LEADERS OF THE NU SKOOL!
By Abiodun Caston-Dada
Breaking into the mainstream music terrain, getting a viral hit or for you to get noticed in an industry full of great talents is no small feat and requires extra hard work, positioning and putting your music out there, especially on social media platforms for you to get noticed.
Every year, many young artistes put out great sounds that uplift their status and get them due recognition, build a community of fan base on social media platforms, most especially on TikTok and Instagram.
This new rising stars churns out great sounds, eclectic styles and lifestyle that shapes the music scene, more especially among their teeming dedicated young fans. Their music and lifestyle generated buzzes that you can’t ignore which has huge impact on the Nigerian music and youth culture. With creativity, growing influence, and dedicated fanbases, they are well-positioned to define Nigeria’s musical direction in the coming years.
From Afrobeats to Alternative, Street-pop, R&B to Hip-hop, we have carefully curated a list of young Nigerian artistes who are poppin’ and who we think should be on your radar in 2026. They are the LEADERS OF THE NU SKOOL!
FOLA
No doubt one of the hottest new artistes in Nigeria. Fola, born Folarin Odunlami rose to fame in 2022 following the release of his song “Ginger Me”, featuring Bella Shmurda which was met with critical acclaim and followed up with other singles like “Money Chaser,” “Miss You,” and “Feeling”. But it was “Alone”, a 2024 release featuring BhadBoi OML that throws him into the spotlight. Post-release, “Alone” worked its way up to number seven on the Official Turntable Top 100 chart a few weeks after its release.
In 2024, he signed with Dangbana Republik and released his debut extended play, What A Feeling. The EP featured appearances from Bella Shmurda, Magixx, Bnxn, and BhadBoi OML.
In April 2025, Fola released his first official single of the year, “Lost,” alongside Kizz Daniel. The single peaked at number three on the Official Turntable Top 100 chart. The following month, the duo teamed up again, this time for “Titi,” a standout cut from Kizz Daniel’s latest project, ‘Uncle K: Lemon Chase.’
His biggest moment yet came when he teamed up with DJ Tunez and Wizkid for “One Condition.” The Ozedikus and DJ Tunez‘s house-inspired production single debuted at number four on the Official Turntable Top 100 chart, and it also helped DJ Tunez make history as the first Nigerian DJ to hold the number one spot on both Apple Music Nigeria and Spotify Nigeria’s charts simultaneously,
In January 2026, the single “Paparazzi” by Shoday and FOLA reached number 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 music chart, becoming their first No. 1 song in Nigeria and marking a major commercial achievement for both artists.
SHODAY
Shoday, born Shodade Solomon Segun in 2000, is an Afrobeat artiste and singer-songwriter celebrated for his distinctive sound and engaging melodies. Originating from Ogun State and raised in Lagos, he developed a passion for music early on.
As of December 2024, Shoday has accumulated over 19 million total plays on Spotify, with a monthly listenership exceeding 1 Million and a follower count of over 140,000+.
He scored his first viral single in 2022 with “Caution” and dropped his debut album “Hybrid” in 2025.
He has under his belt, top collaborations with stars like Davido, Zlatan, and Adekunle Gold.
MAVO
Oseremen Marvin popularly known as Mavo is one of the fast rising young Afrobeats stars. His rise has been driven by consistency, culture, and strategic artistry. The release of “Escaladizzy” was the viral hit that changed the whole game for Mavo. The track’s success caught the attention of some heavyweight artists such as Zlatan, Ayra Starr and Shallipopi, leading to a high-profile remix that further solidified Mavo’s place in the industry. With this remix, his sound has reached even wider audiences, firmly establishing him as a force to be reckoned with.
After early momentum with “Ukanigbe”, “Sanko”, and “Sanko II”, Mavo laid the foundation for his sound and growing community with “Kilometer” a project that strengthened his core fanbase and set the stage for his mainstream breakthrough. The next chapter came with “Kilometer II”, where records like “Escaladizzy II”, “Shakabulizzy” pushed Mavo into the wider Afrobeats landscape, dominating TikTok and streaming platforms while attracting international attention. Following the impact of “Escaladizzy”, Mavo entered a high-visibility feature run that further cemented his breakthrough. Most notably, he featured on CKay’s “Body (danz)”, alongside major collaborations including “Shakabulizzy (Remix)” featuring Davido and “Money Constant” with DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, and Wizkid. These records significantly expanded his reach and elevated his presence across global streaming platforms. With millions of streams, strong chart placements in Nigeria, and a rapidly growing international audience, Mavo has evolved from breakout talent into an artiste with real industry weight.
