Naija Artistes Power Ranking 2021

Nigerian music scene is having a year unlike any other.

After an hectic 2020, the Nigerian music scene emerges even stronger boasting a high quality crew of up coming artistes sure to shake up the scene in 2021.

However, some of those who made it to our List of “Up Coming Artistes To Watch Out For In 2021” went off the radar completely giving space to even those we never thought of to come compete the top ranks with the Lions.

The first half of 2021 saw artists like Rema put their best foot forward, and Ladipoe keeping pace amidst releases from heavyweights like Olamide and Burna Boy.

We’re thrilled with the music being churned out by Nigerian artists so far this year but need we make mention of how much growth that the Nigerian music sphere has experienced this year?

Today, we will be conversing about the “Power Ranks” of our top 20 artistes of the year. How they have grown, how much work they put in place, the rank they finished in last year and how they are ending this year.

NOTE:- The list is arranged in order of top 20 and the number in front of each artiste represents their last year rank

Naija Artistes Power Ranking 2021

1.  Wizkid (2)

Machala Baba!!! No doubt in Wizkid taking back his place this year after a brief hiatus from being the top artiste in Nigeria last year, when he was been overtaken by Burna Boy.

With the wave of “Essence” with Tems, and the whole “Made In Lagos” generally – Wizkid is doing so well for himself, and he has been hinted for several top awards this year.

Consistency still might be an issue for Wizkid, but he’s certainly moving in the right direction so far this year, 2021.

2.   Burna Boy (1)

Atimes, taking a leap step backward doesn’t mean “Retirement” or “Weakness” – Guess Burna Boy lay lowing idea this year is definitely for a bigger catapulting forward next year.

With an outstanding performance last year, 2020 giving him the No.1 spot on the artiste power ranking in Nigeria and also the most coveted Grammy award winning, Burna Boy has failed to keep up the intensity this year, thus a one step backward to spot 2.

With just few releases so far this, and numerous Sold out shows – Burna Boy is still a shining star in the Naija music industry power ranking.

3.   Davido (3)

 

Since dropping “A Better Time” album by Davido in 2020, Davido has kept a very low presence in the music world, and all thanks to his amazing collaborations that has kept him popping all year, 2021.

This year alone, Davido has been the most appeared artiste on the No.1 top song in Nigeria on Apple Music, with his series of collaborated effort song hitting the spots.

Next year, we hope Davido has a lot in the bag to make this position adjust towards an upward movement.

4.   Ckay (36)

It has been an extremely superb year for CKay, who got the result he badly yearn for with the help of his Global hit “Love Nwatiti (Ah Ah Ah)” released a year ago.

CKay again showcased why he will likely be one of the most talented young Afrobeat act over the next 12 months with his performance on Love Nwatiti Remix and also the numbers of chart he has broke this year.

The rapid move to top 5 of this list is well justifiable as many can see the big moves CKay’s song has done this year for Afrobeat.

5.   Olamide (10)

An amazing and a sharp turn for Olamide on making it back to the top Naija artiste power ranking this year, 2021. After a very shabby musical 2020, many blames it on his full attention on his signee, Fireboy.

With his late pick up in the year 2020, with “Carpe Diem” and early album in 2021, “UY Scuti” Olamide skyrocketed back to the top 5 where he really belongs.

With visible international move this year alone, Olamide will sure make some boss move musically.

6.   Adekunle Gold (11)

“AG Baby” is truly our baby after our baby. Despite slipping way down the log while spending a hard long time settling down with his newly found love last year, Adekunle Gold make a massive come back this year.

Although it’s “Okay” to call him a “Sinner” When he is “High” but AG is in the game to stay and he has all it takes to get even more better next year with his diversity and creativity when it music at whole.

Adekunle Gold won’t ever stop dishing out chart topping tracks to quench out musical taste cause he has the consistency, talent, craftmanship, content to fight for the top place next year and ofcourse – “It Is What It Is”

7.   Tems (20)

While recovering from the introductory jab she gave us from her ever banging single, Tem’s proves that she’s a force to reckon in Nigerian music industry and she’s definitely creating her own lane and trending on no one’s.

Her synergy with Wizkid to release “Essence” proved to be the best in and out of Africa this year. That track skyrocketed her and introduced her properly to the world. However, she’s proved she has more in her bag than she has shown to us lately.

Her collaboration with drake and other international artistes has ever since been the best reply to those who doubted her and wanted to “Try” her.

8.   Buju (34)

From being just a random artiste to being the most featured artiste in 2021. Buju is a beast bouncing off the 34th place last year to the 8th this year. This goes beyond grace alone, It is a combination of Hardwork, Talent, Grace, and Consistence.

Buju Goes hard lonely from “Outside” to let us know how “Cold Outside” is as he “Never stop” walking his “kilometre” to the top to get “Something Sweet” – I know he loves his current “Mood” and “Feeling” of being at the top so he won’t ever stop dishing great content to us.

He however showed us a glimpse of what he still has in store for us as he releases his so much anticipated album “Sorry I’m Late“. Buju is truly a beast!!!

9.   Tiwa Savage (22)

Despite ending last year on a down turning 22 slot, Tiwa Savage bounces back even better this year to slot 9. Never letting anything get in her way and disturbing her shine.

Tiwa Savage who left Mavin Records for Universal music in 2019 was not only busy last year settling down to her new label, she was also conceptualizing this year and it all paid off. She is truly the queen of African music!!!

