Mp3bullet.ng presents Notable Moments that spiced the Nigerian Music Industry in 2021.
The year 2021 began quietly, as the globe recovered from COVID-19, but it swiftly became one of the most eventful and bustling moments in the Nigerian music industry.
Everything from accomplishments, new music, concerts, shocking reveals and twists from favourite Nigerian artists at various times throughout the year, set social media ablaze.
With one event after another, 2021 changed things up and elevated the bar, and what better way to pay homage than with a compendium of the moments that spiced the music industry.
- RELATED: Top Nigerian Music Challenges that dominated social media in 2021
- RELATED: Nigerian musicians who set records in 2021
Burna Boy and Wizkid winning Grammy awards
Burna Boy and Wizkid made Nigerians proud after they became the first set of Afrobeat artists to clinch awards from Grammy.
Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win was one of the year’s major news stories. With his Twice As Tall album, the self-proclaimed African Giant won Best Global Music Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards, marking his first career Grammy after losing to Angélique Kidjo the year before.
Both are the inaugural winners of the newly renamed category which was previously known as Best World Music Album.
Burna Boy’s career received an immediate boost as the announcement of his win sparked months of discussion on social media platforms.
He defeated Antibalas, a Brooklyn-based afrobeat band; Tinariwen, a group of Tuareg musicians; Anoushka Shankar, a British-Indian composer; and Bebel Gilberto, a Brazilian-American singer.
Wizkid also won the Grammy for his collaboration with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy on the song “Brown Skin Girl.”
The music star also had his popular album, Made In Lagos, nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 64th Grammy Award show. Wizkid’s 2022 Grammy Awards nomination is one of the singer’s notable feats of the year.
Wizkid selling out and shutting down the O2 arena for three days
Wizkid is one of the many Afrobeat artists that enjoyed massive success in 2021. From starting the year with a Grammy win to having his song, ‘Essence” became a global anthem and topping charts, the superstar was on a rollercoaster ride of success.
His achievements didn’t slow down as they reached a zenith when he announced his O2 show. What was initially supposed to be a one-day event stretched out into three days events after tickets to every show sold out within a few minutes.
- RELATED: Nigerian artistes that broke out in 2021
- RELATED: Nigerian best Afropop international collaborations in 2021
The show reportedly made over 1.1 Billion Naira and was a massive success as the iconic arena was filled to the brim throughout the 3 days.
For the concert, he gave a platform to upcoming musicians like Tems, Buju, Bella Shmurda, Ckay, Lojay, Blaqbonez, and Ms Banks to share their art with London, while he himself shared the stage with great musicians like Chris Brown, Burna Boy, Maleek Berry, Skepta.
Davido 250 Million fundraising and donation
Davido was a trending topic for the most part of the year but it got louder in November thanks to the 250 Million fundraisings he did days to his 29th birthday.
In November, the DMW boss and superstar singer wrote, “If you know I’ve given you a hit song…send me money… una know una selves ooo,” on his Instagram before adding his account details, “David Adeleke, Wema Bank Account Number: 0123044967.”
While the message he wrote on his Instagram Page appeared to be a joke at first, Davido raised seven million Naira in seven minutes from friends and business associates.
Some notable names in the industry that sent him money include Femi Otedola, Obi Cubana, Cubana Chief Priest, E-Money, Honourable Akin Alabi, and Peruzzi.
Davido’s message instantly went viral, and the singer wanted to explore how far he could go by asking for additional money as donations from celebs and fans continued to stream in.
Many people were amazed that the musician was able to gather over N100 million in less than 24 hours, with donations totalling N200 million from friends and admirers after two days.
Later, Davido shocked the world by announcing that he will contribute N50 million from his personal account to the N200 million which would be donated to orphanages around the country.
His fans praised him for his philanthropy and encouraged his colleagues to follow in his footsteps.
P-Square reunion
Peter and Paul Okoye, better known as P-Square, put an end to their rivalry and reconciled, much to the pleasure of fans who had missed seeing them together after years of battling over who was the better twin and vocalist in the group.
When Mr. P (Peter Okoye) brought his twin brother’s children out for early Christmas shopping, the brothers hinted at a possible reunion, and then officially reunited ahead of their 40th birthday.
- RELATED: The era of Wizkid, Davido & Burna Boy in Afrobeats movement
- RELATED: Top Nigerian artistes with possible projects (album/EPs) in 2022
P-square’s reunion which came after almost three years of feuding, enthralled fans of the music duo who had been heartbroken when they parted up and drew reactions from other celebrities.
They also hosted a reunion concert to remind fans of the many memories they created when they initially started.