The ladies in the music industry in Nigeria have done amazingly well, proving their worth time and time again within this last decade, amassing various ground breaking records in Africa (127 million views on Johnny by Yemi Alade, even most recently, 10million streams on what is now dubbed the Nigerian Tiktok slo-mo sound track “single and searching” by Yemi Alade and Falz), receiving various local and international awards, even Billboard recognition as well as getting features with lots of international musicians (like Khalid, Rick Ross and a lot more).

Females artiste in Nigeria have seemingly been underrated. Maybe it’s a cultural thing seeing male musicians as having the upper hand in the industry. Whatever the reason might be, amazing work for them getting this far as they might have had to work twice more than the male counterparts. We looked at a lot of internal and external factors in picking out these top best female musicians in Nigeria.

Consideration was given to the music quality, the vibe they give to Nigerians, popularity, social media influence, achievements/success, awards/recognition, lyrics, consistency, net worth, impact and how long they have been in the game etc.
No further ado, here comes the juicy part.
We tried to be as carefully unbiased as possible and came up with this exclusive best female musicians list that would resonate well with a lot of Nigerians.

For people like me that like long reads this article serves me best. On the other hand, we have people who can’t, so that’s why we have the short bio.

You can always skim through and pick important and useful information, read the conclusion and move on.
I’m as stoked as you are… yes! The top 10 female artiste in Nigeria. Beautiful women, melanin popping, sweet voices, spectacular talents and simply the best in Africa and beyond.

Are you ready???
Starting from the least popping to the most popping. Here are the 9jadailyfeeds exclusive list!!!

Top 10 Female Musicians In Nigeria & Their Net Worth 

10. Di’ja

“…Most times how others feel about you, or how you should be, comes from their own insecurities. Be comfortable, be You!”

“There is no one standard of beauty regardless of what the media tells you.”
“Mental wellness is so important to a person’s existence; it is where all begins and all can end”.

Wow! I can presume her personality from this quotes that she is such a real person. Maybe one of the most realistic Nigerian female pop singer I have heard this year.

 

Born on August 14 ,1989 in Kaduna. Di’ja kick started her music career in Canada and released her first single, “Rock steady” which was nominated for Best Urban/R&B Single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. Nevertheless, she won the Best New Artist award at the 2008 Beat Music Awards which was quite a boost to her career then at Canada. Still in Canada, Di’Ja released several singles including “Dan’Iska (Rudebwoy)”, “Hold On (Ba Damuwa)” and “How Can We Be Friends” in 2012. Moving quick to 2014, after relocating to Nigeria where she met Donjazzy who auditioned her through a period of 8 months before signing her to her present record label, Mavin. Presently her latest album out is “Aphropop Vol.1 Album”.

In her songs she combines different cultures in honour of being a Serria Leonian and a Nigerian. Not to forget she lived in the USA, Canada, Nigeria and Serria Leon. Listening to her songs, Di’ja is definitely talented and we look forward to her future feats.

Short Bio:
• Name: Hadiza Blell
• Genre: Pop, R&B, Afrobeats
• Record Label: Mavin Records
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Nil
• Amassed online following: About 1.6 million
• Net worth: $500k (Estimations)

 

9. Niniola

Niniola Apata one of the most beautiful female musician on this list AKA “Niniola“, AKA “human radio”, AKA “Queen of Afro house” featured in Beyonce’s album, the gift. 2019 would have been such a wonderful and happy year for the Queen of Afro house (Afro pop & house music) as she wrote & performed a track “Find Your Way Back” off Beyonce’s Gift album which contains elements of her hit track, Maradona.

 

The wave of rejections and no(s) she faced earlier on in her career from judges, made a Successful Experience at the MTN Project Fame (Season 6) that saw her come out as the 3rd Runner Up after gaining exposure from other shows.
In her words,
“It’s the grace of God but as they say, when hard work and preparation meets opportunity, it just happens. After Project Fame, I just wanted to prove myself. I knew I could sing but I just wanted more. I loved to dance and wanted to incorporate these two things”.

Niniola also spent months working and carving out what she calls her own genre “Afro House” music.

She went online in search of the top ten producers in Nigeria, as at the year 2013. As a result of which she found Sarz aka sarz on the beat, the heavyweight hit-maker who has worked with Nigerian superstars like Wizkid, Banky W, Skales, Wande Coal, etc. With production assistance from Sarz she released her first debut single, Ibadi.

