Afrobeats is a genre of African music that has exploded in popularity in recent years, captivating audiences around the globe. It’s an irresistible blend of traditional African rhythms, hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B.
Today, we’re looking at the top 10 biggest Afrobeats artists in the world, highlighting their impact on the genre and the music industry as a whole. So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore some of the biggest names in Afrobeats.
1. Wizkid
Wizkid is arguably one of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world right now. Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizkid rose to prominence in 2010 with his hit single “Holla at Your Boy” and has since become a household name in Nigeria and beyond. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Drake, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown.
Wizkid’s music is known for its catchy beats, infectious hooks, and unique blend of Afrobeat, reggae, and dancehall. He has released four albums to date, including “Superstar,” “Ayo,” “Sounds From The Other Side,” and “Made In Lagos,” all of which have received critical acclaim and commercial success
Wizkid’s success has not gone unnoticed, as he has won numerous awards throughout his career, including BET Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, and MOBO Awards. In 2021, he became the first African artist to win a Billboard Music Award for his feature on Beyoncé’s hit single “Brown Skin Girl.”
In addition to his music, Wizkid is also known for his fashion sense and entrepreneurial spirit. He has launched his record label, Starboy Entertainment, and has partnered with several brands, including Nike and Pepsi.
Overall, Wizkid’s impact on the Afrobeats genre cannot be overstated. His music has brought international attention to the Nigerian music scene and has inspired a new generation of artists to follow in his footsteps.
2. Davido
Born David Adeleke, Davido is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame in 2011 with his debut single, “Dami Duro,” and has since become one of the most successful Afrobeats artists in the world.
With hit songs like “If,” “Fall,” and “Blow My Mind” featuring American singer Chris Brown, Davido has been able to successfully cross over into the international music scene. He has also collaborated with other big names in the industry, including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Mr Eazi.
Aside from his music career, Davido is also a successful businessman, with his record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). He has also ventured into the fashion industry, launching his clothing line, OBO (Omo Baba Olowo) in 2019.
Davido has won numerous awards for his music, including Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards. He continues to inspire young African artists with his success, and his impact on the Afrobeats music scene is undeniable.
3. Mr Eazi
Mr Eazi, also known as Oluwatosin Ajibade, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has gained international recognition for his unique blend of Afrobeats, highlife and hip-hop music. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Mr Eazi began his music career while studying in Ghana where he recorded his breakthrough single “Bankulize”.
Since then, Mr Eazi has released several hit singles and albums that have earned him a place as one of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world. He has collaborated with notable artists such as WizKid, Burna Boy, and Major Lazer, and has performed at major music festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and the O2 Arena.
Mr Eazi is also known for his innovative music distribution platform, empower Africa, which aims to provide African artists with the resources and exposure they need to succeed in the global music industry. This initiative has helped to promote emerging talents such as Joeboy, J.Derobie, and Kwesi Arthur, among others.
In 2020, Mr Eazi released his highly anticipated album, “One Day You Will Understand”, which features collaborations with Ghanaian singer, King Promise, and Nigerian superstar, Tiwa Savage. The album has been well-received by critics and fans alike and solidified Mr Eazi’s position as a major force in the Afrobeats genre.
Mr Eazi’s impact on the global music scene cannot be understated. He has brought a unique perspective to the Afrobeats genre, and his efforts to promote emerging African artists have helped to open up new opportunities for the continent’s music industry.
4. Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage is undoubtedly one of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1980, she started her music career at a very young age, singing backup vocals for George Michael. She then went on to study music in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria to pursue a career in the music industry.
Her breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of her debut album, “Once Upon a Time,” which spawned several hit singles such as “Kele Kele Love” and “Love Me.” Since then, Tiwa Savage has continued to dominate the Afrobeats scene with her powerful vocals, infectious beats, and bold fashion statements.
Tiwa Savage has won several awards for her music, including the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female and the Channel O Music Video Award for Most Gifted Female. She has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, and Coldplay.
But Tiwa Savage’s impact extends beyond the music industry. She is a trailblazer for women in Africa and has used her platform to advocate for gender equality, maternal health, and youth empowerment. In 2018, she became the first African female artist to sign a global deal with Universal Music Group, further solidifying her status as one of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world.
