Roots of Wizkid
The artists and genres Wizkid came out of — one hop back on the influence tree.
MavoartistNigerian singer and songwriter Ayra Starr has recorded material for two studio albums and one extended play, and has been featured on songs by other artists. After uploading covers and original compositions to Instagram, she was discovered by Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy, who signed her to the label in 2019 following a direct message exchange. She spent over a year in artist development before releasing her self-titled debut EP Ayra Starr on 22 January 2021. The five-track record merges elements of R&B and neo-soul with Afropop percussive rhythms, addressing themes of romance, heartbreak, and empowerment from a teenage perspective. Starr co-wrote four of the five songs with her brother Oluwadamilare Aderibigbe, while working primarily with producers Louddaaa, Dayogrey, and Don Jazzy. The EP spawned the single "Away", which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Triller Global chart.
2BabaartistInnocent Ujah Idibia MON, known by his stage name 2Baba and formerly as 2Face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, Face 2 Face (2004). He is regarded as one of the "most influential" and greatest Afrobeats artists of all time following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.
Kel-PartistUdoma Peter Kelvin Amba known professionally as Kel-P is a Nigerian record producer, singer and songwriter. He is the founder and the CEO of Bully Entertainment, and is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing France, Universal Music France, and Virgin Music France, with a management deal with Jones Worldwide. He was formerly signed to Aristokrat from 2019 to 2023, and is best known for exclusively producing and co-writing the Grammy nominated world album African Giant in 2019.
Kiss DanielartistDaniel Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, professionally known as Kizz Daniel, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2014 with his breakout single, "Woju". He signed a record deal with G-Worldwide Entertainment in 2013, but left the label following a publicized contract dispute and court case. He founded his own record label, Flyboy I.N.C, in November 2017. On 3 February 2023, he was announced by Audiomack alongside Snazzy the Optimist, Asake and 1ucid as the top trending and most streamed artistes.
Ajebutter22artist
GuiltyBeatzartist
Kizz DanielartistDaniel Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, professionally known as Kizz Daniel, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2014 with his breakout single, "Woju". He signed a record deal with G-Worldwide Entertainment in 2013, but left the label following a publicized contract dispute and court case. He founded his own record label, Flyboy I.N.C, in November 2017. On 3 February 2023, he was announced by Audiomack alongside Snazzy the Optimist, Asake and 1ucid as the top trending and most streamed artistes.
Burna Boyartist
TemsartistTemilade Anna Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.
Fela Kutiartist
Bob Marleyartist
AsakeartistAhmed Ololade, known professionally as Asake, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter. His debut album, Mr. Money with the Vibe (2022) broke the record for the biggest opening day for an African album on Apple Music at the time, and debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200 chart. His second album Work of Art (2023), matched the chart position of its predecessor. Asake's third album Lungu Boy (2024) became his third consecutive number one album in Nigeria, and the longest-running number one in Nigeria chart history.
DJ Maphorisaartist
Tay IwarartistAustin Iornongu Iwar Jnr, known professionally as Tay Iwar, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, composer, sound engineer and record producer known for his vibrant blend of R&B and Afro-fusion, drawing upon classic Afrobeat, hip-hop, and future sounds. Tay Iwar's career can often feel longer than it's been. He was only in his teens when he released his first full-length projects, including 2016's Renascentia. He then rose to wider fame with 2019's Gemini, released with LA-based music collective Soulection.
BlaqbonezartistEmeka Akumefule, known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper and singer signed to Chocolate City.
Zara Larssonartist
Ayra Starrartist
Tiwa Savageartist
Davidoartist
Jorja Smithartist
No Woman, No Cryartist"No Woman, No Cry" is a reggae song performed by Jamaican band Bob Marley and the Wailers. The song was recorded in 1974 and released on their seventh studio album, Natty Dread (1974).
Banky W.artist
Eva Alordiahartist
Maleek BerryartistMaleek Shoyebi, professionally known as Maleek Berry, is a British-Nigerian record producer and recording artist. After his break into the spotlight in 2012, Maleek Berry was nominated as "Music Producer of the Year" at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Maleek Berry has worked with prominent artists such as Wizkid, Davido, Wale, Fuse ODG, Runtown and Iyanya. In 2017 the Starboy Label signed act was nominated in the Best Male category of the annual MOBO Awards.