The Nigerian music scene stands as one of the most vibrant globally, with Afrobeats talents commanding attention and making waves worldwide, showcasing the Nigerian sound and spirit. Beyond these homegrown talents, there are artists representing Nigeria from foreign lands. Many of these artists immigrated at a young age but have remained deeply connected to their roots, often singing in their native tongue, collaborating with indigenous acts, and proudly flying the Nigerian flag. Here are five Nigerian artists in the diaspora you should know.
Obongjayar
It would be fitting to begin with one of the most significant yet still underrated Nigerian acts in the diaspora, Obongjayar. Growing up wasn’t easy for Obongjayar; he was raised in Calabar by his grandmother after his mother fled to the UK to escape his abusive father. He later joined his mother in the UK at the age of 17.
Obongjayar began his music career by posting music on Soundcloud, initially influenced by his childhood exposure to American Hip-Hop. However, he later reinvented his style, blending elements of Afrobeat, spoken word, soul, and electronic music. His music style is hard to pin down, characterized by a unique blend of singing, rapping, and spoken words, which he effortlessly switches between in his songs. What truly sets his music apart is his unmistakable voice and smooth delivery.
With a rich discography, Obongjayar has released four EPs, with one of the most notable to the Nigerian scene being his collaborative EP “Sweetness” with Nigerian veteran producer Sarz. Additionally, he premiered his debut Album “Some Nights I Dream Of Doors” two years ago, a project hailed as a masterpiece.
Kida Kudz
Sporting the catchphrase “Jiggy,” Young Jonn may be the most well-known, but knowledgeable music fans are aware of another user, perhaps even the originator: Kida Kudz. Born in Nigeria but based in the UK since the age of 14, Kida Kudz gained recognition in 2010 when he won the second edition of the Peak Talent Show, marking him as a child prodigy. His music is unmistakable, characterized by a unique flow and voice, blending UK Afroswing with Nigerian Afrobeats.
Throughout his career, Kida Kudz has consistently delivered quality content, including two mixtapes, an EP, and a handful of singles. He has collaborated with several Nigerian acts such as Burna Boy, Bella Shmurda, and Madé Kuti, as well as foreign acts like Ms Banks. Notably, he remains proud of his origins, revisiting collaborations and releasing socially conscious singles like “In My Country” shortly after the infamous 20.10.20 events.
Nonso Amadi
Chinonso Obinna Amadi (Nonso Amadi) spent most of his life in Nigeria until 2015, when he relocated to Canada after completing university. Despite being based in Canada, he has firmly established himself as one of the premier R&B powerhouses in the Nigerian music scene.
As a self-taught songwriter and music producer, his talent is truly remarkable. He gained significant traction in 2015 following the release of his debut EP, featuring the standout single “Tonight,” which quickly became a hall of fame Nigerian R&B record. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered quality projects, with his EPs garnering acclaim and his album “Before It Blooms” ranking among the best projects of the previous year.
Nonso Amadi’s collaborations with artists such as Mr Eazi, Odunsi the Engine, Majid Jordan, and Kwesi Arthur have further solidified his position in the music industry. He is signed to UMG Canada, Def Jam Recordings, UMG Nigeria, Polydor, and MCA Records France.
Darkoo
Big Drippo is widely recognized as one of the prominent female hip-hop acts in the UK, but her roots trace back to Nigeria. Born to Nigerian parents in Nigeria, she relocated to the UK at the age of 7. It wasn’t long before she ventured into music, starting her career in drill at the age of 15 before incorporating singing into her style.
Her breakthrough came in 2019 with the release of her single “Gangster,” which made waves on the UK Official Singles Charts. Since then, she has achieved significant commercial success while maintaining a high standard of musical output. She notably featured on Russ Millions and Tion Wayne’s hit song “Body” and has collaborated with artists like Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Mayorkun, Kidi, and BNXN.
In 2022, Darkoo received a nomination for Best Diaspora Afrobeats Artist of the Year at The Headies Awards. Additionally, Pandora Music Italy recognized her as one of the most streamed musicians, alongside other notable artists and record labels such as Marco Mengoni, Keymaker Records, Federica Carta, and Baby K, the following year.
Mannywellz
In an industry saturated with repetitive sounds and homogeneous flows, Mannywellz shines as a beacon of originality. Born into a musical family, with his father Kunle Ajomale being a fairly successful gospel act, Mannywellz moved to America at the age of 9. There, he honed his musical skills and emerged as one of the most exciting Nigerian acts in the diaspora.
Throughout his career, Mannywellz has achieved considerable success, boasting a respectable discography highlighted by some of the finest Nigerian soul projects. Despite facing challenges, including issues with his US citizenship that prevented him from visiting his roots for over 14 years, Mannywellz remained true to his Nigerian heritage. Even before his visit last year, he consistently represented Nigeria in his music, often incorporating his local dialect into his songs.
In these diaspora acts mentioned, how would you rank them?
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