20 Of the Best Nigerian Artists to Watch Out For in 2025
Posted on by Tabuzo
20 Of the Best Nigerian Artists to Watch Out For in 2025
Nigerian music is blazing hotter than ever, and 2025 is shaping up to be an explosive year.
The wave of talent emerging from the country is unmatched, artists are pushing creative boundaries and making global noise with every beat.
From Afrobeats and R&B to street-hop and alternative soul, Nigeria continues to lead the charge in shaping the sound of modern music.
Whether you’re into the heavy hitters or rising stars, these are the Nigerian artists you need to watch, stream, and vibe with in 2025.
20 Of the Best Nigerian Artists to Watch Out For in 2025
Mainstream Giants
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Fireboy DML ~ Best Nigerian Artists
- Full Name: Adedamola Adefolahan
- Label: YBNL Nation / Empire
- Genre: Afrobeats, R&B
- Breakout Track: “Jealous”
- Why Watch: With his smooth voice and love ballads, Fireboy DML has never failed to bring hits and artistic growth with albums like Apollo and Playboy.
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Joeboy ~ Best Nigerian Artists
- Full Name: Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus
- Label: emPawa Africa
- Genre: Afropop, R&B
- Breakout Track: “Baby”
- Why Watch: Joeboy’s catchy melodies and laid-back attitude have made him hugely popular. His new work promises an even more mature sound in the making.
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Omah Lay ~ Best Nigerian Artists
- Full Name: Stanley Omah Didia
- Label: KeyQaad / Sire Records
- Genre: Afrobeats, Soul
- Breakout Track: “Bad Influence”
- Why Watch: Omah Lay is renowned for his reflective lyrics and genre-bending style. Boy Alone, his debut album, showcased depth and versatility.
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Ckay
- Full Name: Chukwuka Ekweani
- Label: Warner Music South Africa
- Genre: Emo-Afrobeats, Alté
- Breakout Track: “Love Nwantiti”
- Why Watch: International viral popularity isn’t something that happens by chance for Ckay. His fusion of emotion-centric lyrics with Afro beats only gets better with each new release.
Street Kings
- Bella Shmurda
- Full Name: Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed
- Label: Dangbana Republik
- Genre: Street-hop, Afrobeats
- Breakout Track: “Vision 2020”
- Why Watch: With uncooked voice and genuine streetwise lyrics, Bella speaks to a mass audience, seamlessly blending grit and rhythm.
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Zinoleesky
- Full Name: Oniyide Azeez
- Label: Marlian Music
- Genre: Street-hop, Afropop
- Breakout Track: “Mapariwo”
- Why Watch: Popular among street sound enthusiasts, Zinoleesky’s smooth lyrics and catchy hooks offer standout value in the crowded Afropop space.
New Wave & Rising Stars
- Qing Madi
- Full Name: Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma
- Label: Jton Music / Columbia Records
- Genre: Afro-fusion, Alté
- Breakout Track: “See Finish”
- Why Watch: At just 17, Qing Madi’s soulful voice and poetic songwriting make her one of the youngest artists with the maturity of a seasoned star.
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Soundz
- Full Name: Samuel Idowu Oluwadarasimi
- Label: AfroNext / JustJoJo
- Genre: Afro-R&B, Chill Afrobeats
- Breakout Track: “Attention”
- Why Watch: Soundz is one of the newer chillwave trends in Afrobeats, merging lo-fi beats with sensual, vibey storytelling.
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Lifesize Teddy
- Full Name: Not publicly available
- Label: Mavin Records
- Genre: Afro-rap, Alternative
- Breakout Track: “Hypnotic”
- Why Watch: With razor-sharp rhymes and swaggering confidence, Lifesize Teddy brings a rough energy to Nigeria’s alternative hip-hop landscape.
- Winny
- Full Name: Winifred Ohili Adanu
- Label: Platoon
- Genre: Reggae-Fusion, Afro-soul
- Breakout Track: “Don’t Leave”
- \tWhy Watch: Winny’s sound, which blends reggae with her music, is unique and arresting. She is pioneering a rich blend of soul, roots, and Afro flavor.
Alternative Voices
- Shine TTW
- \tFull Name: Not publicly available
- \tLabel: Independent / TTW (The Throne World)
- \tGenre: Afro-drill, Afro-trap
- \tBreakout Track: “Problem”
- \tWhy Watch: Unflinching and rebellious, Shine TTW is defying trends by mashing up trap and Afrobeats, making music that resonates with Nigeria’s daring youth.
- Raebel
- \tFull Name: Akinrimi Raphael Blessing
- \tLabel: Konvest Music
- \tGenre: Afro-soul, Reggae
- \tBreakout Track: “Miniskirt”
- \tWhy Watch: With a voice that is a bit retro and a bit rough-around-the-edges, Raebel brings a rebellious twist to her genre-bending anthems
Best Nigerian Artists: Final Thoughts
From chart-topping titans to underground troublemakers, Nigerian artists are redefining global soundscapes in 2025.
From smooth voices, street rhythms, to alternative fusions, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant musical trend.
