Nigerian Music You Should Know for 2015

Twitter: @wizkidayo

In the winter of 2010, WizKid’s afrobeat sound turned heads with the DJ Klem and Vebee-produced “Holla at Your Boy.” The following year his debut album Superstar was released, introducing the world to hits like “Pakurumo,” “Tease Me/Bad,” and “Don’t Dull.”

A period of silence followed. Then, towards the end of last year WizKid released his surprise sophomore album, AYO. The album was highlighted by Auto-Tune dance singles “Show You the Money” and “Jaiye Jaiye” featuring Femi Kuti.

Since AYO, WizKid has been collaborating with artists like Chris Brown and Ghanaian star rapper Sarkodie. He's also been providing fans with footage from his recent concerts in Africa and United Kingdom via Instagram, so the whole crew can rise with WizKid.

Twitter: @burnaboy

Burna Boy rose to prominence in 2012 by mixing afrobeat, reggae, hip-hop, and house fusion in his breakout track "Like To Party." His rhyming includes a Nigerian mix of both Igbo and Yoruba, with hints of South London Jamaican Patois.

Not only is his rhyming unique, but Burna Boy's delivery is straight mesmerizing. For his latest track “Soke,” he delivers a smooth, ever-changing pattern of Auto-Tuned lyrics over production that recalls Kaytranada and SBTRKT.

But Burna Boy's brand has begun to extend beyond his music. He's developed a reputation for spectacular music videos, first with the '50s inspired video for “Tonight,” and in his recent “Rockstar” video.

For "Rockstar," Burna Boy throws a party similar to his first “Like To Party” video, but this time around he decides to show how far he's come, throwing the party in a mansion and bussing in all his friends and neighbors. Burna Boy's latest move? Signing a publishing deal with Universal Music Group South Africa.

Twitter: @iam_Davido

Born in Atlanta but raised in Lagos, Davido has been finding musical success in Africa since his wild, unstoppable single "Dami Duro" that was released in 2011. Recently, the 22-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer has been working with Philly’s Meek Mill and touring from SXSW to Dubai and South Africa.

Davido has been slowly climbing his way to the top, and anticipation for his second album, O.B.O., has reached a fever pitch. He's been trying to finish school amidst all the hype, and he'll wrap up classes right before the album drops in June: “I’m inviting all of you for my graduation on June 7," Davido said during Kenya's Afrobeatz Festival. "Then on June 8 I launch my album. I have worked hard for this degree, day in day out. If I am in China today and I have exams tomorrow, I better get to school tomorrow or else everything is a bust.”

We've already heard one single, "Gobe," but get ready for Davido's next album to launch him even farther up the ladder.

Twitter: @aphroDIJA

Nigerian songstress Di’Ja has lived in the U.S. and Canada, and she's beginning to buzz in all three countries with her soothing voice and jazz-infused melodies.

Di’Ja has had quite a music career thus far. It started in 2008, when she was named "Best New Artist" at the Beat Music Awards and she has gone on to be nominated for both “Most Promising Act to Watch” at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards and “Best Urban/R&B Single" at the Canadian Radio Music Awards in 2014.

Since then, Di’Ja has been quietly climbing up the male-dominated Mavin Records ladder with her appearance on “Dorobucci” and, most recently, her solo single "Awww." 2015 is the year you might want to watch out for Di'Ja.

Twitter: @koredebello

19-year-old singer/songwriter Korede Bello has captured people's attention in the past year with his hit singles “Cold Outside” and "GodWin.” Currently he is working on new music alongside Don Jazzy. We expect to see more of his self-described “sweet music” style in this next project.

Bello says “sweet music” comes from the content of the message, not necessarily how it sounds. He has successfully found a way not to be confined and to find fans across different genres, with his track “African Princess” infusing a bit of jazz into the established Afro-soul genre. Korede is still on the up and up, so look out for the singer to make big waves following the success of "GodWin."

Twitter: @ReekadoBanks

Nigerian rapper and singer Reekado Banks signed to Mavin Records just last year off the strength of his single “Turn It Up.”

Since then, he has been making sure that his work goes beyond African borders by collaborating with D.C. rapper Wale on the single “Allelu.” The collab is heavy, a big percussive beat backed by a chorus of voices.

The young artist is slowly but surely progressing, and seeing how he just graduated the University of Lagos, hopefully Reekado Banks will now have even more time to focus on music.

Twitter: @iamdbanj

Signed to both Mercury Records (via Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music deal) and Sony Music Africa, D'banj a.k.a "Koko Master” is back. Late last year, after a lengthy absence, he released “Feeling the N***a,” a song that immediately re-established his status as a first-tier artist.

Produced by DB Records' Deevee, "Feeling the N***a" brought D'Banj's classic Afrobeat style back to the masses, recalling his past hits like “Why Me,” “Suddenly,” the "Scapegoat" remix with Kanye West, and “Fall in Love.”

Now that he's released new music, however, calls for the next project have gotten even louder. D'Banj's D’Kings Men was released just last year, but the people want more. It'll be tough to follow up an album that included Kanye West, Big Sean, and Snoop Lion, but there's no doubt D'Banj is up to the task. Get familiar below.

Twitter: @Iceprincezamani

The 28-year old singer, songwriter, and actor recently released visuals to the track “Mutumina” in March. The release coincided with Ice Prince's SXSW performance at the first ever “Sounds from Africa” showcase in Austin, appearing alongside artists like Sarkodie, R2bees, and Davido.

From here, Ice Prince Zamani is continuing work on his latest EP, Trash Can Vol. 2 and even met up with Jay Z back in the Chocolate City Records office. Connects with Jay and an interview with The Breakfast Club mean Ice Prince could be closer than most to breaking onto the American music scene.

[caption id="attachment_521957" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Image via NotJustOk[/caption]

Twitter: @olamide_YBNL

Olamide has been having a very collaborative year. He recently released a joint album with rapper Phyno called 2 Kings. He was also featured on the aforementioned Wale track “Allelu” alongside Don Jazzy and Reekado Banks.

The album's release continues Olamide's tradition of dropping an album every year. It's been five years since Olamide started the tradition, and he has five albums to show for it.

One of the standouts from 2 Kings was “Ladi,” featuring Lil Kesh and little more than some heavy hand drums and Olamide's unstoppable flow. Stream below.

Twitter: @Iyanya

It all started with the hit single “Kukere,” and now Nigeria's Iyanya is a household name. Lately Iyanya has been shying away from recording music to tour around the U.K. and at festivals like the Gidi Culture Festival in Lagos. He's also taken up acting, and he's set to appear in his first Nollywood film later this year.

His music has made Iyanya somewhat of a national sex symbol, with tracks like “Sexy Mama,” “Ur Waist," and “Mr. Oreo” gaining club banger status throughout Lagos. From this buzz he was able to expand his label Made Men Music Group, signing artists like Selebobo, Tekno Miles, and Beso.

Twitter: @MoCheddaH

Though she may not be new to the Nigerian scene, pop songstress Mo’Cheddah is proving to be the strong female presence the West African music scene so desperately needs.

Her independent streak began when Mo'Cheddah decided to leave her old label Knighthouse to create her own, Cheddah Music. Through this label she has released singles like Olamide-featuring “Bad.” The Afro-beat rap and R&B track showcases MoCheddah skills as both a singer and a rapper—she has been justly compared to Nicki Minaj. Be sure to be on the look out for her new music.