Nigeria, with its rich cultural heritage, has left an indelible mark on the global music scene. Many male international artists have roots tracing back to this West African powerhouse. These musicians, hailing from different parts of the world, proudly carry their Nigerian heritage, influencing their sound and style.
Their diverse sounds, rooted in both Nigerian traditions and modern musical innovations, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent international artists with Nigerian ancestry.
Male International Artists with Nigerian Ancestry
1. Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga, Skepta is a British grime artist and rapper of Nigerian descent. Skepta’s parents hail from Ogun State, Nigeria. His influence in the grime music scene is monumental, making him a pioneer of the genre. His Nigerian roots are often reflected in his music and public persona.
2. Jidenna
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson, known simply as Jidenna, is an American rapper and singer famous for his hit song “Classic Man.” Jidenna has a mixed heritage, born to Tama Mobisson, a White American accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo computer science professor at Enugu State University. Jidenna has frequently spoken about the influence of his Nigerian heritage on his music, especially in his Afrocentric style.
3. Wale
Wale (Olubowale Victor Akintimehin) is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Yoruba descent. Born to Nigerian parents, Wale’s music often includes references to his heritage, from Nigerian slang to Afrobeat influences.
4. Tion Wayne
Tion Wayne, born Dennis Junior Odunwo, is a British rapper of Nigerian descent. His upbringing in a Nigerian household has influenced his music, and he remains proud of his roots, often incorporating his heritage into his work.
5. Tyler, The Creator
Born Tyler Gregory Okonma, Tyler, The Creator is an American rapper and record producer with a Nigerian father. Although he grew up without a strong connection to his Nigerian roots, his heritage is a significant part of his identity.
6. Dax
Daniel Nwosu Jr, better known by his stage name Dax, is a Nigerian Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Dax’s birthplace might be in Canada but his parents were born in Nigeria. Having lived his formative years in Canada, he later moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue his rap career.
7. Rotimi
Rotimi Akinosho, known simply as Rotimi is a Nigerian-American singer and actor, who was born to Nigerian parents. His father is of Yoruba descent, while his mother is Igbo. Rotimi’s Nigerian background has shaped his Afrobeat-inspired sound.
8. Dave
David Orobosa Omoregie, known as Dave, is a British rapper of Nigerian descent. His mother hails from Edo State in Nigeria. Dave’s introspective lyricism and Nigerian background have greatly shaped his music.
9. Chamillionaire
Hakeem Temidayo Seriki, better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, is an American rapper and entrepreneur born to a Muslim Yoruba father and an African-American Christian mother in Washington D.C. His Nigerian roots have played a role in shaping his worldview and approach to music.
10. Tobe Nwigwe
Tobe Nwigwe is an American rapper with strong Igbo roots. He is known for his socially conscious lyrics and unique sound, which merges his Nigerian heritage with his Houston upbringing.
11. Maxo Kream
Maxo Kream, born Emekwanem Ogugua Biosah Jr., is a Nigerian-American rapper with both Igbo and Yoruba ancestry. His music often delves into his dual identity and the challenges of balancing his Nigerian heritage with his American upbringing.
12. Shaboozey
Singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and record producer Collins Obinna Chibueze, known as Shaboozey, is of Nigerian descent. He was born to Nigerian parents and is not of mixed ancestry. This year (2024), he collaborated with Beyoncé on two tracks for her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which significantly boosted his reputation. Following this, he released A Bar Song (Tipsy), which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
13. Seal
Multiple Grammy award winner, Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel is part-Nigerian. He was born to a Nigerian mother Adebisi Ogundeji, and an Afro-Brazilian father, Francis Samuel. He is a well-decorated artist with three Brit Awards, four Grammy Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award, with 20 million albums or singles sold by October 2011.
14. Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter also known as Lil Wayne is an American rapper and record executive. Many people regard him as one of the most influential “hip hop” artists of his generation. The entrepreneur who began his music career at a very young age disclosed that he is a Nigerian.
He disclosed this information while on a Revolt TV show, that an ancestry test shows that he is 53% Nigerian. He equally said that he is more Nigerian than American and has also expressed his eagerness to visit Nigeria.
