I have been in the Nigerian music scene long enough — studying artists, watching their growth, and analysing how the audience responds — to confidently tell you that the question, “Who is the best Afrobeats singer in Nigeria?” is not as straightforward as people think. Fans argue with passion, artists trend weekly, and every year a new sound shifts the conversation. But today, in this long, well-researched and fully original guide, I’ll break everything down in a way that helps you understand exactly who deserves that title and why.
Who is the best Afrobeats singer in Nigeria?
The best Afrobeats singer in Nigeria right now is Wizkid — based on vocal smoothness, consistency, global relevance, influence on new artists, catalogue strength, and the ability to bend Afrobeats into any sound without losing identity. However, Davido, Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, Tems, Ayra Starr and Fireboy DML all dominate different categories of “best,” so the deeper answer depends on what you value. In this article, I’ll break down every angle so you can understand the full picture.
Since you’re on this cluster, you’ll also find helpful interlinks to the other Afrobeats topics you may want to read after this analysis:
full list of Afrobeats artists in Nigeria,
who are the big 3 Afrobeats, and
who is the biggest Afrobeats artist.
Why this question always causes arguments
If you ask ten fans who the best Afrobeats singer is, you’ll hear ten different answers. That’s because “best” changes depending on what you’re measuring. Some people value vocals. Others value global reach. Some choose catalogue. Some choose stage performance. Some choose cultural impact. And in Nigeria, where fan bases are extremely loyal and emotional, the debate becomes personal.
In reality, Afrobeats has evolved so fast and so widely that one artist cannot completely dominate all categories at the same time. But when you combine everything that truly matters — voice, consistency, stage presence, cross-genre ability, streaming power, cultural influence, timelessness and star power — one name still rises above the rest.
The honest truth: Why Wizkid comes out on top
When I say Wizkid is the best Afrobeats singer, I’m not talking about hype. I’m talking about a decade-plus career where the voice, delivery and versatility have remained untouched. Wizkid’s vocal texture is instantly recognisable — airy, smooth, calm, emotional and effortless. The simplicity of his delivery is what makes his music addictive. Not everyone understands how much technical control it takes to sound “effortless.”
His influence is another factor. Without forcing anything, he shaped an entire generation of new artists who leaned into mid-tempo melodies, clean vocals, and minimalistic delivery. And if we’re being honest, Afrobeats would not have the global attention it has today without his early collaborations and steady presence on international platforms.
But is he the only option for “best”?
Absolutely not. That’s why this article goes much deeper — because Afrobeats has several kings and queens in their own categories.
What makes an artist the “best”? The criteria I used
I approached this question from the angle of someone who understands both the industry and audience expectations. These are the criteria I used to evaluate each artist:
- Vocal quality — tone, range, delivery, clarity, and uniqueness.
- Consistency — ability to drop hits across multiple years, not just one era.
- Catalogue strength — number of classics, not just viral songs.
- Stage performance — ability to hold a crowd and perform live convincingly.
- Influence — impact on new artists, trends and the general sound of Afrobeats.
- Global presence — international collaborations, touring, awards, and reach.
- Versatility — ability to jump across genres without losing identity.
- Longevity — how many years the artist has stayed relevant.
When you break down the scene using these metrics, you begin to see why the conversation is deeper than “my favourite artist.”
Why some people say Davido is the best
Davido has something that cannot be taught: pure hit-making instinct. He understands melody in a way very few people do. His voice cuts through production, and he knows exactly when to hit emotional highs or energetic moments. Davido also has one of the strongest stage performances in Afrobeats — high energy, crowd control, movement, presence.
If you measure “best” by:
- hit songs,
- club anthems,
- emotional sing-alongs,
- stage energy,
- or fan connection,
then Davido automatically takes the crown. That’s why many fans confidently place him as their number one. But again, this depends on what you value most.
Why some people say Burna Boy is the best
Burna Boy is the most complete performer in Afrobeats. If you’re measuring by stage presence, live vocals, band coordination, depth of lyrics, genre blending, and artistic identity, Burna is unmatched. He’s also the most decorated internationally among the three giants, so fans on the worldwide stage often pick him as number one.
There’s also something else: Burna’s voice is extremely versatile. He can go soft, loud, raspy, emotional, aggressive or calm — all in the same song if he wants to. That flexibility gives him an edge in certain categories.
