If there is anything to be proud of in Nigeria, it is
definitely the entertainment sector, especially the music industry. Nigerian
artistes are now forces to be reckoned with in the international scene
following collaborations with international acts especially P-square’s
“beautiful oyinye” feat Rick Ross which threw many off balance.
Today I am gonna be talking about Nigerians who are making
Nigeria proud in the international entertainment market, these are Nigerians
abroad who are in the climb in their careers and a must-watch and must hear for
2012.
This is my TOP TEN list of Nigerians that are ‘reppin’ our
great nation across the borders.
10) SEYE ADELAKUN
This young lad is known for his unique synthesis of Afro
beats, indie, pop, R&B and Rock. He is the younger brother of Olugbenga, bassist and co-vocalist. He is a guitarist having played for Paloma
Faith and supported tours
with the likes of Enuchi sunde.
Seye is half
Nigerian and half Kenyan and he is definitely an artist probably going to take
over the music industry, soon.
9) AiRiS-
(pop/soul/RnB recording Artist)
Many are
familiar with this chick and her debut single “without you” which received
engaging reviews from the African music industry which was also followed by “sick
in love”, “olowo orimi”
She was born
to a Nigerian father and Egyptian mother. She spent her young adult years
between Nigeria, UK and Egypt. Her work brings a unique mixture of pop and soul
to the African music industry.\she moved to Nigeria to pursue her singing/ songwriting
career in the spring of 2010.
8) JOSH OSHO
Born 1992 to
a Nigerian father is a song writer based in UK. His first single “Redemption
Days” was released on the 4th September 2011 which featured ghost
face Killah . His follow up single “Giants” featuring
Childish Gambino released 20 April 2012.
This young
chap is a must – watch and must – hear.
7) DELE – (RnB
singer/song writer)
I am still
confused on where to place this 23 year old Nigeria’s UK based RnB singer on my
list. This guy is good; I mean it when I say good.
Dele embarked
on his first international tour titled ‘out of towner’ this May across Atlanta,
USA where he is currently working on some projects. He got his inspiration from
the soulful tones of Boyz II Men’s musical versatility.
He is recognized
as one of UK’s most talented R&B performers. This dude is definitely reppin
Naija and with singles like ‘we knee’, ‘Feel it’,’ Ex’,’ F U Right’, he is
poised to shock the music industry with his soothing and sexy vocals
6) ADENIKE –
singer/song writer
Adenike
Jemiyo is a Nigerian song writer/ singer based in UK. One thing I like about
this chick is her soulful vibes coupled with electric style and powerful voice.
The dynamic
songstress has apowerful tone and sound that will cause you to remember every word
and note that she sings after she finishes. Nike’s coice is even more beautiful
than her newly released debut EP “beautiful”, which is on it’s own right, very beautiful indeed.
Her debut EP
also featured a touching emotional video by Olan Collardy “I stayed”. Her blood
is green and she is making Nigeria proud.
5) TYLER the
CREATOR- (rapper/record producer/music video director)
You may not
believe this, but he is a Nigerian. Tyler Gregory Okonma, born in Los Angeles,
California to a Nigerian father and a mother of African – American with a
Canadian descent. He is a very controversial American rapper, record producer,
music video director.
He won the MTV VMA 2011 for the best new Artist
and with his albums “Bastards” and “goblin” as well as being the leader and
co-founder of alternative Hip hob collective Odd Future.
Tyler is
definitely an artist to keep an eye out for. His new album is slated to drop
sometime this year
4) NNEKA
Nneka Lucia
Egbona has brought us hit like “Heartbeat”, “Viva Africa” for the 2010 FIFA
world cup in South Africa. Nneka is slowly becoming an enigma still sticking to
her roots with her music.
The 31 year
old songstress was born to a Nigerian father and a German mother. Having toured
with the likes of NAs and Damian Marley. Nneka is definitely another artist
reppin Naija to the core.
3) TAIO CRUZ-
(British singer/songwriter/rapper and entrepreneur)
I think we
all know the Pop and RnB singer-songwriter who has featured the likes of Kesha,
Cherylcole, Mcfly, Travie Mccoy, Ludacris, Florida and other international
acts.
He is born to
a Nigerian father and Brazillian mother. His debut album “Departure” which Cruz
wrote, arranged and produced achieved success
in the UK and earned him a MOBO award nomination> he released his
follow up album ROKSTARR. He has written songs on albums by cherylcole, JLS,
The Saturdays, David Guetta. He also wrote some songs for Justin Bieber’s
album.
I must tell
you this dude is reppin the Nigerian blood.
2) WALE-(singer/songwriter)
Olubowale victor Akintimehin born September 21,
1984 is an American rapper from Washington D.C born to Nigerian parents.
Nominated BET hip hop nawards Best
artist 2010, Best collaboration and every once in a while he does a freestyle
on apopular Nigerian song like “Oliver twist”.
Now signed to Rick Ross’ Maybach music
group with two successful albums “Attention Deficit” and “Ambition”. He is one
Nigerian abroad keeping it real and reppin Naija to the fullest.
1)TINIE TEMPAH- (Rapper/songwriter)
Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu , a 23 year
old rapper with hit songs like “Pass out”, “Frisky”, “written in the stars” and
“Miami 2”
He has blown into the scene like a
wildfire especially when he made the cross over to the US market with the same
album.
He is a multiple MOBO and BET award-
winning artist headlining concerts worldwide.
Naija is going places especially in the entertainment sector. I represent Naija. Do you?
