These are the top 10 Nigerian street artistes dominating the mainstream at the moment.
Street artists don’t just sing for the street; they were built for the street, so they understand what they sing about, and here are the top 10 Nigerian street artistes dominating the mainstream at the moment.
There aren’t many artists who can claim these feet, but here are the top ten street performers in Nigeria right now.
Top 10 Nigerian street artistes dominating the mainstream at the moment
Olamide – The King Of The Street
After going through this list, many would say where is Olamide. Baddo wasn’t on that list because he is the king of the street.
When Olamide said he’s the voice of the street he wasn’t lying. He has helped close to half if not more of the artistes on that list.
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, known professionally as Olamide is a Nigerian rapper and singer. He is one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa.
Olamide has marked his name in the sand of time in Nigeria’s music industry while being in the game for over a decade. He’s indeed the Baddest Guy Ever Liveth.
10. Candy Bleakz
“I’m giving this music thing my all. My blood, my sweat, and my tears. I’ve made the jump, it’s time to fly.” Candy Bleakz once wrote on Twitter and she has been doing just that.
Candy Bleakz, also known as Akiode Blessing, is a promising Nigerian female rapper.
From receiving the Upcoming Artist of the Year award at the Afrika Shrine to featuring Naira Marley and Zlatan Ibile in the blockbuster song “Owo Osu,” the 22-year-rise old’s to the top was lightning quick.
Candy is not stopping anytime soon. The chocolate city rapper recently dropped “Tikiku” and it’s making mad waves.
9. Balloranking
Yes, you guess right, that’s Balogun Olamilekan with the stage name BALLORANKING. He has been a street revelation since he bumped into our scene and ear in 2019 and has since become unstoppable.
He’s a singer, songwriter, and record producer and he is signed to the “LormyENT” record label.
He has many fantastic hit tracks to his name including but not limited to “Holiday”, “Feeling You”, “Base on Believe”, “Blessed”, “Dayema” and of course his latest track, “Marama”.
He also has an EP to his name with the release of his “Zero Panic” EP in 2021 and has collaborated with some of the most sought after music stars in Nigeria like Zinoleesky, Lyta and Mohbad.
The fast-rising artiste from Surulere enjoy massive airplay and are well connected on the street, especially as it speaks to the hustle of the young people telling them to keep hope alive.
As the last four letters of his name imply, BalloranKING is a KING of the street and KING of the new generation wave of Nigerian Afro-pop without any doubt.
8. Terry Apala
After years of learning the ropes from Apala legend Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Terry Apala got his first breakout in 2013 when Pheelz gave him a feature on his (pheelz’s) first original single as producer SEREKODE featuring Olamide,Orezi, And Phyno As Well.
Terry Apala’s Hip Hop/Trapala Style was since then a very unique and different style nobody had or imitated in the game.
Terry Apala has since worked with the likes Mi Abaga, Niniola, Ladipoe amongst many other big names then and now in the game.
He recently dropped his debut album ÀÀRÈ in February which he tagged as the Apala Fusion with very calculative and talented craftsmanship on each song.
The album had features from artistes like Duncan Mighty, Mi Abaga, Ladipoe, Backroad Gee, Psycho Yp, and a few international artistes.
I think it is safe to say Terry Apala has set a stand for himself in Nigerian street music because we are yet to hear anyone that infuses apala and hip hop music the way this guy does.
7. T.I Blaze
Akintunde Abiodun Timileyin (born February 16, 2000) is a fast-rising singer and rapper professionally known by his stage name, TI Blaze.
TI Blaze came to the limelight thanks to Olamide jumping on his song “Sometimes”, the song which later become one of the hottest songs on the street to date with the visual having close to 2m views on youtube.
Many would think TI Blaze would relent after the success of “Sometimes”, but he went on to drop an EP titled “The Fresh Prince Of Lagos” featuring Barry Jhay on a track titled Oba.
Another Track that got the street’s attention on his EP is “Try”, he was able to express himself and speak about his life which defines the type of song the street loves.
Stepping away from his EP, TI Blaze is currently disturbing the Nigerian chart with his latest single “Kilo” featuring Skibi. Currently at No.15 on Nigeria apple music and on the top 10 of every other chart.
