We are back with more Nigerian vibe today on the show. I should say the major part of January on #TBS is for hottest Nigerian artists only that we opened the show first week with Kpop (i.e South Korean music) out of the curiosity to feel what the new guys on the bloc sound like. However, it’s been back to home in Nigeria since last week and that will continue until the end of January. So today we spotlight some of the Hottest Nigerian Artists Of 2019. These artists had the most of 2019. They include heavy weights like: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Falz as usual; others in the male category were: Zlatan, Naira Marley, Fireboy, Joeboy, Rema and Teni. So basically the hottest Nigerian acts on #AOTW today are Zlatan Ibile, Fireboy DML, Teniola and Naira Marley. They are #TBS choice by the way. So, feel free to come up with yours. Go over to our socials right now and drop it there using the hashtag #TopNigerianArtistof2019.
Apparently, the big horns on the list such as Wizkid, Davido, Burnaboy have refused to step down from owning it further throughout 2019. Burna continued to gaining more recognitions and winning more hearts that year- a spillover from 2018. Wizkid and Davido as usual also trended on social media in 2019 especially for their respective international collaborations. Wizkid’s collabo with Beyonce and Davido’s collabo with Chris Brown were huge. We should have a feel of both back to back as bonus after tip off. We should definitely.
Now about the artists on the spotlight today, a lot actually goes into being a top artist/hottest artist who has had the most of the year. You got to generate lots of buzz while doing your thing. What impact have you made within your genre as an artist, your quality of music, fan base and social media following? Did these artists really have the most of 2019? Let’s find out.
No 4 Naira Marley – Soapy
Yeah! If you are a Marlian, this one is for you. Azeez Fashola professionally called Naira Marley is one of the hottest Nigerian artists who had the best of 2019 dominating the music proceedings in Nigeria. The 26 year old (born in 1994) Nigerian singer and songwriter who is known as the president of his controversial fan base, “Marlians” has soared in status, his fan base has grown. According to reports, Marley has more hit songs in the Nigerian music industry in 2019. Naira’s name has never been big before 2019 talking massive hits like “Soapy”, “Am I A Yahoo Boy,” In 2019, he had “Am I A Yahoo Boy”, “Opotoyi (Marlians)”, “Soapy”, “Puta” and “Mafo”.
During the “Marlian Fest” which was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos on 30 December 2019, Naira Marley announced his new record label “Marlian Records” with the signing of four artists, Cblvck, Zinoleesky, MohBad and Fabian Blu. He’s got two EPs- Gotta Dance (2015) and Lord of Lamba (2019)
By the way his song Soapy won the 2020 Sound city MVP Awards Viewers’ Choice as well as being nominated in the category Artiste of the Year (Male) at the 2019 City People Music Awards. Some fans actually feel bad that he didn’t go home with the most number of plaques at award ceremonies in 2019 perhaps due to events that happened to him. Naira Marley made the most of the unfair side of life that came his way and still stood tall. He went to the jail in 2019 but did this affect his fan base?
Marley’s Controversy In May 2019, Naira Marley was arrested by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside his friends including Zlatan. Others were released on administrative bail, leaving only Naira Marley in the EFCC custody, because of overwhelming evidence against him. That EFCC filed 11 charges against him before Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, bordering on internet fraud and cybercrime, the 11 counts carry a potential sentence of seven years in jail if he is found guilty. While still in prison that May, he was reported to have released a song “4 Nights In Ekohtiebo”, in the track, he talks about his industry friends, foes and other people who have showed him love and also hated him while he was away. On 20 May 2019, he was arraigned before the Lagos court and pleaded “not guilty”, a bail hearing was set for 30 May 2019. That same day Naira Marley released a song “Why”, accompanied by an image of him in handcuffs, in the track, he talks about why people always makes him the major player of any controversial incident, he also talks about the betrayal of trust, deceit and pretence from his friends.
In October 2019, he returned to the Lagos court to face his charges. On 12 December 2019, his case was again heard and was subsequently adjourned to 27 February 2020, after an EFCC witness testified against him. All these interpret to me as even as an artist, you got to be socially upright. This is not to say Naira Marley is not actually. For me, the Nigerian security operatives have to do their due diligent but at the same time Naira Marley a responsible father of four is well educated to the Masters level to know what is right or wrong for his personality.
For those who claim Marlians don’t go to schoo, Naira Marley is very educated. As a young boy he moved to Peckham, South London, England where he started his education at Porlock Hall, before moving to Walworth School and obtained his General Certificate of Secondary Education. Naira Marley graduated with a distinction in business went at Peckham Academy in London. He also completed a study in business law according to report.
