2022 was a good year for Nigerian entertainers, and 2023 promises to be even better. In no particular order, Saturday Beats takes a look at the entertainers that will most likely make things happen this year

Wizkid

Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid has continued to consolidate his prime position in the industry. In November 2022, just days after he released the album, ‘More Love Less Ego’, the singer had a sold-out concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York, United States of America. It also claimed the number two spot on the US World Albums (Billboard) chart; as well as number 15 on the UK RnB albums chart.

The singer again made history in 2022 when he became the first African to headline the Rolling Loud Festival in Toronto, Canada.

Indeed, all eyes will still be on ‘Big Wiz’ in 2023.

Asake

No one saw him coming. Call Asake the rave of the moment and that will amount to belabouring the obvious. The YBNL artiste broke records with his ‘Mr Money With The Vibes’ album. When it was released, it set a new record on Apple music after becoming the African album with the most first-day streams, as well as the most opening three-day streams. The singer also headlined shows outside Nigeria. Sadly two lives were lost after a stampede at his concert at the Brixton O2 Academy, London, United Kingdom. After paying condolences to the victims, the singer has continued to do what he knows how to do best.

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Burna Boy

Burna Boy’s vocal dexterity attests to why he is one of the most sought after musicians in the world at the moment. The Grammy Award winner continued to set records in 2022. His sixth studio album, ‘Love, Damini’, set a record as the fastest debut for an African song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its debut on the UK album chart at number 2 also made history as the highest charting afrobeats album in the UK.

The ‘Last last’ crooner was also one of the winners at the 2022 edition of the MOBO Awards. He carted home the award for the ‘Best International Act’. Last year, he became the first African to sell out the prestigious 20,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta, USA.

Having been nominated for the 2023 Grammy Awards in the ‘Best Global Music Album’ and ‘Best Global Music Performance’ categories, fans of the singer already have many things to look up to from him.

Davido

David Adeleke, aka Davido, is not just talented, he also has a resilient spirit.

On October 31, 2022, the news of the death of his only son, Ifeanyi, left him grieving, and many of his fans distraught. However, the singer has chosen to ‘stand strong’. Earlier in 2022, he sold out the 02 arena in London.

He was one of the entertainers who flew Nigeria’s flag at the FIFA World Cup 2022. He performed at the closing ceremony of the tournament in Qatar. The singer was also named the ‘Most Popular’ and ‘Most Searched Male Musician’ while his fan club – 30 BG— emerged the ‘Most Popular (Music) Fandom’ by NET Honours in 2022.

Adekunle Gold

Just like his moniker, Adekunle keeps shining like gold. In 2022, the singer embarked on his ‘Catch Me if You Can’ tour. He sold out the Toronto, Canada, venue of the concert weeks before the show.

Tems

Singer, Openiyi Temilade, professionally known as Tems, had some major career achievements in 2022. The ‘Crazy Things’ singer was nominated for the Golden Globes Award in the Best Original Score in a Motion Picture category. American rapper, Future, sampled Tems’ vocals on his Billboard hit song, ‘Wait For U.’ The sampled song which made the track’s chorus is ‘Higher’, a song from Tem’s Extended Play album, ‘For Broken Ears’. She also won the ‘Best International Act’ award at the 2022 BET Awards.

She performed at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival in Accra, Ghana, as well. Needless to say; her fans are expecting even more from her in 2023.

Deyemi Okanlawon

Deyemi Okanlawon is undoubtedly one of the most sought after actors in Nollywood at the moment. He featured in some of 2022’s biggest movies, including ‘Brotherhood’, ‘Blood Sisters’, ‘Elesin Oba’, ‘The Wild Flower’ attest to his star power and acting prowess.

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Bimbo Ademoye

No doubt, 2022 was an eventful year for actress, Bimbo Ademoye. She played different roles in quite a number of acclaimed movies, including ‘Anikulapo’. She also started a YouTube channel where she shares funny content.

Ruger

Singer, Ruger, is ending the year on a high note with his song, ‘Asiwaju’. The video for ‘Asiwaju’ which was released weeks ago already has 3.7 million views on YouTube.

He had been nominated in The Headies 2022 ‘Next Rated’ category. He has been tipped to make headlines in 2023 with his groovy tunes.

Kizz Daniel

2022 is a year that Kizz Daniel will not forget in a hurry. Two of his songs, ‘Buga’ and ‘Cough’, dominated the music industry. As of the time of filing this report, ‘Buga’ had 107million views on YouTube.

However, the singer also had his fair share of scandals when he was arrested in Tanzania for failing to perform at a concert he had been paid for. Prior to that, Daniel had also arrived late for a concert in the US. However, he is apparently living up to his billing of having ‘no bad songs’.

