These young Nigerians in Diaspora are doing great things in various corners of the world through music.
Many are of mixed heritage but one thing is certain, they are proud of their Nigerian roots…
Through music they are transcending borders and disproving stereotypes…I present the Rising Soulstars! ENJOY!
Banky
New York based Musician/Engineer, Banky Wellington is definitely the most famous of the bunch. Talented and Soulful, Banky is on the verge of explosion…With his hot songs, ‘My Regret’ and ‘Don’t Wanna’, Banky is one of my favourite musicians!
Website
MySpace
Tiwa Savage
Gorgeous, humble and talented – Tiwa Savage is a Nigerian artiste based in the USA. Tiwa grew up in Nigeria and England and developed diverse influences which are obvious once u listen to any of her songs. Tiwa is truly an emerging superstar.
Website
MySpace
Nubya
Nigerian/Swiss Nubya is based in Switzerland. Raised in Nigeria and Basel, Switzerland, Nubya has built a strong career over the years. She has performed as the opening act for various superstars such as Seal and Whitney Houston and hosted a national TV show in Switzerland. She recently completed a UNICEF sponsored charity trip to Nigeria’s SOS Children’s Village with German superstar, Hartmut Engler.
Website
Ayo
Based in Paris - France, 26 year-old Nigerian/German Ayo Ogunmakin has achieved amazing success. She recently released her debut album “Joyful” with Polydor/Universal France. She entered the French album charts at Number 7. Ayo’s sound is not able to be pigeonholed; it’s simply eclectic and very different. Ayo is an amazing talent and she deserves all this success!
Website
MySpace
Video
Adama
Budding musician Adama is of British/Nigerian heritage. She was recently included on the ‘Mimi Magazine Hot 21 Young African List’. She has a very simple stripped-down yet captivating approach to music and this has allowed her build her fan base.
Website
Video
Naijagal Feature
MySpace
Nneka
This 25 year-old Nigerian/German Nneka Egbuna might not be a household name but her music career is building momentum fast! She is based in Germany but has toured all around Europe…With her soulful but radical sound, Nneka is poised to gain a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim!
The Unforgettable Truth - Video
Cool Digest Feature
Website
*Thanks Icy
Nayo
Temitope Odunayo Abidoye simply known as Nayo is a budding Nigerian musician based in the US and UK.
Her sound is amazingly serene and soulful…the type of music that feels like a warm drink on a chilly day! Nayo is truly talented…she recently released her first video to accompany her single, ‘African Girl’…amazing music!
Website
Mola’s Feature
Yetty Reincarnated Feature
Naijagal Feature
MySpace
Dozie
Born in England to a Nigerian father and British mother, Dozie spent his early years in both the UK and Nigeria, moving to the U.S. with his family when he was a teenager. Throughout this time, Dozie picked up various musical influences and inspirations. Dozie’s music a blend of modern R&B and old-school soul…it’s catchy and addictive.
MySpace
Video
Wow! They are all very talented! I am very proud of each and every one of them. One of them is really really very dear to me...u can try to guess :)
I hope their careers continue to grow and I am confident that they are the next soul superstars!
What do you guys think? Are any of these artistes ur favs? Had u heard of any of them before?
Let us know!
Whao!!! how on earth do u get such wonderful info..this is amazing. I aven't heard of any of them b4 but now i am itching to hear their muzik...pls cld u help wit putting their muzik on ur blog(while u r at it u can attach Banky's email addy for MOI...lol).
ReplyDeleteReally i am so impressed with these Nigerians...Thumbs up Bella
I am not really a fashion person but I find your fashion posts interesting enough :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's posts like this that show me how talented and dedicated you are.
Well Done.
P.S. Thanks for the song :-)
OMG...hmm where do I start? Nice one Bells! You don did it again!
ReplyDeleteSo which one is dearest to you now? LOL..I'm a little slow on the uptake!!!
Maybe Banky?! LOL. But anyway, I have his album and it is fantastic...especially "my regret" and "loving u is crucial". Extremely talented artist and he sets himself apart in the sense that he's not doing the afro/r&b/hip-hop thing....it's just straight-up so he can really compete with the mainstream here if that's his goal. And I love that he's still repping as an engineer and doing the music thing as well. I was introduced to him by friends in DC and he's actually very well known in the Naija circles on the East Coast. I'm yet to see him perform live but i hear he's really good live as well. As for the rest, I've heard of a couple here and there but not all. Good post.
ReplyDeletei just heard of banky 2 weeks ago... i hope to see him soon since i stay in new york... bella where do u get these stuff??.... thumbs up....
ReplyDeleteNice one mama. Loving this. You can check more on Tiwa. here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nigerianentertainment.com/frontpage/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86&Itemid=71
she was featured on Nigerian Entertainment. She's got some major talent.. I love this entry. Rawk on mama!
not bad at all! Nice one babe xxx
ReplyDeletenice change from the usual hip-hop, rap songs.
ReplyDeleteonly heard of Nayo before (just from reading the blogs u listed).
i love their music. banky has it and i pray he blows up. but i have a problem with the celebration of people who do not add or share in the stuggle of moving nigerian music industry. i know most of these artists have not yet blown up that well, so there is no need to clame the 9ja and stuff. but they should all look at akon as an example of a true man of africa. lets keep celebrating them but also encourage to inpact on 9ja.
ReplyDeleteNice one Bella....well I love Banky, i ve listened to a couple of his songs.
ReplyDeleteOfcos I know the one that's dear to you......lol.
I am so proud of them; I wish them the very best.
Glad to have u back...lol..even though u were MIA for just a day.
ReplyDeleteBanky's truly talented...he's the only one im familiar with( from the list above); but i'll look into the others...Yep, this is pretty impressive stuff. Great Post Bella!
Nice one Bella ..thx for all info .
ReplyDeleteTope rocks, shes the sweetest person ever, i love her voice to bits. u should listen to sparrow and u keep hurting me.Im a proud supporter, i even rocked her Logo shirt at a beach party last xmas. You go GIRL!!!
ReplyDeleteThis Nayo girl is HOTTER Than Hot.. Hehen How did you dig up this information Bella. All this fine Naija chicks. A man must to find one to marry oh
ReplyDeleteBella I commend you on this. You are consistent on bringing the newness.
ReplyDeleteNayo and Tiwa Savage...Adana is kool too.
I am still waiting for you to finish your Storm Records feature
ReplyDeletethese are great talents!!! thanks for posting my favorites are banky and ayo....i love ayo's voice and banky's tracks are hot!
ReplyDeleteyour 'gist' is always well researched and written. im really impressed with how you are able to gather all this great info. keep it up girl!!
ReplyDeleteoBella Bella Bella, how many times did I call your name. You are absolutely brilliant. Love your posts. I've heard Bankys albums...I'm in love with him in 'Oh Baby', don't mess with his voice on that one. Tiwa Savage too. I haven;t heard of the otheres but I'll listen to them right now. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWoW........I'm so proud!!!
ReplyDeleteAyo is so so so so talented. I really enjoyed her video. I want to purchase her cd if she has one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention Bella Naija.
Hi, This is Tiwa Savage and I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for the feature. I also want to thank all those that took time out to visit my website. It is a hard road but Nigerians are really making an impact thanks to the support of everyone. Once again I truly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards, Tiwa Savage (www.tiwasavage.com)
JUST THOUGHT YOU'D WANT TO KNOW. NAYO'S SINGLE IS OUT TODAY March 5th. You can buy it online amazon.co.uk or at HMV stores. Support!
ReplyDeleteFyromusic Mgmt.