The Nigerian music industry has constantly and consistently pushed boundaries, and 2024 was no different. 2024 saw a catalog of unexpected collaborations and mind-blowing albums & EPs from both established and emerging artists, with each serving unique styles and sounds.

The avalanche of albums from both powerhouses and new acts added a unique voice to the industry. From new experimentations to brilliant local and international collaborations to genre-defying fusions to streaming dominance, there was never a dull season in the industry.

Rema’s HEIS album emerged as the defining project of the year—a daring departure from the trends of the time. Tracks like Ozeba and Hehehe delighted audiences worldwide, garnering over 20 million streams on Spotify and dominating the clubs for a long time.

His approach to the album demonstrated his fearless attitude and also showed that experimental sounds can thrive in the commercial space.

Fireboy DML’s Adedamola was another standout release. Leaning towards his Yoruba roots, he delved into reflective themes with songs like Iseoluwa, Letting Go, and Everyday, which resonated with listeners and peaked on the Turntable Top 100 album charts. The album also creatively brought different generations of Nigerian musicians and styles in Lagbaja, and Wande Coal’s style in Wande’s Bop.

Star maker and hit maker Olamide’s ikigai vol 1, served as a perfect reminder that ‘an old man does not forget the dance he knows.’ With hits like Metaverse, Makaveli, and Hello Habibi, the veteran rapper blended lyrical dexterity with diverse production, showcasing his ability to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

He also united YBNL's past and present artists in the project in tracks like Uptown Disco and Synchro System, further underscoring Olamide’s status as a Nigerian music star launch pad.

One of the 2024 fan favorites, Stubborn by Victony, was an emotive, genre-bending masterpiece that showed the artist’s storytelling prowess and his knack for collaboration.

Phyno’s Full Time Job in the second half of the year was another masterpiece. The high-energy, hip-hop-infused album celebrated the grind and determination required to succeed. Featuring Phyno’s signature Igbo rap, and British rapper, Ardee as an international feature, the album resonated with fans from all walks of life.

Aside from becoming the first Nigerian female artist to reach One billion streams on Spotify, Tems had a great year with her Born In The Wild album which also housed her beginning of the year international hit Love Me Jeje. The incredibly talented artist was also honored with the Breakthrough Award for 2024 Billboard Women, making her the first African artist to be honored with the prestigious award.

With his infectious fusion of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Fuji, Asake delivered Lungu Boy, one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Collaborations with global heavyweights like Travis Scott and Wizkid showcased his ability to seamlessly merge local and international sounds, earning the album significant acclaim.

Ayra Starr’s The Year I Turned 21 was a testament to her ever-growing versatility as an artist. The tracks Commas and Woman Commando reflected a bold exploration of genres and emotions, proving why she remains one of the most exciting voices of her generation.

Other special mentions include Emotions (Ckay), Son of Chike (Chike), Morayo (Wizkid), Jiggy Forever (Young John), Rebel Queen (Yemi Alade), Niggas From The South (King Perryy), Shakespopi (Shallipopi), OFA (Oxlade of Africa) (Oxlade), Realness Over Hype (Victor AD), Commercial Break (Winny), Hard Guy Confessions (Johnny Drille & Don Jazzy), Welcome to the Pack (Alpha P), What would You Do without Me (Cheque), Gold II (Tay Iwar & Le Mav), Another Style (Kaestyle), RnB (Ruger & BNXN), NWA (Kida Kudz), Evil Twin (Psycho YP & Jeriq), No Love In Lagos (The Cavemen & SDC), Loseyi Professor (Seyi Vibez) and others!.

BREAKOUT STARS – A New Generation of Superstars 

Beyond the dominance of the household names, 2024 was a year for fresh talents to shine.

One of the most talked about stars is Llona. His Afro-sad music really reached quite an audience with his themes touching mental health struggles. His debut project Homeless garnered over 60 million plays on Spotify, and the artist reached over a million monthly listeners. His Spotify artist wrap data showed he had 1.6 million streaming hours, and 37 million streams, and his music reached over 182 countries in 2024. This shows his tremendous rise to the ears of music enthusiasts and fans.

Fido was another breakout star who burst onto the scene with his slow-tempo and addictive track Awolowo. He went on to create the local and international remix of the track with Tiwa Savage and Colombian star Kapo. He also kickstarted his 2025 ascent with the massive hit Joy is Coming, setting the tone for another explosive year.

Other breakout stars who impressed in 2024 include Taves with his futuristic sounds, Ayo Maff, who opened Asake’s tour at the O2 Arena in 2024 and delivered his debut Ep Maffians, the 2008-born star Muyeez, Afro-drill star Kaestyle, Wizard Chan, Winny, Firstklas, Zerry DL, and the musical trio Brown Joel, Boypee, and Hyce.

The Nigerian music industry in 2024 witnessed remarkable growth, driven by artists boldly experimenting with diverse sounds and engaging in cross-genre collaborations that elevated the industry's global appeal. Despite this progress, some projects faced criticism for monotony, stat padding, and a lack of depth.

Nevertheless, the industry as a whole showed resilience, with both mainstream and niche acts finding success, solidifying Nigeria’s position as a powerhouse on the global music stage. This promises continued growth, with the certainty that Nigerian artists will continue captivating audiences worldwide, one beat at a time.

A catalog of mind-blowing albums & EPs from both established and emerging artists released in 2024.

2024 Recap – The Nigerian Music Industry

A catalog of mind-blowing albums & EPs from both established and emerging artists released in 2024.

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