How Nigeria’s Music Industry is Breaking Records and Setting Trends in 2023

Nigeria’s music industry, also known as “Naija Music”, is one of the most vibrant and influential creative sectors in Africa and beyond. It encompasses various genres such as Afrobeats, Afropop, Highlife, Fuji, Juju, Gospel, Hip Hop, and R&B. It also features some of the most talented and popular artists in the world, such as Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Simi, Adekunle Gold, and Teni.

Streaming: A Major Source of Revenue

Streaming has become a major source of revenue for Nigeria’s music industry, as more people access music online through platforms such as Audiomack, Apple Music, Spotify, Boomplay, and YouTube. According to PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2022-2026¹, Nigeria’s music sector grew by 15.7% in 2020 and is expected to grow by 12.8% annually until 2026¹. The report also states that streaming revenue accounted for 82% of total music revenue in 2020 and will increase to 89% by 2026¹.

Some of the recent successes of Nigeria’s music industry on streaming platforms include Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album becoming the first African album to surpass one billion streams on Spotify; Burna Boy’s Twice as Tall album winning the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album; Davido’s A Better Time album featuring collaborations with international stars like Nicki Minaj, Nas, and Lil Baby; Tiwa Savage’s Celia album receiving critical acclaim and recognition from Time Magazine and Billboard; and Yemi Alade becoming the first African female artist to reach one billion views on YouTube.

Awards: A Global Recognition

Nigeria’s music industry has also received global recognition and accolades from various prestigious awards ceremonies and organizations. Some of the most notable awards won by Nigerian artists in 2023 include:

• Wizkid and Tems winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year for their hit song Essence, becoming the first Nigerian artists to win in that category.
• Burna Boy winning the BET Award for Best International Act for the third consecutive year, making him the most awarded African artist in that category.
• Davido winning the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act, beating out other nominees like Diamond Platnumz, Master KG, Sheebah, and Gaz Mawete.
• Tiwa Savage winning the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female Artist, edging out other contenders like Simi, Sho Madjozi, Busiswa, and Sheebah.
• Yemi Alade winning the All Africa Music Award for Album of the Year for her fifth studio album Empress, which features guest appearances from Rudeboy, Dadju, Patoranking, and others.

Collaboration: A Cross-Cultural Exchange

Nigeria’s music industry has also been collaborating with other artists and producers from different countries and cultures, creating a cross-cultural exchange of sounds and styles. Some of the most notable collaborations in 2023 include:

• Wizkid and Justin Bieber remixing Essence, which became a global sensation and topped the charts in several countries.
• Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran teaming up for a duet titled Be My Lover, which was part of Sheeran’s Equals album.
• Davido and Drake releasing a joint single called One Dance 2, which was a sequel to Drake’s 2016 smash hit One Dance that featured Wizkid and Kyla.
• Tiwa Savage and Beyoncé collaborating on a song called Queen of Africa, which was part of Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift (Deluxe Edition) album.
• Yemi Alade and Rihanna working together on a song called Diamonds Are Forever, which was part of Rihanna’s R9 album.

Innovation: A Creative Edge

Nigeria’s music industry has also been innovating and experimenting with new sounds and genres, creating a creative edge over other markets. Some of the most notable innovations in 2023 include:

• Seyi Vibez releasing his debut album Hat-Trick, which featured a blend of Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, Afro-swing, and Afro-trap. The album was a commercial success and topped the charts on Apple Music².
• Young Jonn producing a new genre called Aquafina, which combined elements of Amapiano, Afro-house, EDM, and Pop. The genre was popularized by his hit single Aquafina that featured Naira Marley and Zlatan².
• Ckay and Blaqbonez creating a viral challenge called Hallelujah, which involved singing praises to God in different languages and styles. The challenge was inspired by their song Hallelujah, which was part of Ckay’s Boyfriend EP².
• Asake and Olamide introducing a new genre called Ojapiano, which fused Amapiano and Fuji music. The genre was showcased by their song Ojapiano, which was part of Asake’s Mr Money album².
• Zlatan, Odumodublvck, and Jeriq releasing a collaborative album called Oganigwe, which featured a mix of Afrobeats, Zanku, and Igbo rap. The album was a critical success and received praise from fans and critics alike².

Conclusion

Nigeria’s music industry is a dynamic and diverse sector that has a significant impact on the economy, society, and culture of the country. It is also a source of pride and inspiration for millions of Nigerians and Africans. The industry has demonstrated its resilience and innovation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to produce quality content and services that appeal to local and global audiences. The industry is also poised for further growth and expansion in the coming years, as it leverages new technologies, platforms, and opportunities.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for your time and attention.