Abundiko
May 22, 2025
Nigeria is a goldmine of talent. While stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Tems continue to dominate global charts, there’s an entire layer of rising and overlooked artists pushing sonic boundaries, telling powerful stories, and redefining what Nigerian music sounds like—without always getting their flowers.
Here’s a spotlight on 10 underrated Nigerian artists you need to have on your radar in 2025.
While Aṣa is widely respected among purists and older fans, many new-school Afrobeats listeners overlook her soulful, jazz-influenced sound. Her ability to fuse folk, pop, and Yoruba storytelling remains unmatched. Albums like Lucid and V are timeless. If you’ve never seen her live—fix that.
WurlD blends Afro-soul, electronic, and R&B with a global flair that few Nigerian artists can match. His vocals are smooth, his visuals are world-class, and his pen game is poetic. Tracks like “Ghost Town” and “Sad Tonight” showcase a cinematic artistry that deserves much more shine.
A pioneer in the alté scene, Lady Donli mixes funk, soul, and highlife with fearless experimentation. Her 2024 album Pan African Rockstar was both sonically ambitious and politically charged. If Nigeria had a Solange, it would be her.
Formerly of the rap group L.O.S, Zamir has quietly built a catalog of dark, introspective trap and alternative hip-hop. His flow is razor-sharp, his visuals are artful, and his lyrics dissect fame, faith, and identity with nuance. A lyrical sniper.
Tomi Thomas is the kind of genre-fluid artist labels dream of. Whether it’s reggae-infused tracks like “Hopeless Romantic” or electric performances with The Cavemen., Tomi brings emotional depth and powerful melodies to everything he touches.
A true storyteller, Dwin crafts folk-inspired music that speaks to love, vulnerability, and the quiet chaos of modern life. His writing is poetic, his voice intimate. He’s quietly built a following among lovers of soft, minimalist Afro-fusion—and he’s just getting started.
A vocal powerhouse and gifted songwriter, Moelogo has worked with the likes of Adekunle Gold and Davido, yet his solo catalog is severely underrated. His blend of Afrobeat, Islamic vocal stylings, and R&B creates something spiritually fresh and sonically rich.
If chaos had a soundtrack, it might be Prettyboy D-O. His punk-Afro-fusion sound is aggressive, energetic, and full of Lagos rebellion. Think Fela-meets-Travis-Scott. While his music might not be “mainstream,” he’s an underground icon for a reason.
Despite her breakout single “Bless Me” years ago, GoodGirl LA remains criminally underrated. Her buttery voice, deep emotional delivery, and Afro-soul vibes deserve more radio love and DSP placements. With the right push, she could be a household name.
Jinmi brings nostalgic highlife melodies with Gen Z polish. He’s consistent, romantic, and soulful, crafting songs that feel like warm evenings in Lagos. Tracks like “Jowo” and “Abena” prove that slow and steady artistry still matters.
SGaWD – fiery lyricist in Nigeria’s growing alt-rap scene.
T’neeya – Cameroonian-Nigerian fusion queen.
Tomi Owo – ambient, healing vibes in every note.
Boj – alté veteran and master of laid-back bops.
Fave – rising but still underrated given her vocal depth.
Nigeria is far more than mainstream Afrobeats. These artists prove that depth, experimentation, and global-level quality exist outside the charts. The next time you update your playlist, go deeper. The future of Nigerian music is not just loud—it's layered.
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