Youngest Nigerian Musicians: Nigeria has a thriving music business that has produced some of the continent’s greatest performers. There has been an increase in the number of young Nigerian artists making their mark in the business in recent years. With their own sounds and approaches, these young artists are forging new ground and sweeping the industry. Rema, Fireboy DML, Joeboy, Omah Lay, and Tems are among the younger Nigerian singers making waves in the business.
These musicians have acquired tremendous success and recognition in Nigeria and beyond, and their music has reached a worldwide audience. Their success may be credited to their skill, hard effort, and the encouragement of their fans and the business. They have shown that age is only a number and that anybody can accomplish their goals with effort and determination.
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Top 12 Youngest Nigerian Musicians/Artistes 2024
1. REMA: Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and rapper. He was born on May 1, 2000, and came to fame when his song “Dumebi” was released. He secured a record contract with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, in 2019. He later released his self-titled first EP “Rema” in 2019, which debuted at number one on Apple Music Nigeria. Jonzing World and Mavins released the music video for “Dumebi,” a huge breakthrough hit from his self-titled EP, on May 21, 2019, with a cameo appearance by Diana Eneje. Ademola Falomo directed the video, which has 60 million views on YouTube.
Later that summer, in 2019, one of his other most successful tracks from the EP received even more traction after being included to former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama’s summer playlist. Rema, along with labelmate Ayra Starr, was announced as a brand ambassador for the renowned soft drink Pepsi in September 2021. Rema got a trophy on stage at his London performance on November 7, 2022, for his songs having garnered one billion streams globally. Rema got the Digital Artist of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards, which were hosted at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos in February 2023. He is one of the country’s most promising and successful artists.
2. AYRA STARR: Sarah Aderibigbe born 14 June 2002 and professionally known as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer of Beninese origin. She shared her first original song on her Instagram profile in December 2019 after covering many songs by prominent singers. This drew the attention of record executive Don Jazzy, who signed her to his record company Mavin Records, where she began composing and performing professionally.
In 2022, Ayra Starr achieved major worldwide popularity with the release of her song “Rush,” which charted in various countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. Ayra became the youngest African female artist to reach 100 million views on a single YouTube video, and the first to accomplish it in less than five months. She also broke a milestone by being the first Nigerian female artist to have a solo song chart on the UK official Singles Chart.
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3. BLAQBONEZ: Emeka Akumefule, professionally known as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper signed to Chocolate City. Blaqbonez is well-known for his unusual rap style as well as his inventiveness. In 2019, The New York Times featured him as one of the new guardians of Nigerian music. He is well-known for his contentious claim to be the “Best Rapper in Africa.” Blaqbonez released his first album “Sex Over Love” after establishing one of rap’s most devoted fan groups.
He found he could rap when he was 13 years old. Emeka was born on January 29, 1996, to an Igbo family and grew up in Nigeria, where he was exposed to Yoruba and Urhobo culture. Blaqbonez is from Imo state, which is dominated by the Igbo group in south-eastern Nigeria. He received his tertiary education at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he studied Computer Engineering, yet he has ascended to become one of Nigeria’s youngest artists.
4. FIREBOY DML: Fireboy DML grew up in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and sang in his church choir. While studying at Obafemi Awolowo University, he became interested in music. Adedamola Adefolahan, better known as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian musician and rapper who was born on February 5, 1996. He is signed to Nigerian rapper Olamide’s record label, YBNL Nation. In 2019, his first studio album Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps was published.
He received Listener’s Choice and Song of the Year nominations for “Jealous” at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. His breakout track “Jealous” debuted on the collaboration album YBNL Mafia Family (2018) before being re-released on March 25, 2019. Fireboy DML released the smash love tune “What If I Say” on June 14, 2019. As one of the country’s most brilliant musicians, he continues to create waves in the entertainment sector.
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5. JOEBOY: Joseph Akinwale, better known as Joeboy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who was born on May 21, 1997. Aside from being known as the Young Legend, his musical styles include Afro-pop and R&B. Joeboy’s song “Baby” was released on March 1, 2019; in 2019, it had 20 million plays on YouTube and Spotify. As a hardworking and skilled young musician, he has continued to fly in the music business.
He is still one of Nigeria’s younger artists, with amazing songs and a few of awards to his credit.
6. OMAH LAY: Stanley Omah Didia, better known as Omah Lay, is a Nigerian singer and composer. He rose to prominence in early 2020 when his self-produced tune “Holiday” went popular on social media. He was born on May 19, 1997. Omah Lay began his career in a rap trio as “Lil King.”
He eventually turned on to songwriting and music production, for which he received little recognition. In June 2019, he signed with the record label KeyQaad. Lay made an appearance on Olamide’s album Carpe Diem in October 2020, on the single “Infinity,” which topped the Nigerian Apple Music charts. With incredible lyrics, songs, and a few of awards to his credit, he has remained one of the country’s most brilliant young musicians.
