I wrote this for you because people ask me every day: who exactly counts as an Afrobeats artist in Nigeria, and where do I start if I want to discover both the legends and the next wave? This piece gathers every relevant name I could verify, groups them by role and era, and gives you practical ways to explore the sound. Read on if you want one single place to bookmark and share with friends.
List of all Afrobeats artists in Nigeria (male and female)
Short answer for search snippets: Afrobeats artists in Nigeria include pioneering acts (2Baba, D’Banj, P-Square), global superstars (Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido), breakthrough Gen-Z stars (Rema, Ayra Starr, Asake), and hundreds of rising independent artists across male and female lines. This article lists them and explains how they fit into the scene.
I’m writing in my voice to my fans — straightforward, no fluff, and focused on helping you find music you’ll love. Below you’ll find an organised, original, and up-to-date list separated into helpful sections: who shaped the sound, who’s breaking it internationally, the new wave, leading female voices, producers who made the beats famous, and practical tips for discovering the rest. I also link to other Afrobeats cluster pieces so you can dive deeper: who is the best afrobeats singer in nigeria, who are the big 3 afrobeats, and who is the biggest afrobeats artist.
What I mean by “Afrobeats”
Afrobeats is an elastic label. It’s not a single tempo, instrument, or vocal style — it’s an umbrella for contemporary West African pop music that borrows from highlife, juju, fuji, hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, and now amapiano. When I say an artist is Afrobeats, I mean their core output is in this modern West African popular tradition, whether they lean pop, street-hop, alté, or Afro-R&B. Below I list artists who regularly release music in that space and who are identified with the Afrobeats movement.
How I organised this list
I split artists into reader-friendly groups so you can jump to what you want: pioneers and legends, global superstars, street and street-pop heavyweights, the new wave and Gen-Z stars, female artists (separate section so you can see the female movement clearly), groups/collectives, and the producers whose sounds defined eras. I also added a section on how to discover more artists and why this list still changes every month.
Pioneers and legends who built the Afrobeats era
These are the acts who built the modern stage for Afrobeats. I include artists who started in the early 2000s and carried Nigerian pop into mainstream consciousness.
- 2Baba (a.k.a. 2Face Idibia) — songwriting, hits and longevity.
- D’Banj — brought the swagger and mainstream TV visibility.
- P-Square (Peter & Paul Okoye) — twin harmony + choreography that sold Afrobeats on stage.
- Wande Coal — silky vocals and club anthems that influenced a generation.
- Banky W — crossover pop and industry influence.
- Ice Prince — early rap/Afrobeats crossover hitmakers.
- Naeto C — lyrical pop that stood out in the 2000s.
- Timaya — street sound fused with melodic hooks.
- Flavour — highlife roots that merged with modern Afrobeats.
- Kcee — party anthems and collaborations across the continent.
- 9ice — Yoruba lyricism and cultural influence in pop.
Global superstars who now define Afrobeats internationally
These are the names you see on festival lineups, Billboard playlists, and international collabs. Their success changed the rules: Afrobeats was now a global export.
- Wizkid — global playlists, strategic features and a mainstream bridge to pop audiences.
- Burna Boy — genre-bending, critical acclaim and global headline shows.
- Davido — club bangers, emotional hooks and huge streaming numbers.
- Rema — youthful versatility and global curiosity.
- Tems — moody, soulful voice that crossed into R&B and alternative audiences.
- Ayra Starr — pop sensibility with massive youth appeal.
- Omah Lay — intimate songwriting and viral streaming moments.
- Fireboy DML — emotive voice with crossover pop success.
- Asake — street soul and consistent viral records.
- CKay — bedroom pop + Afrobeats combined for worldwide hits.
- Joeboy — melodic pop hits and streaming consistency.
- Kizz Daniel — infectious songwriting for radio and clubs.
Street-pop and the voices of the streets
Street energy fuels Afrobeats. These artists move crowds, start trends on the street and on TikTok, and often turn local phrases into global hooks.
