Wizkid, BurnaBoy, Tems, Davido are Biggest Nigerian Artistes of All Time – Apple Music

In honour of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, Apple Music, under the aegis of ‘Oshe Naija’, released its list of the biggest Nigerian artistes, songs, and albums of all time, featuring stars like Wizkid, Burna Boy, RemaDavido, and Tems.

Apple Music launched the ‘Oshe Naija’ initiative in 2020 to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day. The initiative —which means “Thank You, Nigeria” in Yoruba—will feature a month-long tribute.

Apple Music, in its statement, noted, “Far from a monolith, the country’s vibrant musical scene is made up of a host of diverse cultural threads, each of which contributes to Nigeria’s rich tapestry of community, art, and expression—from the bustling streets of Lagos to the lush landscapes of Taraba. This year, ‘Oshe Naija’ celebrates the country’s abundant sonic diversity by exploring its most dynamic sounds—and the regions that birthed them.”

Top artists

Apple Music’s list of the top 10 most-streamed Nigerian artistes features some of the industry’s biggest names, led by Afrobeats star Burna Boy.

Wizkid comes in second, while Davido takes the third spot. Rising star Rema and the genre-blending Asake complete the top five, showcasing their strong influence in Afrobeats.

Tems is the only female artiste on the list. Also on the list are Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, BNXN, and Olamide, all of whom have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s rising sound.

Top albums

The list of the top 10 most-streamed Nigerian albums on Apple Music is led by Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos (MIL), released in 2020. This album elevated Nigerian music globally, especially with the hit track ‘Essence’ success featuring Tems, which won the 2022 BET Award for Best Collaboration.