By Rhema Chibuzor
Debatably, the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t get anything on the music industry in 2021 – both in Nigeria and abroad. Artistes still released songs that were streamed and downloaded by their millions of fans across the globe. Concerts were also held digitally – so fans who were homesick had the privilege of participating.
As 2021 winds down, these are some of the biggest moments for Nigerian artistes this year as compiled by AF24News.
The thing is, Nigerian artistes are among the hard-working ones in the world – constantly doing their best to put themselves on the global stage. And they are doing this ‘effortlessly.’
From Grammy wins to good charity work to sold-out concert arenas to a tune that started on TikTok becoming streamed a billion times, here are some big moments for Nigerian artistes in 2021. (Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and the big moments here are in no particular order):
1. Burna Boy’s Grammy win & nomination
Let’s be real, Burna Boy’s Grammy win made a lot of us feel like we won it as well. The African Giant got a Grammy for the Best World Music category with his ‘Twice As Tall’ album. It wasn’t Burna Boy’s first time to be nominated for a Grammy, though, as he earned a nomination the previous year. And yes, he already has a nomination for the 2022 Grammys with ‘Do Yourself’, a song by Angélique Kidjo.
2. Wizkid: Grammy win & nominations, sold-out O2 Arena, and hit songs
-Advertisement-
A typical Nigerian year is not complete without Big Wiz having to be talked about.
One of the big moments for the artiste this year was when he picked up a Grammy for his collaboration with American singer Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy for the track ‘Brown Skin Girl’ in the ‘Best Music Video’ category.
Wizkid’s song ‘Essence’, featuring Tems, also became a global hit. Essence became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Global 200, among several other recognitions. Essence has also been nominated for the Best Global Music Performance at the 2022 Grammys – the same category Femi Kuti’s ‘Pà Pá Pà’ was nominated in.
Also, Wizkid’s ‘Made in Lagos’ was nominated for the Best Global Music Album category. Femi Kuti and Made Kuti’s ‘Legacy +’ made the same category.
Additionally, Wizkid joined the calibre of select few artistes who have managed to repeatedly sell out the popular O2 Arena in London.
3. Davido’s N250m charity gesture
David Adeleke (aka Davido), the self-acclaimed President of the ’30 Billion Gang’, did not just release hot tunes this year but also created a heartwarming moment and got social media agog when he donated N250m to orphanages across Nigeria.
The whole episode started on social media as a cruise when Davido asked his celebrity friends to send him money to clear his Rolls-Royce from the port. Within two days, he raised N200m.
However, the artiste surprised his friends and fans when he added N50m from his personal funds and announced that he was donating the entire N250m to orphanages. This gesture undoubtedly endeared even those who were not his fans to him.
Shortly after, Wema Bank and international sports brand PUMA signed Davido as their ambassadors.
4. From TikTok to the world, welcome CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’
If anyone would testify to the power of social media, it would be Chukwuka Ekweani, aka CKay, whose song ‘Love Nwantiti’ became a global hit (TikTok reported it was viewed over 15 billion times.)
Love Nwantiti was released in 2019 and only trended in the African space. But thanks to social media app TikTok, the song went viral and charted across Europe, Australia, Latin America, and New Zealand, reaching the number one spot in India, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.
It also peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number one on the UK Indie Singles Chart. It also reached No 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at No 2 on the Billboard Global 200 and appeared on the Canadian Hot 100.
5. Tems’ international big break
Temilade Openiyi, known by her stage name Tems and dubbed by many fans as ‘Nigeria’s sweetheart’, decided to take 2021 for herself. She understood her assignment and delivered.
From features with Wizkid and Drake, Tems has proven to be a force to reckon with in the music game. She also got a Grammy nomination for ‘Essence’ alongside Wizkid.
Her EP ‘If Orange Was a Place’ reached the top 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart. We can’t wait to see what 2022 has for the enterprising artiste.
6. PSquare’s reunion
After about five years of feud, twin artistes, Peter and Paul Okoye, aka PSquare, reunited in 2021. The two brothers, who once dominated the music scene in the 2000s, separated in 2017 reportedly over a family feud.
Fast forward to 2021; they realised their ‘mistake’ and reunited some weeks back. The news of their reconciliation left Nigerians emotional as the famous duo they once enjoyed are finally back and already working together to make new music.
At a recent concert, the Afrobeats duo begged their fans for forgiveness for separating. Their reunion was indisputably one of the big moments for the Nigerian music scene in 2021.
7. Buju & his hot tunes
Daniel Benson, aka Buju, is one of the success stories of 2021 in Nigeria’s music industry. The dexterity of the artiste, who blends singing and rap with Afrobeats, may not have earned him a Grammy but has gotten him a favourite spot on the music stage.
From ‘Feelings’ to ‘Outside’ among other tunes, Buju seems to have mastered the art of keeping his fans glued to him and making radio stations play his songs every day. Judging from his work ethic, the sky is the limit.
As 2021 winds down, we can’t wait to see what bigger achievements these entertainers and others will have in 2022.
We do everything possible to supply quality news and information to all our valuable readers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
-Advertisement-
-Want to get the news as it breaks?-
