Male musicians have dominated the Nigerian music scene for a long time. However, in the last eight years, there has been a remarkable and constructive shift as a number of outstanding and gifted female Nigerian musicians are now shattering stereotypes and competing head-to-head with their male counterparts in the country's music business.
Among the active female Nigerian musicians who have been significant in the business over the last ten years are Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade. Other well-known female musicians in the past include Waje, Asa, Omawumi, and others.
In theory, there are no gender advantages in the worldwide music industry, and the same is true in the Nigerian music sector. Success is achievable for everyone, regardless of gender. An aspiring musician in Nigeria must possess a strong work ethic, financial acumen, skill, support, and a host of other important elements in order to succeed as a musician.
Several female Nigerian musicians are shattering stereotypes in the country's music business as I write this story. These are the ones who, in the Nigerian music business, are outperforming everyone else in the category of female musicians, despite the fact that the list is infinite.
Tiwa Savage
As of the time this article is being created, Tiwa Savage, one of the most successful female musicians in Nigeria, has been in the business for more than ten years.
Nigerian singer, composer, and actress Tiwa Savage is well-known for her distinctive music, which combines Afrobeats, R&B, and Afropop. She sings in both English and Yoruba. She is currently regarded as the most prosperous and successful female musician in Nigeria.
Born on Lagos Island, Nigeria, on February 5, 1980, Tiwa Savage, now 44, began her musical career following her graduation from Berklee College of Music. on 2009, she acquired a publishing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
In 2012, she moved to Nigeria and secured a record deal with Mavin Records.
Tiwa Savage has released a number of music projects throughout the years, including albums, EPs, and singles. She has collaborated on projects with a number of Nigerian musicians, including Olamide, Asake, Don Jazzy, Patoranking, Flavour, and others.
Similarly, a number of song producers from her time at Mavins Record, including Don Jazzy, her former record label Boss.
Tiwa Savage signed with Universal Music Group after leaving Mavins Record in 2019.
Yemi Alade
One of the most gifted female singers, composers, and entertainers from Nigeria is Yemi Alade. When she released her debut single, Fimisile, in September 2009, she shot to fame in the Nigerian music scene.
Born on March 13, 1989, Yemi Alade. The singer, 35, graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in geography. She was born in Abia State.
Even though she joined the female group Noty Spices in 2005 at the age of 16, she was unknown at the time.
Yemi Alade has released many albums throughout the years, including Black Magic in 2017, Woman of Steel in 2019, Empress in 2020, African Baddie in 2022, Mama Africa in 2016, and King of Queens in 2014.
Yemi Alade is well-known around the world for her amazing and distinctive musical style, and her net worth is in excess of $5 million.
Temporary
Temilade Openiyi is a well-known record producer and singer-songwriter from Nigeria. Her inclusion on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence," which climbed at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 list when the remix version with well-known Canadian artist Justin Bieber was released, brought her to prominence in the Nigerian music scene.
Tems was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on June 11, 1995. The 29-year-old female vocalist is currently among Nigeria's top performers, competing against her male colleagues in the country's music scene.
As of the time this article is written, the RCA Records signee has one of the most popular songs in Nigeria. Born in the Wild, her debut studio album, was just released.
On Friday, June 7, 2024, Tems' first album was made available via RCA Records and Since '93. This came following the release of her two EPs, If Orange Was a Place in 2021 and For Broken Ears in 2020.
Tems is not just a well-known musician in Nigeria but also throughout the world—she is a Grammy winner.
With her involvement in the Wait for U song featuring Future and Drake, Tems took up the Best Melodic Rap Performance award in 2023.
Tems is one of the new breed of female musicians from Nigeria who are shaking things up in the country's music scene. Although she released her first song, Mr. Rebel, on July 18, 2018, she began her career as a professional musician less than eight years ago, and in that time, she has made significant achievements in the Nigerian entertainment sector. She too has a great deal to give in the future.
She has won 27 of the 90 awards for which she has been nominated.
Tems is a multiple award winner, having received BMI, Grammy, BET Hip Hop, All Africa Music, BET, Billboard Women in Music, and more.
Ayra Starr
The youngest female musician in Nigeria to make the list of the country's best female vocalists right now is Ayra Starr.
Born on June 14, 2002, Ayra Starr is a gifted singer-songwriter from Nigeria. She signed with Mavins Record, a well-known record label in her home country, and became well-known after Don Jazzy, a well-known music producer and CEO, found her.
On January 22, 2021, her debut song, Away, was released. She continued to release additional music endeavors.
2021 will bring the Ayra Starr EP and the 19 & Dangerous LP. The album, The Year I Turned 21, was just published by her and was available on May 30, 2024.
In addition to the top female Nigerian singers that made the list, a number of gifted and diligent female musicians are working hard to establish themselves in the market.
Conversely, a few have had a big influence on the Nigerian music scene.
Among the amazing and gifted singers who are enhancing the Nigerian music scene are Fave, Di'ja, Simi, Teni, Seyi Shay, Niniola, DJ Cuppy, Ugoccie, and others.