Apple Music Lists ODUMODUBLVCK, Shallipopi, Seyi Vibez Among 5 Fast-Rising Artists 

Five Nigerian musicians that are on the rise have been listed on Apple Music. Hip-hop superstar ODUMODUBLVCK, street-hop phenom Seyi Vibez, and gospel performer Victor Thompson are on the list.

With the rapid international popularity of Afrobeats, new artists are surfacing with distinctive styles that are drawing fans from all over the world.

Seyi Vibez

Seyi Vibez has started to get listeners worldwide hooked on his modernist take on Apala, a traditional Yoruba-rooted genre, that draws on elements of Fuji, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, Afro-soul music.

The 23-year-old has had more than 50 songs chart in 20 different countries since the release of ‘God Sent,’ which was his first song to do so on Apple Music.

With the release of his album “Billion Dollar Baby” last November, Seyi Vibez reached new heights. Subsequent successes include his first No. 1 on Nigeria’s Daily Top 100 and a feature on Burna Boy’s star-studded “I Told Them.” Seyi Vibez’ streams have increased by more than five times (+435%) in the past year.

ODUMODUBLVCK

As one of the hottest rappers to come out of Nigeria, Odumodublvck’s music veers between Drill, Grime, Afrobeats, and more.

Following Skepta’s co-sign and signing with NATIVE Records, his November single “Picanto” became his first track to enter Nigeria’s Daily Top 100.

However, his streams really began to surge after his March song, “Declan Rice,” was released. In addition to reaching the top of the charts in 11 other nations, the single became his first to do so in Nigeria. Odumodublvck’s streaming on Apple Music have increased by more than 3,500% globally during the last year.

Shallipopi

‘Elon Musk,’ Shallipopi’s blockbuster Afrobeats hit, has given him an exciting year. The song gained traction when it became Shallipopi’s debut song to enter Nigeria’s Daily Top 100 in March, setting the stage for the artist’s major breakthrough.

In addition to sending seven other songs to the top of the charts in 12 other nations this summer, he was named an Apple Music Up Next artist in Nigeria, joining artists like Khaid, Pawzzz, and Novemba. This summer saw him get his first No. 1 in Nigeria with “Ex Convict.”

Late in June, Afrobeats superstar Fireboy DML joined a remix of “Elon Musk,” which sent Shallipopi’s streaming up 467% globally and 508% in Nigeria in a single week.

Victor Thompson

Year after year, Nigeria and other African nations far outpace other nations in Christian and Gospel listening — with the genre accounting for a larger percentage of listening, and more songs reaching the Daily Top 100.

The rise of artists like Gospel singer-songwriter Victor Thompson, who had a breakthrough in January with “This Year (Blessings),” has been facilitated by the fact that Nigeria and other African countries consistently outpace other countries in Christian and Gospel listening, with the genre accounting for a larger percentage of listening and more songs reaching the Daily Top 100.

Bayanni

Nigerian and American artists are collaborating more frequently each year, and they are also moving up the charts at an ever-increasing rate. ‘Ta Ta Ta,’ a collaboration between American pop musician Jason Derulo and Nigerian singer Bayanni, is a prime example.

Derulo joined a remix of the song in the spring, which helped it grow into an even bigger international smash after it was first made available on Bayanni’s 2022 self-titled EP and began getting traction in the latter part of last year. In 54 nations, including 20 where it peaked at number 10, “Ta Ta Ta” made it to the Daily Top 100.