Oxlade

Singer, Oxlade, wormed his way into the hearts of many with his track, ‘Kulosa’, a love song which further emphasised his talent. As of the time of filing this report, the song had 11 million views on YouTube. He also released the remix of the song featuring Cuban-born American singer, Camilla Cabello. Eyes are on him to see what he would deliver in 2023.

Phyna

Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, became an instant millionaire when she got the winning the N60m prize money.

She also showed that she could have a future in Nollywood, as she featured in one of Broda Shaggi’s skits.

Singer, Daniel Benson, aka Bnxn (formerly Buju) was tipped as one of the entertainers to watch out for in 2022, and he lived up to expectations. His Extended Play album, ‘Bad Since 97’ got rave reviews from both fans and industry stakeholders.

In September 2022, he won The Headies 2022 ‘Next Rated’ award.

Ayra Starr

Mavin Records singer, Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, aka Ayra Starr, is definitely not an artiste one should underestimate. Her song, ‘Rush’, was one of the tunes that dominated the airwaves in 2022.

The track also made a former US President, Barrack Obama’s Top 2022 Songs list.

She was also Boomplay’s most streamed female artiste of 2022.

Iyabo Ojo

Outspoken actress and filmmaker, Iyabo Ojo, did not appear in many movies in 2022 but she regularly set social media abuzz with her her humorous videos on Tiktok and other antics. She was one of the cast members of ‘The Real Housewives of Lagos’ TV series.Many of her fans were shocked when Ojo on her birthday about two weeks ago, unveiled the love of her life, Paul Okoye, better known as Paul O, who is a showbiz personality. He is one of the go-to guys when it comes to getting endorsement deals for artistes.

Toyin Abraham

Despite not appearing in many movies in 2022, Toyin Abraham bagged several endorsement deals. In an interview with media personality, Ebuka Uchendu, she referred to herself as one of the richest actresses in Nollywood. She recently released her movie, ‘Ijakumo’, featuring Kunle Remi, Antar Laniyan, Bimbo Akintola and others. As of the time of filing this report, the film had already made some cool millions, and was poised to make even more.

READ ALSO: Kizz Daniel’s ‘Buga’ Hits 100m Views On YouTube

Don Jazzy

Singer, producer and record label executive, Don Jazzy, is undoubtedly one of the most influential personalities in the music industry. His Mavin Records is home to top artistes, such as Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe and Crayon.

The businessman bagged endorsement deals in 2022, appeared in skits, and started a business, ‘Jazzy’s Burger’.

Sabinus

In a space of months, Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, aka Mr Sabinus, transformed from being an emerging content creator to becoming one of the most popular skit makers in the country.

He did not just win the ‘Content Creation Award’ category of the AMVCA 2022, he bagged some endorsement deals as well. His skits, especially because of his facial expressions and mannerism, continue to resonate with Nigerians. In the course of the year, he hosted his own show in the UK, and another one in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Rema

Call Rema one of the biggest Nigerian artistes of 2022 and you won’t be wrong. His ‘Rave and Roses’ debut album charted 10 songs on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart following its release. As of the time of filing this report, the video of his hit song, ‘Calm down’, had attracted 301m views on YouTube. The song also made Obama’s song list.

Meanwhile, fans will not forget in a hurry how in November 2022, he sold out the O2 Brixton Arena, London.

Macaroni

Adebowale Adedayo, aka Mr Macaroni, has continued to maintain a place as one of the leading skit makers in the country. His influence is also felt in the area of human rights, as he relentlessly fights for the rights of others.

In 2022, he clinched several endorsement deals and won many awards. This was even as he regularly spoke at events to empower young Nigerians.

Kunle Remi

From wining the Gulder Ultimate Search competition in 2010, Kunle Remi has grown in his acting career. Undoubtedly his most popular role so far, Remi acted the character of ‘Saro’ in Kunle Afolayan’s movie, ‘Anikulapo’. He also acted as a pastor in Toyin Abraham’s movie ‘Ijakumo’.

TG Omori

ThankGod Omori, better known as TG Omori or Boy Director, is a talented music video director and cinematographer. He directed the music video for Kizz Daniel’s hit song, ‘Buga’. He has also worked with artistes such as Burna Boy, Asake, Fireboy, Mayorkun, Olamide, Pheelz and others.

Portable

Love him or hate him, Habib Okikiola, aka Portable, has constantly been in the news for both good and bad reasons since he came to the limelight in the latter days of 2021. This was after his song, ‘Zazuu Zeh’, featuring Olamide and Poco Lee, became a hit. As of the time of filing this report, the song had 10 million views on YouTube.

Meanwhile, his antics on and off the stage have been widely talked about. On several occasions, he fell out with colleagues and other entertainment industry stakeholders.

Indeed, many people have their eyes on the singer to see what he will do in 2023. Though some are of the opinion that he will soon fizzle out of relevance, his fan base has actually been increasing.

PUNCH