“I didn’t know anybody in the industry. So, I went online in search for the best producer in Nigeria. This was in 2013. Sarz’s name kept coming up. I reached out to him and he requested that I give him a hit song. I dropped “Ibadi” and that’s how it happened”.

“Ibadi” has elements of afro-beats, house and dance music. It’s a mix of her pure, clear & powerful Vocals which she delivered in both English and Yoruba. After releasing her debut single “Ibadi”, she was nominated for Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Winning 4 awards and about 41 nominations in total; Best African Collaboration for “Mbilo Mbilo” 2016 (Remix), Nigerian Teens Choice Awards, Maya Awards (2017), Glazia Awards (2017) and Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards (2018).

She also released a pure banger “Maradona”, the song that keeps giving!

“One song changed my life. I just did the song Maradona and knew that, like every other one, it was good. But when we dropped it, it went boom. People and artistes from South Africa started reaching out to me.”

The hit song about “Maradona” got remake from French Disc jockey & record producer, DJ Snake.

She fought her way to this point of her musical career.

Like the loss of her dad which also inspired another of her banger song, Addicted. I commend her warrior spirit. Pain does really make people stronger.

“I’m glad I can be comfortable as an African and sing in my language,” Niniola says. She finishes with a prediction, almost a warning: “When I drop songs, I drop hit songs.”

Is this statement true?? Has she really been a mirror reflection of her words in her actions? Do Nigerians really vibe and enjoy her songs to that point of calling the song a hit? Doesn’t it feel that there is a particular ingredient missing in her songs seeing she had 12% success rate in awards/nominations.

I would leave that to our readers to vote on. Her position might not be agreeable to some people. Even if considerations were to be given she wouldn’t have made it past the 8th position on this list. Nonetheless, she’s still good.

DOWNLOAD Niniola – “Colours & Sounds” Album

Short Bio:
• Name: Niniola Apata
• Genre: Afro House
• Record Label: DrumRoll
• Grammy: Nil (Certificate)
• Billboard: Nil
• Amassed online following: About 2million
• Net worth: $1.7m (Estimations)

 

 

8. Tems

Starting out at Age 13, Tems, the fast rising female artist that sang with Khalid and Davido in 2020 (You don’t know your worth Remix) and even caught the attention of Chris Brown. Just like Asa, Tems has a foreign father, also got appraised by her music teacher and also moved to Lagos. Similar to Asa’s, I think we can uncover talented singers just by reading their stories

Temilade Openiyi was born on June 11, 1995 in Lagos, Nigeria. Born to a Nigerian mother and British father, Tems family moved to the United Kingdom shortly after her birth. Her parents separated when she was five, and relocated to Ilupeju, before moving to Lekki, then Ajah. At school she was noticed by her music teacher who helped her professionally and she learnt the piano.

She would practice singing with her brother’s guitar accompaniment. She attended Dowen College in Lekki and studied and graduated in economics in Johannesburg which she said at one point in her story was tiresome. In fact, she said everything was, but she had to pick something.

Just like Niniola, she also liked artists like Beyonce and Rhianna. Tems hopes to collaborate with local artists like Niniola, Burna boy and wizkid. The Rebel Gang leader (Tems) also drew inspiration from Asa, Frank Ocean, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Beyoncé and Rihanna, for their authentic emotional content.

What is the most amazing about her story is that Tems is a writer, singer and record producer, A talented female artists that just pours out her emotions into words and has a deep passion for music. Well, fact is she has stolen the hearts of Nigerians and though she doesn’t have a much online following yet. Tems still has far more followers than some top artist on platforms like audiomack which means her music is still enjoyed locally.

“Mr Rebel” her first debut single was recorded in 2018 and that’s where she became the leader (Tems) of the Rebel Gang (Her fans). A year after she released “Try me” one of her major hits which currently has over 4.3million views. Her single ‘Damages‘ from her “For Broken Ears” EP became another follow up hit to Try Me peaking at number 6 on the newly launched “TurnTable Top 50” (a Nigerian chart). This beautiful Nigerian female artist also got 2 nominations and made it to vogue list of (9 emerging black talents you must know for 2021). She got her first appearance on Billboard Hot 100 with Wizkid‘s song of the summer, “Essence” which she was featured in. Lately, Canadian rapper, Drake enlisted Tems on his song, “fountain“, off his Certified lover Boy album.

