As the year draws to a close, Punch Saturday Beats looks back at the performers who were at the top of their game.
1. Burna Boy
Without a doubt, one of the top artists of 2023 is Burna Boy, alias Damini Ogulu.
August 2023 saw the release of his seventh studio album, “I Told Them.”
Burna Boy is the most streamed artist in Sub-Saharan Africa, per 2023 Spotify Wrapped, an annual data assessment on how users listened to music and podcasts on the app.
In addition, he was named the 2023 BET Awards’ “Best International Act,” while the 2023 Headies’ “Afrobeats of the Year” award went to his popular song “Last Last.”
In the meanwhile, he was nominated for four Grammy Awards in 2024: Best African Music Performance, Melodic Rap Performance, Global Music Performance, and Global Music Album.
2. Asake
When Ahmed Ololade, better known by his stage name Asake, won the ‘Next Rated’ category at the 2018 Headies Awards, it came as no surprise.
His many successful songs, including “Lonely at the Top,” “Basquait,” and “Sunshine” from his album “Work of Art,” had made a significant impact.
Mr. Money has now performed at the well-known 02 Arena in London, United Kingdom, on a sold-out concert tour alongside other Nigerian artists. On September 8, 2023, in Brooklyn, New York, he also created history by being the first African musician to sell out a concert as the headliner at the Barclays Center.
3. Davido
Uncountable blessings befell popular musician David Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido.
Fans embraced his fourth album, “Timeless,” with great enthusiasm. On the first day of its release, the album received 4.91 million streams, breaking the record for the most first-day streams on Spotify Nigeria.
He received three Grammy Award 2024 nominations for the first time ever: “Global Music Album,” “Global Music Performance,” and “Best Africa Music Performance.”
In November 2023, he held his sold-out A.W.A.Y fest event at Atlanta, USA’s Farm Arena.
This was all the while several US cities were giving him special recognition. While Atlanta, Georgia, announced November 18 to be “Davido’s Day,” Fulton County, Georgia, decided November 21 to be “Davido Appreciation Day.”
4. Rema
Due to a number of accomplishments, Divine Ikubor, also known as Rema, reached the pinnacle of his career this year.
The vocalist of “Dumebi” performed in London’s 02 Arena to a packed house. Additionally, he received other honors, such as “Best Afrobeats Award” from the 2023 MTV EMAs, “Song of the Year” for his breakthrough hit song “Calm Down,” and “Best Global African Artiste” from the 2023 Trace Awards.
5. Odumodu Blvck
Tochukwu Ojogwu, better known by his stage name Odumodu Blvck, is a rapper and musician who gained prominence this year. Odumodu has gained the respect of many music enthusiasts with his own style, even though he only recently entered the market with the publication of his first single, “Pikanto,” in November 2022.
After winning the Headies Award 2023’s “Rookie of the Year” category, the singer moved into a new house.
Portable, also known as Habeeb Okikiola, entertained admirers with a variety of contentious performances. That didn’t stop him from performing several tunes, though.
His scandals also made sure that the media covered him frequently. He gave performances throughout the year in a number of nations, including Italy and the UK. He was recently photographed in the UK attending the British Fashion Awards alongside well-known rapper and singer Skepta. The British automaker Land Rover shared a photo of the artist at the occasion on social media, which made the singer very happy.
In June, he was honoured with the West Africa Icon Award.
7. Ayra Starr
This year, Oyinkansola Aderigbigbe, better known by her stage name Ayra Starr, teamed with American artists David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, further expanding her global network.
She became the most streamed female vocalist in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda as well.
8. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele not only starred in several films this year, but she also released two of her own works. On December 15, 2023, “She Must be Obeyed,” a Prime Video Original Series, and “A Tribe called Judah” opened in theaters.
She entered the 2023 elections earlier this year on the Peoples Democratic Party’s platform as the deputy governor of Lagos State.
9. Bimbo Ademoye
This year, Bimbo Ademoye, an actress, starred in several successful motion pictures, such as “Big Love,” “Jagun Jagun,” and “Gangs of Lagos.”
She also took home the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2023’s “Best Actress in a Comedy” title, because to her performance in the popular television series “Selina.”
10. Timini Egbuson
Timini Egbuson, an actor, has surely maintained consistency in his brand. He made appearances in numerous films in 2023, such as “The Bloom Boys,” “A Tribe Called Judah,” “Big Love,” and “Something like Gold.”
11. Tobi Bakre
Tobi Bakre, a former Big Brother Naija competitor, surely had an amazing year.
He acted in a number of films, such as Gangs of Lagos, The Bloom Boys, and Slum King.
