Nigeria’s music industry continues to evolve at speed, with new voices emerging across pop, rap, alternative and genre-fusion spaces. In 2025, several underground acts edged closer to mainstream recognition, building loyal fan bases and refining distinct sonic identities.
As 2026 unfolds, another class of artistes appears ready for wider visibility. Some are backed by viral moments, others by strategic label signings or steadily growing catalogues. Together, they reflect the diversity shaping contemporary Nigerian music.
Here are 10 Nigerian artistes to watch in 2026.
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Priesst
Since 2021, Priesst has operated on the cusp of a breakthrough, steadily building a catalogue that signals long-term intent. Records like “Osimhen” and “Shayo” revealed a knack for conversational songwriting, delivered through a fluid pop-rap cadence that balances street sensibility with commercial appeal.
He entered 2026 with renewed momentum. “Akonuche” quickly gained traction as a viral anthem, driven by its aspirational tone and memorable hook. Remixes featuring Victony and Shoday broadened its reach across audiences.
If he sustains this balance between relatability and crossover polish, 2026 could mark his formal arrival in the mainstream.
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Zaylevelten
In 2025, Zaylevelten moved from relative obscurity to one of the most talked-about names in Nigeria’s alternative rap scene. His brooding, sharp-edged style resonated with listeners drawn to darker, experimental Hip-Hop textures.
On his 2025 project 1t gOt Crazy, he fused gritty low-end production, fractured synths and melodic haze into an unconventional rap palette. Beyond performing, he produces under the moniker “Tenski,” crafting the off-kilter soundscapes that define his work.
With a loyal underground following already in place, 2026 may determine whether his sound expands beyond niche circles.
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Lovn
Formally unveiled in late 2025 as the newest signee to Mavin Records, Lovn, self-styled as the “Soundbender”, arrives with a vibrant, Fuji-tinged dynamism that refreshes the contours of contemporary pop. His music draws from indigenous rhythmic cadences while embracing sleek, modern production, creating a hybrid sound that feels rooted yet forward-facing.
There’s precision in how he structures melodies and how he curates his aesthetic. His debut single, “Sorry I’m Busy”, served as a confident introduction: rhythmically buoyant, melodically sticky, and delivered with charisma that suggests long-term staying power. With the machinery of Mavin behind him and a distinctive sonic identity already taking shape, Lovn appears poised for a breakout year.
- Sewa
Sewa is emerging as one of Nigeria’s most captivating voices, often drawing comparisons to Asa for the depth, poise, and soulfulness she brings to her music. Like Asa, she thrives at the intersection of Folk, Jazz, and Soul, crafting songs that feel intimate yet expansive through passionate songwriting.
Her 2025 album, Detox, cemented her reputation as a songwriter and vocalist of rare finesse. Across the project, she fuses together Pop, Jazz, R&B, and Afro-Soul with elegance, creating soundscapes that are both textured and accessible. Each song demonstrates a careful balance of emotion and craft, with melodies that feel effortless.
If her body of work from last year is any indication, Sewa is steadily closing in on a breakthrough moment in 2026.
- Fimi
A quick glance at Fimi’s Twitter bio reveals a playful line: “Let’s pretend I’m a superstar Ok?” But beyond the tongue-in-cheek humility lies an artiste who already moves with the range of someone built for bigger stages. There is little make-believe about her ambition; she carries herself with the poise, theatrical flair, and creative elasticity of a performer who understands the architecture of stardom.
Fimi operates like a shapeshifter. Her “chameleon” flow allows her to slip between cadences and moods without losing command of the record. Whether she’s leaning into razor-sharp bars or melodic inflexions, there’s a dramatic intensity that anchors her performances.
Her breakout record “BEEF” amplified that presence, pairing assertive lyricism with high-impact visuals that showcased her flair for spectacle and character-driven storytelling. Over the past year, her ascent from cult favourite to credible mainstream prospect has been swift and compelling. Each release feels like a reinvention, reinforcing her unpredictability as a strength. If her trajectory is anything to go by, Fimi is obviously rehearsing for the spotlight, and 2026 could see her fully inhabit it.
