1. Tems (Temilade Openiyi)
Temsbaby, born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for her soulful fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and alternative sounds, making her a global icon in contemporary music. Tems was raised in Lagos after returning from the UK as a child, Tems also overcame early struggles with bullying and self-doubt, finding solace in music during her school years. She started her music career in 2018 after quitting a digital marketing job. Shortly after, she gained recognition for her introspective lyrics, ethereal vocals, and genre-blending style. Tems’ breakthrough came in 2020 with her collaboration on Wizkid’s global hit Essence, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a summer anthem. The remix featuring Justin Bieber further amplified her international profile.
Subsequent high-profile collaborations with Drake Fountains and Future Wait for U, which sampled her song Higher, further solidified her status as a sought-after artist. By 2022, she became the first African female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with Wait for U. Her key milestones include her released debut EP For Broken Ears (2020), featuring hits like Damages and Free Mind. Tems also co-wrote Rihanna’s Lift Me Up for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, earning her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. She was also the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy (2023) for her feature on Future’s Wait for U.
In 2025, Tems made another history by winning the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance with her single Love Me JeJe, a modern reinterpretation of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic. This marked her second Grammy win, making her the first Nigerian artist to achieve multiple (2) Grammy Awards. The track, praised for its nostalgic yet innovative blend of Afrobeats and soul, was featured on her critically acclaimed debut album Born in the Wild (2024), which also received nominations for Best Global Music Album and Best R&B Song at the 2025 Grammys. Source: Wikipedia The NATIVE premiumtimesng @omelora
2. Rema (Divine Ikubor)
Rema gained initial recognition in 2019 after his freestyle to D’Prince’s Gucci Gang went viral on Instagram, leading to a record deal with Jonzing World (a subsidiary of Mavin Records). His breakout single, Dumebi, from his self-titled debut EP, became a national sensation and earned a spot on Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist. His international breakthrough came in 2022–2023 with Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the longest-charting African song in U.S. history (58 weeks on the Afrobeats chart).
In 2025, Rema achieved two major milestones. First is Grammy Nomination; his second studio album, Heis (2024), was nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, marking his first career Grammy nomination. Second is his Chart-Topping Singles. He released Baby in February 2025 and Bout U in April 2025, both of which became global hits. Baby notably samples Sade’s classic Is It a Crime and blends Afrobeats with soul, solidifying his reputation as a genre innovator. These 2025 achievements highlight the reason for his continued dominance in global music and his potential in elevating Afrobeats to new heights. Source: Wikipedia rollingstone
3. Ayra Starr (Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe)
Ayra Starr, born on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, is a Nigerian-Beninese singer, songwriter, and former fashion model. Raised in a multicultural environment, she draws inspiration from her Yoruba heritage and diverse musical influences, blending Afropop, R&B, soul, and alté into her sound. Signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in 2019, she gained fame for her empowering lyrics and dynamic artistry. Her stage name, Arya, meaning “woke and eye-opening,” reflects her mission to inspire self-confidence and authenticity.
Ayra Starr rose to prominence in 2021 with her debut self-titled EP and subsequent album 19 & Dangerous. Her key milestones include Debut EP (2021): The EP’s lead single, Away, charted at No. 4 in Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 and No. 17 on Billboard’s Top Triller Global. There’s also her Historic Solo Success: Her 2021 single Bloody Samaritan became the first solo song by a Nigerian female artist to top the TurnTable Top 50 chart. And there’s the Global Recognition: The 2022 release of Rush propelled her to international stardom, earning a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance in 2024 and inclusion in Barack Obama’s year-end playlist.
In February 2025, Ayra Starr made history at the MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) by winning two major categories:
– Best International Act: First African female artist to win this award.
– Best African Music Act: First female winner in the category in 16 years.
This achievement followed her critically acclaimed sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 (2024), and performances at festivals like Glastonbury. She is also set to support Coldplay on their stadium tour in 2025, further cementing her global influence. Additionally, Ayra Starr leads Spotify’s 2025 Nigeria Global Impact List as the most-streamed female Nigerian artist, with hits like “Last Heartbreak Song” and “Bad Vibes.” Her collaborations with international stars such as Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro have expanded her global reach. Source: Wikipedia coolfm.ng grammy.com
4. Burna Boy (Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu)
Burna Boy, born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is a globally acclaimed Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for blending genres like Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop. He has become a leading figure in modern African music. Key aspects of his identity include his stage name origin which was inspired by his childhood love for comic books, he wanted to create his own superhero persona, “Burna Boy”. Second is his musical roots which was majorly influenced by Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, whose manager was Burna Boy’s grandfather, Benson Idonije. The third is his family involvement in his career: his mother, Bose Ogulu, serves as his manager, and his sister Nissi is part of his creative team. The fourth, is his numerous awards: Burna Boy has acquired multiple Grammy wins, BET Awards, and recognition as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in Nigeria.
Burna Boy’s career trajectory can be divided into pivotal phases:
1. Early Breakthrough (2012–2013): Gained attention with the hit single Like to Party from his debut album L.I.F.E (2013), which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
2. International Recognition (2018–2019): Released Outside (2018), featuring the viral anthem Ye, which became a cultural milestone in Nigeria. Also, his 2019 album African Giant earned a Grammy nomination and solidified his global status. His Coachella performance that year, despite initial controversy over billing, amplified his visibility .
3. Global Domination (2020–2024): Won a Grammy for Twice as Tall (2020), headlined Madison Square Garden (2022), and became the first African artist to sell out London Stadium (2023).
In 2025, Burna Boy continued to break barriers: He was awarded the Best Overall Male Artist at the 2025 AAEA Awards, which recognizes his global influence and leadership in exporting African music; this award highlights his dominance in the industry. He also earned a Platinum SNEP certification for his feature on Dadju’s Donne-moi l’accord (2019 collaboration), further cementing his international appeal, making him one of the most influential Nigerian artists worldwide. Source: notjustok.com Wikipedia rollingstone
The Naija Lowdown Writer 