Entertainment
Behold, Five Naija Musicians Thrilling The World Most
Wizkid Wizkid was born as Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, on 16th July 1990 in Surulere, Lagos State. He started his music career at the age of 11 with a 7 track album entitled Lil Prinz in 2001 in collaboration with Glorious Five. The award-winning recording artist is reputed to have over 80 Award nominations in his career so far of which he has won 20.
He started his record label Starboy Records in 2014 after leaving EME records, a label that now has over 5 artistes from Nigeria as well as Ghana. His long list of hits includes Holla at Your Boy, Azonto and Ojuelegba. Ojuelegba is the hottest on the list and Wizkid has worked with several local and international artists including the likes of R.Kelly and more recently Drake, which placed him as the first Nigerian on Billboard Charts: Courtesy of One Dance.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Savage-Balogun, also known as Tiwa Savage or Tiwa for short, is among the notable Nigerian Musicians the word is listening to right now. The singer cum songwriter, performer and actress has had a lot of media attention recently by reason of her controversial failed marriage to husband Tuji “Tee Billz” Balogun.
The 1980 born musical icon came into stardom in 2006 after her appearance on the UK Version of reality show X-Factor. She is currently signed to one of Nigeria’s foremost record labels, Mavin Records as well as Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Her hit songs include Love Me, Kele Kele, Eminado and Wanted.
Dbanj
The “Koko” crooner and foremost Nigerian entertainer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo is among Nigerian Musicians taking the world by storm. Dbanj and his famed harmonica have gained tremendous recognition on the global stage with several awards and guest appearances.
The singer turned entrepreneur hosted his own reality show “Koko Mansion” in 2009 and also starred in a Hollywood movie Cruel Summer. He has done several collaborations with top hip-hop artists Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Big Sean and others. His hit songs include Emergency, Oliver Twist, Why Me and Tongolo. Though he is not as popular in Nigeria as he used to be, the world won’t stop dancing to his tunes.
P-Square
Twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye form the group P-Square. The Hip-hop/R & B duo, who have been clouded by a lot of controversy and separation rumours in recent weeks.
With interest in other areas such as Oil and Gas, Real Estate and Agriculture, P-Square is one pair to watch out for. The Nigerian Musicians are consistent headliners for major events, shows and tours across the African continent and across the globe. Hit songs by P-Square include Busy Body, Do Me, Alingo, Personally and Shekini.
Fela
Widely acclaimed as Nigeria’s most celebrated musician, Fela Kuti is one Nigerian Musician the world will never forget. Fela Anikulapo Kuti or simply Fela, recognized by Wikipedia as the pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, kept Nigerians revelling and meditating on his words and music from 1958 up till 1997 when he passed on.
The multi-talented music maestro, human rights activist, and political maverick was a pain in the neck to successive military administrations in Nigeria for years with his vocal lyrics and political undertone. Star rapper Jay Z in 2009 organized the Felabration Concert in honour of the legend. Several artists have done remixes and adaptations of his songs and beats in recent times and they almost always become hits, because of its link to this great World-recognized Nigerian musician.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”