- Seyi Vibez — gritty storytelling with Ghanaian and Nigerian street influences.
- Mohbad — (RIP) — a street voice that created waves online and offline.
- Portable — viral charisma and street anthems.
- Bella Shmurda — street ballads with a melodic edge.
- Ruger — street sensibility turned into mainstream hits.
- Bad Boy Timz — catchy hooks and social media traction.
- Pheelz (also a producer) — became a performing force with strong street credibility.
- Blaqbonez — playful rap/Afrobeats hybrids with a strong social presence.
The new wave — Gen-Z and digital natives
This generation grew up with streaming services, social video, and independent distribution. They move fast and they break faster.
- Rema — genre-fluid hits and massive international interest.
- Tems — matured beyond breakout features into solo artistry.
- Ayra Starr — a pop star made for playlists and TikTok dances.
- Asake — consistent run of hits that dominate playlists.
- Shallipopi — viral charting records and a strong online persona.
- Victony — emotional afrobeats with cross-genre appeal.
- Fave — melodic, playlist-friendly singles that spread quickly.
- Khaid — breakout singles and streaming strength.
- Majeeed — soulful pop with online traction.
- Smada — rising with memorable hooks and collaborations.
- Pawzz — emerging talent with industry backing and buzz.
- Magixx — young voice, strong placements, and label momentum.
Leading female Afrobeats artists — the queens and the new wave
I separated this section so you can clearly see the female movement — the women who command stages, streaming and cultural conversation.
- Tiwa Savage — one of the most commercially successful female Afrobeats artists; a major African pop star.
- Yemi Alade — powerhouse voice and anthems with continental reach.
- Simi — songwriter and vocalist blending Afrobeats with singer-songwriter sensibility.
- Teni — personality, memorable hooks, and consistent hits.
- Niniola — amapiano and house-inflected Afrobeats with strong club appeal.
- Tems — soulful, alternative edge that reached global R&B stages.
- Ayra Starr — pop icon for Gen-Z with huge streaming numbers.
- Fave — breakout female voice on playlists and radio.
- Qing Madi — new wave female voice with viral energy.
- Guchi — versatile pop and street sensibility.
- Yung L, Seyi Shay, Waje, Omawumi — established women who shaped the scene in different ways.
- GoodGirl LA, Ugoccie, Candy Bleakz — fresh voices pushing their lanes.
Groups, duos and collectives
While solo artists dominate headlines, groups and collectives are important — they create movements, launch careers and keep live shows interesting.
- P-Square — twin choreography and pop domination in their era.
- Styl-Plus — early 2000s vocal pop and ballad influence.
- Show Dem Camp (SDC) — influential in blending rap and Afrobeats aesthetics.
- DRB Lasgidi — a breeding ground for alté influences and collaboration.
- The Cavemen — highlife revivalists who feed Afrobeats with classic instrumentation.
Producers who shaped the Afrobeats sound
If you love Afrobeats, you owe time to the producers. They create the grooves that artists ride.
- Don Jazzy — a production and A&R force behind many eras of Nigerian pop.
- Sarz — textures and rhythms that became staples of the sound.
- Shizzi — early 2010s hitmaker and beat architect.
- Pheelz — both a producer and hit singer; modern versatility.
- Rexxie — street drums and club energy, especially for amapiano/Afrobeats crossovers.
- Kel-P — melodic, cinematic productions that work worldwide.
- Young Jonn — earlier hitmaker who now produces for the younger generation.
- Tempoe — fresh sounds for today’s radio and streaming era.
How many Afrobeats artists are there in Nigeria right now?
If I had to give a practical number: thousands of people create under the Afrobeats umbrella in a given year, but the core active, streamable roster that moves charts and trends is in the hundreds. I focused this list on the most impactful and discoverable names across generations — the ones you’ll find on playlists and festival bills, plus a sample of rising acts worth following.
