With every year, fresh waves of talent are discovered across the country and 2023 is no different. From street pop stars to versatile rappers, these are the biggest breakout stars of the year –
1) Odumodublvck:
Odumodu Blvck had arguably the best year of any Nigerian hip-hop act. Active since 2017, the rapper’s first taste of mainstream success came in 2022 via his Zlatan-assisted single “Picanto”, which also featured Echo Miles. The song got mainstream media coverage due to the Zlatan co-sign and the rapper even inked a deal with Picanto, the automobile company. However, it was 2023’s “Declan Rice” that would put Odumodu on the world stage. Named after the popular West Ham midfielder (before his Arsenal transfer), the midfielder acknowledged the song and posted it on his socials exposing Odumodu to a whole new audience and guaranteeing the song as an international hit. When the midfielder completed his move to Arsenal, the London club used “Declan Rice” as the soundtrack to his unveiling, adding to the hype.
Named by Spotify as the second-best hip-hop song of 2023, Odumodu’s stock skyrocketed after its release. Odumodu’s brand can be described as deviant, his Twitter posts in all caps, his lyrics, or his blend of Drill, Grime, and high life all indicate the raw and gritty leaning of the rapper. Subsequent hit singles, an inspiring feature run, and a solid album (mixtape) release all point to Odumodu as the biggest breakout artist of 2023. With co-signs from Skepta, Wizkid, and many others it seems Odumodu can do no wrong and we solidly anticipate what the future holds for Big Kala (as his fans like to call him).
2) Shallipopi:
The self-styled “Pluto Presido” has had an amazing year by any standards. Active since 2021, his 2023 single “Elon Musk” would launch him into the spotlight. An ode to everyone getting paid via internet activity legally or illegally. Internet fraudsters, freelancers, crypto gurus, and Twitter (now X) influencers all contributed to the massive popularity of the song. A remix of Elon Musk with hip-hop powerhouse Zlatan further gave him mainstream acceptance.
However, shortly after his first taste of success, tragedy struck. He was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alongside 31 others, for suspected cyber-crime activities. This event would drastically alter the course of his career, fast-tracking his already growing popularity and garnering nationwide support for him by the public and major industry colleagues. Convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment with the option of paying a fine instead, he regained his freedom after taking the latter option.
A new remix to Elon Musk was released shortly after, featuring an added verse from YBNL superstar Fireboy Dml. To celebrate his release from detention, Pluto’s president released “Ex-convict”, a chart-topper that garnered even more attention and earned him major co-signs. Since his rise to fame, the Benin City native has been firing on all cylinders. He released several charting singles, became Apple Music’s African Artist of the Month for June, released his debut EP and Album, and floated his record label signing two artists.
His style can be described as different, laidback, and sometimes even comical but his music is heavily laced with street slang and innuendos which might go over an unaware listener’s head. The singer likes to incorporate different aspects of Nigerian culture in his art. His music, lyrics, and videos all put the Benin culture on full blast. We really can’t wait to see what 2024 offers for the fast-rising Afro-pop act. All hail Pluto’s president!
3) Bloody Civilian:
Most fans first got to know Bloody Civilian via her duet with Rema on the Black Panther: Wakanda soundtrack in 2022. She had released her critically acclaimed single “How to Kill a Man” earlier in the year but it was her talent as a producer that got her invited to work on the soundtrack. Perhaps the most talented breakout star of the pack, Bloody civilian, writes, sings, produces, and engineers her own songs.
She even wrote, shot, produced, and directed the video for her first single. Her debut Ep “Anger Management” released in June 2023 is an amazing body of work, cementing her status as an exceptional artist, songwriter, producer, and engineer. She would go on to get her first chart-topping single on Odumodu Blvck’s hit single “Blood on the Dancefloor” also featuring American rapper Wale. In November, she released the remix version of her EP, remixing every song on the tape. The new version features the likes of Odumodu Blvck, Joeboy, Fave, Tay Iwar, and more. With talent, versatility, beauty, and brains, we really don’t see anything stopping Bloody Civilian from global domination.
4) Qing Madi –
Qing Madi first burst onto the scene late in 2022 with the release of her hit single “See Finish” at just age 16. It would go on to become a viral sensation on TikTok and launch her career. In May 2023, she released her follow-up single “Why” but her major breakthrough would come a month later when she featured Nigerian pop star Bnxn (formerly known as Buju) on her smash hit single “Ole”. With both artists delivering top-notch performances on the song, Qing Madi’s rising status, and Buju’s mainstream appeal, the song caught on like wildfire.
In November, she released her self-titled EP “Qing Madi”, a complete and lovable project that would have you questioning her age. 2023 was without a doubt an eventful year for the RnB singer, she was named Apple Music’s artist of the month for June, Spotify’s Equal Africa spotlight for female acts, and recently named one of Vevo’s artists to watch out for in 2024; the second African on the list alongside Libianca. Qing Madi is set for great things and is, without a doubt, one of the best artists to break out this year.
5) Lifesize Teddy –
Mavin Records is famous for developing some of the best talents in the industry and Lifesize Teddy is the latest act to come from their talent roster. The female rapper and singer is an exciting case study because female rappers have been few and far between in Nigeria. After spending three years in Mavin’s artist development program, Lifesize Teddy released her self-titled debut EP in August. With no features, the rapper combines insane rap skills and great singing, highlighting her amazing versatility.
