Top 10 Musicians in Nigeria 2025

Nigeria isn’t just Africa’s musical powerhouse – it’s a sonic tsunami that’s drowning out global competitors with wave after wave of irresistible beats. In Lagos’s neon-drenched streets, where luxury Maybachs cruise past street hawkers, hit songs multiply like rabbits on steroids. The city’s studios are pressure cookers of talent, spitting out chart-toppers faster than jollof rice at a wedding party.

But here’s where it gets juicy: the music scenes turned into a gladiator arena. According to Research 8020’s explosive 2025 rankings, some of yesterday’s kings are now eating dust. Sacred cows have been slaughtered, and hungry young lions are feasting on their former glory. We’re talking about A-listers getting bodied by Gen Z upstarts who learned to make beats before they could walk.

The throne room has become a mosh pit, and everyone’s throwing elbows. Your streaming numbers from last month? Ancient history. Welcome to Nigerian music’s Game of Thrones – where every Friday’s new releases could make you a god or a ghost.

1. Burna Boy

Think Burna Boy’s ready to rest? Think again. The African Giant is blazing through the music scene like a man possessed by pure excellence. A decade into his reign, and his hunger burns brighter than ever – like an artist who just got his first break. From Lagos to London, Tokyo to Toronto, Burna’s star power has the whole globe in a chokehold. Every release becomes pure gold, every feature turns legendary, and every album writes history. Just look at “On the Low” – casually sitting at over 405 million YouTube views and climbing, like it’s just another day at the office. And now, Research 8020’s 2025 rankings confirm what we already knew: Burna’s still wearing the crown, making chart dominance look effortless.

2. Wizkid

The Starboy isn’t just shining – he’s a musical supernova lighting up global charts with celestial brilliance. Wizkid has transcended from Lagos’ wonderkid to international royalty, crafting melodies that make both Drake and Beyoncé want to share his spotlight. Just when the world thinks they’ve figured out his magic, this musical wizard pulls another masterpiece from his enchanted studio sessions. Every track is a fresh revelation, every collaboration a masterclass in artistic alchemy. Holding firm at #2 on Research 8020’s 2025 rankings, Wizkid’s staying power is legendary, with “Joro” mesmerizing 291 million viewers and counting. But here’s the real tea – this musical odyssey feels like just the prelude. The Starboy’s constellation keeps expanding, and the universe is watching.

3. Davido

When the name Adeleke echoes through Nigeria, many instantly think of the business mogul Adedeji Adeleke, but it’s his son who has truly set the entertainment world ablaze. Breaking away from his father’s corporate empire, Davido boldly chose to chase melodies instead of mergers – a gamble that paid off spectacularly. From his electrifying debut, he’s not just climbed but soared to the pinnacle of African music, turning skeptics into believers and fans into devoted followers. In the fierce battleground of Nigerian music, where titans like Wizkid and Burna Boy reign, Davido stands tall, commanding stadium-sized crowds with his magnetic presence. His phenomenal journey spans over a decade, with hits like “Fall” racking up a staggering 294 million YouTube views, cementing his legacy as Afrobeats royalty.

4. Rema

Like a sonic thunderbolt, Rema has shattered the irony of his mega-hit “Calm Down” by storming the global music scene with unrelenting force. At just 24, this Nigerian powerhouse hungers for legendary status with the ferocity of a young lion eyeing its prey. Meteoric doesn’t begin to describe his rise – catapulting from Benin City prodigy to sharing the throne with African giants Burna Boy and Wizkid in record time. Since joining Jonzing label, every move has been calculated, every beat masterful. While securing the #4 spot on Research 8020’s coveted list in 2024 and 2025 speaks volumes, for Rema, it’s merely an appetizer. The crown beckons in 2026, and this musical maverick is just warming up.

5. Kizz Daniel

Kizz Daniel is blazing through the Nigerian music scene like a wildfire that refuses to be tamed. Rocketing from #7 to #5 on Research 8020’s elite list, this hit-making machine is rewriting the rules of ascension. With ‘Buga’ demolishing YouTube records at a staggering 225 million views, he’s not just climbing charts – he’s conquering them. Audiomack’s recognition alongside heavyweights like Asake wasn’t just a nod; it was a coronation of his streaming supremacy. While some artists chase hits, Kizz Daniel manufactures them with the precision of a master craftsman. Watch the throne in 2026 – this musical alchemist is cooking up something legendary, and that #1 spot isn’t just a dream, it’s his destiny.

