10 MOST INFLUENTIAL NON-GOSPEL MUSICIAN IN NIGERIA

The listings were rated according to the level of influence each artist has in the music industry and Nigeria as a whole. This list wasn’t judged based on the fame or money a singer has but their influence in someway or the other. And the ranking is based on their performance within the last 12months.

(1) TU FACE IDIBIA

The no.1 person on the list is to be considered to be the most Influential music act in Nigeria as of 2016.

Innocent Ujah Idibia (born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria), better known by his stage name 2face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur. He officially discontinued the use of the name Tuface and selected 2baba or Tu-baba as his stage name. He is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa. He is also one of the most bankable artists in Africa.

2Face has received one MTV Europe Music Award, one World Music Award, five Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), four Channel O Music Video Awards and one BET award for his musical work, four MTV Africa Music Awards, one MOBO award, one KORA award, and numerous additional nominations.

(2)MI Abaga

Jude Abaga (born 4 October 1981), known professionally as M.I or M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City since June 2015. He won Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, and was nominated in the Best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010. He rose to prominence in 2006 when his song "Crowd Mentality" became popular in his hometown of Jos. His critically acclaimed debut studio album, Talk About It, was released on 11 December 2008. The LP was succeeded by M.I 2 (2010). Four years after that, he released his third studio album titled The Chairman.

(3) YEMI ALADE

Yemi Eberechi Alade was born on the (13 March 1989), popularly known as Yemi Alade. She is a Nigerian afropop singer. She gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, and is best known for her hit single "Johnny".

Yemi Eberechi Alade was born on March 13, 1989 in Abia State, Nigeria. Alade is referred to as a "Yoruba-Igbo girl" since her father, James Alade, is of Yoruba origin, while her mother, Helen Uzoma, is of Igbo origin. Alade is the fifth out of the seven children in her family. She attended St Saviour British Primary School, and then went on to Victory Grammar School in Lagos before obtaining a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos.

(4) P SQUARE

P-Square are a Nigerian R&B duo of identical twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye. They produce and release their albums through Square Records. In December 2011, they signed a record deal with Akon's Konvict Muzik label. In May 2012, they signed a record distribution deal with Universal Music South Africa.

P-Square began in St. Murumba secondary school, a small Catholic school in Jos, Nigeria[citation needed]. Peter and Paul joined their school music and drama club where they began singing, dancing, and mimicking songs by MC Hammer, Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson.

They later formed an acappella quartet called "MMMPP" (M Clef a.k.a. Itemoh, Michael, Melvin, Peter and Paul). Drawing inspiration from their music idol Michael Jackson, they began break dancing, formed the group called "Smooth Criminals" in 1997. They dropped M Clef from the group "MMMPP" which later was changed to "MMPP". Their artistic talent and precise dance routine soon made them household names in the city of Jos, where they performed at school functions and other occasions.

(5) WIZKID

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), better known by his stage name Wizkid (sometimes stylised as WizKid), is a Nigerian recording artist, songwriter and performer. He started his musical career at age 11, releasing a collaborative album with Glorious Five entitled Lil Prinz (2001). In 2009, he signed a record deal with Banky W.'s imprint Empire Mates Entertainment. He rose to prominence in 2010 with the release of the song "Holla at Your Boy" from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011). "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull", Gidi Girl, "Love My Baby", "Pakurumo" and "Oluwa Lo Ni" were also released as singles from the Superstar album. Wizkid's self-titled second studio album, Ayo (2014), was preceded by the singles "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You the Money".

Wizkid

In addition to his solo work, Wizkid has collaborated with several artists and was featured on the hits "Girl" (with Bracket), "Fine Lady" (with Lynxxx), "Sexy Mama" (with Iyanya), "Slow Down" (with R2Bees), "The Matter" (with Maleek Berry), "Pull Over" (with KCee) and "Bad Girl" (with Jesse Jagz). He was ranked 5th on Forbes and Channel O's 2013 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists. In February 2014, Wizkid became the first ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter.

(6) PHYNO

Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson (born 9 October 1986), better known by his stage name Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper and record producer.[2] He started his musical career as a producer in 2003. He is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, was released in 2014. It produced the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set" As a producer, he has worked with artists such as Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J Martins and Mr Raw.

