Jukebox Top 10 Nigerian Artistes Of 2024

If someone in the near future were asked to encapsulate the essence of 2024, they might find it challenging to fully articulate its impact on Afrobeats. However, the now-iconic Vince McMahon crying gif would suffice—perfectly capturing the overwhelming sense of awe, pride, and joy that Afrobeats fans experienced throughout the year.

2024 will undoubtedly be remembered as a golden age for mainstream Afrobeats—a benchmark year of excellence, creative output, and unprecedented global recognition for the genre. Rarely has a single year witnessed such a consistent and prolific release of music and albums from so many of the industry’s top talents. This was a year of abundance, where chart-topping hits, innovative trends, and boundary-pushing artistry became the norm. Below, we spotlight the artists who defined this remarkable year:

Shallipopi

Since bursting onto the mainstream scene in 2023, Shallipopi has maintained his relevance in a fast-paced industry where fleeting fame is all too common. His ability to sustain momentum in 2024 is a testament to his talent and adaptability.

One of the standout moments of Shallipopi’s year was the establishment of his record label, which has already nurtured successful artists like Zerry DL, Reehaa, and Tega Boi DC. Shallipopi also released his sophomore album, Shakespopi, which debuted at number one on the TurnTable Top 100 Albums chart. While not groundbreaking, the album delivered enough commercial success to secure his place among the industry’s elite.

The lead single, “ASAP,” became an instant hit, topping the TurnTable Top 100 chart. Shallipopi’s versatility shone in his collaborations, including his appearance on King Promise’s “Continental” and Rema’s “Benin Boys” from the album Heis. Both tracks enjoyed massive success, with the latter gaining over one million streams on its first day and debuting atop the TurnTable chart.

Shallipopi was also featured on Victony’s “Ludo” from the Stubborn album, which charted impressively. His live performance of “Benin Boys” alongside Rema and Zerry DL at the UK Wireless Festival was one of the year’s most talked-about moments.

Seyi Vibez

Like Shallipopi, Seyi Vibez had a landmark year, particularly through his work with Vibez Inc., his label. Seyi Vibez dominated the streaming platforms, becoming the most-streamed artist in the first quarter of 2024 with over 156.3 million streams on TurnTable charts. His single “Different Pattern” from the previous year’s NAHAMciaga EP emerged as the most-streamed song in Nigeria in 2024.

On Spotify, Seyi Vibez clinched the second spot for most-streamed artists in Nigeria. His feature list was equally impressive, appearing on numerous major tracks throughout the year. He also sold out the O2 Indigo Arena, a 2,750-capacity venue, further cementing his status as a top-tier artist.

The younger talents in his label also shone brightly. Muyeez, at just 16 years old, became the youngest artist to achieve multiple #1 hits on Apple Music Nigeria, with three chart-topping projects in just five weeks. TML Vibez, another standout from Vibez Inc., released multiple projects, with the label collectively dropping 13 projects in just six months—a testament to their unparalleled productivity.

Olamide

As an established legend, Olamide proved once again that he doesn’t need to dominate the spotlight to make an impact. In 2024, he released Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1, an album that achieved a clean sweep by debuting at #1 on all major Nigerian music charts. The album reception was what really stood out spectacularly, the body of work was received with open hands by fans of Olamide and Nigerian Afrobeats and Hiphop. It debuted with 7.29M in its first week, one of the biggest for the year 2024.

Olamide’s feature list for the year was extensive and impressive, with appearances on tracks by Zlatan, Pheelz, Peruzzi, CKay, Rybeena, Chike, Khaid, Alpha P, and Gimba, among others. And in every appearance, he showed why he is regarded as Africas greatest rapper, dropping bars and even flexing versatility on some dropping vocals and choruses. Even in a “quiet” year, Olamide showcased why he remains an Afrobeats powerhouse.

ODUMODUBLVCK

ODUMODUBLVCK has redefined what it means to be a Nigerian rapper. As the most sought-after Afrobeats act in 2024, he delivered an astonishing 32 features in a single year. Star amongst those was with Davido on Funds (with Chike), Rema on War Machine, The reimagined version of Olufunmi, Tiwa Savage, and Blaqbonez all delivered within a year span, just unbelievable talent.

Despite not releasing a solo project, his impact was undeniable, as he ranked #7 among the most-streamed Nigerian artists on Spotify. His album, Eziokwu, even though it premiered in 2023 ranked #3 for most-streamed projects and remains a cornerstone of Nigerian hip-hop.

ODUMODU’s accolades include a nomination for “Best International Flow” at the BET Hip-Hop Awards and another nod at the MOBO Awards for “Best African Music Act.” His tour, initially planned with Shallipopi, saw multiple sold-out shows across the globe.

