Early in 2022, Notjustok accurately anticipated the success of up-and-coming artists from Fave, AV, Portable, Ria Sean, Soundz, Obongjayar, and a host of other artists, predicting them to have a fantastic year, which transpired as predicted. As has been custom, we have also taken care to compile a list of quickly growing Nigerian artists that represent many subcultures and lifestyles while creating music with a variety of sounds. These artists are sure to shape and educate Nigerian radio as the year progresses. Notjustok has compiled a list of Nigerian musicians to watch in 2023. (In no particular order).

Trod

Despite working hard for a while, Trod, a highly gifted rapper also known as Olaonipekun Olatubosun, is still not receiving the recognition he deserves. The enthusiastic rapper continues to stay faithful to his individuality and art with two hip-hop ventures, “The LivingGrin” (2020) and “Grinface” (2022). The late Dagrin’s younger brother has collaborated on music with legends like Olamide and Sossick.

If you’re new to Trod, you should check out tracks like “Shey U Fit Go” featuring Olamide, “Steady” featuring Sossick, “Boner” with Pyscho YP, and a few others. You should absolutely keep an eye out for this fantastic act this year.

Somadina

The women in the Nigerian music business continue to prove their value, importance, and skill despite the persistent denigration of female artists. Somadina was heavily affected by R&B as she was reared in the Netherlands, educated in the UK, and was born in Port-Harcourt; nonetheless, she chooses to identify with afro-psychedelic rock. She was introduced to the Nigerian music market through the Afrobeats-infused tune “Rolling Loud” from 2022.

Her 2022 project, titled “Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable,” included a number of skilled performers, including The Cavemen and Odunsi the Engine. You’ll have a thorough knowledge of her sound—rock with an Afro-fusion—with intriguing songs like “Y I Want U,” “Everybody Bleeds,” and “WDYWFM.”

Tim Lyre

We are eager to watch the Afro-fusion singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer become a household name in 2023. Tim, who created the revolting alté movement, has consistently produced music that adheres to his genre-defying investigation of the human experience from an afro-futurist perspective. His euphoric chorus on Show Dem Camp’s “Feel Something” off their “Plamwine Music Vol. 3” album was one of the project’s high points. He is a talent that can be relied upon when it comes to infectious melodies.

Worry, Tim’s Lyre 2022 album, is a further testament to his talent as a producer, songwriter, and performer. You’ll be dancing around Afrobeats, R&B, Reggae/Dancehall, and Soul components on the upbeat project. You ought to listen to Tim Lyre’s tracks like “Real,” “Present,” “Spanish Lime,” and others.

Qing Madi

Everything associated with soul music, from composition to delivery, is embodied by The Newbie. Since making her Spotify debut in October 2022 with the calming tune “See Finish,” Qing Madi has amassed an astonishing 30k+ monthly listeners. We can’t wait to see what she has in store for the world in 2023 because of the way she writes and speaks.

Bryann

Aside from his musical abilities, the former Big Brother housemate boasts of a big and devoted fan base that discovered him through the platform reality TV. The Afro-fusion artist is a prospective star for 2023 after adding a notable amount of flavour to his song after moving inside the home.

S-Pee

The sensational singer has made an impression with the calibre of his music since he gained notoriety in 2019 by winning the Infinix X Davido blow-my-mind countrywide competition. In 2022, he collaborated with powerful rapper Phyno on the hot song “Mi Amor” (Remix”).

Lade

Ladé, who goes by her legal name of Oyetundun Omoladé, has been gaining popularity as a regular commercial voice-over performer for prestigious businesses. The most well-known of them is the Airtel 444 advertising. Lade’s voice skill and range are excellent, akin to the gifted Teni. The mid-year 2022 reissue of her hit song, “Adulthood Anthem,” which explores the difficult realities of adulthood, had a successful run, receiving approximately three million plays on Spotify alone.

The singer-songwriter launched a project called “Merchant of Melodies” in advance of the popular song, which featured other standout songs including “Lova” and “All The Way.”

Libianca

With her sad-themed yet upbeat song “People,” the American-Cameroonian singer shook up the Nigerian music scene in 2022. The American talent competition show “The Voice” included the singer, songwriter, creative director, and mix engineer as a competitor in 2021. Her bold voice and writing prowess make her one to watch in 2023.

The hits “Woman,” “Everything I Wanted,” “Revenge,” and others are worth checking out.

Bayanni

The newest Mavin Records signee made an entrance with his four-track, self-titled EP, which opened with the reflective song “Family.” But by the year’s end, Tik-Tok, a video sharing app, had helped Bayanni’s “Tata Ta” go viral. It had over four million Spotify streams and over a million views on its official YouTube video. We anticipate that the young person will have a stratospheric career in 2023 thanks to the support and strategy of a major company like Mavin Records.

Boy Spyce

Like Bayanni, Boy Spyce is a Mavin Records artist and is considered to be one of the most potential up-and-coming artists in the Nigerian music industry. The musician, who gained notoriety through his Instagram freestyle videos, has been in touch with Mavin Boss Don Jazzy since December 2019, but the label didn’t make him public until 2022, when he released the five-song EP with the same name, “Boy Spyce,” which saw the song “Nobody” become a fan favourite.

The Afro-fusion artist is in a good position for mainstream music because of how effortlessly marketable his sound is. Both his vocal skill and poise can be heard in songs like “Dreams.” A skill to watch out for.

Major AJ

Another intriguing artist to watch out for is the vocalist of Afro-fusion from Chocolate City. His five-track “Retroverse” EP was excellent, and its lead hit, “Taboo,” had over 150,000 Spotify plays.