CHELLA
From his Chaplin-esque visuals to the fusion sounds that echo both joy and melancholy, Chella is fast becoming one of Afrobeats’ most exciting breakout voices – The Guardian Life.
Beyond his successful use of ‘organised insanity’ as a visual marker, Chella is also a consummate hitmaker. His hits including the Young Jonn-assisted “Nyansh Na Yansh”, “Iweriwe Love”, “Wahala”, and his most recent opus “My Darling” earned him widespread virality, netting combined plays of at least 34 million Spotify streams. The song also became the most Shazamed song in the world, alongside unlocking instant TikTok virality for the singer. The song also peaked at number 1 on the official Nigeria TurnTable Top 100 songs, and at number 8 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. It also soundtracked over 2 million TikTok video, and is eligible for South Africa (RISA) Gold certification as of 17 May 2025.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the viral song, “My Darling”: It is a song that is mixed with different vibes and emotions. I wanted to create something to ‘feel-good’, and also make some ‘feel-sad’ song; it’s about a girl feeling insecure. I was reflecting on it like, “Emerem Ogini? (Did I do anything wrong?), my darling?” I went on to ask, “You know, tell me what I owe you. Tell me what you want me to give to you.” So, these moments were the inspiration.
AYO MAFF
Born Ayorinde Mafoluku Ayodele and goes by the stage name Ayo Maff, the singer and songwriter gained recognition with his single “Dealer” featuring Fireboy DML, which topped various music charts.
Ayo Maff released his debut single “Jama Jama” in 2023. He subsequently released a two-track project, Street Anthem / 7 Days, in January 2024. On 15 August 2024, Ayo Maff released his debut extended play, Maffian, a seven-track project that includes the single “Last Week”.
Ayo Maff’s dropped his highly anticipated debut album Prince Of The Street in 2025 and had a fantastic year with three nominations at the 17th Headies Awards: Next Rated, Best Street-Hop Artiste, and Headies Viewer’s Choice.
Prince Of The Street includes features from artists like BNXN, Seyi Vibez and South African duo Jazzworx & Thukuthela while producers like SPACEBOY Mercury, Decs, Larrylanes, Young Daddy and Magicsticks and a few others are credited across the album’s 13 tracks.
In a recent Apple Music interview with Nandi Madiba, the singer explains how Bariga, his birthplace, influences a lot of his music. “Growing up in Bariga helped me and I would even say it’s influenced my music in lots of ways. It allowed me to sing the reality, where I’m from, and the genuine lifestyle,” he says candidly. “I can’t be singing like I’m 30 when I’m still in my young age, so I don’t sing about things I don’t know. All the things I do sing about, people are also facing, so it’s all a reality check.”
RYBEENA
Rybeena is one of the rising stars whose music is adding much-needed diversity to Nigerian street pop.
Born Adewale Atanda, Rybeena is an artiste who has rapidly emerged as a dynamic voice in the Afrobeats scene. His innovative style has captivated audiences, carving out a unique space within the street-hop community. His music vividly reflects the vibrancy of urban Nigerian life, earning him loyal and growing fanbase. Tobisneh Records, founded by music executive Tobisneh, played a crucial role in shaping Rybeena’s career, providing essential resources and industry connections that helped him refine his sound and gain exposure. He gained prominence with his breakout single “ID.ME”, a viral hit on TikTok that attracted the attention of Ademola Alugo, Senior VP of Dvpper Digital. He continued to rise with his Wise 2.0 EP featuring Olamide and his 2024 single “Prodigal”. With his undeniable talent, Rybeena is set to expand his influence in the global Afrobeats scene.
Since breaking into the mainstream, the singer has become one of the exciting Street hop stars whose music is documenting the realities of life in the inner cities.
