Google recently released named top 10 trending musicians in Nigeria in 2021.
American rappers Lil Nas X and Bobby Shmurda appear on the list as numbers three and seven respectively, but this compilation is dedicated to the Nigerian musicians who made the grade.
While some trended because of their music, others made headlines for criminal offenses, throwing shades, fights and sex scandals.
At number 10 is Naira Marley
The 30-year-old released the song Coming featuring South African singer Busiswa. It came with a video with more flesh on the table than in some meat shops. Naira Marley also travelled to the United States of America and released a song titled First Time in America. Meanwhile, his trial for alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC continues at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
At number nine is Chidinma Ekile
The 2010 Project Fame West Africa winner rebranded from a secular artiste to a gospel musician in May just as she celebrated her 30th birthday.
“My name is Minister Chidinma Ekile. I’m a crusader of the gospel of Jesus. I’m a crusader of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” the former Kedike Queen said.
She released a song titled Jehovah Overdo and was received into the gospel music fold by Sammie Okposo, Mercy Chinwo and Buchi among others.
Standing at number eight is Seyi Shay
The 35-year-old singer was in the news for a fight with colleague Tiwa Savage at a salon in, Lekki Lagos. A video that went viral video shows the two throwing words at each other and being pulled apart. The beef was the subject of discussions for weeks. Seyi Shay also sparked pregnancy rumour with a video posted on social media to promote her album Big Girl.
The number six spot is occupied by Buju
Born Daniel Benson, Buju trended for the wrong reasons after old tweets of him trolling Wizkid, Mr Eazi and Davido in 2015 before he came into the limelight resurfaced. The backlash that followed forced him to release an apology in which he admitted that “it’s easier to make unsolicited takes about another person’s music and that’s what I used to do…sadly.”
Buju also left Burna Boy’s Spaceship Collective in 2021.
Ayra Star is at number five
The 19-year-old signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records is eye-catching for her age as well as her style. Her debut studio album ’19 & fabulous’ includes the hit “Bloody Samaritan”.
Ruger is at number 4
The fast-rising singer is also a songwriter and a rapper. He is signed to Don Jazzy’s younger brother D’Prince’s label Jonzing World The 21-year-old was in the news for his hit single “bounce”. He is also known to cover his left eye with a patch, leading many to assume he was blind.2021
Omah Lay is at number 2.
The 24-year-old singer and producer was in the news for being featured by American singer Justin Bieber on the remix of the song “Peaches”.
Omah Lay also made the news for his ‘Get Layd’ EP, which has the song “Bad Influence?” The singer also made Spotify’s list of popular Nigerian artistses alongside Wizkid, Tems, Rema, and Fireboy
Number one African bad girl Tiwa Savage is at number 1
The 41-year-old takes the number one spot for the release of her sex video of her and an unidentified partner in October.
Tiwa had earlier said during an interview that someone was blackmailing her with the sex video but she was not going to pay anybody for doing something natural. The 10-second was eventually released and it is living rent-free in thousands on mobile phones around the world. Tiwa also made the news for her clash with Seyi Shay as noted earlier and for the release of the EP Water & Garri has the song Somebody’s Song featuring American R&B star Brandy.
Those are the top 8 Musicians according to Google search.
Honorary mention should be made of Burna Boy who won the Grammy for global music album and Wizkid who sold out the 02 Arena in London for three consecutive days among other feats.
Although the two did not make the list of top trending musicians released by Google, they both had an exceptional amazing year in 2021.
