Gabriel Odewale 
Nigerian music doesn’t slow down, it evolves. While the likes of Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema continue to dominate global stages, a new wave of upcoming Nigerian artists is rising fast from underground scenes, major label academies, and the diaspora. In 2026, the next generation is ready to take over. Here are the top 10 upcoming Nigerian artists to watch in 2026, from Mavin Records signees to independent genre-benders with their different stories, sounds and serious momentum.
Top 10 Upcoming Nigerian Artists 2026
- Oshamo — The Lagos-London Fuji-Pop Architect
- LOVN — Mavin Records’ Groove Master
- Zaylevelten — The Underground Alchemist
- NO11 — Abuja’s Street Poet
- Wave$tar — Low-Key Voice, High Storytelling
- Priesst — The Rising Afro-Alternative Voice
- Kemuel — Emotional Songwriter, Genre Fluid
- Elestee — The Female Rap Force from Mavin
- Tayo Creed — The Experimental Falsetto
- Sewa — The Afro-Soul Storyteller from Toronto
Listen to 2026 Tiktok trending songs
1. Oshamo
Fuji-Pop · Afrobeats · Hip-Hop
Born in Lagos’ Agege neighbourhood and now based in London, Oshamo is one of the most compelling upcoming Nigerian artists to watch in 2026. He brings a deeply cultural sound to modern Afrobeats by fusing Fuji traditions, Islamic musical influences, Amapiano, and hip-hop into what critics are calling “Fuji-pop” – a genre he is effectively pioneering.
Signed to Mr Eazi’s emPawa Africa label, Oshamo broke out with the viral TikTok hit Life of the Party, which accumulated over 10,000 user-generated videos and tens of millions of streams. His debut EP, First of My Kind, landed a coveted Spotify RADAR cover and earned praise from BBC 1Xtra, KISS Fresh, Clash Magazine, and Earmilk. In early 2026, he followed up with his sophomore EP I D R I S, featuring the viral record “SuperFuji (Gobe),” and the single “Shina Rampe,” further cementing his lane. He sings across Yoruba, English, and Arabic – a trilingual bridge builder who is turning heads on both continents.
Why Watch: One of the few artists repackaging indigenous Nigerian sound (Fuji) for global audiences. With emPawa Africa behind him, 2026 looks very promising. Listen to more sounds from Oshamo on Spotify
2. LOVN
Afropop · Fuji · Soul
Real name Akinloye Charles Temidayo, LOVN is Mavin Records’ most recent signing and already one of the most talked-about upcoming Nigerian artists 2026. Don Jazzy unveiled him in November 2025 after spotting his consistency through the Mavin Academy talent incubation programme and multiple appearances on talent shows including Access The Stars and The Voice Nigeria.
LOVN’s music is a fusion of Yoruba indigenous sounds, particularly Fuji and Apala which is combined with contemporary Afropop. He proves his range equally as a groovy record maker and a stunning vocalist, as heard on “Hosanna” from his debut EP. His debut single under Mavin, Sorry I’m Busy, immediately showcased a polished artist with smooth vocals, relatable lyrics, and a sound built for longevity. Following in the footsteps of Rema and Ayra Starr, LOVN’s Mavin pedigree alone makes him one to bet on.
Why Watch: A Mavin Records signee with a cultural sound rooted in Fuji and Afropop and backed by one of the most successful labels in African music history. Listen to his new sound on our Spotify
3. Zaylevelten
Rap · Trap · Alté · Afro-Fusion
If there is one name from the Nigerian underground that dominated conversation in 2025 and is set to explode even further in 2026, it is Zaylevelten. Born Chisom Okoro and raised in Ikorodu, Lagos, he is a rapper, songwriter, and self-producing artist (under his producer alias, Tenski) who has built his world entirely on his own terms.
Described as a “sonic anarchist,” Zaylevelten blends rage rap, trap, and street energy through a distinctly Nigerian lens. His 2025 album then 1t g0t crazy followed by the deluxe then 1t g0t crazier is widely regarded as one of the most important underground releases of the year, with tracks like “Maye” going viral on TikTok and his “Tenski save me” producer tag becoming a cultural signature. He started the “Zaylevelten glitch trend” on TikTok and already has nearly 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. He can rap fluently in Igbo, Yoruba, English, and Pidgin — a one-man ecosystem with nearly limitless upside.
