It’s a new year with a wave of fresh air, or so we believe. For some, it is a new year, new them; not me though, y’all be safe (peace sign). This year is different because it is going to signify an important turnaround in Nigeria’s political sphere. I’m somewhat of a half-glass-full person whenever I think of the future of the country. I hope it starts getting better this year.
I believe it is a fact when I say music is one of the ways we manage to stay sane in these ends, despite the high emotions in our socio-political and economic atmosphere at the moment. Last year, African artists experienced a great run, and we saw how far our sounds traveled across the world. We had the likes of Asake, Seyi Vibez, Portable (don’t you dare roll your eyes), Tems hitting some huge milestones, as well among many others. Some future rising stars were unveiled, while many are still warming up to be revealed.
In today’s Exclusive, I will be revealing 10 artists you should look out for this year. Some of them were already making waves for years before now, but I believe this is their year. You definitely want to add them to your listening list.
5 Male Artists to Look Out for in 2023
WhoisAkin
Who is Akin? I don’t know either, but I do know he makes exceptional music. WhoisAkin a.k.a. Moon Boy, or Biker, who also identifies as a wolf, has created an enigmatic character for himself. Akin is an Afro-fusion artist whose lustrous vocals precede his anonymity and is easily recognized by his biker helmet. He is one of the artists I discovered during the lockdown in 2020 when he released his EP, Full Moon Weekends. Last year, he released After the Full Moon, Before the Blues, and a single ‘Damaged’. He has also been featured on several projects like The Beat-Oven EP, Pop Tart EP by talented producer The Beat-oven, and the Ejoya Class of ’22 project among many others. He has also promised to be back this year with a project. Will it be titled Night Blues? Who knows what Akin has up his sleeves?
Be back in ‘23 with the project.
— biker (@whoisakinn) December 24, 2022
Kemuel
The Port-Harcourt-born, talented vocalist and songwriter is set to take the reins of the music industry this year. Kemuel is a talented Afro-pop artist whose soft vocals just put you in the mood to vibe and forget your problems. His debut EP Escape is a great body of work with hit singles ‘Champagne Girl’ and ‘Finally’ off the EP. My favorite song on the project is ‘Escape’. His performance at the ‘Psycho YP and Azanti Live’ event in Lagos last December made me check him out immediately, and I was wowed.
You should listen to how he killed DJ Spinall’s latest single ‘Bunda’ featuring himself and Olamide. I believe he is off to a great start this year. You should definitely look out for Kemuel this year.
Novemba
It’s Port-Harcourt boys’ season, I guess. Novemba is also an Afro-fusion artist, born and bred in Port-Harcourt. There is something just distinct about his sound, and his lyrics speak about his experiences and story. He delivers his flows in a unique style as he expresses them in English and Pidgin. Novemba officially kicked off his music career on the 20th of November, 2020, when he dropped his 3-song project, Truly Novemba, before Novian Universe in 2021, and his most recent project, Escapade, in November 2022. My favorite songs are ‘Escape’ and ‘Rewind’ on his latest project. I have a thing for intros and outros of projects. He was also announced as Apple Music’s up next Artist in Nigeria. Novemba is truly one to look out for this year.
AnendlessOcean
‘As endless as an ocean’ is the best way I can describe the wave of emotions I feel anytime I listen to Anendlessocean. My friend, Optama, plugged me into his sound. Nazarene was my first listen, and I was blown away because it’s the type of sound I resonate really well with. If you need a bedtime playlist to keep you afloat while you sleep, you should add Anendlessocean to it.
He is another artist you should look out for this year. His project, Apeirogon mirrors his name and perfectly describes the tides of emotions you will feel when you listen. ‘Alakori’ is one of the exceptional songs on the EP. He expresses himself in English and Yoruba deeply. His latest release, ‘C’est la vie/imagine’ is one to check out for sure. Trust me, you won’t know you are listening to a gospel artist at first until you pay attention to his church-like delivery on some of his tracks and the ambiance his songs carry.