PHYNO

Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson was born and raised in Enugu State. His stage name Phyno, which is derived from the word phenomenal, was the nickname given to him by one of his high school friends named Emeka. Phyno developed an interest for music production during his secondary school days. He initially wanted to become a pilot, but was told that he could be a doctor. Throughout high school, he learned to play the drums and piano. He also learned to create his own rendition of every recording he heard. He studied public administration at the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu, and started profiting from music during his second year at IMT. Phyno told Ifeoma Onoye that Mr. Raw is one of the few people he looks up to.Phyno started rapping in 2010 and relocated to Lagos to continue his music career.

(7) DBANJ

Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1981), known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and entrepreneur. He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007,[3] Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards

 

DBANJ

He adopted the stage name D'banj, a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo.D'banj is currently best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist", an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeat and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart. As of 2016, D'banj is ranked to be the richest solo musician in Nigeria according to T.I.N Magazine.

(8) DON JAZZY

Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982, Umuahia, Abia State), known as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer, singer-songwriter and musician. He has been the chief executive officer of Mo' Hits Records and is the current chief executive officer of Mavin Records. Ajereh has also produced tracks for Dr SID, Wande Coal, Emeka Infiniti, D'Prince, Darey, Naeto C, Olakunle Excel et Zanga, Sauce Kid, Ikechukwu and Tiwa Savage.

DON JAZZY

Ajereh was born in Umuahia. His family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos where Ajereh was raised. He was educated at the co-educational high school, Federal Government College Lagos. Ajereh found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar. He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. Ajareh enrolled in business management studies at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state.

In 2000, Ajereh visited London. His uncle had invited him to play the drums for the local church. In London, Ajereh gained employment at McDonalds and as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC, Kas, The 419 Squad and D'Banj. Ajereh learnt producing skills from Emeka Infiniti at O-Town record company.

Ajereh uses Twitter to interact with his followers. He has an appreciation of African fabrics and male Indian gowns and other individualistic fashions.

(9)  DAVIDO

DAVIDO

David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), better known by his stage name Davido, is an American-born Nigerian recording artist, performer and record producer. His 2011 single "Dami Duro" was well-received throughout Nigeria. Along with his elder brother Adewale Adeleke, Davido is the co-owner of HKN Music (a record label home to Sina Rambo, B. Red and DeeKay). He has produced songs for Naeto C, Skales, Tiwa Savage and Sauce Kid. In April 2012, he signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria. On October 23, 2013, Davido partnered with Guinness Nigeria for the "Guinness World of More" concert.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Davido relocated to Lagos at a young age. He released his debut album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012, which includes the singles "Back When" featuring Naeto C, "Dami Duro", "All of You", "Overseas" featuring Sina Rambo, "Ekuro", "Gbon Gbon" and "Feel Alright" featuring Ice Prince. Davido has released the singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete (Goodlife)", "Naughty" and "Owo Ni Koko" off his upcoming album which was slated to be released in the fourth quarter of 2014. In a 2014 interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Davido said that his second studio album will not be released in 2014.

In January 2016, Davido announced via Twitter that he signed a record deal with Sony BMG; the announcement was met with mixed reactions.

(10) TIWA SAVAGE

Tiwatope Savage-Balogun(born 5 February 1980), better known by her stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, performer and actress. She is currently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing as a songwriter. Savage signed a recording contract with Mavin Records in 2012. She co-wrote the track "Collard Greens & Cornbread" off Fantasia Barrino's Grammy-nominated album, Back to Me.

Tiwa Savage

 Savage was featured on Solar Plexus, a compilation album released by Mavin Records. Her debut studio album, Once Upon a Time, was released on 3 July 2013. It was supported by the singles "Kele Kele Love", "Love Me (3x)", "Without My Heart", "Ife Wa Gbona", "Folarin", "Olorun Mi" and "Eminado". Savage's second studio album, R.E.D, was released on 19 December 2015. It produced the singles "My Darlin'", "African Waist" and "If I Start To Talk". Savage sings in English and Yoruba.[9] As a singer, her achievements include one MTV Africa Music Award, two The Headies Awards, one Channel O Music Video Award, one Nigeria Music Video Award, and two City People Entertainment Awards, among others.