Nigerians have long declared themselves to be the giant of Africa and they really can’t be faulted for beside the few bad eggs stirring the pot, there are a number of Nigerians bringing the world to Nigeria and vice versa. These Nigerians will go down in history as citizens who have made the country proud.
Records have shown that Africans which includes Nigeria are one of the most learned in the world and with the current wave in entertainment industry globally, Nigerians haven’t been found wanting. Afro beats which is peculiar to Africans have been the new rave and have garnered some known Nigerian artists international collaboration.
Big names like David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun known professionally as Wizkid, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu aka Burna Boy, Temilade Openiyi aka Tems, Tiwatope Savage professionally known as Tiwa Savage are Nigerians taking Nigeria to the world via entertainment but this haven’t gone without some internal fights within their fans declaring their fave as the G.O.A.T.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun:
Professionally known as Wizkid, popularly known amongst his fans as Machala, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who began recording music with his church friends at the age of 11. They went on to form a group they called glorious five. In 2009, He signed a record deal with Empire Mates entertainment, a record group owned by Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W. Under the record label he released a couple of popular songs which trend till today.
Machala gained international popularity in 2014 upon his collaboration with Drake and has since then stayed relevant internationally. Today he is unarguably prominent in Afrobeats. He has gone on to feature/collaborate with other international artists like Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Akon and H.E.R.
Wizkid is currently a father of three who is known not to say much on social media even when he is tagged. This his aloofness has earned him unpleasant tags as arrogant etc but if truth be said, it is good for his brand looking at how far he has come in the entertainment industry and how controversial his fans can be.
His fans are always in loggerhead with anyone who doesn’t identify with him and like they say no one is spared including the self acclaimed African Giant Burna Boy who never misses an opportunity to remind all with sense organs that he is the African giant. Interestingly no matter how little he-Machala indulges his fans on social media they adore him and would go any length for him.
His rise to limelight is one that needs to be studied for he has broken feats, attained levels his colleagues have neither attained or are yet to get to, or even recently attained. He is currently a Nigerian in the entertainment sector who has the most awards and nominations. In November 2021, Apple Music Awards announced him as the winner of the artist of the year and the most awarded African artist at BET Awards, Billboard Awards and MOBO Awards.
Wizkid is surely one of those rewriting the music-entertainment industry. An industry that most Nigerians or even some people didn’t enjoy listening to. Initially comments like “I don’t like Nigerian music” or “I don’t listen to Nigerian songs” was a common sentence on most lips but today Afrobeat songs curated by Nigerians like Wizkid are on almost everyone’s lip locally and internationally including a past president of America: Obama.
David Adeleke:
Professionally known as Davido, popularly known as OBO is another Nigerian bringing the world to Nigeria with his music. He is a singer, songwriter and record label producer who is loved by many and hated by those who align more with “I started from the hood kind of success story”. He is a philanthropist that did the unimaginable yet doable during his 2021 birthday. He single-handedly raised 200 million naira out of joke to which he donated all in addition to 50 million naira from his pocket to motherless homes in Nigeria. He also doubles as a musician that actually studied music in the university, a feat some of his colleagues do not have at the moment.
Davido became a known name when he won Next Rated Award in 2012 at the Headies after releasing his second studio album. Ever since then he has remained in the spotlight and won more awards. Through his art he has brought the globe to Nigeria by collaborating with international known names in the entertainment line like Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill and Akon.
He is the first African artist to win Best International Act at the 2018 BET award and the first Nigerian singer to be featured in a FIFA World Cup single. He is one musician with interesting set of fans who despite the names he’s been called stood by him. Unlike his colleague Wizkid, He interacts with his fans and holds his family very close to his heart.
Tiwatope Savage:
Professionally known as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who started her music career 5 years after moving to London, United Kingdom. In her first few years she was backup vocals for Mary J. Blige, participated in the popular X Factor UK edition and studied music at Berkley college before moving back to Nigeria. Upon relocating to Nigeria, where she believed she would make impact, she signed with Mavin records and has remained active in the music industry since then.
She’s a mother of one who sings in both English and Yoruba, who has made an indelible mark as far as music history is concerned and has various achievements, accolades as proof. Her accomplishments also extend to being involved in breast cancer screening projects and an advocate for youth empowerment.
With her songs including the ones she co-wrote and wrote for other artists, being sung by Nigerians and internationals, she’s among the Nigerians bringing the world to Nigeria. She never misses an opportunity to portray Nigeria in good light.
Temilade Openiyi:
Popularly known as Tems is one of the new names from Nigeria currently expanding the music industry. She is a songwriter, singer and a record producer who rose to fame in 2020 upon being featured on Wizkid’s single Essence. A single that was top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Since stardom; she’s recieved multiple award nomination including two BET Awards and Soul Train Music Award, she has collaborated with international artists Drake and Justin Bieber. Though her fashion statement is still upcoming, her music, voice have gone ahead to bring the globe’s attention to Nigerian music.
While the stance of her fans are yet to be understood, she’s definitely one of the creative Nigerians bringing the world to Nigeria through her music and she’s worth being celebrated.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu:
Professionally and popularly known as Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. It is said he rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing “like to party” but as someone who’s been listening to Burna Boy for long, it feels like it’s before then because he’s been active since 2010.
Burna Boy is that Nigerian artist that you may not easily bully into silence. Infact he would engage you as a fan and a non-fan, no wonder he is always in his feelings with Wizkid’s fans who never stop at nothing to remind Burna Boy that their fave Wizkid is the G.O.A.T. It’s always an interesting scenario to behold in the comment section.
With all his achievements, one has to give it to him that he is a great performer. He has a way of engaging everyone during his concerts or tour and it’s always a beautiful sight to behold. Irrespective of the back and forth with his non fans, Damini is really a loveable person especially when you talk to him nicely. Favourite tracks are still like to party, yawa dey and for my hand which he featured Ed Sheeran has been added to the list.
While it cannot be ascertained if he believes in we rise by lifting others up, It is a known fact he loves being Nigerian and doesn’t hesitate to make that known. He mentions during some of his performances, the government injustice in his country and it can be subtly said he doesn’t support what happened in Niger Delta that claimed the life of one of his friends. This he mentioned in one of his songs as well.
Burna Boy has been booked and busy ever since Twice as Tall and with his self acclaimed African Giant title, he surely has been doing justice to the tittle and has been guarding it well too. He is a Nigerian that is on the chart internationally currently making Nigeria and Nigerians proud. One of the true Nigerians bringing the world to Nigeria through his talent.
More Nigerians are breaking the limit, letting the world know there’s more to Nigeria than whatever impression the bad eggs have left out there and Nigerians are definitely more than the wrong stereotype.
More Nigerians bringing the world to Nigeria in other sectors exist and we are proud of them.
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