Rybeena is signed to Nigerian music label Dapper Music.
FAMOUS PLUTO
Famous Pluto is another Benin City bred talent currently disturbing the airwaves with his hit songs.
Born Osahon Grandeur Uzama, Famous Pluto, is a singer and songwriter. He inked a deal with Shallipopi’s Plutomania Records in 2025, and rose to mainstream fame with the release of his debut single “Na Scra”, that same year. Its success led to the release of his debut extended play Uzama The 3rd (2025).
Famous Pluto began his music career in 2015 alongside his elder brothers, Shallipopi and Zerrydl. Initially, he was reluctant to sing, but Shallipopi encouraged him, and he drew inspiration from Wizkid. He gained recognition after being featured on Outsyd DJ’s 2024 single “Feel D Mood”, which went viral on TikTok and topped the Nigerian TurnTable 100 charts. In 2025, Pluto signed with Plutomania Records and released his debut single “Na Scra”, which also debuted at the top of the TurnTable Charts. Later, he collaborated on the remix of Zhus Jdo‘s single “1 Work” alongside Smur Lee. On June 20, 2025, he released his debut extended play Uzama The 3rd, featuring Shallipopi, Zerrydl, and Jeriq.
SIRAHEEM
Born Subomi Okoya. Afrobeats rising star, Siraheem is the son of billionaire industrialist Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya popularly known as Eleganza, and his wife, Dr. Shade Okoya, a prominent philanthropist and socialite.
Despite his family’s prominence in the business world and coming from a privileged background, Subomi has chosen to forge his own identity through music, earning respect for his dedication and creativity and he is putting in the extra work to get to the top of the game.
His songs often explore themes of love, resilience, and personal growth, resonating with a diverse audience.
Siraheem’s musical career gained traction with the release of several singles that received positive reviews from fans and critics alike. He made an entry into the ever competitive Nigerian music industry with the single, “Which Type Woman” in 2022 but caught the attention of music fans with his 2024 viral song “Bad Bitch Syndrome” that was heavily promoted online. According to Siraheem, the song is all about celebrating confidence, independence, and breaking free from stereotypes.
He enlisted Teni, Yosa and Big Fish in his latest project “Trust Fund”. According to Not Just Okay, the song is a flashy, tongue-in-cheek anthem celebrating wealth, privilege, and elite lifestyle culture. The lyrics revolve around being a “trust fund kid,” highlighting luxury cars, yachts, designer shopping, political connections, and exclusive networking. Blending satire with braggadocio, the song captures the extravagance, confidence, and social status associated with inherited wealth and high-society living in Lagos and beyond.
His artistry reflects not only his talent but also his ability to connect with listeners on a deep level, making him one of the most promising young artists in Nigeria today.
ZAYLEVELTEN
Chisom Lucky Okoro, better known as Zaylevelten or Tenski, is a rapper and record producer from Ikorodu, Lagos. He is of Igbo descent.
While his early music is reminiscent of American rappers such as Yeat and Ken Carson due to the instrumentals and vocal delivery, his recent switch to a hybrid of Nigerian and American influence brings a refreshing sound to Nigeria and the world.
He began recording music in 2021, however, his earliest project still available on streaming platforms is the July 2024 EP L0cked 1n and this was followed by Before 1t G0t Crazy and later its deluxe edition was also released. He released another project in 2024 titled Tenski but it was taken down due to sample issues.
Zaylevelten started garnering attention in February 2025 with the track “Watching Me”. He then gained much more traction with his mixtape then 1t G0t crazy, released through Lizzy Records in October 2025. This tape included more Nigerian Pidgin than his previous projects, a deliberate decision in an effort to sound more unique. This was followed by the deluxe edition then 1t G0t Crazier in November, which included the track “Wuse Tu” with fellow rising star Mavo.
Zaylevelten has produced most of his own songs so far, under the producer name ‘Tenski’. Today, the tagline ‘tenski, save me’ has become so integral to his branding and the popular perception that he has come to salvage the state of hip hop in Nigeria for the next generation.