If the street needs a face right now, TI Blaze would answer that call.
6. Zlatan
Zlatan is the CEO and founder of Zanku record. In 2014, he won the Airtel-sponsored One Mic talent show held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Zlatan has been one of the best street artists in Nigeria ever since then, dishing out hits, slang, and that street vibe around.
His success this year is obvious for the blind after dropping Benefit boys, Aleyi down to his monster hit “Money” featuring Davido.
The Ibile master is also featured on some of your favourite songs. Oladips feature Zlatan on Ajala travel, Barry Jay on Ayewada, and Gucci on scattering my head.
When we are talking about the street, Zlatan is also present.
5. Portable
Portable’s rapid rise is a perfect illustration of the popular phrase “from grass to grace”
Before December 2021, This Yoruba-born rapper, singer, and songwriter was doing his hustle and bustle in Ogun state, these days, however, he is having a London tour and amassing millions of views on Youtube – Life is a “Butterfly Effect”.
Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable was introduced into the spotlight after the release of the red hot single Zazu Zeh which became an instant hit – 6.6 million views on YouTube and a lot of downloads and plays on the streaming platform.
Even the 27-year old, taunted critics recently by claiming the song is deserving of a “Grammy Award”
Portable is one of the fastest-growing artists in the country right now.
4. Mohbad
MohBad is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper from Lagos, He built a fanbase by posting videos of himself freestyling, and in 2019 he signed a deal with Marlian Records, owned by fellow Nigerian artist Naira Marley.
3. Seyi Vibez
At this point, it will be disrespectful trying to introduce Seyi Vibez.
After breaking through mixing His ability to sing well with Yoruba and broken English and some of his musical sound infusion to keep any audience dependent on his sounds
Although the game is indeed sold separately if you’re hot on the streets, it’s only a matter of time before the mainstream and relatively talented, creative artistes sweep you off your feet.
It happened with Slimcase, Zlatan, and Bella Shmurda, the list is non-exhaustive. It’s up to the artist, though, to stand their ground well through the direction of the art, the music, and the style.
With his “Big Vibes” and “Confidence” he possesses, You’ll agree he doesn’t have to wait for “Anybody” before Seyi goes to get his “Bullion Van”. “Normally” he is “Okay” his prayer point to God was “Save Me” and when he does, “Dia Fada” cannot stop me as God got me cover and e “Ginger me”
His recent release, “bullion Van” has proved to everyone that Seyi Vibez is not an artiste who sits back and enjoys the glory of his past tracks before he thinks of how and where else to hit us again.
2. Bella Shmurda
Ahmed Abiola Akinbiyi Lawal (born 27 January 1996) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter known professionally as Bella Shmurda.
With the release of the song ‘Vision 2020’ and a remix featuring Nigerian rapper Olamide, he rose to prominence.
In 2020, he released several hit songs, some of which featured top musicians, including ‘Cash App,‘ which featured Zlatan Ibile.
He was nominated for the Headies Award for the next rated in 2020.
Bella has a contract with his record label that will expire in 2022. Bella Shmurda worked in the music and video industry, releasing, publishing, distributing, and marketing songs and videos, all for the street.
On audiomack, Bella Shmurda has over 1.39 million followers, 1.7 million monthly listeners, and 416 million total plays.
With all of these remarks, the young musician is doing quite well for himself, and the street readily accepts his rhythmic vibes.
1. Zinoleesky
Zinoleesky started his career as a random freestyling artiste on Instagram which had gathered him ‘diehard fans’ and he had gained street credibility ever since then.
Oniyide Azeez, widely known as Zinoleesky came to the limelight in 2017 after his freestyle rap videos went viral on the internet. He bagged a record deal with Marlian Music in 2019 and has released a commercial successful Extended Play titled Chrome.
He is regarded as one of the future guardians of Afrobeats because he has created hit songs such as Gone Far, Kilofeshe, Ma Pariwo, Wo Wa Mi, and Rocking.
Both the urban and rural listeners fell in love with his partner of music and his angelic voice, plus his numerous hit singles had put him in a spot of greatness.
Zinoleesky is just this artiste that understands what his fans want and he never for once disappoint even on featured songs.