Odumodu Blvck
Odumodublvck aka Big Gun is known for fusing Afrobeats, with Drill and Grime music. The self-acclaimed King of Grime in Nigeria, who is currently signed to Native Records in partnership with Def Jam Recordings, is one to look out for this year. With the release of his much-anticipated song ‘Picanto’ last year, Odumodu is definitely coming with more fire this year.
His style of expression is one that can’t be mistaken or imitated. You will know Odumodu when you hear him. He has been giving his fans hints of what’s to come with his consistent supply of snippets across social media. Odumodu also has quite a unique brand, from his art to his fashion and even how he types on social media in ALLCAPS. He attributes that to his authoritative figure because in his words he “declares and proclaims”. Quite fascinating! You should check out his catalogue, there are too many gems to mention.
5 Female Artists to Look Out For in 2023
I decided to save the best for the last. I’m sorry to the guys but these women got me on lockdown with their sounds and art. They are not only talented but equally beautiful. There are several female artists I would love to add to this list but below are 5 female Nigerian artists you should definitely listen to this year.
Ria Sean
I believe the right word I can use to describe how Ria Sean sounds to me is ‘fluid’ and ‘wavy’. I just want to keep listening to her nonstop. This super-talented Afro-pop and R&B singer has a way of floating into your emotions with her soft vocals, delivered beautifully in her songs. With her first EP Fluid in 2021, the Aristokrat-signed singer launches her sound into the soul of her audience, especially with singles like ‘Stamina’ and ‘Minor Notes’ off the project. Her latest EP, Love Station is my current obsession. It is my go-to workout project. I know it’s weird, but you should try working out to songs with slower BPMs and see for yourself. ‘Te Amo’ featuring Yseult is my favorite. I believe I have preached enough of the Ria Sean gospel, go check her out yourself.
Bloody Civilian
I discovered Bloody Civilian when I was looking out for female producers and her name actually caught my attention, amongst other things. She is an exceptional music producer, singer, and songwriter. She has always had a passion to pursue music, even at a young age, and she is really good at what she does. Many people caught her vibe when the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Soundtrack album dropped. She is the one on the song with Rema, ‘Wake up’. Bloody Civilian is coming with the heat, and her exceptional storytelling makes her stand out amongst her peers. You should listen to her latest single, ‘How To Kill A Man’. Bloody Civilian is not only coming to take the spotlight as a singer but also as one of the outstanding female producers here in Nigeria.
Naya Akanji
I started listening to Naya as far back as 2020, when my friend Akanji Faruq suggested I listen to her collaborative project with Lemar Abdul, a producer- Vivid Emotions. ‘Set Me On Fire’ is my favorite off the EP. She narrates her experiences and expresses her emotions so well in her songs. She has an exceptional pen game as well; I can attest to this. I also can’t wait to meet her someday so we can share ideas. Inside information tells me she is going to release an outstanding project this year. In the meantime, you can check out her latest single, ‘Closer’. She has also appeared on several projects like Lofn 4, and the Ejoya class of ’21, among many others.
Kold AF
This is one of the coolest names I have come across so far. Imagine her performing on a cold night and she’s like “It’s cold as f*ck out here tonight”, and her fans will be like, yeah we know, it’s because you are Kold AF. I believe I am permitted to make dry jokes, today is Wednesday yunno. However, Kold is definitely on my list of artists to look out for this year. Her debut 2-track project, Kold Szn is a must-listen. She is also featured on the Open House Vol.1 project and has also worked with several other creatives like SirBastien, Moelogo, Mo’Gunz, and many others.
Majesty Lyn
Majesty Lyn’s vocals will put you in a trance. You will feel like you are in a different space entirely when you listen to her songs. Since I started listening to her in 2021, I haven’t stopped. She has this celestial aura in her sound that makes you feel like you are living in some ethereal realm while listening. You should check out her new EP, Things on Things with lead singles ‘Notice’ and ‘Stop dancing’ standing out on the project.
There you have it, my list of 10 Artists to look out for this year. In addition to the above-mentioned artists, I would also like to add Tar1q, Ugoccie, Guchi, Layzee Ella, and Soundz to the list. You should check them out as well.
Don’t forget to stay up to date about African music here on Soot Africa.