Why Watch: The underground’s breakout star of 2025 is transitioning into mainstream consciousness. He produces his own beats, controls his own narrative, and sounds like no one else in Nigeria. More on Zaylevelten’s best sounds.
4. NO11
Afrobeats · Hip-Hop · Street Pop
NO11 is an Abuja-born artist carving out a distinct lane in the Nigerian hip-hop and Afrobeats corridor. While most of Nigeria’s music spotlight points squarely at Lagos, NO11 is proudly representing the Federal Capital Territory, bringing a capital-city personality and reflective street energy to his bars.
Closing 2025 on a high note, NO11 and collaborator Ayjay Bobo dropped the double-track single HOW FAR / Shima II on December 31, 2025. The lead single “HOW FAR,” featuring Monochrome, instantly became a viral talking point on TikTok and Twitter, blending Afrobeat rhythm with street swagger and nightlife confidence. Listeners have praised his rhythmic lyricism as poetry with a capital-city edge – a voice that reflects ambition, pride, and cultural authenticity from outside Lagos. He is part of a new generation of Nigerian artists proving that the industry’s next big stars don’t all have to come from the same zip code.
Why Watch: He represents Abuja’s emerging creative scene and brings fresh geographic and sonic diversity as an upcoming Nigerian artists 2026 to watch out for. Listen to more of his new tunes on Spotify.
5. Wave$tar
Underground Rap · Street Pop · Afrobeats
Wave$tar is one of the leading voices in Nigeria’s fast-growing underground rap scene. What sets him apart is his distinctly low-slung, instantly recognisable vocal presence and his gift for pointed, confessional storytelling. He describes his voice as trained to be unmistakable and it is.
He moved fluidly into the mainstream in 2025 with his featured verse on Mavo’s Escaladizzy, one of the biggest Nigerian songs of the year. A hit produced by 2Frosh & Producer X, “Escaladizzy” went on to be named among the top Nigerian songs of 2025 by Pulse Nigeria, earned Mavo the Billboard “African Rookie of the Month” title, and later received a remix featuring Ayra Starr, Shallipopi, and Zlatan. Wave$tar’s melodic hooks were a key part of that record’s magic. Outside the mainstream, he also delivered a bracing verse on $traffiti’s Canacetamol. He is an artist who makes music rooted in real life and his stylistically independent, sonically distinct, and undeniably on the rise.
Why Watch: He already has a massive hit to his name and a sound that’s completely his own. As the Nigerian underground continues to pull the mainstream, Wave$tar is perfectly positioned. Watch out for his latest release on Spotify.
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6. Priesst
Afro-Alternative · R&B · Experimental
Priesst is an upcoming Nigerian artist working in the Afro-alternative space, where experimental production meets emotional depth. As one of the less mainstream names on this list, Priesst represents the kind of artistry that builds slowly but deeply the type of artist whose fanbase is fiercely loyal before the industry notices.
His approach to music leans into mood and texture, crafting records with a distinct atmospheric quality that sets him apart from the louder, more commercial side of Nigerian pop. In 2026, as the Nigerian underground continues to gain cultural purchase driven by artists like Zaylevelten, Wave$tar, and others in this list, Priesst’s lane is becoming more valued. Artists who prioritise craft over trends are finding their audiences in 2026, and Priesst’s music speaks directly to that appetite.
Why Watch: For fans of alternative sounds and emotionally immersive music, Priesst is one of the upcoming Nigerian artists in 2026 flying just below the radar for now. Get along with his alternative sounds on Spotify.
7. Kemuel
R&B · Afrobeats · Alt-Pop · Soul
Hailing from Rivers State and now operating from Lagos, Kemuel is a multi-instrumentalist, self-producing singer-songwriter who began his musical journey in the church choir at 17. His music feels like memory that is deeply personal, exquisitely crafted, and built to last. He is one of the most artistically complete upcoming Nigerian artists going into 2026.
Kemuel’s breakthrough came through the DJ Spinall and Olamide collaboration “Bunda,” followed by the critical success of his debut EP Escape and his acclaimed sophomore EP CLOUDS that earned praises from MTV Base and BBC 1Xtra and racked up over 10 million plays online. He produces under his alter ego, Wondah, giving him complete creative control over his sound, a genre-fluid blend of Alt-R&B, Afrobeats, Alt-pop, and soul. He kicked off 2026 with the vulnerable single Ovah, a raw meditation on post-breakup emotional limbo. His music rewards close listening and positions him as one of the most emotionally intelligent voices in a new generation of Nigerian artists.