Tiwa Savage ends this year with her chart topping single “Somebody Son” featuring Brandy and it is everything to write about. Tiwa has just shown us that she still got more level to unlock with the keys she’s got.

10.   Fireboy DML (4)

Last year being the “Year Of The Boys” saw Fireboy unlocking new level than his peers. Although he was still enjoying fame from his album released back in 2019, he had a slow year cause he was trying to give fans enough time to enjoy his recent album.

To crown it all, his songs were included in the FIFA 21 game soundtrack. Amidst dropping more crazy, sick tunes this year to quench our musical thirsts. –

Although this year is not as bright and rosy as his last year, we all thought he is tired and slowing down but He shunned everyone who doubted his musical capabilities after came back to release chart topping singles and club banger later this year – Fireboy is truly loaded if I must say

11.   LADIPOE (48)

Leader Of The Revival/Mavin Act Ladipoe holding the number 11 spot this year has no doubt had an amazing couple of years going on for him up till this day.

After releasing a hit record “Know You” featuring SIMI in 2020 during the Lockdown Period which blew up massively with a challenge that went viral on TikTok, Ladipoe has no doubt had an amazing amazing 2020 going on for him last year.

Yet again Ladipoe came with another hit record “Feeling” in 2021 featuring the wave of the moment Buju, I think it is also safe to say Feeling is one of the massive hits out of Nigeria at the moment with an EP titled “Providence” to wrap up the year.

Ladipoe was ranked at number 48 just last year on our list, now that’s a major growth.

12.   Naira Marley (6)

The Marlian President Himself Naira dropping down to 12 position compared to last year where he held fifth position

Naira Marley doesn’t let a year pass by without giving us a major street banger and some hot dance moves to support the movement.

Naira had a successful 2020 with hit records like “Koleyewon“, “Coming” featuring Busiswa and “Chi Chi “ amongst other hit songs.

The Marlian President has yet again this year dropped a banger “First Time In America” which has already taken over the streets of Nigeria.

13.   Patoranking (17)

Patoranking ranks up to number 13 spot compared to last year’s 17th position which is a very good improvement!

Patoranking presently has one of the best song out there titled “Celebrate Me“, this song has indeed put Patoranking yet again on the map as the song passes a very strong message that relates to real life issues we face as humans everyday.

14.   Zinoleesky (12)

The ”Mapariwo” Crooner Zinoleesky, is a Nigerian singer and song-writer currently signed to Naira Marley’s record label, Marlian Music Imprint.

Zinoleesky is Currently Ranked No. 14th Position, a step down from last years Spotlight Grade.

Zinoleesky has no doubt made Naira Marley and Its Record label Proud not the Mention the Fans at large.

15.   Mayorkun (7)

Award-winning pop singer, Mayowa Adewale popularly known as Mayorkun is on our Power Ranking List and you have to ask why NOT?

A boost from a downward position of 15th to a new placed 7th is due to Mayorkun’s hard–work in the last 12 months.

His new album “Back In Office” is a strong contender for one of the best albums to come out of 2021.

16.   Rema (8)

For 21-year old Divine Ikubor aka Rema, the sky is the limit.

Hot Singles like “Woman“, “Bounce” & “Soundgasm” are the talk of the town and its no surprise Woman has been nominated in the 2021 African Entertainment Awards USA.

Rema upgrades from 18th spot to a deserved 8th position on our Ranking list.

17.   Joeboy (9)

EmPower golden boy, Joeboy currently sitting on the number 17 spot on the Nigerian artiste power ranking 2021 depict the fact that he was on number 9 on last year chart with song like “Call” and the likes .

Comparing his energy this year to the one of last year, Joeboy is a little bit calm but his recent monster hit “Alcohol” brought him to the spot he is currently holding.

Honestly, if Joeboy had maintained the energy of last year, he could have moved to a spot closer to the top ranking, and again Joeboy might have fell off this year ranking if ‘Alcohol’ wasn’t release.

18.   Omah Lay (5)

Omah Lay was no doubt one of the artistes that dominated 2020, he was one of the top 5 artistes that gave us bangers back to back in 2020, two choking EPs with songs like “Bad Influence“, “Damn“, “Godly” and the likes.

The Port Harcourt boy was previously sitting on the number 5 spot on last year ranking but currently on number 18.

2021 haven’t being a banging year for Omah Lay so far not until mid-2021 when he hit us with “Understand”, the song is currently one of the most play mid-year song and still maintaining till this very moment.

19.   Q-dot (18)

If you’ve listed to “Ah” by Q-dot, you’ll know this song is one of the songs jammed in 2020.

The self-proclaimed Alagbe was previously on number 18 spot last year, he gave us an Album in 2020 titled “Alagbe“, with no long cap the tracks from the Album are hits.

Currently, we have Q-dot sitting on number 19 with tracks from his previous released album still getting massive streams accross Nigeria.

20.   Ayra Starr (201)

Without any iota of doubt, Ayra Starr was unknown to the Music Industry in 2020 not untill she started posting series of covered songs and freestyle and got discovered by Don Jazzy.

Self-proclaimmed ‘Celestial being’ went from being relatively unknown to instant fame with the release of her self titled project ‘Ayra Starr’ in 2021 which gave her the number 20 spot on the ranking.

Songs like “Away” and “Bloody Samaritan” are one of the best songs released in 2021 and this had brought Ayra Starr to everyone’s playlist.