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7. TERRI, STARBOY: Akewe Terry Daniel, popularly known as Terri, is a brilliant young Nigerian Afrobeat singer and songwriter who is signed to Wizkid’s ‘Starboy Records.’ He was born on May 27, 1999, in Edo State, Nigeria, as the first of four children. Terri attended basic and secondary school in Ifako-Ijaye, Lagos State, before enrolling in the University of Lagos in 2017 to pursue a degree in Marine Insurance.
Terri began his singing career when he was 17 years old. In 2018, he included Wizkid on a cover of DJ Jimmy Jatt’s “Oshe,” which grabbed Wizkid’s attention and got him on his record label, “Starboy” in February 2018. Terri came to notoriety after delivering an amazing line on Wizkid’s song “Soco,” which also featured Spotless and Ceeza Milli. He had never given up on his goal of reaching the pinnacle of his profession. He is not just well-known, but also one of Nigeria’s most brilliant young musicians.
8. LYTA: Babatunde Rahim, better known as Lyta, is a Nigerian singer. He secured a record contract with YBNL Nation in 2018, but resigned in May 2019 following a dispute with label owner Olamide. In 2019, he released the 5-track debut EP Id. He joined with Doro Musik Gang after leaving YBNL and released the Killertunes-produced hit “Monalisa” on July 12, 2019. Lyta grew up in Ajegunle, Kwara State, and was a part of Ile Kewu, a music group at his local mosque.
On February 3, 2018, his record contract with YBNL Nation was made public. Lyta revealed in 2019 that he has no formal contracts with YBNL Nation. “Time,” Lyta’s breakout hit with YBNL Nation, features Olamide on vocals and was released on February 14, 2018. He’s been around the block a few times, collaborating with industry heavyweights and releasing smash singles. He is one of Nigeria’s most promising new artists.
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9. GoodGirl LA: Euphamiarunyi Ekunah, also known as GoodGirl LA, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. In 2022, she and Vector were nominated for best collaboration and best rap hit for “Early Momo” at The Headies. “Faraway,” “Bless Me,” and “Pina” were among the first singles released by GoodGirl LA.
Her first EP, LA Confidential, was published in 2019. She debuted her smash track Die For The Matter in 2020, and shes been on a roll ever since with a slew of outstanding songs and collaborations. She is without a doubt one of the next superstars and one of Nigeria’s youngest musicians.
10. CRAYON: Crayon is a talented Nigerian musician on the rise who ascended through the ranks in inner-city Lagos before being discovered by Mavin producers. Crayon’s musical imagination is unrivaled. He is seen to have a lot of promise. He is a multi-genre artist who combines mainstream songs with local Afro-beats, Latin, and Caribbean rhythms.
Crayon, an incredible vocalist and songwriter with a diverse spectrum of inspirations, has carved out his own path with his captivating songs since emerging onto the scene. “Cray Cray,” Crayon’s first EP, was one of the most well-received releases of 2019, featuring tracks like “So Fine” and “Gock Am.” He is not only well-known for his musical style and songs, but he is also one of Nigeria’s youngest musicians.
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11. Chike: Born Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka, but better known by his stage name CHIKE, is a Nigerian singer, composer, and actor. In fact, he’s one of the country’s youngest artists as of 2021. His notable accomplishments include placing second in Season 1 of The Voice Nigeria and competing in the Nigerian reality series Project Fame West Africa. He is a native of Onitsha, Nigeria’s Anambra State.
One of the most popular and recent artists in Nigeria, Chike is an engineer who attended Covenant University to study computer engineering. At an earlier age, his music career helped him become a millionaire. Forbes estimates that Chike has a net worth of $500,000. One of Nigeria’s most gifted artists, Chike has recorded many very popular songs, including “Running,” “Roku,” “If You No Love,” and many more in 2020.
12. Ckay: Real name Chukwuka Ekweani, Ckay is another of Nigeria’s youngest musicians. Born in Kaduna on July 16, 1995, he will be 27 years old in 2023. He now resides in Lagos and serves other artists as well as himself by creating songs, producing records, and performing.
As of early February 2022, Forbes released a report estimating Ckay’s net worth to be at least $200,000. Among his greatest songs are Love Nwantiti, which came out in 2019, Shakara, which came out in 2021, Kiss Me Like You Miss Me, Felony, which came out in 2021, Show My Side, which came out in 2021, and Ski Ski, which came out in 2019.
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Conclusion
Finally, Nigeria has a vast and diversified music business with many outstanding musicians, including new and rising performers that are building a name for themselves. As they continue to create successful songs and acquire popularity both locally and globally, Nigeria’s youngest artists have shown that age is not a barrier to success in the music business. With their distinct approaches and abilities, they are leading the way for a new generation of Nigerian artists, and the Nigerian music industry’s future seems promising.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.