Without a doubt, the EP proves the Rivers state-born artist can create a conceptual project and deliver a 16-bar verse or a catchy hook as needed. Not slowing down, she would release her second EP “Poisn” in November, this time featuring fellow label mate Magixx and singer Choco Bantis. If any female rapper can stake a claim and achieve mainstream success (which hasn’t been done in a while), Lifesize Teddy certainly can. Mavin’s Boss and legendary producer Don Jazzy knows how to elevate talents to their maximum potential and in that vein, we can’t wait to see how Lifesize Teddy’s career progresses. With flows for days, great songwriting, and the ability to sing strong melodies, Nigerian rap might just have found its queen.
6) Logos Olori:
Not very many people get a chance to be in the studio while one of Nigeria’s biggest artists is working on his album. So, fate definitely had a role to play in Logos Olori’ssigning to Davido’s record label. Properly active since 2020, Logos Olori had been trying to break into the music industry before coincidence would let him meet the 30BG boss. Listeners would get a taste of what Logos Olori sounds like on “Picasso” off Davido’s Timeless album. The singer stole the show on the song with a smooth delivery of the chorus and a monster verse, although Davido didn’t disappoint, the talent of Logos Olori was immediately clear.
Later, Davido would reveal Logos Olori wrote the hook on the smash hit “Unavailable”, reasserting the fact that Logo’s talent isn’t in doubt. In July, Logos Olori released his first single under DMW, “Jaiye Lo”, an up-tempo and groovy Afrobeat track laced with an Amapiano bounce that showcases the unique artistry of the Afro-pop act. In between Unavailable, Picasso, and JaiyeLo, there is a wealth of talent in Logos Olori and we eagerly anticipate what 2024 has in store for the fast-rising singer.
7) Rybeena:
Rybeena’s claim to fame happened overnight. Although the singer has had an active career since 2018, it’s Olamide’s overnight post of his song, Id.Me, on TikTok finally brought him into mainstream consciousness. Id.Me follows the same mould as other hit songs that have become synonymous with being “street” bangers. While being Nationwide hits, these songs have penetrated the low-income neighbourhoods in the predominantly Yoruba-speaking southwest of Nigeria, including Africa’s entertainment hub, Lagos. These street bangers combine the indigenous language of Yoruba, English, and pidgin (a local form of broken English popularly spoken in Nigeria).
They are also usually introspective and extremely honest songs, detailing the hardships faced In Nigeria and the various ways these artists try to make ends meet, including popular illegal activities such as cyber-crime. After gaining massive exposure from Olamide’s co-sign, Rybeena would go on to release a 4 track self-titled EP. The project, a masterpiece in its own right, shows exactly why he caught Olamide’s eye. Featuring good rhythms, strong songwriting, and well-crafted beats, Rybeena is a strong contender for being the next big thing. We hope Rybeena can kick on from here and become the star that we know he is.
8) Morravey:
Earlier this year, DMW boss and international Hit maker Davido announced that he was signing two new acts and Morravey was one of them (alongside Logos Olori). The 20-year-old singer was discovered by Davido online when he came across one of her music covers she had grown accustomed to posting online. This particular cover had gone viral, her friend had posted it and she didn’t appear in the video at all but her vocals were enough to convince Davido that she was special. He offered her a chance to be part of his new and restructured record label and that was the beginning of great things.
After a few weeks of making music, Davido heard one of her songs and liked it. That song turned out to be “In the Garden” off Davido’s fourth studio album, Timeless. Later in the year, the talented singer would release her debut EP “Ravi”, introducing herself properly to global audiences. Named Apple’s African Artist of the Month for November, the sky is the limit for Morravey.
9) Tobi Adu:
When Tobi Adu released his smash hit single “Claro”, he probably had no idea how big the song would get. In a few months, the song would go viral and the recent remix with Bad Boy Tims is only bound to increase his stock further. “Claro”, a brutally honest laid-back tune chronicles the decision of an urban youth to enjoy life with his friends, irrespective of the problems he faces daily. The 420-friendly song picks fun over worrying, perfectly expressing the average Nigerian’s mindset, it’s only right it became a commercial success. With an earworm of an anthem and a bubbling remix, we can’t wait to see where Tobi Adu’s story goes from here.
10) Zerrydl:
In the after events of Shallipopi’s rise to fame, everyone he was affiliated with also benefitted from his blow-up. One of the songs that would go viral as a result of this, “Puff and Pass”, also launched Zerrydl into the limelight. In an interview, Shallipopi would go on to reveal that Zerrydl was his younger brother and his conviction that Zerry is a better artist than himself. Shallipopi believes in his brother so much that he launched his record label by signing him alongside another affiliate Tegaboi Dc.
Zerrydl would follow in his brother’s footsteps and drop his debut project late in the year. “Danger Zee” sees the young artist expressing himself with no holds barred. Although it’s evident that the artist is young and developing, it’s clear that he’s talented, and with the right guidance, he can consolidate his already growing fanbase. 2024 seems like an exciting year for the Edo-born artist and we will be here every inch of the way.