Short Bio:
• Name: Temilade Openiyi
• Genre: alt R&B singer, Reggae/pop singer
• Record Label: None (Independent artiste)
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Yes (Once)
• Amassed online following: About 900k
• Net worth: $200,000 (Estimations)

 

 

7. Asa

“How this post wan be if Asa name no dey am”. Unique vocals and legendary singer both in Nigeria and Africa. Asa songs still continues to entertain us even in 2021. Writing with all sincerity, her distinct singing style touches the soul. Aṣa was born in Paris to Nigerian parents who were working and studying cinematography in France. Asa drew inspiration from great music her father had stored up from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, King Sunny Adé, Diana Ross, Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba.

Asa spent about 18 years in Lagos before returning to France (Paris) where her career took off. She studied at the IMFP school of Jazz music. She was so exceptional as a female artiste, that she was told by teachers that she should go ahead and become a recording artist because she was ready and needed no schooling.

What a talent! I can still hear the words sing in my head. Stop calling me a prisoner! I don’t know if we would see another artist like Asa. We don’t need too much beats and overly sexually depicting videos. We need music! Relatable lyrics! We need flow!

Another female pop singer in Nigeria on this list, jazz, indie pop and even a female rapper. Bukola Elemide released her debut Album “Aśa” in 2007 and received the Prix Constantin Award a year later, following her nomination by French music awards for the female artist of the year in 2011.

It was reported that by 2014 Aṣa sold 400,000 albums worldwide. Those numbers don’t scare me, Asa is a true gem. It seems she always takes her time to work on these songs. Considering her average release time for each album is about 3-4years. The latest we heard in 2019 from her is her album titled “Lucid”.

Short Bio:
• Name: Bukola Elemide
• Genre: Jazz, Rap, Indie Pop and Pop
• Record Label: Native
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Nil
• Amassed online following: About 1.5million
• Net worth: $28.8m (Estimations)

 

 

6. Waje

“Words Aren’t Just Enough” to explain how talented the Nigerian Singer & songwriter Aituaje Aina Vivian Iruobe, known by stage name as Waje is, worthy of mention is the fact that those quoted words are the meaning of Waje.

She made public her intentions to quit music in 2019 due to lack of support and low return on investment. Waje sings Pop, R&B, Soul, Blues, Rock. Slow paced songs, amazing vocals and music that touches the soul. When I listen to Waje’s music and I compare her with some other artists. I feel like how come she isn’t popping and popular like others? Well, not all resonate with her kind of music. Music is flexible, I can’t listen to a fast paced song when I just want to relax or I am somber. In my opinion, she is one of the best female vocalist in Nigeria.

Waje started singing gospel from her youth for her church choir and late Arc Bishop Benson Idahosa who helped her with her secondary education because he liked her talent.
Waje’s vocal range covers three octaves. In 2008, she featured in the P-Square hit track titled “Do Me” and started gaining popularity from there.

She released her self-titled debut studio album in 2013. Waje is a musical entrepreneur and also engaged in side hustles like act in tunnel in 2015. Her and Omawunmi also launched a media company called Hermanes Media in 2019. Waje was nominated for awards over 20 times within her career, including Black Canadian Awards 2014, Best Vocal performance and World music awards etc. A single mother who was also one of the four judges in the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria.

Short Bio:
• Name: Aituaje Iruobe
• Genre: Soul, Pop etc
• Record Label: Waje Media Entertainment
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Nil
• Amassed online following: About 2.2 million
• Net worth: Unknown (Income yearly ranges from $100k-1m)

 

 

5. Seyi Shay

Her mother’s advice for her to move to Nigeria from Tottenham in London truly helped her in finding her space and identity in the music industry. Seyi Shay eventually moved to Nigeria. It was a struggle then especially after her group (Boadicea) disbanded because they felt they weren’t making head way. Undergoing serious training from Mathews’ management company (Beyoncé’s Father), at the same time did free shows just to gain popularity.

The Afropop singer was born to Nigerian parents who named her Oluwaseyi Odedere after her birth in Tottenham, London, England, on December 21, 1985. Seyi’s father is an indigene of Ife (a town in Nigeria) while her mother hails from one of the Northern states in Nigeria. “Gimme Love Remix” with Teyana Taylor is a song inspired by love and vulnerability.

