Nigerian music has had an exemplary year so far, and while there are so many artists who have continued to top the charts, there are a few artists whose artistry has continued to amaze us even after years in the industry.
In this article, we rank our top 10 Nigerian artists of the year so far.
- Asake
Asake came into stardom with a bang and has maintained that status with the same energy. After releasing an EP with legendary Afrobeats singer Wizkid, he dropped his fourth studio album, “M$NEY,” and continued a successful tour that has cemented him as an amazing performer. Asake has had a great run this year, which is why he ranks at number 1 on our list.
- Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr has had an outstanding year in music, a streak she carried into this year from her singles run last year. From features with Fola to singles that had us moving at every point, and the release of her album “Starrgirl,” she is an artist who has earned her spot at number 2 on our list. Her artistry is flawless and has shown so much growth, proving she is a once-in-a-lifetime star.
- Mavo
Mavo came into the limelight last year and has stayed in the spotlight since with back-to-back hits. His music has become a highlight of Afrobeat for many and has won the attention of Nigerians who were uncertain when he first appeared on the charts. His album “Business” was an exciting surprise for both fans and new listeners, letting them discover an exploratory Afrobeat artist through the creativity evident in his music. He ranks at number 3 on our list for his ability to constantly keep Afrobeat music fun and new.
- Wizkid
Wizkid’s reign as one of Africa’s biggest artists hasn’t eased up for over a decade, and it is no different this year. While many have said this is his slowest-paced year in a long time, his joint EP with Asake helped fans start the year with a bang, and the songs from the EP have continued to dominate the charts. Wizkid’s career trajectory, and his ability to stay at the top of the charts despite barely releasing music, is a testament to his artistry. He ranks number 4 on our list.
- Omah Lay
Omah Lay entered 2026 with a rebrand in both his artistic style and his music, and for us, it was a thrilling change. Omah Lay has had a consistent run as an artist, so it’s easy to forget he has only two albums. The release of his album “Clarity of Mind” once again reminded us of what we already knew: Omah Lay can’t make a bad album. His trend of rarely having features on his albums paid off again, even months later; the album is one of our top 10 albums of the year, and it supports our ranking of Omah Lay as our 5th on our list.
- Davido
Davido’s crown has never tipped in all his years as an Afrobeat artist, and it has not tipped this year either. At number 6 on our list, Davido has consistently proven his ability to create songs that spend weeks on the trending charts, dominate social media, and become a part of pop culture. From his album “Oriade,” the track B4B4 has become a favourite of thousands of Nigerians both at home and internationally, but it is not the only track of his that has attained global success this year, which is expected from a singer like Davido. His music has given us comfort, thrill and cultural value, all in one year.
- Rema
Ranked 7th on our list, “Ozeba” crooner Rema has continued to dominate Nigerian charts and is one of the most beloved Afrobeat artists globally. From singing for the FIFA World Cup to having an exciting singles run, Rema has never met a beat he couldn’t make work. Rema is one of the most experimental artists Nigeria has seen in recent years, and it is no wonder the world seems to love him too.
- Victony
Before releasing one of the best albums out of Nigeria this year, Victony released one of the best singles out of Afrobeats this year titled “Slick.” Just when Nigerians wondered how he could top the single’s beauty, he released his album “Starlife” and reminded Nigerians exactly why he is one of the most talented artists of his generation. The album had everything Afrobeats needed at the time of its release, and the lyricism proved that Victony not only gives us music with beats that keep us dancing, but also exciting lyrics we can relate to. He ranks 8th on our list for his attention to detail in his music.
- Fola
Fola has a status in the industry as one of those artists who, when you feature, can steal your song from you with how good his verses are, and this year we saw how true that is. His verse on Davido’s “B4B4,” his vocals on Ayra Starr’s “Tornado,” and his own song “Treat You Right” all showed how easily he is able to carry the flow of a track and make it a Fola masterpiece. He ranks 9th on our list for how quickly he’s become one of our favourite Nigerian artists in his short time in the limelight, and for artistry that only seems to get better with time.
- BNXN
It is impossible to make a list of our top Nigerian artists this year without giving a nod to BNXN’s artistic prowess. The singer may have only two albums, but he is one of the most-streamed Nigerian artists this year and has one of the best EPs in the industry. His EP, a collaboration with Sarz, alongside Wizkid and Asake’s joint EP, showed us the need for more joint work from Afrobeat artists because of how revolutionary it was. BNXN is ranked 10th on our list for his ability to reinvent himself and come back even better than he started; he is one of those artists who phase out their own musical eras neatly.
