We’ve seen a tremendous growth in the Nigerian music industry over the past couple years, artists are now being received with open arms in the global space, they’ve sold out iconic International arenas, and collaborate more with foreign mainstream artists. Some would say these Nigerian artists have figured out the trick to being accepted and recognized globally through their music, but the easy and obvious thing to it is simply having that unique sound, and also a sound that’s undeniable.
Many Nigerian artists have fallen into the traps of trendy flow and basically being in sync with the current sound going around, but these artists have risen above the crowd and the competition by finding their own route in an industry that is filled with identical sounds.
In the past, the Billboard 100 chart was perceived to be for the international mainstream artists, while Nigerian artists were strangers to the charts. But, with the recent turn in the music industry and massive global recognition, Nigerian artists have begun climbing the Billboard 100 charts and leaving their imprint in the global space.
Here are the Top 5 Nigerian artists with the most Billboard entries.
5. FIREBOY – 1
In the beginning of 2022, Fireboy climbed the Billboard charts with his tune “Peru” that went viral after featuring international superstar, Ed Sheeran. His song debuted at No.79 and later climbed to No.53 on the charts.
4. CKAY – 1
His hit song “Love Nwantiti” made lots of rounds on social media and other streaming platforms, gathering over a billion streams on Spotify. The young artist also had an entry on the Billboard 100 charts with this song which peaked at No.26 on the Hot 100 charts.
3. BURNA BOY – 2
The Grammy award winner and African Giant has had two Billboard Hot 100 entries. His first entry was his guest appearance on Justin Bieber’s “Loved By You” which peaked at No.49 on the Hot 100 chart, and finally his solo debut with his hit song, “Last Last” which recently peaked at No.72 on the charts.
2. WIZKID – 4
StarBoy’s appearance on the Billboard 100 charts started a while back after being featured on Drake’s “One Dance” which peaked at No.1, and spent 10 weeks on the charts. Wizkid’s Billboard streak continues with Beyonce’s “Brown Skin Girl” which peaked at No.76, then followed by his debut on the chart as the lead artist on “Essence” featuring Tems and Justin Bieber which peaked at No.9 and spent 35 weeks on the charts. His recent chart appearance was on Chris Brown’s “Call me Everyday” which also peaked at No.76 on the Hot 100 chart.
1. TEMS – 4
Tems, Africa’s Golden Superstar is the only Nigerian artist to have a song debut at No.1 on the Hot 100 charts, this achievement comes due to her feature on Future’s “Wait for u” which also featured Drake. She also hit the charts last year with the Biggest song of 2021 “Essence” which peaked at No.9. Her successful collaboration with Drake “Fountains” made an appearance on charts with No.24 as its peak position on the charts. Tems recently had her solo debut on the charts with a track off her 2020 EP “For Broken Ears” the song titled “Free Mind” peaked at No.90 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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