It’s a take on a woman’s emotions and sexuality. In 2014, with the release of the tracks ‘Murda’ and ‘Right Now’. Seyi found her sound in a new and modern Africa, she said “when I released ‘Murda’ it was like an overnight turnaround.

“Then I realized people maybe were waiting for me to find my identity. So I found my identity in that song and it was elements of ‘80’s Reggae in London and Afrobeats in Africa that’s pretty much the formula that broke me out to popularity”.

The following song we decided to follow the same formula, we released a song called ‘Right Now’ which again, was Reggae but Afrobeat and lyrically, melodically Naija.”

Seyi shay is one of the ladies with good vocals and maybe a separate post would be made highlighting female artist with good vocals. I guess good vocal plus creativity and good beats equals fantastic music.

Short Bio:
• Name: Deborah Oluwaseyi
• Genre: Soul, Pop, Reggae, Afro pop etc
• Record Label: Star gurl, Island records.
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Nil
• Amassed online following: About 1.8 million
• Net worth: $2.1million (Estimations)

 

 

4. Teni

Teniola Apata popularly known by her stage name as Teni is a fast rising Nigerian singer, songwriter, stage performer, recording artist & an entertainer signed under Dr. Dolor Entertainment.
She was born on 12th December 1992 in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria. She is currently 26 years old. She is very gifted, skillful, creative and talented, she’s dubbed “The one take god” because of her flexibility with freestyles and more because she only records once, no mistakes, just one take and it is perfect. She is originally from Ilesa, a small town in Osun State in the south western part of Nigeria.

Teni is one of Nigeria’s fastest rising musicians breaking new grounds in the Nigerian music industry. Teni kick started her music career in 2016 when she got signed to Magic Fingers Records owned by one of Nigeria’s most talented music producers and serial hit maker, Shizzi.

Teni is the younger sister of popular Nigerian singer Niniola. Teni came into limelight in 2017 after releasing her hit single “Fargin” which topped many music charts in Nigeria.
She has also released hit songs like uyo meyo, case, billionaire, etc
Overall Teni has about 8 awards and 13 nominations including the Headies. Teni has also the street and local kind of vibe in her music. She has seemingly does side hustles like comedy and promotions. Considering the short amount of time, she has spent, she is pretty notable.

Short Bio:
• Name: Teniola Apata
• Genre: Afro
• Record Label: Dr Dolor Entertainment
• Grammy:
• Billboard: Yes (Once)
• Amassed online following: About 5 million
• Net worth: $600,000 (Estimations)

 

 

3. Yemi Alade

First Nigerian female artist to hit 1.62M subscribers and 128 million views on YouTube on her biggest hit Johnny. The beautiful and talented lady has won several awards. She soared to popularity with her single “Johnny” she’s also one of the richest Nigerian female musicians. Persistency and consistency got her to where she is today, because she has faced lots of struggles starting out since the days of the Peak talent show which she won. Finally, her hard work paid off.

Nigerian Afro-pop singer and songwriter Yemi Alade emerged in 2009 as the winner of the popular Peak Talent Show.

A native of Abia in south eastern Nigeria, even though her Dad James Alade is of South western origin, she tends to identify with her mum’s side mostly. Alade pursued her musical ambitions while earning a degree at the University of Lagos and following her victory on the widely viewed Peak competition, released her debut single “Fimisile” later that year. A deal with the Effyzzie Music Group yielded the 2013 international hit single “Johnny,” which was included on her debut album, King of Queens, in 2014.

A mix of reggae, R&B, rap, and Afro-pop, the album featured a number of collaborations between notable producers and guest artists like Phyno and Chidinma. Her follow-up album, Mama Africa, was released in 2016 and featured the singles “Do as I Do” and “Ferrari.” A companion EP, Mama Afrique, followed in 2017.

DOWNLOAD Yemi Alade – “Empress” Album 

Short Bio:

• Name: Yemi Alade
• Genre: World, Afro Pop and R&B
• Record Label: Effyzzie Music Group
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Yes (Twice)
• Amassed online following: About 18 million
• Net worth: $4.2million (Estimations)

 

 

2. Simi

Good music is always entertaining and calms the soul at the same time. That’s what simi’s music does. Her major hit Duduke had over 30million views on YouTube. Simi is at 2nd on this list majorly because of her talent and other factors. She obviously has won awards also. Her husband Adekunle Gold is also a well-known artist with hits like “pick up”, “Sweet Me”, etc. He has always been supportive of her. Let’s see what the future holds, hopefully, she would still be able to deliver this good, even better.
Simi is a beautiful and petite Nigerian Afro-Pop singer/songwriter known for her hit songs “Soldier” and “Jamb Question,” both featuring Nigerian singer, actor, comedian and rapper, Falz.