- Cupid SZN
Port Harcourt has long been a breeding ground for Afro-Pop talent, with names like Burna Boy and Oma Lay putting the city on the global music map, and Cupid SZN looks ready to join their ranks. He officially signed with Mavin Records at the close of 2025, but his presence isn’t entirely new. Fans have known him for his sultry, emotive sound, especially on the viral 2024 single “Ifeoma”, which showcased his knack for crafting irresistible melodies.
A Port Harcourt native, Cupid SZN has carved out a reputation as an artiste for the romantics, delivering silky vocals that capture the heart. His debut EP, MYTH-ERA, reinforces that promise and explains why Don Jazzy moved quickly to bring him into the Mavin fold. With his signature blend of smoothness and charm, Cupid SZN is poised to make 2026 a defining year for his sound.
- Champz
At only 14, Champz (Boluwatife Balogun), the firstborn of heavyweight Afropop star, Wizkid, is already making waves like a seasoned artiste. His sound is firmly rooted in UK Grime and Hip-Hop, and his delivery exudes a self-assuredness that belies his age.
Champz made a striking statement with his debut EP, Champion’s Arrival, which dropped on November 11, 2025. The project defied expectations immediately, hitting No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria within just five hours and cementing him as the youngest Nigerian artiste ever to launch a chart-topping debut. In less than 24 hours, Spotify streams exceeded one million, underscoring the instant resonance of his music. Tracks like “Champion Sound” and “Superstar” showcase his technical dexterity, confident flow, and innate sense of rhythm, which is, more than anything, proof that Champz isn’t just a prodigy by lineage, but a talent in his own right. With this kind of early momentum, he’s unquestionably an artiste set to dominate conversations in 2026 and beyond.
- Oshamo
There’s a noticeable wave of Nigerian pop artistes mining Fuji’s percussive richness and call-and-response dynamism to sculpt a sleeker, club-facing iteration that feels both ancestral and cosmopolitan. Among the most intentional architects of this neo-Fuji tilt is Oshamo.
Positioning himself at the forefront of what he dubs the “Superfuji” movement, Oshamo reimagines traditional vocal inflexions within high-tempo, bass-driven production built for contemporary dance floors. It’s a sound that honours lineage without being confined by it.
His breakout single, “Life of the Party”, became one of 2025’s defining records, soundtracking nightlife circuits and digital spaces alike with its celebratory pulse. Now, as 2026 unfolds, he’s building on that momentum. His latest release, “Shina Rampe”, is already generating online chatter, hinting at an artiste ready to convert subcultural acclaim into mainstream dominance. If the Superfuji blueprint continues to resonate, Oshamo could well emerge as one of the year’s most decisive breakout figures.
- Og Abbah
The Arewa music scene is often overlooked in mainstream Nigerian pop conversations, but 2025 began to shift that, largely thanks to artistes like Og Abbah. He emerged as one of Africa’s most talked-about new voices with the breakout hit “Wayo Allah Na”, a track that swept across airwaves and quickly cemented itself as one of the continent’s biggest anthems.
Blending infectious rhythms with sharp, memorable lyrics, “Wayo Allah Na” showcased Og Abbah’s knack for crafting music that resonates. His rising profile isn’t just about one song; it’s a sign of a distinct sound coming into focus, that balances traditional influences with modern Afrobeat energy.
- Wave$tar
Wave$tar (Praise Okechukwu) first caught public attention during the COVID era with his freestyles circulating on social media, but it was in 2025 that he firmly re-emerged on the mainstream radar. His feature on Mavo’s “Escaladizzy” not only boosted the song’s profile but also shone a spotlight on his own catalogue, introducing listeners to his signature fusion of moody emo-Trap and introspective rap.
For those looking to understand his appeal, 2024’s “$tarlife: The Mixtape” remains a compelling entry point. Across the project, Wave$tar blends raw vulnerability with deft production, proving that his Lagos roots and unsigned status haven’t hindered his artistry. With his unique sound and growing recognition, 2026 could be the year this young rap talent translates underground acclaim into mainstream momentum.