Most Nigerian musicians have surprised the masses with their age and achievements.

Here are nine young Nigerian musicians and their achievements ;

1. Ayra Star:

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe , known professionally as Ayra Starr was born on 14 June 2002. The 22-year-old achieved mainstream recognition with her debut extended play and its hit track “Away”, which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart; the song also peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Triller Global chart, paving the way for the release of her first full-length album, 19 & Dangerous (2021).

Categorized mainly as Afropop and R&B, the mixtape received favorable critical reception and spawned two top forty hits in Nigeria. The lead single “Bloody Samaritan” peaked atop the Top 50 chart, becoming the first solo song by a female artist to reach the number-one position. Starr debuted on Pandora Predictions chart and on 28 August 2021, was ranked number three on Billboard’s Next Big Sound.

Starr would later achieve mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her song “Rush”. The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned Starr her first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.

With the song, Starr became the youngest African female artist to surpass 100 Million views on a single video on YouTube, and also the first to do so within 5 months.

2. Ruger:

Michael Adebayo Olayinka , known professionally as Ruger is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and musician. He was born on 23 September 1999. He is currently 24 years old.

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In 2021, Ruger rose to stardom under Jonzing World, a label owned by Nigerian singer D’Prince, which is an affiliate of Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records.

Ruger has won several awards for his craft. In same 2021, he won the AFRIMA best newcomer award, and also the best new artiste category at the 2023 Soundcity MVP Awards. Ruger has also swept some of the major awards, including the Best New act in Africa at the 2022 prestigious Afrima Awards.He also has two extended plays (EPs) to his name titled ‘Pandemic’ (2021) and ‘Second Wave’ (2022).

On 16 November 2022, Ruger returns with a new chest-thumping tune capsule, consisting of two songs titled ‘Red Flags’ & Asiwaju, which upon release trended on every social media platforms. Asiwaju peaked at number 1 on Nigeria’s Apple Music Top Songs chart and spent a record-breaking one month in the history of the chart.

3. Omah Lay:

Stanley Omah Didia , known professionally as Omah Lay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He was born on 19 May 1997. He is currently 27 years old.

He has released two EPs and a studio album and collaborated with artists which include Spinall, Justin Bieber, Masterkraft, and Jul. In addition to numerous charted singles, his songs “Understand,” “Attention,” and “Soso” have Gold Certifications. He has won numerous awards including Headies in 2020 and 2023.

4. Bnxn:

Daniel Etiese Benson , known professionally as Bnxn (pronounced as Benson) and formerly known as Buju, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and record producer. He was on born 14 May 1997 . He is 27 years old.

At 2022 Headies, BNXN (also known as Buju) won the Next Rated Award. This particular award is received by a promising act, with an EP or Album, in the year under review.He got nominated for the award alongside Ayra Starr, Lojay, Ruger and Zinoleesky.

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Additionally, BNXN got a brand new 2022 Bentley Bentayga SUV and will become part of an important alumni network consisting of previous winners. Last year, the award went to Omah Lay.He dedicated his award to his late mum, Ruger, Ayra Starr, his management and his girlfriend, Peggy.

5. Fire boy:

Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan , who is known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.He was born on 5 February 1996) .He is currently 28 years old .

He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by rapper Olamide. His debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, was released in 2019. He won Listener’s Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for “Jealous” at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.

In 2020, Fireboy DML gained media coverage in Nigeria when his hit single “Champion” was used by FC Bayern Munich for their UEFA Super Cup celebrations.

His song “Scatter” from his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was included in the FIFA 21 game soundtrack.

In November 2022, his song, “Coming Back For You,” was included on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

6. Lojay:

Lekan Osifeso Jnr. , popularly known as Lojay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in 28 April 1996 . He is 28 years old.

He peaked at number 8 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with his song “Monalisa”, which features Chris Brown and Sarz. He received a nomination for the Headies Award for Next Rated artiste at the 2022 Headies Award.

In 2023, Lojay alongside Nigerian singer Davido were featured on the song “Sensational” by Chris Brown. The song debuted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100, serving as Davido and Lojay’s first entry on the chart.

7. Tems:

Temilade Openiyi , known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.She was born on 11 June 1995 . She is currently 29 years old.

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She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence”, which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song “Fountains” by Canadian rapper Drake.

In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. Her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with RCA Records . In 2022, Tems’ vocals from her song “Higher” were sampled by Future on his single, “Wait for U”, which led to her being credited as a featured artist alongside Drake on the song. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to debut at number one and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart. The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

Tems covered Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack album in July 2022 and in the same month, her song “Free Mind” from her debut EP debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. She also co-wrote the song “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album Born in the Wild and further announced a supporting tour.

Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards and three Soul Train Music Awards.

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8. Ckay:

Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani , better known by his stage name Ckay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer signed to Boyfriend Music, Warner Music Africa (formerly known as. Warner Music South Africa) and Atlantic Records. He was born on 16 July 1995 . He is currently 29 years old.

He was formerly signed to Chocolate City, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA. His international hit single “Love Nwantiti”, also known as “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ahh)”, was released in 2019 by Chocolate City.

On 29 March 2022, the song debuted at number one, following the launch of the Billboard Afrobeats chart. On 9 May 2022, it became the first-ever African song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and has since been deemed “the biggest hit in African history”. Asa Asika signed Ckay to The Plug, under management during the early peak of his global career as Ckay’s manager.

9. Asake:

Ahmed Ololade , known professionally as Asake, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter. He was born on 13 January 1995 . He is currently 29 years old . He is signed to YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution. His stage name “Asake” is his mother’s name.

In September 2022, his debut album Mr. Money with the Vibe was released, breaking the record for the biggest opening day for an African album on Apple Music at the time. The album debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200 chart and recorded the highest charting Nigerian debut album in the history of the chart. His sophomore album Work of Art was released in June 2023, becoming his second album to debut at number 66 on the Billboard 200.

In 2020, Asake won Break Out Artist of the Year at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards, and was nominated as the Best African Music Act at the 2022 MOBO Awards, which marked his first international award nomination. In addition to that, he received Best New International Act nomination at the 2023 BET Awards, the same year he was listed number 5 on the Rolling Stone Music’s Future 25.

Asake walked home with a brand new car after winning the highly coveted Next Rated category at the 2023 Headies award on September 4, 2023.

In November 2023, Asake received a Grammy Award nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for “Amapiano” featuring Olamide.

In January 2024, Asake received a nomination for the 55th NAACP Image Awards for his song “Amapiano”.

Asake drops “Lungu Boy” on Aug 9, 2024, via YBNL/Empire. This explosive album features Wizkid, Travis Scott, and Central Cee.
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