Binge Music Lists

Fela Kuti

Born in 1938, Fela Anikulapo Kuti is the undisputed pioneer of Afrobeat, fusing West African highlife and jazz with funk rhythms and politically charged lyrics. His band Africa 70 released over 50 albums, and his fearless activism against military rule made him an icon of resistance and artistic freedom across the globe.

King Sunny Ade

Born in 1946, King Sunny Ade is a juju music legend who brought Nigerian sounds to international audiences with albums like Juju Music (1982) on Island Records. A two-time Grammy nominee, he pioneered the use of pedal steel guitar in African music and remains one of the most influential musicians to emerge from Nigeria.

Burna Boy

Born in 1991, Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021 for Twice as Tall. His fusion of Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae has made him one of Africa's biggest global exports, headlining major festivals worldwide and selling out arenas across multiple continents.

Wizkid

Born in 1990, Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid, achieved massive global crossover success with his feature on Drake's One Dance, which reached number one in 15 countries. His collaborative single Essence with Tems became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Afrobeats on the world stage.

Sade Adu

Born in 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria, Helen Folasade Adu is the lead vocalist of the band Sade, which has sold over 75 million records worldwide. Her smooth blend of jazz, R&B, and sophisti-pop produced timeless hits like Smooth Operator and No Ordinary Love, earning her four Grammy Awards and an OBE.

Davido

Born in 1992, David Adeleke, known as Davido, rose to fame with the 2011 hit Dami Duro and has since become one of Africa's most commercially successful artists. With hits like Fall and If, he has amassed billions of streams and played a key role in bringing Afrobeats to mainstream American and European audiences.

Tiwa Savage

Born in 1980, Tiwatope Savage is widely regarded as the queen of Afrobeats and was the first female Nigerian artist to sign with Universal Music Group. Her albums Celia and Water & Garri showcased her versatility across R&B, afropop, and dancehall, making her one of the most decorated female artists in African music history.

Ebenezer Obey

Born in 1942, Ebenezer Obey is a juju music pioneer who helped popularize the genre alongside King Sunny Ade in the 1960s and 1970s. His band the Inter-Reformers produced a vast catalog of albums blending Yoruba rhythms with Christian themes, and his track Board Members became one of the most beloved juju recordings ever made.

Tems

Born in 1995, Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, burst onto the global scene with her feature on Wizkid's Essence and a standout contribution to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. She won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 and has become one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary African music.

2Baba

Born in 1975, Innocent Idibia, known as 2Baba (formerly 2Face Idibia), released the iconic single African Queen in 2004, which became one of the most recognizable African pop songs worldwide. His debut album Face 2 Face is considered a landmark in Nigerian pop music, and he has won multiple MTV Africa Music Awards and Headies throughout his career.