Nigerian musicians have always been at the forefront of taking African music beyond continental borders.

The likes of music veterans: Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Sir Shina Peters, Oliver De Coupe, and Sir Victor Uwaifo drew the world’s attention to Nigeria, while gaining accolades from the western world, in the process.

These legends have laid the foundation for younger acts to pen record, publishing or distribution deals with international music companies.

We’ve compiled a list of 10 Nigerian music acts that currently have international music deals of some sort.

1. Asa

Bukola ‘Asa’ Elemide won our hearts in 2007 when she released the chart topping Fire on the Mountain.

The award-winning female singer is currently signed to French independent record label, Naïve Records.

She also has a music publishing deal with international music conglomerate, BMG.

 

2. Cobhams

The music virtuoso is one of the best talents Nigeria has ever produced.

A producer and a fantastic singer with a great voice, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo has hardly ever been not-impressive.

After bursting onto the scene with the now defunct Question Mark record label as a music producer, he has risen to become a top shot in the Nigerian music business in spite of his disability.

Now owner of his own music label, Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (C.A.M.P), he is also signed to Sony ATV (Sony Publishing) London as a songwriter.

 

3. Dbanj

Although we are aware of his G.O.O.D music deal that went into limbo, but not many know or remember that Banga lee still has an international record deal with Mercury Records UK a sub division of Universal music group UK.

Prior to this, the DB records label boss he had signed a deal with Sony Music entertainment in 2012.

 

4. Psquare

Africa’s biggest music group currently have a music distribution deal with Universal Music South Africa, which they signed in 2012.

It was also reported they have a deal with International music superstar, Akon’s Konvict music.

 

5. Wizkid

The Afro-pop star signed an international management deal with Tinie Tempah’s music management company, Disturbing London, in 2012.

He inked the deal while he was still with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).

 

6. Burna Boy

The contemporary act and reggae star also joined Psquare on the roster of international music publishing company; Universal Music group South Africa, in April 2015.

 

7. Patoranking

After leaving Timaya’s record label Dem Mama, to Foston Musik in 2014, the reggae singer became the first Nigerian to sign a music distribution deal with the world’s largest reggae music company VPal; a sub-division of VP records music group.

 

8. Seyi Shay

The singer got signed to Sony/Columbia records as part of the girl group, Above, under the management of Beyonce’s father, Matthew Knowles.

She recently clinched a global recording deal with UK’s Island Records.

 

9. Brymo

The talented singer put the Chocolate City contract mess behind him after he got signed to an American label called Tate Music Group.

He recently released Trance, an 8 track album titled under the label.

 

10. B.O.U.Q.U.I

The popular female gospel rapper who brought us hits such as Mo le jo and a host of others, bagged an international record deal with Xist Music USA, the recording label of Xist Worldwide which houses Grammy award nominee, Da T.r.u.t.h.