Victony

Victony may not have achieved the commercial dominance of his peers, but his 2024 was defined by sheer quality. His debut studio album, Stubborn, was widely hailed as one of the best albums of the year, earning critical acclaim for its innovative sound and cohesive storytelling. Just the sheer quality of the project he dropped has earned him a spot amongst thousands of acts in the industry in this top ten list. Being his debut project, it is now in the debates with classics Face 2 Face, Mushin 2 Mohits, Superstar, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps when ranking best debut albums we’ve seen in the genre,

Victony’s artistry continues to set him apart, and his Bonfire event that just held remains one of the most anticipated highlights of the year.

Wizkid

Wizkid may have had a late start to 2024, but his October release of the highly anticipated Morayo album reshaped the year’s narrative. Breaking countless records, the album achieved 12.12 million streams on its first day, surpassing Burna Boy’s I Told Them for the largest first-week streams ever.

The album’s lead single, “Kese (Dance),” broke records for the most single-day streams for a song. Every track on Morayo surpassed 500,000 streams on Spotify Nigeria on its first day, a historic achievement. Even with a late-year start, Wizkid reminded the world why he remains the GOAT of Afrobeats.

Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr elevated her career with the release of The Year I Turned 21, her sophomore album. The project debuted at #1 on the Nigerian Albums Chart and entered the Billboard 200 at #195, making her the first Nigerian female artist to achieve this milestone. Critics praised the album’s innovative production and compelling storytelling.

Her 21 Tour took her across Africa, Europe, and North America, solidifying her status as a global superstar. Collaborating with Coldplay on “Good Feelings” and supporting their world tour further showcased her versatility. Ayra Starr also won numerous awards, including the MTV EMA for “Best African Act” and the BET Award for “Best New Artist.”

Asake

Asake’s Lungu Boy album and accompanying global tour were defining moments of 2024. The album set new records, including 9.2 million streams on its opening day on Spotify. Tracks like “MMS” smashed streaming records, while features with Central Cee, Stormzy, and Travis Scott added international appeal.

Asake emerged as the most-streamed artist on Spotify Nigeria and clinched a Grammy nomination for “MMS” featuring Wizkid. With countless chart-topping hits and viral moments, Asake reinforced his position as a leader in the Afrobeats scene.

Tems

Tems made history in 2024 as the first African singer to receive a Billboard Women in Music Award. Her debut album, Born in the Wild, was a commercial success, peaking in the top 30 in Europe and the top 60 in the U.S.—a record for a Nigerian female artist.

Her single “Love Me JeJe” became an anthem, and her world tour further cemented her global appeal. Tems earned three Grammy nominations, including “Best Global Music Album” for Born in the Wild and “Best R&B Song” for “Burning”.

Rema

Rema followed up the success of his debut with his sophomore album, Heis, which shattered records by becoming the fastest Nigerian album to surpass five million streams for every track on Spotify. With 17 appearances on Billboard’s Year-End Charts, Rema’s impact on the global music scene was undeniable. His YouTube recap dropped with over 170M hours listened and 20B views across board, for his Spotify Wrapped for 2024, he had 1.6B streams, a global star like no other.

Even more impressive, his album HEIS was ranked among the best album of the year by these popular critics BILLBOARD, ROLLING STONE, COMPLEX, NPR, UPROXX & NME making it just not a classic amongst fans and casual listeners, but also among critics, a feat not for just any body of work, but for works of art.

The year 2024 was a groundbreaking chapter in the history of Nigerian music, solidifying its place as a global powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and cultural influence. With a perfect blend of rich traditional roots and cutting-edge sounds, Nigerian artists not only dominated the African music scene but also left an indelible mark on the international stage. Each artist brought their unique flavor to the evolving genre of Afrobeats, experimenting with new rhythms, infusing diverse genres, and delivering unforgettable performances that resonated with fans worldwide.
From chart-topping albums to sold-out concerts in some of the most iconic venues around the globe, 2024 saw Nigerian music breaking boundaries and crossing borders like never before. Collaborations with global superstars became the norm, and Nigerian artists were regularly featured on major playlists, award shows, and festivals.
As the genre continues to thrive and evolve, the legacy of this extraordinary year will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Afrobeats stars. The success stories of 2024 have set new benchmarks for artistry, creativity, and ambition, proving that Nigerian music is not just a trend but a movement that is here to stay. With its infectious beats, heartfelt lyrics, and universal appeal, Afrobeats has firmly established itself as a cultural force, and its rise shows no signs of slowing down.