Famous Nigerian Artistes And The Songs That Brought Them To Limelight

It’s Thursday! Let’s throw it back again. Even though we’ve grown used to hearing the names of our favorite Nigerian artistes, they weren’t always up in our face or trending on Twitter. They started little too. Do you remember the songs that brought your favourite artistes to limelight? Well, let’s see if you’re a true fan. Continue reading to see if you remembered correctly!

1. Davido (Da mi duro, 2012)

The sensational and household name “Davido” didn’t just start being mentioned out of nowhere. Davido’s music got the attention of a large audience when he released his second single titled “Da mi duro” for which he won the Headies next rated award in 2012. 10 years after, he has since risen to great heights in the Nigerian music industry as well as globally.

2. Wizkid (Holla at your Boy, 2011)

One of Africa’s and Nigeria’s greatest Afro artistes, Wizkid came to fame when he released his first hit single titled, “Holla at your Boy“. It was this hit song that earned him the Headies next rated award in 2011. Thereafter, he released his debut album “Superstar” which gave him the wings he needed to fly to such heights as he has reached in his music career.

3. Olamide (Omo to shan, 2011)

When we think of Olamide and early days, the first song that comes to mind is “First of all” (you just said “go down low” in your head, right? 😂) or “Eni duro“. But the first hit song that truly shone the spotlight on Olamide was the single “Omo to Shan” which he released in 2011. This was the song that also earned him collaborations with famous artistes during that period and helped to advance his music career.

4. Burna Boy (Like to Party, 2012)

Hardly can we talk about the legends of Afrobeats in Nigeria today without mentioning Burna Boy. But he wasn’t always regarded as such. In fact, up until 2012 when Burna released his single, “Like to Party“, he was just another artiste trying to be the next big thing. And ten years down the line, he has done so well for himself with several awards and recognition home and abroad.

5. 2Face (African queen, 2004)

Many might not know and only few might remember, but the Legend, 2Face, (also known as 2Baba) used to be a part of a trio music group made up of 2Baba, Black Face and Faze and the group was called “Plantashun Boiz”. Even though they released two successful albums in the early 2000s, it was 2Baba’s single titled “African Queen” that would go down in history as the start of his music career following the split of the trio’s music group. Even though the same cannot be said of his former colleagues, 2Face has since risen to great heights of fame in the industry.

6. Tiwa Savage (Kele Kele Love, 2010)

Tiwa Savage, who had been singing since she was 16 years old, came to fame in the Nigerian music industry after her release of her single, “Kele Kele Love” in 2010. It was also the lead single from her debut studio album, “Once Upon a Time” released later in 2013. This song earned her a nomination for the Next Rated award at The Headies in 2011.

7. Simi (Tiff, 2014)

Even though she started off her music career as a gospel singer, Simi released her debut studio album in 2008, titled “Ogaju“. She gained prominence in the music industry in 2014 after releasing “Tiff“, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. Since then, she has had multiple collaborations with several talents in the country and has grown a fanbase of loyal supporters both locally and internationally.

8. Yemi Alade (Johnny, 2014)

Yemi Alade’s first hit song was “Johnny“. It was taken from her debut studio album, “King of Queens” (2014). The song received a lot of love from many fans in several African countries including Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and others.
Johnny” was nominated for Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2014.

9. Adekunle Gold (Sade, 2014)

It was his cover of One Direction’sStory of My Life” that brought Adekunle Gold to limelight. Do you remember now? “Oh oh oh, Sade!” The song was released in 2014 and it set many radio stations buzzing. I personally heard the song for the first time on a radio station too. The year after the release of “Sade“, he signed a music contract with YBNL nation.

10. Patoranking (Girlie O, 2014)

Did you know that in the year 2012, Patoranking released his first single titled Iya Bisi“, featuring Qdot and Kbaj? Yeah, neither did I. 😂 But you have got to remember “Girlie O” released in 2014. That was the song that brought him to limelight, and fans particularly ate up the remix with Tiwa Savage which he later released.

Which one was your favourite then? Can you still sing them word for word?