Nigerian music have taken the global music scene by storm, captivating audiences in stadiums, clubs, and public spaces worldwide.
Renowned artists such as Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Asake, Tems, Tiwa Savage, and others have gained international recognition and acclaim for their exceptional work.
The key factors contributing to their success are Nigeria’s large population and the widespread availability of music-streaming services such as Boomplay, iTunes, and Spotify.
Recent data from 2023 by Data Reporter indicates that Nigeria’s population has reached a staggering 221.2 million, with 122.5 million internet users, reflecting a 55.4 percent internet penetration rate.
Furthermore, cellular mobile connections in Nigeria stand at 193.9 million, which represents an impressive 87.7 percent of the total population.
These music-streaming platforms have played a pivotal role in connecting Nigerian artists with diverse audiences worldwide, greatly amplifying their chances of success.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, highlights the global impact of the Nigerian entertainment industry, attributing it to the significant leverage on digital platforms.
The launch of Spotify saw Nigerians creating 1.3 million playlists within a year, illustrating the tremendous enthusiasm for music streaming. This surge in popularity has propelled Nigerian music to thrive both locally and globally, giving Nigerian artists a competitive edge over less populated nations.
The Nigerian music industry has emerged as a dominant force internationally, making its mark in countries like the UK and the US through the remarkable achievements of popular Nigerian artists who have garnered numerous awards and collaborated with international stars.
Burna Boy, the Grammy award-winning artist, made history on June 3rd, 2023, by selling out the 80,000 capacity London Stadium. They became the first African artist to achieve this feat.
Davido, the renowned Afrobeat artist, has accumulated over 1 billion streams on Spotify, solidifying their position as one of Nigeria’s most-streamed musicians on Apple Music.
Tems, the sensational Nigerian singer, received a Grammy award for Best Melodica Rap Performance for their contribution to Future’s ‘Wait For U,’ featuring Drake.
Wizkid, the Grammy Award-winning artist and songwriter, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, continues to make Nigeria proud on the global music scene.
Public commentator Remi Adebayo emphasizes that quality music plays a crucial role in achieving global success, even with minimal promotion.
They state, “Nigerian artists were able to dominate the world stage because they released high-quality music that resonated with everyone. The internet access enjoyed by Nigerians empowers them to trend globally on platforms like TikTok and Twitter.”
TikTok, in particular, has emerged as a powerful tool for music discovery, enabling Nigerian music to penetrate and captivate the global market.
In conclusion, Nigerian music’s rise to dominance on the global stage is fueled by the combination of producing exceptional music and leveraging the widespread accessibility of online platforms. As the world continues to embrace the rich sounds of Nigerian artists, their influence and impact on the global music scene are set to grow even further.