These are the top talented Nigerian artists that were inspired by Wande Coal.
Wande Coal influenced and inspired a good number of Nigerian artists in the Nigerian music industry, dominating so early with the most acceptable and great melody.
This is why in the music scene, musicians often get asked and also speak at length, on their musical influences and role model.
Many times when this topic of inspiration is broached in the Nigerian music scene, musicians and emerging talents have been quick to mention Wande Coal with sparkling remarks on the impact his music has had on their decision to create music.
Other musicians have gone beyond mentioning him to embody his style and flow when making music.
Born Wande Ojosipe, today the 18th of October marks the birthday of the many-flows falsetto-voiced singer, Wande Coal, popularly known and self-touted as Black Diamond.
He becomes 36 today and with a little quick maths, deducting 2006, the year he officially became active in the music scene from the present day, this means he’s been in the game for 15 years.
So to honor and underscore Wande Coal’s inspirational work in the Nigerian music scene, encapsulated by Mayorkun on Davido’s The Best with the line, “Shey you sing pass Wande Coal?”
in this list, we give a brief rundown of some musicians he has inspired with references from their words to their flows:
Wizkid
With a successful and highly memorable US tour in the bag, many younger fans of the Starboy may know little of Wande Coal’s influence on his musical journey but before Wizkid became the much-loved Starboy, he had been weaned on the music of Wande Coal.
In fact, according to history-privy older fans of the megastar, Wande Coal is an egbon to the singer as he had also learned the ropes from him.
Speaking on Wande Coal’s influence on his sound, Wizkid had shared his love for the singer’s Mushin To Mo’Hits album saying; “This album changed my life! King Coal
Longer standing proof lies on Wizkid’s era-defining Superstar album, where Wande Coal made an appearance as the second featured non-EME artiste with his entry on the thirteenth track, For Me.
Fireboy DML
Nothing spells out Fireboy DML’s unblinking love for Wande Coal, who he has described as his idol, as well as his artistry than his performance on Peru which embodied the latter so much every listener has stories of surprise and disbelief upon finding out that Fireboy’s Peru was devoid of a Wande Coal feature.
To date, some fans even swear that Wande Coal was silently featured on the track as a ruse to confuse listeners.
Oxlade
Oxlade had even shared in an interview that he had been inspired to do music by Wande Coal saying “Wande is the reason I’m singing. Mushin to Mo’Hits is the reason I went to the studio to record music.”
With a core-hitting falsetto implemented to touch on themes of love and vulnerability, Oxlade’s influence by the Black Diamond is just as clear as their crystalline vocals.
Reekado Banks
When Reekado Banks had broken out unto the music scene, he’d taken it by storm in no time, cinching the Headies Next Rated award in 2016 to prove that his voice and artistry were one of a kind.
In conversation with Bolanle Austen-Peters of Terra Kulture, the singer shared on Wande Coal inspiring him, clearly stating “One of the first persons I really fell in love with his music was Wande Coal.
I got creative with that sound, I really liked what he was up to, and is I really wanted to feel more of that.”
Buju
Buju originally named Daniel Benson is a fast-rising 21-year-old Nigerian Afro-Fusion singer and who draws inspiration to create music ranging from his personal experiences, his environment, or the experiences of his friends.
His ability to tell stories effortlessly in his music whilst including vivid melodies and harmony is something that has made his music a ‘must-listen as it’s unexplainably enjoyable.
However you cant deny Wande Coal’s influence on Buju style of music and melody
Teni
Known as Teni Makanaki, Teni the Entertainer among other names, the singer has established herself as a veritable force in the entertainment world with her honeyed blend of Afropop and highlife which she mentions was inspired by Fuji and Afrojuju legends, Kwam 1 and Shina Peters as well as Afropop legend, Wande Coal.
Barry Jhay
Barry Jhay is a talented Nigerian artiste especially loved for the way he infuses Yoruba to deliver a relatable jam for everyone to enjoy.
Barry Jhay became very popular for his song “Aiye”, a hip-hop song he released in 2018 which earned him the nomination as “The Headies Award for Best Street-Hop Artiste”.
He is currently signed to the Cash Nation Entertainment music label. He won the “Rookie of The Year” at The Headies Award, 2019.
Barry Jhay is also very influenced and inspired by Wande Coal.
With two generations of Nigerian music greats linked to him, honorable mention being an emerging act, YKB, formerly known as Yusufkanbai, and speculation surrounding the cadences of Peruzzi being on the long list of acts who have been inspired by the Nigerian