Top 10 Artistes to Watch Out For in 2025
Every year witnesses the breakout of a talent marked by a club banger or street anthem, and 2024 was no exception to the artistry of these acts. While some didn’t break out of the industry in 2024, it opened the scene and signified the beginning of superstars. As these artistes displayed ingenious artistry with remarkable flair in the previous year, they’re audaciously about to dominate the year with their records. Here are the top 10 artistes to watch out for in 2025:
- Fido:
Last year ushered into the Nigerian music industry a similar talent but a gallant, self-assertive voice laced with boisterousness. When the song with the line “I smoke that ganja until I go blind” broke into the scene, it brought a refreshing experience to music heads yearning for new sounds. But little did Nigerians know that the fast-rising act, Fido, was just starting out and ready to storm the music industry when he dropped “Awolowo.” Not long after he caused a stir on social media, especially TikTok, in the second half of 2024, he made a frenzy with the end-of-the-year anthem “Joy is Coming”, which doesn’t just resonate with Nigerians in terms of lyrics and infectious hook, but distils a sense of hope. From street-pop, “Awolowo”, to everyday jam, “Joy is Coming”, Fido knows how to capture attention, which he’d be having in abundance in 2025.
- Fola:
Street-Hop draws a myriad of talents, filled with hardcore rappers and singer-songwriters. The likes of Bella Shmurda and Seyi Vibez have distinctly created their sounds and thrived over the years with a pour of hits and features. Yet the super-talented artiste Fola is making a name for himself in the industry with his infectious lyrics and mellifluous melodies. The Dangbana Republik signee weaves Street-Hop elegantly using street lingua and relatability themes. His hit single “Alone” featuring BhadBoi OML surfaced as one of the best songs released in 2024, opening up for a BNXN remix. Fola further released his debut EP, “What a Feeling”, taking his stance in the Nigerian music industry.
- TML Vibez:
Over time, Street-Hop acts have claimed their seats at the table of fast-rising acts, and TML Vibez refuses to be left out. In 2024, TML Vibez was one of the newer generation street acts to surface, displaying a raw talent and striking hunger to excel in the Nigerian music scene. Under the flagship of Vibez Inc., TML Vibez has released a platter of songs that have captured the ears of young Nigerians. With standout hits like “Where I’m From”, “365 Days”, and “Wells Fargo”, and back-to-back project releases, TML Vibez has used his unique voice and lush melodies to garner street credibility and a loyal fan base marked by his youthful exuberance. But TML knows there’s more to give to leave indelible marks in the industry, and this is just the beginning for him.
- Shoday:
2025 is a resounding year for Street-Hop artistes to take long strides in the Nigerian music industry. Acts like Shoday, has proven himself worthy, taking his stance in the scene. The TikTok sensation garners a massive and loyal audience, chanting his songs word for word. His viral hit song “Queen N More” has been causing a frenzy, especially on TikTok and Snapchat, and has become a party starter. Shoday had a remarkable year in 2024, where he released other standout tracks like “Casablanca” and a collaboration with Tspykes on “Something Something.” Shoday adds his finesse to Street-Hop with his infectious hooks, and we might be witnessing more of it in 2025.
- Serøtonin:
There’s a fast-rising wave of TikTok artists brimming with a distinct sound from Afrobeats that leans towards the Afro-Highlife and is garnering massive traction. We’ve seen the likes of Omah Lay, Oxlade, and Victory explore this path and be propelled to global stardom. And now, Serøtonin is taking the lead in this reminiscent sound. The Southern-born artiste has captivated listeners with his unique voice, garnering over 10 million streams on Spotify with just two songs released in 2024, “May 10th”, his debut single, and “Venus.” 2025 will usher in a new wave of TikTok artistes, but Serøtonin is set to rise to a grand status.
- OluwaMillar:
While more fast-rising street-hop artists are walking the path of Afrobeats, acts like OluwaMillar are taking audacious steps to uphold the hip-hop scene. In previous years, super-talented rappers like Olamide, Reminisce, Chinko Ekun, and Davolee have held the industry with Yoruba rap and contemporary hip-hop. OluwaMillar is on the path to making a name for himself within this scene with his unique storytelling, wordplay and chest-thumping bars. With his newly released project “Àgbàlágbìi EP” featuring songs like “Alubarika” and theme song “Àgbàlágbì”, OluwaMillar is carving his distinct voice in the Nigerian music industry and will do more with the right channel.
- DEELA:
Deela is one of the female artistes audaciously fusing Hip-hop, Trap and Afrobeats, to change the dynamics of the Nigerian music industry. The British-Nigerian has been on a roll with her catchy songs laced with nostalgia and self-assertive lyrics. Her alté-esque style is evident in songs like “Kryptonite” and “Patience Ozokwor,” featuring Teni, in which she references the infamous Nollywood character of Patience Ozokwor. In November 2024, she released her EP “Good Girl No Dey Pay”, a 6-track project solidifying her stance in the Nigerian music industry. She is building a loyal fan base and will garner more in 2025.
- Dela:
Dela is one of the emerging artists with an exceptional voice set to break out of the Nigerian music industry. Her most notable work, “Solomon”, pushed her into the limelight, amassing thousands of streams across platforms. In 2024, she released her debut EP, “Miosis”, where she effortlessly displayed her versatile artistry, fusing reggae, dancehall, and pop into Afrobeats. Dela is a promising act to put on your radar in 2025, as she embodies a yearning to thrive in the Nigerian music industry.
- Brown Joel:
When the viral “Ogechi” by BoyPee, Hyce, and Brown Joel made airwaves, it distilled a vibrant and refreshing listening experience for many young lovers. The viral song showcased Brown Joel’s lush vocals and unique pen game while exposing him to a Gen Z audience. On “Constantly”, Brown Joel displayed his versatility and effortless songwriting. While his widely acclaimed songs surfaced from collaborating with his counterparts, Brown Joel exhibits a remarkable talent and grit to break through as a solo artist in 2025.
- Dxtiny:
In 2020, when Oxlade’s “Away” surfaced, it conveyed a peculiar sound from the undergrounds of Afrobeats. And what ensued became a resounding name in the industry. Like Oxlade’s lush composition, Dxtiny embodies a charming demeanour with finesse. In November 2024, Dxtiny released two tracks, “Uncle Pele” and “Sew Tape”, to signify his entry into the Nigerian music industry. “Uncle Pele” by Dxtiny has captivated the hearts of listeners and is currently Number One on Spotify Viral 50-Nigeria. Dxtiny’s mellifluous vocals might be more of what we’ll witness in 2025.