CUPID SZN
From posting freestyles in 2020 to composing his first original song, CupidSZN showcases an innate gift for creating melodic and harmonic compositions. His music is stylishly influenced by a range of modern-day music creators from the Afrobeats genre to international sounds like trap.
In 2023, a cover of “Jaga Jaga” by Victony and Babyboy AV that CupidSZN shared on TikTok went viral, earning him recognition from Ozedikus, the revered music producer admired for his collaborations with emerging artists. The events led to his Ozedikus collab, “Ifeoma”, currently sitting at over 20 million Spotify streams. He later independently released his first single, “Finito”.
Born Stevenson Njoku Anyinachiso, CupidSZN grew up in Nigeria’s Garden City, Port Harcourt. His desire to become a musician was sparked by a Juice Wrld video he stumbled upon during a random, boring day at home. Although trap music was his first love, CupidSZN decided to venture into Afrobeats on the advice of his father, who told him that to conquer the world, he would first have to conquer home. Thus began his journey as a self-taught Afrobeats artist, learning the ropes on music apps like Band Lab.
Upon completing his secondary school education, CupidSZN made a daring decision to forego university in order to pursue a full-time career in music. Although his parents were not sold on the idea initially, CupidSZN continued to forge ahead, doing everything possible to help them see the vision. His hard work eventually paid off, and in 2023 his entire family made the decision to move with him to Lagos to help him make his dreams a reality tremendous act of support that has led to CupidSZN being signed to the biggest record label in Africa.
Since then CupidSZN has raced toward the realization of his vision at a startling trajectory; releasing his first single, amassing over 10 MILLION career streams and landing himself a record deal at Mavin in a little over a year. With his unveiling now upon us, it is safe to say that CupidSZN’s journey to conquering the world is well underway.
CupidSZN recently released his debut EP, MYTH-ERA which include the hit single “Palava”.
ELESTEE
Elestee (formerly known as Lifesize Teddy), was born and raised in the bustling city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Christened Treasure Apiafi Banigo, Elestee has been writing music since she was just 9 years old.
Elestee’s first notable moment in the limelight came in 2018, when she opened for her fellow Mavin signee Ladipoe at one of his shows. After a three-year stint in the academy that has birthed some of Africa’s biggest and brightest stars, Elestee was finally unveiled as Mavin’s latest signee in 2023. She marked this pivotal moment with the release of her self-titled debut EP, which was described by the Guardian as a testament to her “impressive range, artistic intelligence, and sonic talent”.
Showing no signs of slowing down, the Bonny Island Native released a follow up EP less than six months after her debut. POISN cemented Elestee as a true musical chameleon with a razor sharp pen to boot. Since then she has consistently redefined the sound of Afrobeats through an infusion of a range of genres, resulting in gems like “Many Men” and “Selina” featuring Major AJ.
REEHAA
Reehaa launched her debut EP, Vibes for the Soul, in early 2023. The six-track project reflects her ambitions, inner drive, and voice as a representative of her generation.
Songs like “Shako” and “Not Enough” reveal her lyrical honesty and emotional depth, establishing her as a compelling songwriter. Through her music, she shares personal experiences, aspirations, and relatable struggles, capturing the hearts of a growing audience.
Reehaa, born Reemah Abdulkareem on September 18, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria, is a singer, songwriter, and performer known for her unique fusion of Afrobeat, pop, and soul music. Reehaa has quickly gained recognition for her captivating voice, melodic rhythms, and powerful stage presence, positioning herself as one of the emerging talents in the Nigerian music scene. Reehaa’s passion for music began in her early years, where she was influenced by a range of musical genres and artists. She started her journey in music by performing in local events and honing her craft as a songwriter. Her breakthrough came with the release of her debut single “Dance With Me”, which received positive attention and showcased her unique blend of Afrobeat and pop sounds. Since then, Reehaa has continued to release popular singles like “Body Talk,” “Blessings,” and “Baby”, each highlighting her versatility and ability to captivate listeners with her distinctive style. With her growing fanbase and her ability to seamlessly blend contemporary African sounds with global influences, Reehaa is set to make an even bigger impact on the international music stage in the years to come.
Additional words from NATIVE Magazine
