The year 2023 was exceptional for the Nigerian entertainment industry. Remarkably, a new class of up-and-coming performers enters the fiercely competitive Nigerian music scene every year, and they are all expected to put forth their best effort.
As we enter 2024, we have highlighted those remarkable individuals who, based on their past performances, are anticipated to enthrall audiences and push boundaries. Artists like Odumodublvck, Shallipopi, Bloody Civilian, Victony, and Fave have established themselves in the industry. We observe that for them and a few other rising stars, 2024 may be the year without limits. Note that these artists are listed in no particular order.
Odumodublvck
Odumodublvck, (Born on October 19, 1993, as Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu), is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and composer – the brilliant lad is proving to be really successful at his craft over the past year 2023. Remarkably, he is growing to be well-known for his genre-bending theatrical acts.
Notably, Odumodublvck is a part of Anti World Gangstars, a hip-hop ensemble majorly based in Abuja, Nigeria, and that has stopped his quick rise to fame in the afro music scene as a rapper. We can say we knew it started going smoothly for the amazing rapper when he inked a record contract with NATIVE Records in 2022, working with Def Jam.
On 23 November 2022, he released his debut single under the NATIVE, named Picanto featuring ECko Miles, and Zlatan, which won him his first chart entry on the Nigeria Top 100 at number 79 and reached number 65. On 8 December 2022, he won the Next Rated Artist category at Galaxy Music Awards. The next-rated honor comes with a reward, and the rapper receives a new Lexus IS 350. He was revealed on December 9, 2022, to be one of the opening performers for the December 17, 2022, Vertical Rave concert, which would also feature Teezee, Cruel Santino, PsychoYP, and Odunsi the Engine.
In March 2023, he almost survived a nearly fatal surgery before releasing the song, Declan Rice, on Friday 24. Odumodublvck made his debut in the top 10 on TurnTable’s official Nigeria Top 100 Songs chart on March 27, 2023, at position 8. Declan Rice is the top-ranked song on TheCable Lifestyle airplay list as of April 1, 2023. His career saw a peak so far when he released Declan Rice – a low-key tribute to Arsenal’s 2023 big (100 million pounds) signing, his music was even used to unveil the brilliant English lad, Declan.
Since then, Odumodublvck hasn’t stopped as he has come through with so many exciting collaborations and even a new album EZIOKWU which was endorsed by many big dogs in world music such as Skepta. He went on to release the deluxe version of the album. EZIOKWU UNCUT – and even the original version – went on to top charts locally, regionally, and globally as Odumodublvck proves a feat of a turning point in Nigerian Hip Hop.
Odumodublvck has been a very amazing artist with a solid presence in the entertainment community, we don’t expect him to back down any time soon. He is definitely one of the promising Nigerian artists to watch out for this year 2024.
Shallipopi
Nigerian rapper, singer, and composer, Shallipopi (Crown Uzama) had his tune, Elon Musk, widely accepted and popular in 2023 after it was released as it peaked at the top of the Nigeria Top 100 Apple Music chart. Remarkably, Presido La Pluto (2023), his first studio album – which was his follow-up after a remarkable EP, Planet Pluto – reached number one on TurnTable’s Top 50 Albums and number five on Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums.
Note that Shallipopi began his career by creating freestyles and sharing them on social media sites like TikTok. When his song Elon Musk was released, that’s when the amazing entertainer achieved success and his big breakthrough. On 20 June 2023, Apple Music announced Shallipopi as the latest featured artist in its Up Next artist development program in Nigeria. He released the remix of Elon Musk with Zlatan and Fireboy DML on June 30.
Since then, it has been pure joy for the rising star, Shallipopi, as he has become the wave of the moment and the year 2023. He has enjoyed stardom and building a solid fanbase called Plutomanians. Some may actually even attribute some of his popularity to the fact that he was earlier arrested last year, prompting music fans to check out his music. Yes, Shallipopi, his manager, and other individuals were detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on May 30, 2023, on suspicion of engaging in online fraud. On June 23, 2023, Shallipopi, his manager, and others were found guilty and given a two-year prison term with the option of fines.
He released his EP Planet Pluto on July 11, 2023, and his single Ex-Convict on July 7, 2023. On October 17, 2023, he launched his own record label after signing with Dvpper Music Distribution, which included signing Tega Boi and Zerry DL, two of his musical acts. On the same day, Shallipopi signed them. We can boldly say Shallipopi has been the face of Street Pop in Nigeria through 2023, there’s only an expectation of more to come in 2024!
Bloody Civilian
Bloody Civilian (Real name: Emoseh Khamofu) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and musical producer signed to 0207 Def Jam, a UK wing of Def Jam Recordings. Remarkably, her songs How To Kill A Man and Wake Up which feature Rema in the soundtrack of the American superhero movie Black Panther, from 2022 are some of her really popular songs which she grew into stardom with.