Tiwa Savage’s music is a celebration of African culture and has played a significant role in promoting the Afrobeats genre to the rest of the world. Her talent, resilience, and dedication to her craft have earned her a spot on this list of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world.
5. Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade, also known as Mama Africa, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She gained widespread recognition for her hit song “Johnny” in 2013, which became an instant viral sensation across Africa. Since then, she has released several other chart-topping hits and has become one of the biggest female Afrobeats artists in the world.
With over 13 million subscribers on YouTube, Yemi Alade has amassed a huge following across the continent and beyond. Her music is a blend of different African sounds, ranging from Afrobeat, Afro-pop, highlife, and more. She has collaborated with other top Afrobeats artists like Tiwa Savage, Davido, and Mr Eazi, and has performed on various stages across the world.
Yemi Alade’s unique style, powerful vocals, and energetic performances have earned her numerous accolades, including the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female in 2015 and 2016. She has also been nominated for several other prestigious awards, including the BET Awards, MOBO Awards, and the All Africa Music Awards.
Beyond her music, Yemi Alade is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and has used her platform to support various initiatives aimed at empowering women in Africa. She is a UN ambassador for peace and has been involved in several humanitarian projects across the continent.
Yemi Alade’s influence and impact on the Afrobeats industry cannot be overstated. Her music has touched the hearts of millions of people across the world, and her message of hope and empowerment continues to inspire and motivate her fans. She truly deserves a place on our list of the top 10 biggest Afrobeats artists in the world.
6. Flavour
Chinedu Okoli, known professionally as Flavour, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is well-known for his unique blend of highlife and contemporary African music, and his soulful voice. Flavour started his music career in 2005 with his debut album “N’abania,” which was well-received by audiences in Nigeria and across Africa.
Read Also: 5 Things You Need to Become A Super Star in Nigerian Music Industry
Over the years, Flavour has become one of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world, with several successful albums to his name. He has won numerous awards, including Best Indigenous Artiste at the 2012 Nigerian Entertainment Awards and Best Album of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards.
Flavour is known for his electrifying stage performances and has toured extensively across Africa, Europe, and the United States. Some of his popular hit songs include “Ada Ada,” “Ashawo Remix,” and “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix).”
Apart from his music career, Flavour is also a philanthropist and has been involved in several charity projects across Nigeria. He is an ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and has also donated to several educational initiatives.
The flavour continues to make waves in the Afrobeats music scene and remains one of the most influential and beloved artists in Nigeria and across the world. His music style and unique voice are truly one-of-a-kind, and fans can’t get enough of his infectious rhythms and melodies.
7. Tekno
Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer. He is one of the fastest-rising Afrobeats artists in the world. Tekno started his career as a producer and has produced some of the biggest Afrobeats hits such as “Pana” by Tekno, “Diana” by Tekno, and “Rara” by Tekno.
In 2016, Tekno released his first single “Pana,” which quickly became a hit, reaching number one on various music charts across the continent. He has since released several other hit songs such as “Yawa,” “Skeletun,” and “Better (Hope for Africa).”
Tekno’s music is known for its fusion of Afrobeats and R&B sounds, making it a unique blend of modern African music. His style has earned him recognition from various global brands and artists, including Drake, who recently sampled his song “Jogodo” on his track.
Tekno has won several awards for his music, including the Best New Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2016. He has also been nominated for various other awards, including the BET Award for Best International Act.
Despite his young career, Tekno has already made a significant impact on the Afrobeats music scene and continues to rise in popularity both in Africa and around the world.
Conclusion
Afrobeats music has taken the world by storm in recent years, and these top 10 Afrobeats artists have played a significant role in bringing this vibrant sound to the forefront of the music industry. From Wizkid to Tiwa Savage, Mr Eazi to Yemi Alade, these artists have not only created music that resonates with their African roots but has also appealed to audiences around the globe.
As Afrobeats continues to evolve and gain more mainstream popularity, we can expect to see even more talented artists emerge from the scene. But for now, these top 10 artists stand as some of the most significant contributors to the rise of Afrobeats in the world today.