Why the new generation complicates the debate
Before, the conversation was simply between Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy. But today, the Gen-Z wave has produced artists whose vocal quality and innovation bring new arguments into the chat. For example:
- Rema — experimental vocals, futuristic sound, global appeal.
- Tems — one of the strongest female voices in African music.
- Ayra Starr — pop precision and vocal clarity.
- Asake — choir-style resonance plus Yoruba street influence.
- Fireboy DML — emotional purity and unbelievable vocal control.
- Omah Lay — deep emotional delivery with a unique sound.
When you listen to this new generation, you start to realise why the question of “best” needs to be examined from different angles.
Category-by-category breakdown (the fairest way to judge)
Instead of forcing one artist into a box, I prefer to place each artist where they naturally dominate. That way, you can decide for yourself who truly deserves your personal “best” award.
1. Best pure vocals
If you’re rating by clean, controlled, beautiful vocals, these artists dominate:
- Wizkid — smoothest delivery.
- Tems — strongest female depth.
- Fireboy DML — most emotionally refined.
- Rema — futuristic vocal tone.
2. Best hit-maker
Davido leads this category without stress. Kizz Daniel also belongs here.
3. Best live performer
Burna Boy owns this category — he’s in a league of his own.
4. Best new generation vocalist
Ayra Starr, Rema, Omah Lay and Asake dominate this category for different reasons.
5. Best all-rounder
If you combine vocals, hits, impact, stage and longevity — Wizkid comes out on top.
Why I maintain that Wizkid is still the best
Across all the categories, Wizkid stays consistently high. He may not be the best stage performer like Burna Boy, or the highest hit-maker like Davido, but he scores extremely strong in all categories combined. That balance is why he is widely respected in the global music space as one of the best Afrobeats singers ever.
You can see the deeper analysis of the Big 3 here:
who are the big 3 afrobeats.
What about female artists? Do they enter the conversation?
Absolutely. Tems, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage and Simi all have the vocal power and musical identity to stand beside the men. Tems especially has a voice that is globally unique — deep, soulful, spiritual and instantly recognisable. If you’re ranking only vocals, Tems is easily top three in the entire industry.
Why this debate matters
The purpose of asking “Who is the best?” is not to start a fight. It’s to help listeners understand what makes an artist great. Every time this conversation comes up, fans pay attention to things they normally overlook — stage presence, delivery, vocal stability, emotional expression, and even artistic growth.
For artists reading this, debates like this help you understand where you need improvement. For fans, it helps you appreciate your favourites beyond hype.
Why the answer keeps changing
Afrobeats is the fastest-evolving music genre in the world. Every year, the sound shifts. Producers experiment. New artists rise. Global collaborations change the rules. Streaming trends reset the charts. That’s why the idea of “best” is dynamic — who wins today may not win tomorrow if they don’t stay consistent.
The truth about longevity
The artists we call legends today — Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy — didn’t earn those titles by accident. They survived sound changes. They evolved. They remained relevant while new waves came and went. That longevity deserves respect, even from rival fan bases.
Why upcoming artists should pay attention
If you’re upcoming, learn from these giants:
- Develop your own vocal identity.
- Stay consistent; don’t disappear for long.
- Build your catalogue, not just viral moments.
- Invest in stage craft — it’s part of your brand.
- Study successful artists across different eras.
And if you want a full breakdown on how to push your career, check this guide:
how to make and promote your music without a record label.
The final verdict
After analysing everything — voice, consistency, catalogue, global reach, influence, and longevity — I can confidently say Wizkid remains the best Afrobeats singer in Nigeria today. But the beauty of Afrobeats is that every artist brings something unique, and depending on your criteria, your number one may differ.
Davido remains the king of hits and stage energy.
Burna Boy remains the king of live performance and artistic evolution.
Asake is dominating the streets.
Rema is redefining the future.
Tems is leading the female vocal wave.
Ayra Starr is shaping global Gen-Z pop.
Fireboy and Omah Lay continue to deliver some of the purest vocals in Nigerian pop.
But overall? Wizkid still edges the competition.
If you want the full context
After this article, the next ones you should read are:
who are the big 3 afrobeats
and
who is the biggest afrobeats artist.
This will complete your understanding of the power dynamics in the Afrobeats scene.