How to discover more Afrobeats artists (my step-by-step guide)
I want you to build your own Afrobeats playlist, so here’s my exact method — the same way I find new music and scout talent:
- Start with the playlists: follow major curations on streaming platforms — Afrobeats Essentials, New Music Friday Nigeria, and curated editorial playlists. These surfaces a mix of big names and new discoveries.
- Look at credits: when you find a song you like, click the track credits — producers and featured artists often lead you to other creators you’ll enjoy.
- Follow producers: producers often lift emerging artists. If you like a producer’s aesthetic, follow the artists they work with.
- Use social video trends: TikTok and Instagram Reels break songs fast. If a snippet hooks you, look up the full track and the original artist.
- Check label pages and collectives: labels and collectives often release playlist EPs — a shortcut to find the next wave.
- Attend shows and livestreams: festivals and club nights feature local breakthroughs. Pay attention to opening acts — they’re often the next headliners.
- Local radio and street DJs: street DJs and regional radio push certain artists before streaming catches on. Follow local DJ mixes online.
Why the lists change so fast
Two reasons: streaming distribution gives independent artists access to the world overnight, and social platforms accelerate virality. One viral moment can take an unknown artist to playlist rotation in days. That’s why I refresh my personal lists often and why you should check curated playlists weekly.
Tips for artists reading this
If you’re an upcoming artist, pay attention: sound, consistency and relationships matter more than gimmicks. Release consistently, build relationships with producers and DJs, and make visuals that work for short video. Also, collaborations matter — a strategic feature can place you on major playlists and introduce your voice to new fans. If you want an actionable starting place, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide on promotion here: how to make and promote your music without a record label.
Regional sounds inside Afrobeats
Afrobeats is not monolithic. Different states and regions add local flavor:
- Lagos: the commercial heartbeat — where trends and major labels concentrate.
- Abuja and Northern cities: a growing scene with its own street stars and club rhythms.
- South-East and South-South: highlife revival, gospel-influenced vocalists turned pop stars.
- Cross-border influence: Ghanaian and other West African sounds constantly mix with Nigerian Afrobeats.
Playlists and moments to build a career-changing fanbase
If you’re curating a playlist or trying to break an artist, balance is key: blend classic hits for credibility with 8–10 new songs to show trend awareness. Keep a rotating slot for viral tracks — these are the songs that bring new listeners quickly.
How international collabs changed everything
Features with international artists and producers brought attention from new markets. Once Afrobeats artists started appearing on global pop records, doorways opened to festivals, label offices and brand partnerships overseas. That ripple changed how record deals and touring are negotiated today.
Notable breakout case studies (what to study)
Study how these artists scaled — their releases, feature strategy and visuals:
- Wizkid: strategic features and a gradual global rollout built a sustainable international career.
- Burna Boy: consistent sonic identity and cross-genre experiments attracted critical and festival attention.
- Rema and Ayra Starr: harnessed Gen-Z platforms and branding to accelerate rapidly.
Tools I use to verify and keep lists current
I look at streaming charts, artist pages, label announcements, social trends, and playlist inclusions. For this article I focused on artists who consistently release or who have defined moments in Afrobeats in recent years. If you want an ongoing, editable list, tell me and I’ll prepare a maintained roster you can update.
Frequently asked questions
Is Afrobeats the same as Afrobeat? No. Afrobeat (no “s”) refers to the Fela Kuti style — complex, politically charged, often long compositions. Afrobeats (with an s) refers to the modern pop movement that evolved from many styles and is the subject of this article.
Which artist is the “best”? Good question. “Best” is personal, depends on what you value (songwriting, global reach, influence). If you want my take, check the linked cluster who is the best afrobeats singer in nigeria where I break it down for different criteria.
How often should I update a list like this? Monthly if you manage playlists or weekly if you’re scouting for A&R. Afrobeats moves quickly; a viral single can change attention overnight.
Final thoughts — how to use this list
Use this as your starting map. Share it with friends, build a playlist from the names here, and follow the producers to find the next hidden gem. Bookmark the linked cluster pages to explore debates (best singer, biggest artist, and the big three) and come back when you want more curated lists or artist deep dives.
