As we bid farewell to 2023, SATURDAY BEATS turns its focus to the dynamic individuals expected to make waves and redefine the entertainment landscape in the coming year. Here’s a spotlight on the outstanding figures who are anticipated to captivate audiences and push boundaries in 2024:
Burna Boy
Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy concluded 2023 with a historic performance, selling out an 80,000-capacity stadium in London— a first for any African artist. The Afro-fusion sensation also secured four Grammy nominations and clinched the Top Afrobeats Artiste award at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.
Davido
In 2023, Davido earned three Grammy nominations and saw his album ‘Timeless’ become the most streamed in Nigeria on Boomplay. The artist, known for his chart-topping hits, also triumphed at the 2023 Trace Awards, securing ‘Best Male’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ honors. On a personal note, Davido and his wife, Chioma, welcomed twins in the United States.
Wizkid
Wizkid continued his international ascendancy, headlining the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with the ‘More Love Less Ego’ concert— a historic first for an African artist. His EP, ‘Soundman 2 (S2),’ set Spotify records, and the song ‘IDK’ featuring Zlatan broke streaming records. Wizkid remains a force in afrobeats with his unwavering momentum.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage charmed music lovers in 2023 with hits like ‘Stamina’ and ‘Pick Up.’ Her stellar performances extended to the coronation concert of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, England. Tiwa Savage’s influential voice also graced the remix of Spyro’s ‘Who is Your Guy.’
Rema
In a breakout year, Rema achieved unprecedented success, selling out the renowned O2 Arena in the UK and performing at the Ballon d’Or Awards. His remix of ‘Calm Down’ with Selena Gomez made history, winning the first-ever Best Afrobeats award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Asake
The self-proclaimed ‘King of Melody’ dominated multiple music streaming platforms in 2023. Asake secured wins at the Headies Awards, notably in the ‘Next Rated’ and ‘Album of the Year’ categories. His album ‘Work of Art’ resonated with fans, featuring chart-topping tracks like ‘Lonely at the Top’ and ‘Sunshine.’
Funke Akindele
Returning to her roots in acting and filmmaking, Funke Akindele impressed with the release of ‘She Must be Obeyed’ on Prime Video and the box office success of ‘A Tribe Called Judah.’ Akindele’s resilience and creativity earned her the highest-grossing movie of 2023.
Toyin Abraham
Actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham showcased her prowess in 2023 with the movie ‘Malaika,’ enjoying significant success with a N52 million opening weekend. Her impact in the industry was further underscored by her movie ‘Ada Omo Daddy,’ which grossed N30 million in its opening weekend.
Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel maintained his dominance in the music industry with hits like ‘Shu-peru’ and ‘My G.’ As of now, these songs have garnered millions of views on YouTube, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the Nigerian music scene.
Femi Adebayo
Renowned filmmaker Femi Adebayo demonstrated his versatility with the release of ‘Jagun Jagun’ on Netflix. The epic fantasy thriller gained traction globally, reaching millions of views within days of its release.
Tobi Bakre
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Tobi Bakre showcased his acting prowess with roles in ‘Gangs of Lagos’ and ‘Slum King.’ His performances earned him the Best Actor in a Drama award at the 2023 African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Layi Wasabi
Receiving the Revelation of the Year award at the Nigeria Comedy Awards, Layi Wasabi’s comedic talent stood out in 2023. His skits, particularly those featuring his lawyer character, gained widespread popularity.
Ayra Starr
Tipped as one to watch in 2023, Ayra Starr lived up to expectations with hit songs like ‘Sability’ and ‘Rhythm and Blues.’ Her music video views on YouTube soared, and she received a BET Award nomination for Best International Act.
Tems
Tems, the first female Nigerian artist to win a Grammy Award, continued to captivate with her melodies. Her contribution as a songwriter on ‘Lift Me Up’ for Marvel’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ earned her a Grammy nomination in 2024.
Bimbo Ademoye
Actress Bimbo Ademoye soared in Nollywood with notable roles in ‘Gangs of Lagos,’ ‘Big Love,’ and ‘Jagun Jagun.’ She ventured into producing her own content online, further showcasing her versatility.
Odunlade Adekola
Odunlade Adekola’s Yoruba epic movie, ‘Orisa,’ was the highest-grossing opening film in Nollywood for 2023. The actor’s on-screen presence and accolades, including the META Award, solidified his status in the industry.
Nasboi
Known for his skits, Nasboi showcased his singing talent with ‘Umbrella,’ featuring Wande Coal. The song gained massive popularity, and Nasboi ranked among the most-searched Nigerian artistes of 2023 on Google.
Shalipoppi
Shallipopi, with hits like ‘Elon Musk’ and ‘Presido La Pluto,’ achieved remarkable success in 2023. His debut album topped charts, securing the fifth position on the Apple Music Top 100 Albums chart.
Spyro
Spyro’s ‘Who is Your Guy?’ became a sensation, winning ‘Best Collaboration’ at the AFRIMMA Awards. The song’s remix with Tiwa Savage amassed over 112 million views on YouTube, solidifying Spyro’s place in the music scene.
Sabinus
Oga Sabinus, recognized for his content creation, won the African Content Creator Award at the 2023 Rwanda International Movie Awards. His film ‘Sabinus: The Best Man’ contributed to his growing popularity.
Josh2funny
Comedian Josh2funny garnered international attention with an appearance on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ earning praise for his comedic talent.
Odumodublvck
Rapper and singer Odumodublvck ruled the airwaves with hits like ‘Dog Eat Dog’ and ‘Blood on the Dancefloor.’ His album ‘Presido La Pluto’ reached impressive heights on the TurnTable Top 50 Albums.
Portable
Portable, a buzzworthy entertainer, made headlines throughout 2023, from a boxing bout with Charles Okocha to the release of ‘I’m not a Prisoner.’ His presence at international events, including the British Fashion Awards, showcased his rising prominence.
The entertainment industry is set for an electrifying 2024 with these trailblazers leading the way. Stay tuned for more captivating performances, groundbreaking projects
Watch out for this 24 artist in 2024