This fabulous singer and captivating performer has a subtle voice which usually lingers in the head of listeners long after the sound has ended.
She penned her first song at the age of 10 and began singing at the age of 16. As a result of her passion for music, she joined her church’s teenage choir. Probably due to her church background, she began her career in the music industry as a gospel singer, with the release of her debut studio album in 2008 titled Ogaju.

 

A few years later, however, Simi switched over to singing secular songs and got her major breakthrough in the mainstream music industry in 2014 after she released Tiff under a record label, X3M Music which she was signed to in the same year. The song was nominated in two categories at The Headies 2015.

Since she was signed to X3M Music, Simi has released hits including – Tiff, Jamb Question, Love Don’t Care, Smile For Me and also featured in a number of hit records such as ‘Soldier’, with Falz, ‘No Forget’, with Adekunle Gold, ‘Orire’, with Legendury Beatz and a few others.

DOWNLOAD Simi – “Restless II” EP

Short Bio:
• Name: Simisola Kosoko
• Genre: Soul, Afro Pop, Hip Pop, Rap, World etc
• Record Label: Studio Brat
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Yes (Once)
• Amassed online following: About 14 million
• Net worth: $2million (Estimations)

 

 

1. Tiwa savage

“Money she get, Voice she get, Popular she popular, Wetin she no con get??”. I won’t call her the perfect singer but she has the achievements in the music industry that her contemporaries haven’t had. Unlike Yemi Alade, her music resonates well with alot of Nigerians. What are her major hits🤔?

I would say the major hits she had were All over 2017 which had over 56 million views on YouTube and her featured YouTube video in 2014, and also her song ,the remix with Patoranking “Girlie O”. Top triller Global on the billboard for 2 of her songs. She started 2010 for beyonce as her backup singer and she has spent over 11 years in the Industry. Also an award winning super star with over 71 nominations and 21 won awards.

Tiwa savage definitely worth securing this position. Well I won’t think for long though because we definitely have upcoming artist like tems which could take up that spot very soon. She has been widely successful but should work more on the quality of her songs and vibe rather than quantity. The music industry in Nigeria is definitely getting more competitive by the day as new talents are discovered.

Her debut studio album Once Upon a Time was released on the 3rd of July 2013. It was supported by seven singles: “Kele Kele Love”, “Love Me (3x)”, “Without My Heart”, “Ife Wa Gbona”, “Folarin”, “Olorun Mi” and “Eminado”. The album was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014.

Savage’s second studio album R.E.D was released on 19 December 2015. It yielded two singles: “My Darlin” and “Standing Ovation”. In June 2016, Savage signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation In September 2017, she released her debut EP Sugarcane. R.E.D and Sugarcane have both been nominated for Best Album at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

In November 2018, Savage won Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win the category. In May 2019, she announced her record deal with Universal Music Group and exit from Mavin Records Savage sings in English and Yoruba; her music is a blend of Afro beats, R&B, pop and hip-hop.

DOWNLOAD Tiwa Savage – “Celia” Album

Short Bio:
• Name: Tiwatope Savage
• Genre: Soul, Afro Pop ,Hip Pop, Rap, World etc
• Record Label: Mavin, Universal Music Group, Motown, Island and Capitol Records
• Grammy: Nil
• Billboard: Yes (Twice)
• Amassed online following: About 20 million
• Net worth: $5million (Estimations)

 

 

RELATED:  Popular Rema Songs That Got Him To Stardom 

We have come to the end of our exclusive list for the Top 10 female artist or musicians in Nigeria 2021, their net worth and other intriguing details.

Let’s hear what your view is about the list and what you would have had on the list or critique, just anything in the comment section.

The list is not perfect and we can’t take the place of God to make a perfect list. We can only stick to available research materials, testimonials etc. For reading up to this point we say thank you and we appreciate it.

Don’t forget to share your friends so we can hear their thoughts on the list.