International Women’s Day: Top 10 Nigerian Female Musicians

Today, March 8, is International women’s day, being a very special day to celebrate women, we have decided to celebrate the top 10 female Nigerian musicians who are representing the country well both home and abroad.

Note: The list is in no hierarch order

1. Tiwa Savage

Unarguably, Tiwa Savage is the biggest female musician in Nigeria and definitely one of the biggest in the Africa. After breaking onto the scene with her hit song Kele Kele Love in 2013, Mama Jam Jam as she is fondly called has been ever consistent. With more than 3 albums and Eps and several international and local awards to to her name, Tiwa Savage definitely deserves to top the list as she has definitely paid her dues and she is one of Nigeria most popular female musician.

2. Asa

Bukola Elemide professionally known as Asa is one of the internationally exposed Nigerian female musician. With 5 albums to her name and several accolades won both home and abroad, Asa is definitely a force to reckon with in Nigeria musical scene.

3. Yemi Alade:

Mama Afirika! Yemi Alade remains undefeated. In terms of number of streams and views, Yemi Alade is definitely one of the biggest female musician in Nigeria. She has top notch collaboration with Grammy Award winner, Angelique Kidjo. Beyond that, Yemi Alade is widely regarded as one of the biggest artiste in Africa.

4. Simi:

When you think of Simi, you think of soulful music, sonorous voice and love songs. Simisola Gold, has proven beyond every reasonable doubt that she deserves to be mentioned among the top artistes in Nigeria.

She began her career as a gospel singer and released her first studio album, named Ogaju, in 2008. In 2022’s seventh season of the TV program Nigerian Idol, she also had a prominent judge role. After releasing “Tiff,” a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Music at The Headies 2015, she became well-known to the general public in 2014.

Simi signed a record deal with X3M Music in 2014. However, after her contract with the label expired in May 2019, Simi left the company. On September 8, 2017, she made available her second studio album, Simisola.

On April 19, 2019, she celebrated her 31st birthday and released Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1, her third studio album. In June 2019, she established her record label Studio Brat.

5. Niniola:

Niniola is by no means a small artiste, her reputation speaks for her, she is one of the best in what she does.

Niniola participated in several social activities and competitions while attending secondary school. She finished third runner-up in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa. During the competition, she performed a live rendition of “Limpopo” with Kcee and her Cobhams Asuquo-produced track “Itura”. She has cited Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, The Cranberries, Madonna, Beyoncé and Angélique Kidjo as her key musical influences.Niniola released her debut single “Ibadi” on 19 March 2014. Produced by Sarz, the song received positive critical reviews, topped national music charts and gained extensive airplay. Her singles “Ibadi” and “Gbowode” were included in the soundtrack for season 2 of Gidi Up.

In 2018 DJ Snake teamed up with Niniola and created Maradona Riddim, a remix to her previously released hit Maradona. She received nods from Canadian rapper Drake and American record producer Timbaland.In 2019, elements of “Maradona” were sampled in “Find Your Way Back”, a song from Beyoncé’s soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift. Niniola is also credited as one of the track’s songwriters and composers. In April 2020, she received her Grammy nomination certificate for her work as a composer on The Lion King: The Gift.In June 2021, she received her Grammy second nomination certificate for her work as a composer on The Lion King: The Gift. In the same month Niniola got inducted into the Grammy Recording Academy Class of 2021.

6. Tems

Tems, a Nigerian alt-R&B singer, songwriter, and producer, Lagos, Nigeria, was her birthplace. Her mother is Nigerian, her father British-Nigerian. She studied economics at a Johannesburg university.

Her music career began when she was 20-year-old. Her 2013 “Time Swap EP” was her debut. She released her first single, “Try me,” in August 2019 after writing “Mr Rebel” in 2018. Her “Try Me” video has 2 million views. Tems was already a superstar after her track “try me” and her Afrobeats remix of “Know Your Value” with Khalid and Davido. She released For Broken Ears, a 7-song EP, in September 2020. “Damages,” from her For Broken Ears EP, peaked at number six on the Nigerian TurnTable Top 50 and garnered 3 million YouTube views.

Wizkid’s Made In Lagos CD included Tems on Essence, which became a global success. This Tems song topped BBC 1Xtra Airplay and made her Billboard Top 100 debut. Justin Bieber joined her on the remix. She is a Grammy award winner.

7. Ayra Starr

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, also known as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer. She was born on June 14, 2002. She was created in Benin’s Cotonou. Before opting to focus on her musical career seriously, Ayra Starr started a fashion career with Quove Model Management when she was 16 years old.

She shared her first original song to her page in December 2019 after recreating a number of well-known songs on Instagram. She was noticed by music industry boss Don Jazzy as a result, and she subsequently signed with Mavin Records.

8. Teni

Born in Lagos, she is the 9th of 10 children. Teni attended her father’s Lagos school, Apata Memorial High School. After high school, Teni studied business administration at American International University in the US before focusing on music. Niniola’s sister.

Teni’s Instagram freestyles launched her career, but “Fargin” made her famous. Nigerian music fans loved Teni’s bold words. She joined Dr. Dolor Entertainment. Teniola has written and published singles like Case, Wait, Pareke, Askamaya, and Uyo Meyo since becoming famous. Billionaire, her first EP, was nominated for a BET Award for Best New International Talent and an MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Artist in 2019. .

Teni and DJ Neptune released the Quarantine Playlist, a four-track mid-tempo EP, in April 2020. The 17-track “WONDALAND” album, released in March 2021, features Davido.

9. Omawunmi

Arguably one of the legend in the game, Omawumi Megbele, an actress and singer/songwriter from the Nigerian city of Warri who is also known by her stage name Omawumi, is also from the Delta State. Her upbeat, funk-filled pop music incorporates elements of soul and R&B. Megbele decided to pursue her interest for music and singing by applying for the 2007 West African edition of the TV talent show franchise Idols after earning a law degree from Ambrose Alli University in 2005.

Ever since the singer has been moving from strength to strength and she has achieved a legendary status in the musical scene.

10. Waje

Waje is also one of the legends in the game. A powerful singer, Waje has one of the best vocals in the Nigerian music industry. Poised, graceful and beautiful, she is the last but not the least of top 10 Nigerian female musicians.

Who do you feel should be there? Share your views and opinions in the comments section.

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