Over the years, the UK has become home to a significant number of talented musicians, and many of them are of Nigerian origin. From the grime scene to afroswing, these artistes have solidified their spots in the UK music industry and beyond. In this article, we highlight 10 of the most successful UK musicians who are originally from Nigeria, West Africa.
1. Skepta:
One of the most successful UK musicians originally from Nigeria is Skepta. Born in Tottenham, Skepta whose real name is Joseph Junior Adenuga gained popularity with his grime music and is known for his hits like “Shutdown” and “That’s Not Me.” Skepta has also collaborated with international artistes like Drake and A$AP Rocky. His sister is the beautiful Julie Adenuga, a popular British broadcaster, radio host
2. Dave:
Born in Brixton, Dave is a rapper and singer whose music touches on racism and social injustice. The musician originally known as David Orobosa Omoregie won the Mercury Prize in 2019 for his album “Psychodrama,” which received critical acclaim. Although Dave usually uses his voice as a musician to tackle pertinent issues in society, he does have some feel-good songs like “Location” which features Nigerian musician Burna Boy. He has also collaborated with BNXN.
3. Not3s:
Another UK musician originally from Nigeria is Not3s, who was born in Hackney, London. The 24-year-old musician, whose real name is Lukman Odunaike, gained popularity with his hit single “Addison Lee“. He has since released a number of successful tracks even collaborating with other Nigerian musicians like Tiwa Savage and Maleek Berry.
4. Ms Banks:
Born Thyra Oji in Southeast London, Ms Banks is of Nigerian and Ugandan descent. First gaining recognition for her mixtapes and slew of EPs and singles, Ms Banks became acknowledged for her unique flow, impactful lyrics, and tenacity. With a huge following on social media, Banks puts out a lot of funny and entertaining content. She has collaborated with Naira Marley and Simi. She has also worked with UK rapper of Ghanaian descent Stormzy.
5. Tion Wayne:
Born in Edmonton, North London, Tion Wayne is a rapper who gained popularity with his song “Keisha & Becky.” He has since released a number of successful tracks and has collaborated with UK rapper of Ghanaian heritage Stormzy and popular Nigerian musician Davido. Tion whose real name is Dennis Junior Odunwo has since become one of the most recognizable names in the UK music scene. He is known for his unique sound and catchy hooks.
6. Tinie Tempah:
Tinie Tempah, whose real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, was born in London to Nigerian parents. He gained popularity with his hit singles like “Pass Out” and “Written in the Stars” and has won a number of awards for his music including MOBO and BRIT Awards.
7. Darkoo:
Born and raised in South London, Darkoo is of Nigerian descent. She gained recognition for her 2019 song “Gangsta,” which went viral on TikTok. Darkoo is known for her unique sound, which blends elements of Afrobeats, dancehall, and grime. She has worked with musicians like Mayorkun and Ghanaian musicians Black Sherif and KiDi.
8. Sade:
The beautiful Sade, whose full name is Helen Folasade Adu, is a UK singer who was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. The 64-year-old gained popularity in the 1980s with her self-named band, which produced hits like “Smooth Operator” and “No Ordinary Love.” She is credited by many as the first female Nigerian woman to ever win a grammy.
9. Seal:
Seal, whose real name is Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, is a UK singer who was born in Paddington, London to Nigerian and Brazilian parents. He gained popularity with his song “Kiss from a Rose,” which won him a number of awards. Seal has won several awards throughout his career including 3 BRIT awards and 4 Grammys.
10. Lemar:
Lemar Obika, known simply as Lemar, is a UK singer who was born in Tottenham to Nigerian parents. He gained popularity with his debut album “Dedicated” which went double-platinum. He has won a number of awards for his amazing music. His song “If There’s Any Justice” is definitely a fan favorite.
These 10 UK musicians originally from Nigeria have made a significant impact in the music industry with their unique styles and sounds. They continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of musicians both in the UK and around the world.
