Nigerian Stars Making Indigenous Languages Popular Worldwide

From Yoruba street-pop to Igbo highlife and Hausa hip-hop, Naomi Chima looks at Nigerian artistes who are bringing local languages and music traditions to a larger audience.

Olamide Adedeji, known as Olamide Baddo, is a key player in Yoruba street-hop. He grew up in Bariga, Lagos State, creating music with Yoruba lyrics, street slang, and stories about everyday life in Nigeria.

Olamide became famous with his song Eni Duro in 2010, followed by his first album, Rapsodi, in 2011. Songs like Omo To Shan, Durosoke, Bobo, and Wo!! helped him gain respect for mixing local styles with modern hip-hop and Afrobeats.

In addition to music, Olamide started YBNL Nation in 2012. This platform helped promote artistes like Fireboy DML and Asake. His journey shows how Yoruba rap can transition from the streets to mainstream music while keeping its roots.

Ahmed Ololade, known as Asake, is now a big name in modern Yoruba street-pop. His music mixes Yoruba phrases, fuji sounds, choral styles, and dance rhythms.

Asake studied theatre and performing arts at Obafemi Awolowo University. He first tried performance and dance before focusing on music. His songs Lady and Mr Money caught people’s eyes, while his 2022 collaboration with Olamide on Omo Ope marked a big moment in his career.

His albums Mr Money with the Vibe and Work of Art grew his fan base, while Lungu Boy, coming out in 2024, featured international stars like Travis Scott and Stormzy.

Asake’s success proves that Yoruba language can mix well with global sounds and attract a wider audience.

Chibuzor Azubuike, known as Phyno, is a major name in Igbo rap. He was born and raised in Enugu State and started as a producer before becoming a performing artist.

His work with Olamide on Ghost Mode in 2012 boosted his popularity. He released his first album, No Guts No Glory, in 2014, which included songs that solidified his place in Nigerian hip-hop.

Popular tracks include Man of the Year, Alobam, and Fada Fada. By mixing Igbo lyrics with modern rap and highlife sounds, Phyno has made Igbo-language hip-hop attractive to fans beyond the South-East.

Omoniyi Raphael, known as Zlatan Ibile, became well-known for his music that combines Yoruba phrases, street slang, and danceable beats.

His song My Body, featuring Olamide, gained him attention in 2017. In 2018, his songs Able God, featuring Chinko Ekun and Lil Kesh, and Zanku (Leg Work) further established him in Nigerian street-pop.

The Zanku dance became a popular trend, showing how music rooted in street culture can shape mainstream dance and youth culture.

Through his music and Zanku Records, Zlatan has created a brand around catchy phrases, relatable language, and lively rhythms. His career shows the commercial power of local expressions mixed with modern sounds.

Chinedu Okoli, known as Flavour N’abania, has made a name for himself in Igbo highlife, traditional sounds, and cultural pride.

He started drumming in church at age 13 before becoming a musician, keyboardist, and backing vocalist. His debut album, N’abania, was released in 2005. His second album, Uplifted, came out in 2010 and gained him fame with the hit song Nwa Baby (Ashawo).

Other hits include Oyi, Ada Ada, Golibe, and Baby Na Yoka. His music often celebrates Igbo identity through language, dance, and visuals.

Flavour shows that traditional music can stay commercially successful while keeping its cultural roots.

Remilekun Safaru, known as Reminisce, is recognized for mixing Yoruba lyrics with English and Nigerian Pidgin.

Born in Kaduna State but linked to Ogun State, he developed a style that focuses on local expressions, storytelling, and everyday life.

Songs like Kako Bi Chicken, Tesojue, Daddy Mi, and Local Rappers helped him build his reputation. His albums Alaga Ibile and Baba Hafusa further solidified his place in Nigerian hip-hop.

Reminisce shows how indigenous-language rap can share personal stories and social issues while entertaining a broad audience.

Abolore Akande, known as 9ice, is famous for his unique singing style and use of Yoruba proverbs.

Born in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and raised in Lagos, he developed a style that puts local expressions at the heart of Nigerian pop.