Notably, her collaboration with ODUMODUBLVCK on Blood on the Dance Floor is another reason for her notoriety as the track may be her most popular song, as the song was one of the biggest tunes to hit the Nigerian airwaves in 2023. According to NME’s 2023 Emerging Artist Forecast, Bloody Civilian is one of the most important up-and-coming mavericks in Nigerian music, and The Guardian Nigeria has featured him as one of the most radical. She was voted number one on TurnTable’s NXT Emerging Top Artistes on October 9, 2023, and sixteenth on TurnTable’s Artiste Top 100 on November 6, 2023.
After releasing her project, it seemed evident that the Afrobeats princess, Bloody Civilian, is here to stay. Released in 2022, How To Kill A Man is her debut single and the first lead single off her debut extended play, Anger Management. She wrote, shot, produced, and directed the video, which was also released in the same year.
As the third single off her debut extended play Anger Management, which was independently released on June 8, 2023, through Def Jam Recordings, she released Escapism on June 6, 2023. As the main singles from her extended play Anger Management: At LEAST wE tried, she released I Don’t Like You starring JELEEL! and Candy Bleakz, Mad Apology featuring Odumodublvck, and Escapism featuring Fave and Tay Iwar on November 9, 2023. Bloody Civilian is definitely a name you should note and watch out for this year 2024!
Victony
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and rapper, Victony, (born on January 5, 2001, as Anthony Ebuka Victor) is from Imo State’s Orsu local government area. Growing up, he was influenced by musicians such as Falz, Mi, Wizkid, and Davido. Notably, he is contracted to Jungle Records and Mainland BlockParty, two Nigerian record labels. In August 2020, he released Saturn, his debut studio album. His debut in the music business came when he dropped his debut single, Ina Benz.
Victony’s first single from his Outlaw EP, Soweto featuring Tempoe, was released in 2022. A remix with Rema and Don Toliver charted in the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada after it acquired popularity on Tiktok.
Victony began his career as a rapper before transitioning and putting out R&B, trap, and Afropop albums. After he was involved in an automobile accident, his album Pray became popular, marking the beginning of 2021. He had his biggest break in October 2021 when he paired up with Mayorkun on the song Holy Father. In December 2021, the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Triller Global charts after reaching the top spot on Apple Music Nigeria. Later, he worked on the EP Nataraja with Grammy Award–winning producer Rexxie. Note that Victony was involved in a deadly car accident on April 21, 2021. One of his buddies, Doyin, was killed in the crash, and he required surgery. Following the procedure, Victony continued to use a wheelchair, but on December 24, 2021, he amazingly got up to perform for the first time with Mayorkun and Davido.
We can proudly say Victony’s career peaked when he released the remix of his Soweto song which featured iconic artist, Don Toliver, alongside the prince of Afrobeats, Rema. He went on to release another version with popular Nigerian artist, Omah Lay. The song was widely accepted and has been loved by fans globally. Last year 2023, Victony also came through with a brilliant collaboration in the industry with OHEMA, an audacious melody that combines vocals from many amazing Afrobeats singers. We look forward to what 2024 has in stock for Victony as we still expect a debut album from the entertainer.
Fave
Fave, (Born on March 13, 2000, as Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and recording artist. After posting multiple one-minute videos to Twitter during the COVID-19 lockdown, she became well-known. She was nominated for Best Artist in African Reggae, Dancehall, and Most Promising Artist at the All Africa Music Awards in 2022, and she won Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2022. Additionally, she received a nomination for the 2022 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival’s Best New Artiste.
Remarkably, Fave began to acquire popularity after her verse on a free beat produced by Jinmi Abdul went viral online, especially on Twitter, where she received a ton of supportive comments. On April 17, 2020, Fave released her official debut single, N.B.U., which stands for Nobody but U. It debuted at number 64 on the Apple Music Top 100 rankings. She then inked a one-year licensing agreement with Mr. Eazi’s emPawa Africa in November 2021, following several months of negotiations. Following the release of her most well-known song, Baby riddim, on emPawa Africa, Fave became popular.
The song Baby Riddim became the number-one song on the Nigerian turntable chart, marking the second entry by a lead female artist to do so. The tune also held the top spot for six weeks in a row for the Global Shazam Afrobeats record in 2021. On January 20, 2022, Fave’s debut EP, Riddim 5, was released on Thursday. The EP consists of five solo tracks: Baby Riddim, her biggest hit, S.M.K., Kilotufe, Mr. Man, and Obsessed. The EP became the first project launched in 2022 to reach the top of Nigeria’s Apple Music Top Albums chart. Olamide, a Nigerian rapper, included Fave on the songs Want and Pon Pon off his 2021 UY Scuti album which set her out to be one of Nigeria’s hottest female artists.
The 2022 release of Simi’s single Loyal features Fave, a Nigerian musician. Later, she appeared in the song Kante from Davido’s Timeless album, which was released in March 2023. Her voice played a significant part in the song’s powerful chorus. This year, 2024, we expect bold moves and top-charting projects from Fave as we expect her debut album is well overdue.
