Entertainment
Behold, Top Five Musicians From Eastern Nigerian
Though Lagos remains the entertainment capital of Nigeria, it is merely a melting pot for all within the Nigeria showbiz space. It is on record that the beauty of Nigeria lies in its immense diversity with over 500 ethnic groups, each speaking a distinct language or dialect.
Over the years, Nigerian music has evolved into an intriguing blend of the various indigenous language fused with a dash of pidgin English, this has produced a sound unique to Nigeria. It is no surprise that Nigerian Afro-Pop music is widely celebrated across the continent of Africa and beyond.
It has become impossible to separate a Nigerian singer from his ethnicity from the Jos-flavoured Northern rhymes of chocolate city’s M.I. Abagan Ice Price and Jessy Jags to the Lagos Street flows of Olamide and his YBNL crew; our varied culture and language have set Nigerian sound apart from the rest.
Here are the top five Nigerian musicians from Eastern Nigeria that hold sway in the Nigerian music industry.
(5) Tekno
The pana crooner has burst onto the scene with hit song after hit song for the last 3 years.
(4) Flavour
Born in Enugu as Chinedu Okoli in November 1983, Flavour is a Nigerian singer, song writer, multi-instrumentalist and performer.
(3) Phyno
Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike was born in October 1986 in Enugu and bred in the city. He started his musical career as a producer in 2003 as a student of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, he later relocated to Lagos to continue his music career.
(2) P-Square
The Okoye brothers of Peter and Paul were born on the 18th of November 1981 in 20s, but hail from Ifite Dunu in Anambra State the twins started performing at many shows as kids mimicking Micheal Jackson’s dance moves. After spending most of their early life finding their feet musically, in 2001, P-Square won the ‘Grab Da Mic competition and a reward, Benson Hedges sponsored their debut album titled “last Nite”.
The brothers have gone onto bigger things, in 2007, they released their best selling album ‘Game over’, it has sold over eight million copies worldwide. Though initially the duo focused on pop sounds, more recently they have released songs more reflective of their Igbo heritage with hit songs. ‘Bank Alert, “Nobody ugly’ among others.
(1) Don Jazzy
Collins Micheal Ajere popularly known was born and raised in Lagos. At the age of 12, Dan Jazzy began to play the bass quiter. He also gained knowledge of percussion and traditional music instruments, Ajereh. He enrolled in business management students at the Ambrose Alli University Eupoma, Edo State.
He alongside the former partner D’Banj founded mo’ hits records label and after it broke up, Don Jazzy founded Mavis, a reward label he has turned into one of Africa’s largest record houses and home to Dijaetal.
Critics may say he should not be on this list though primarily, a music producer, Don Jazzy simply oozes creativity, he is not your regular producer, most of his hits are laced with his unique vocals. He has also featured in a number of chart topping songs such as the mavin crews.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’