6. P-Square

From the electric moment they burst onto the scene in 1999, P-Square hasn’t just written music history – they’ve carved it in gold. Peter and Paul Okoye, the twin titans who schooled both Davido and Wizkid in the art of superstardom, transformed Nigeria’s musical landscape into their personal playground. Even when they split to pursue solo ventures as Mr P and Rudeboy, each half of this dynamic duo proved that greatness runs in their DNA. Landing at #6 on Research 8020’s prestigious list in 2025 while releasing music at their own royal pace? That’s the power of legacy. The world still holds its breath for their promised album teased in May 2023 – like waiting for lightning to strike twice. Should these musical monarchs finally unleash their joint genius in 2026, prepare for a seismic shift in the charts. After all, legends don’t need permission to reclaim their throne.

7. Tekno Miles

Rankings may fluctuate, but Tekno Miles’ musical magnetism remains an unstoppable force of nature. Sliding from #5 to #7 on Research 8020’s prestigious list feels less like a dip and more like a tiger crouching before its next magnificent leap. This Nigerian virtuoso doesn’t just make music – he crafts sonic spells that transcend oceans and cultures. With “Pana” hypnotizing over 218 million viewers by December 2024, Tekno has turned YouTube into his personal playground. His exquisite wordplay and infectious rhythms aren’t just songs; they’re global anthems that make dance floors erupt from Lagos to London. While others chase trends, Tekno Miles engineers them, proving why he remains one of Africa’s most sought-after musical architects. In an industry where stars often fade like morning mist, this maestro’s brilliance only grows brighter with time, cementing his legacy as Nigeria’s unstoppable groove commander.

8. Ayra Starr

Bow down to Nigeria’s reigning queen, Ayra Starr blazes at the summit of female artistry on Research 8020’s 2025 list, shattering glass ceilings with the force of a supernova. At just 22, this sonic sorceress isn’t just breaking records; she’s rewriting the entire rulebook. Since “Bloody Samaritan” set the music world ablaze in 2021, Ayra has transformed from rising star to unstoppable celestial being, leaving international boundaries in stardust. Her fearless fusion of Afropop prowess and fashion rebellion isn’t just turning heads – it’s spinning the globe. This Gen-Z goddess doesn’t just perform; she preaches empowerment through every note, becoming the voice of a generation hungry for authenticity. Watch the throne, because this top 10 debut isn’t just a victory lap – it’s Ayra Starr’s coronation as Africa’s next legendary luminary, and boy, she’s just getting started.

9. Omah Lay

From spitting bars as “Lil King” to ascending Nigeria’s musical throne, Omah Lay’s evolution reads like a fairytale written in platinum. This musical prodigy was already crafting hits behind the scenes at 16, but it was his 2019 solo emergence with “Do Not Disturb” and “Hello Brother” that unleashed a tsunami of talent onto the world stage. Landing at #9 on Research 8020’s 2025 list isn’t just a ranking, it’s confirmation of a prophecy fulfilled. With “Soso” commanding a staggering 165 million YouTube views, and bangers like “Understand” and “Attention” becoming global anthems, this sonic architect builds empires with every release. From teenage songwriter to Afrobeats royalty, Omah Lay doesn’t chase success, he defines it. In an industry packed with stars, he shines with a light entirely his own, proving some voices are simply destined for greatness.

10. Fireboy DML

When Ed Sheeran crowns you one of his favorite artists, you know you’re playing in celestial leagues. Fireboy DML proved this with “Peru,” a cross-continental masterpiece that didn’t just cross borders – it erased them, blazing past 224 million YouTube views by December 2024. This musical alchemist doesn’t just make songs; he crafts sonic gold; each release a testament to his otherworldly talent. Crashing onto the US Billboard with “Playboy” at #123, he’s shown that Nigerian heat can melt American charts. Sure, he’s slipped from #8 to #10 on Research 8020’s 2025 list, but don’t mistake this for a fall – it’s merely a phoenix gathering flames before its next spectacular rise. Among Nigeria’s young lions hunting for the crown, Fireboy burns with a different flame.

That wraps up our list of the top 10 Nigerian music artists who are making major waves in 2025. From veterans to rookie sensation, these musicians represent Nigeria’s booming music industry.

View the full report with 50 artists here.

To know more about this report and how it was compiled, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through Nigeria’s music stardom!