His hit song Gongo Aso became a landmark in his career. Other notable tracks include Street Credibility, Make Dem Talk, and Photocopy.

Through his storytelling and cultural references, 9ice proved that Yoruba-language music can achieve mainstream success while keeping its humor and wisdom.

Kingsley Okonkwo, known as Kcee, first became known as part of the duo KC Presh before going solo.

His hit song Limpopo in 2013 marked a significant change in his career. Years later, Ojapiano introduced a new angle by combining the traditional oja flute, linked to Igbo music, with amapiano beats.

This song showed how a traditional instrument can play a key role in a modern dance track.

Kcee’s work shows that embracing cultural identity doesn't mean giving up modern sounds. Traditional instruments can inspire new styles that attract younger audiences.

Haruna Abdullahi, known as DJ AB, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer from Kaduna known for contemporary Hausa hip-hop.

He mixes Hausa and English lyrics with hip-hop, Afrobeats, and pop, often touching on love, relationships, and everyday life.

His career started to take off around 2011 with songs like Kumatu, Soyayya, and Ke Da Ni. Da So Samu Ne helped him gain more fame.

With his catchy delivery and relatable lyrics, DJ AB has introduced Hausa-language music to younger audiences, showing that Northern Nigerian stories can fit into modern popular music.

Owoh Chrismathner, known as Zoro Swagbag, is linked to the rise of modern Igbo rap.

His music mixes Igbo language, hip-hop, highlife, and street sounds, reflecting the culture and daily lives of south-eastern Nigeria.

Zoro became more popular with his song Ogene featuring Flavour. The mix of Igbo cultural elements and modern production helped him stand out in the indigenous music scene.

Other popular tracks include Achikolo, Echolac, and Stainless, which features Simi.

By focusing on Igbo language and cultural themes in his music, Zoro shows that indigenous rap can stay relevant in a changing music world.

Umu Obiligbo, the highlife duo of brothers Okpuozor and Ifeanyichukwu Obiligbo, have gained fans through music based on Igbo culture and traditional highlife.

Their songs include Ife Di Mma, Udo Ga Di, and Awele, which features Flavour. Their 2019 collaboration with Flavour and Phyno on Culture boosted their visibility.

The brothers continue to draw from their roots with projects like Signature (Ife Chukwu Kwulu) and Legacy. Their songs mix local storytelling with traditional beats and modern styles.

Their work shows how Igbo highlife can change to attract modern audiences while keeping its cultural essence.

Edward Ukeje, known as Mr Raw and formerly as Dat Nigga Raw, is one of the early stars of Igbo rap in Nigeria.

When Nigerian hip-hop was influenced by American rap, he stood out by using Igbo phrases, local humor, and everyday situations in his songs.

His albums include Right and Wrung (2005), Everything Remains Raw (2007), End of Discussion (2010), and The Greatest (2012).

In 2010, he changed his name to Mr Raw, saying his old name caused issues for his music on some international platforms.

His early work helped pave the way for later artistes like Phyno and others who continue to explore Igbo rap.

Chike Osebuka, known as Chike, is a singer-songwriter whose music blends R&B, soul, Afropop, and highlife.

He gained national fame on The Voice Nigeria, finishing as runner-up in 2016. His debut album, Boo of the Booless, came out in 2020 and made him a key voice in Nigerian R&B and Afropop.

He followed this with The Brother’s Keeper in 2022 and Son of Chike in 2024. The last album looked at identity, heritage, and personal growth, with songs like Egwu, Man Not God, Someone, and Balance Am.

While English is a big part of his music, Chike’s work also reflects the highlife traditions and cultural influences from south-eastern Nigeria. His career shows how local musical heritage can blend with modern love songs and other popular styles.

OG Abbah represents a younger wave of Northern Nigerian artistes using Hausa in modern music.

His sound mixes Hausa phrases with Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, and amapiano beats. Songs like Wayyo Allah Na, Asalamaleku, and Hausapiano show his interest in blending local identity with current dance music.

Even though he is still building his career compared to established stars like Morell and DJ AB, OG Abbah represents the ongoing growth of indigenous-language music in Nigeria.