His achievements were recognized when he was named the 2023 AMVCA’s prestigious “Best Actor in a Drama, Movie, or TV Series.”
12. Lateef Adedimeji
Actor Lateef Adedimeji seems to have had a successful year in the motion picture business. Over the year, he kept his fans thoroughly amused with his appearances in films including “Jagun Jagun,” “Different Strokes,” “The Last Man Standing,” and “She Must Be Obeyed.”
13. Femi Adebayo
With the publication of his produced film, “Jagun Jagun,” Femi Adebayo’s profile took a significant leap. The film received great reviews and acquired a sizable Netflix streaming following.
In addition, he acted in several films, including “Orisa” and “Ijogbon.” His 2022 film “King of Thieves” received eight AMVCA nominations in 2023. In November 2023, he received further honors at the 12th Africa International Film Festival.
14. Omowumi Dada
Omuwumi Dada kept astonishing moviegoers with her roles in productions like “Here Love Lies,” “Ada Omo Daddy,” and “The Origin: Madam Koi Koi.”
Additionally, the African Studies Center and the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan, USA, selected her this year’s Global Artist in Residence.
15. Odunlade Adekola
The actor Odunlade Adekola produced and acted in films including Apapa, Arinotola, Dabira, and Orisa.
At the 2023 META awards, he received his first international honor for the film “Orisa.”
“Orisa” made N127.89 million in total revenue after playing in theaters around the country for 14 weeks. The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria classified the film as one of the top five highest grossing productions of 2023.
16. Chidi Mokeme
Chidi Mokeme’s performance in the Netflix original series “Shanty Town” was a significant comeback for the Nollywood actor.
He has since landed several noteworthy film roles, including “Merry Men 3.”
He received recognition at the 2023 Africa International Film Festival along with other actors. This was all the while he was winning the PINK Awards’ fifth edition’s “Actor of the Year” title.
17. Broda Shaggi
Samuel Perry, also known as Broda Shaggi, is a comedian and content producer who was not absent this year. He acted in a few movies, including “Love in a Showroom” and “Something like Gold,” in addition to his prolific internet content. In addition, he collaborated with seasoned Fuji musician Wasiu Alabi, commonly known as Pasuma, on his most recent song, “Ijo Loka.”
He had received the 2023 AMVCA for “Best Actor in a Comedy, Drama, Movie or TV Series” earlier in the year.
18. Nasboi
This year, Nasiru Lawal, often known as Nasboi, made a risky move by abandoning his comedic comfort zone and pursuing his childhood passion of music.
He collaborated with Wande Coal on the song “Umbrella,” which is now buzzing on social media.
Additionally, he was named “Eko Social Content Creator of the Year” at the 2023 Eko Heritage Awards.
19. Ilebaye
When Ilabaye Odiniya emerged victorious from the Big Brother Naija (All Stars) season a few months ago, many were taken aback.
The self-described “Gen Z baddie” defeated competitors including Mercy Eke and Cee C’s Cynthia Nwadiora to win the much sought-after 120 million naira top prize.
She had participated in the 2022 Season 7 “Level Up” edition, however she was kicked off after a short while.
20. Kiekie
Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, a TV personality and content producer, was one of the few female hosts and sketch creators who was at the top of her game this year.
“Back from the Future” by Kiekie and Elozonam Ogbolu took home the 2023 AMVCA for Best Online Content of the Year.
21. Kamo
Ayoola Akinyoola, often known as Kamo, is a social media comedian who gained popularity after he took the initiative to raise money for experienced actors like Lalude, Alapini, and Iya Gbonkan. He assisted some seasoned actors in realizing their aspirations of becoming home and vehicle owners through this program. He also paid for a portion of some of their medical expenditures.
22. Layi Wasabi
This year, a content producer named Layi Wasabi rose to fame with his humorous portrayal of the legal persona “the law.”
Lawyer Wasabi claimed that while serving in the National Youth Service Corps program at the Ministry of Justice in Ibadan, Oyo State, he received ideas for the persona.
In addition, he received a N1 million cash prize for being named the “Revelation of the Year Award” at the inaugural Nigeria Comedy Awards in 2023.
23. Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel, also known as Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, is renowned for setting trends. In 2023, he commemorated the tenth anniversary of his musical career by releasing his highly anticipated fifth studio album, “Maverick,” in honor of his admirers.
Google and Spotify, among other streaming services and music search engines, listed him as one of the year’s most streamed artists.
His bouncer, Kayode Atobiloye, commonly known as Kelvin Power, gained notoriety online after he took part in a dance challenge for Kizz’s song “My G,” which is off the “Maverick” album.
Additionally, he was the recipient of the 2023 Headies Award for “Best R&B/Pop Album.”
