The road to every journey begins with a step – Tems, Ckay, and Made Kuti have all leaped, and set to disburse their potentials to the global audience.
Taking us through the process and recognitions, Mp3bullet.ng has highlighted reasons why Tems, Ckay, and Made Kuti are all set for the global market.
2021, a good number of Nigerian artistes got international recognition for one reason or the other.
While some have been registered international stars like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Femi Kuti, and so on, it is imperative to acknowledge the up-and-coming dynamics, which in many ways could boost their morales and more importantly, its significance to the Nigerian music industry.
Arguably, Tems got her shot at the international table with Wizkid’s “Essence“; the song was released on the 20th of October 2020 off Wizkid’s Made In Lagos studio album.
The glorious chemistry between Tems and Wizkid was the captivating force that promoted the song beyond borders.
In August 2021, having had desired results and positive reviews from the MIL album, Wizzy set out the deluxe version – containing an Essence remix that featured Justin Bieber, while still retaining Tems.
With Essence, Tems secured the British Phonographic Industry Silver certification, Gold certification in Music Canada, a platinum certification at the Recording Industry Association of America, and more.
Exclusively, she also got her first Grammy Award nomination for the category of Global Music Performance.
Tems became number one on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart and 5 on the Billboard Emerging Artist chart.
She further earned two US top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with her collaboration with Drake on the song “Fountains” from his album, Certified Lover Boy.
Moreover, in June 2021, Tems grabbed her first BET Award nomination – Best New International Act Category.
These numerous achievements in less than two years have certainly set her for the global market.
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Ckay on the other hand delivered his global shot with his 2019 evergreen record, “Love Nwantiti” – an affection-themed mid-tempo sensation.
Like Tems, Ckay sprung into international fame and started bagging certifications.
His 2021 Love Nwantiti version that featured Joeboy and Ghana’s Kuami Eugene‘s spearheaded his transformation.
Commencing, Ckay secured a Gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association, then proceeded with another Gold from the BPI, finalizing with a Gold from the Recording Music NZ.
Still soaring high, Ckay received his first YouTube Plaque for amassing 100k subscribers. Additionally, he became the first African artiste to hit 20 million Spotify listeners.
Not relenting in his global pursuit, Ckay bagged his first MOBO Award nomination for the Best African Music act category.
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Lastly, Made Kuti, who currently holds the mantle for the third generation of the Anikulapo-Kuti’s music dynasty has prepared himself to dine at the international market.
The 26-year-old like his father, Femi, started music from his childhood, and just like Fela his grandfather, Made is a multi-talented instrumentalist and singer.
He released his debut studio project, Foreward in 2021 and had a joint studio album “Legacy+” with his father.
Steeped in core Afrobeat, Legacy+ is a combination of Made‘s “Foreward” and Femi’s “Stop the Hate” project.
The project which was warmly welcomed can be described as the three generations of Afrobeat in one scene.
Fela’s spirit was in form, while the bodies of his lineage were the new vessels!
Made and Femi Kuti earned their place for a Grammy Award nomination for the category of Best Global Music Album.
Despite being born in the same year, Tems, Ckay, and Made Kuti have shown beyond words their capabilities to become Nigeria’s next big international music ambassador.
Their tables are set for the global market and with the right support, our youngsters will break boundaries!