No 3 Fireboy DML “Need You’” (produced by Pheelz. off the album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps) Visuals for song has been dropped earlier this month
The Nigerian artiste Adedamola Adefolahan known as Fireboy DML (born in 1996/97) –the YBNL record label signee (from October 2018) who dropped his latest/debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps in November 2019 previously had a hit song “Jealous”. The song was nominated at the 2019 Headies in the category Song of the Year. The same song won the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival listeners’ Choice.. Fireboy has been on several radars since he dropped this track. His music in general has been fire as well. Here is a song from his latest album…
Fireboy’s controversy Sometime last year it was rumoured that Lyta’s exit from the YBNL record label was slightly tilted towards another Fireboy DML- his label mate. It was reported that Fireboy DML is the only artist to have risen to limelight under the YBNL canopy after his song “Jealous. However, it was concluded that Lyta was supposedly jealous of Fireboy himself. Though both parties once denied that there was nothing of such. Also Lyta once said during an interview on Cool FM’s Midday oasis that both of them as close as used to be before
No 2 Teniola – Billionaire
Give it up Teni the Entertainer born Teniola Apata (1996/97) who started gaining prominence after releasing the single “Fargin” in September 2017 and of course brokethrough after releasing the hit singles “Askamaya”, “Case” and “Uyo Meyo”. Teni is signed with Dr. Dolor Entertainment since 2017. On 20 February 2019, Teni was featured on YouTube Music’s Trending Artist on the Rise. In June, 2019, she released a new single titled “Power Rangers”. Teni released Billionaire – the EP in October (11) 2019. The EP spawns 6 tracks: Nowo, Billionaire, Complain, Super Woman, Shayo and Online. Earlier on October 4, 2019, released the single, ‘Billionaire’ (produced by Pheelz) before the EP of the same name. At the 2019 Headise Award, her songs from 2018: “Case” won Best Pop Single. Uyo Meyo – “Best Recording of the Year, “Uyo Meyo”- Best Vocal Performance (Female). We look to more of her songs from 2019 being awarded.
Teni’s Controversy 2019 Sometime in May 2019 during an interview anchored by rapper Falz on Flytime Promotions’ The Journey, she made a shocking revelation that she was dating Wizkid. The singer song writer who naturally infuses comedy into her music whenever she sings wasn’t taken seriously at the time. Did Wizkid react? In another interview – rather serious this time, she said her primary focus was on music but “would like to have a family of her own. In 2019m she was criticised for acting as racist after she shared a video of herself insulting a foreigner in Yoruba language. Some actually found the video hilarious.
Tip Off/Bonus (Brown Skin Girl Beyonce ft Wizkid from ‘Lion King’ album in July & Blow my Mind – Chris Brow ft Davido also in July)
There is something I find quite interesting about artists owning it every year. The artist could be someone who has been around for long and artist who is just hoping on board. For instance, Burna Boy whose fame went on another level since 2018 and the likes of Zlatan Ibile, Naira Marley among other who suddenly took over in 2019. You cannot talk about artistes making waves in the Nigerian music industry in 2019 without mentioning Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael popularly called Zlatan. The 24 years (born 1994) is another Nigerian singer, songwriter and dancer was one of the most listened to artistes in 2019.
He has his very unique way of relating with fans coming through new slang like ‘Gbe Body E’ among etc as well as new dance routine. Zlatan has made good impressions does not appear slowing down in 2020. Remember was featured on the breakout single, ‘Able God’ and featured with Davido among other hit tracks with other artists. He has his own singles such as hit track “Zanku” (video in November 2019). The song is off his debut studio album Zanku, an acronym for Zlatan Abeg No Kills Us. Zlatan in 2019 won the Headies Best Collaboration for “Killin Dem” with Burna Boy. His song “Legwork” was also nominated in the category Song of the Year.
I would have preferred that we play “Killin Dem” or “Gbeku” featuring Burna Boy both, but we need to hear more women voices on the show. So, here is Shotan together with Tiwa Savage.
Zlatan’s ControversyWhen you blow, you attract a lot of attention and controversies are meant to set in as well. This has also been the case with Zlatan like every other acts in the industry. In May 2019, the EFCC arrested Zlatan and alongside three others including Naira Marley in connection with an alleged case of internet fraud and money laundering. A few days later, he was released on administrative bail but Naira Marley was charged to court on fraud-related offences. There were rumours that Zlatan and Marley were yahoo boys because they appeared to support internet fraud. Later they released a collaboration titled, ‘Am I A Yahoo Boy?’
There was another gist about him claiming that he brought the dance, ‘zanku’ into the Nigerian mainstream saying that zanku actually means ‘Zlatan abeg nor kill us.’ He was slo also reported to have said zanku should calm down a little for its little brother called ‘gbeku’. There was an allegation about having to do with Ruggedman’s attack in London which he denied
We have seen some artists these past years that were making waves in previous years but subsequently their presence in the industry became unnoticed again even when they still churn out music. That doesn’t mean that they are no more talented but the competition is stiff (tough) in the music industry. Longevity is another factor in the industry. It is one of the most influential markers for determining an artiste’s greatness. If you are an artist hoping to blow someday, you got to work more on your craft and pray for the GRACE to sustain the momentum. It’s very important. Visit www.theboxshowafrica.com. Do not forget to drop your choice of top hottest Nigerian artists of 2019 using the hashtag #TopNigerianArtistof2019
No 1 Zlatan Ibile – “Shotan” (featuring Tiwa Savage) It is Track 9 on the Zanku album released in July 2019. The song was nominated at the City People Music Award for Best Collabo of the Year)
