It has never been strange to see Nigerians excel from an early age. This is why some of the country’s biggest superstars are also youngsters, like Rema, Ayra Starr, Qing Madi, and Mavo. There’s even a literal child on the cusp of a breakthrough right now: Champz. They’re all following in the footsteps of earlier hitmakers like Wizkid, Davido, 2Baba, and P-Square who, while they may be of “respectable” age now, came into the industry as very young adults.
However, Nigerians are also known for not giving up and chasing their dreams on their own clock. Here are some Nigerian artists who “blew” as fully grown adults:
- Adekunle Gold: After a career as a graphic designer, his debut single Sade was released in December 2014 and re-released in March 2015, when he was 28. Six successful studio albums later, he is currently 39 years old.
- Tiwa Savage: After years of doing background vocals and music work abroad, Tiwa’s breakout single Kele Kele Love was released in 2010, when she was about 30 years old, and the rest is history. The Queen will be turning 46 this February.
- Phyno: Although his first involvement in the music industry was as a producer, beginning in 2003, the indigenous rapper’s first hit was Ghost Mode with Olamide in 2014, when he was 28. He will turn 40 this year, as the undisputed king of Igbo rap.
- Niniola: Her debut single Ibadi was released in 2014 when she was 27 years old. She is now 39, with multiple solid Afro-House & Dance hits and 2 Grammy nominations under her belt.
- Reminisce: After being active in the rap scene for years, Alaga finally scored his breakout hit with Kako Bii Chicken in 2010, when he was 29. Years later, he has made his stamp as a rap OG and even garnered modest respect as an actor. He is now 45 years old.
- Cruel Santino: Although he’d been around from an early age, first releasing music under the name Ozzy B in 2011, it was 2019’s Mandy & The Jungle that brought him into the mainstream. The singles “Freaky” and “Rapid Fire” were the first many Nigerians heard of him. The Alte icon will be 34 years old this year.
- Timaya: The 45-year-old singer burst onto the scene with his debut album True Story, featuring hits like Timaya and Dem Mama, in 2006 when he was 26 years old.
- Asake: Mr. Money had been putting in the work for years, but his real rise started with Omo Ope & Sungba in 2022, when he was 27. He is now 31 years old and a certified pop star.
- Odumodublvck: After a long run in Abuja’s rap scene, his breakthrough started with Declan Rice in 2023, at the age of 30. He will turn 33 this year.
