Nigerian Divas! The Top 10 Female Singers In Nigeria
1. ASA
Early life
Born Bukola Elemide, Aṣa was born in Paris, France to her Nigerian parents. Her family returned to live in Nigeria when she was two. Aṣa grew up in a small town near Lagos, in the south-western part of Nigeria. Twenty years later, Aṣa returned to Paris where her life as an artist took off.
Whenever Asa came home from school in Nigeria, she discovered musical acts like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Femi Kuti and Angélique Kidjo. This was while she was in pursuit of educational excellence, and these musical acts are whose footprints she dreamed of following.
2. Yemi Alade
Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989),[1] simply known as Yemi Alade, is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter. She gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, and is best known for her hit single “Johnny
Early life
Yemi Eberechi Alade was born on March 13, 1989 in Abia State, Nigeria. Her father James Alade is of Yoruba origin while her mother Helen Uzoma is of Igbo origin resulting in her being referred as “Yoruba-Igbo girl”. Alade is the fifth out of the seven children in her family. She attended St Saviour British Primary School, then went on to Victory Grammar School in Lagos, before obtaining a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos
3. Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Savage-Balogun[4] (born 5 February 1980), better known by her stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, performer and actress. She currently has a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.[5] Savage signed a recording contract with Mavin Records in 2012.[6] Savage also signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation in June 2016, which she later confirmed via Instagram.[7] She co-wrote the track “Collard Greens & Cornbread” off Fantasia Barrino‘s Grammy-nominated album, Back to Me.[8] Savage was featured on Solar Plexus, a compilation album released by Mavin Records.[9] Her debut studio album, Once Upon a Time, was released on 3 July 2013. It was supported by the singles “Kele Kele Love“, “Love Me (3x)”, “Without My Heart”, “Ife Wa Gbona”, “Folarin”, “Olorun Mi” and “Eminado“. Savage’s second studio album, R.E.D, was released on 19 December 2015. It produced the singles “My Darlin'”, “African Waist” and “If I Start To Talk”. Savage sings in English and Yoruba.[10] As a singer, her achievements include one MTV Africa Music Award, two The Headies Awards, one Channel O Music Video Award, one Nigeria Music Video Award, and two City People Entertainment Awards, among others.
4. Simi
Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye (born April 19, 1988), professionally known and referred to as Simi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[1] Simi started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008 titled Ogaju.[2] Her career came into spotlight in 2014 after she released “Tiff“, a song which was nominated in two categories at The Headies 2015 and further brought her to mainstream recognition.[3] Simi is currently signed to X3M Music under which she released her second studio album
5. Niyola
Niyola is now starting to make her mark on the Nigerian music industry, but if you think she’s a newbie, you’re very mistaken.
Niyola has been doing music since she was 8, and in 2000 emerged at the first runner up in the AMEN starlet competition. She later linked up with Trybe records, and then Westside music where she released her debut album with singles Me n U, No More and Dem Say.
Her profile took a serious upturn when she signed with EME and everyone really started taking notice. Her single Toh Bad became her IT song, and show cased not only her singing ability, but her ability to convey emotions through her song so effortlessly. Song writing wise she’s also quite stellar, and her subsequent singles, No Comment, Love To Love You, and Last Bus Stop have done well to cement her name as one of the top divas in Nigerian music.
6. Omowumi
Omawumi Megbele (born 13 April 1982), known by her stage name Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress of Itsekiri ethnicity [5] She is a brand ambassador for Globacom,[6] Konga.com, and Malta Guinness. She’s also part of the campaign called “Rise with the Energy of Africa”.[7] She gained attention as the 2007 runner-up on West African Idols, a reality TV show part of the Idols franchise.[8] Her sophomore album, The Lasso of Truth, was reported to be a commercial success in Nigeria.[9]
7. Chidima
Chidinma Ekile (born 2 May 1991), popularly known by her stage name Chidinma, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa.[4] Following the release of the music video for her “Emi Ni Baller” single, she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart.[5] In 2011, she released her first solo single “Jankoliko” featuring Sound Sultan.[6] Chidinma, her self-titled debut studio album, was released through the music platform Spinlet. It was supported by the singles “Jankoliko”, “Carry You Go”, “Kedike” and “Run Dia Mouth”. The album features guest appearances from Sound Sultan, Tha Suspect, Olamide and Muna.[7] Chidinma won Best Female West African Act at the 2012 Kora Awards and performed “Kedike” at the ceremony