Why Watch: With a growing discography, impressive co-signs, and a new project era beginning in 2026, Kemuel is poised for his mainstream breakthrough moment. Listen to his latest playlists on Spotify.
8. Elestee
Rap · Afrobeats · Pop · R&B
Born Treasure Apiafi Banigo on July 15, 2002, in Port Harcourt, Elestee formerly known as Lifesize Teddy is a Mavin Records artist who is actively putting Nigerian female rap on the map. Described by fans as bold, gritty, and self-assured, she is one of the most exciting upcoming Nigerian artists heading into 2026.
After establishing herself with her 2023 EP POISN and standout single “All Eyes On Me,” Elestee levelled up in 2025 with a string of releases including “Liar Liar,” “Designer Baby,” “Space” (featuring Ajebo Hustlers), and the high-profile collaboration On A Low with Ayra Starr. She then closed the year with her EP Mentally, I’m Here, a six-track project that showcased her full range across rap verses, melodic hooks, and genre-fluid productions. Her ability to switch lanes mid-record from confident bars to silky melodies marks her as a rare versatile talent. In 2026, with Mavin’s full machinery behind her, Elestee is ready to claim her space at the centre of Nigerian pop.
Why Watch: She already has an Ayra Starr collab, a growing EP catalogue, and a distinctive brand as one of Nigeria’s most compelling young female rappers. Listen to her latest release on Spotify.
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9. Tayo Creed
Afro-Synthwave · Alté Rock · EDM · Experimental
Tayo Creed is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and guitarist unlike anyone else in the Nigerian music ecosystem. Armed with a distinctive falsetto and an experimental approach to composition, he fuses Afrobeats, Rock, EDM, and Pop into entirely new hybrid sounds he has dubbed “Afro-Synthwave” and “Alté Rock” – genres that feel both futuristic and rooted in African musical DNA.
Tayo Creed does not chase trends; he creates new sonic territory, challenging conventional African pop structures through forward-thinking records that reward adventurous listeners. As described by The Upper Entertainment in their 2026 artists-to-root-for feature, Creed “exists firmly in his own lane” and functions as a catalyst for Nigerian experimental music. As listeners across the continent and diaspora grow more receptive to genre hybridity and sonic boundary-pushing, his position in 2026 looks increasingly significant. He is one of the most genuinely original upcoming Nigerian artists to add to your radar right now.
Why Watch: In a sea of Afropop, Tayo Creed is building an entirely new genre. His uniqueness is his superpower, and 2026 may be the year the world catches up. Listen to more of his tunes on Spotify.
10. Sewa
Afro-Soul · R&B · Jazz · Alternative
Toronto-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sewa (also stylised as Ṣẹwà) is proof that Nigerian music’s next great voices are forming everywhere and not just Lagos. Her music captures a wistful, deeply personal emotional register that makes listeners feel as if she is singing directly to them. If you love Asa, Sewa was made for you.
Grounding her music in Afro-soul with generous touches of R&B, jazz, and pop, Sewa released her debut album Detox in 2025 which is a deeply sincere collection examining love, loss, personal growth, and reflection. Her biggest 2025 record, Lagos Lovin’, became a highlight of curated chill playlists globally, earning recognition from OkayAfrica and peers alike. She has also performed at sold-out shows in both Toronto and Nigeria, sharing stages with Asa and The Cavemen. She is one of the defining voices of the emerging Nigerian alternative music scene — the kind of artist that soundtracks real moments in real lives.
Why Watch: Sewa offers something increasingly rare in modern music — genuine emotional intimacy. Her debut album and growing international audience make her one of the most exciting upcoming Nigerian artists in 2026. Stream her wonderful sounds on Spotify.
The Future of Nigerian Music is Right Here
From Ikorodu to Toronto, Port Harcourt to London, these upcoming Nigerian artists in 2026 represent the beautiful, sprawling diversity of what Nigerian music can be. Whether it’s underground rage rap, Fuji-pop fusion, alt-R&B soul, or experimental Afro-Synthwave, each of these artists is building something real on their own terms. Bookmark the names, save the playlists, and watch closely. The next generation has officially arrived.
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