts. Victor Thompson, a Gospel singer-songwriter, made a significant impact in January with his track “This Year (Blessings),” which reached the Daily Top 100 in 58 countries, including the top 10 in 10 of them. Overall, Thompson’s music has experienced a remarkable 244% increase in streams worldwide year-on-year.
5. Bayanni
Collaborations between Nigerian and American artists continue to rise in popularity and chart success. One notable example is “Ta Ta Ta,” a collaboration between Nigerian singer Bayanniand American pop star Jason Derulo. Initially released on Bayanni’s self-titled EP in 2022, the song gained momentum late last year. Jason Derulo joined for a remix in the spring, propelling “Ta Ta Ta” to the Daily Top 100 in 54 countries, including the top 10 in 20 of them.
Join the celebration of Nigerian Independence at Apple Music’s dedicated space, Oshe Naija.
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