Top 10 Globally Recognised Music Artists Who Started Their Career in Lagos

Welcome to Lagos  where every corner beats to a rhythm, and every street echoes with potential. This city isn’t just Nigeria’s entertainment capital; it’s the launchpad of legends. From smoky underground studios in Surulere to electric performances at Eko Hotel, Lagos is where raw talent meets global opportunity.

Music isn’t just part of the Lagos lifestyle , it is the lifestyle. Whether it’s the pulse of Afrobeats thumping through your car speakers, or a freestyle session breaking out on a street corner, Lagos doesn’t just produce music.  it breeds global superstars.

In this article, we spotlight 10 internationally celebrated artists who didn’t just pass through Lagos they were made in Lagos. And while every name on this list is a heavyweight in their own right, we’re presenting them in no particular order because greatness here isn’t ranked, it’s respected.

Let’s dive into the sounds of excellence   born in Lagos, heard around the world.

Wizkid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), better known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement.

Genre: Afrobeats

Notable Achievements: Grammy winner, Billboard Hot 100 entries

Wizkid's rise from the streets of Surulere to the world stage is the stuff of modern-day legend. His breakout hit Holla at Your Boy was crafted in Lagos, and from there, his career exploded. From collaborating with Drake to gracing Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl, Wizkid continues to fly the Lagos flag across global charts.

Burna Boy

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (born 2 July 1991), known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Genre: Afro-fusion

Notable Achievements: Grammy Award winner (2021

Burna Boy may have been born in Port Harcourt, but it was in Lagos that his sound took shape and found its audience. With iconic albums like African Giant and Twice As Tall, he built his Afro-fusion empire from Lagos studios, before taking it to the Grammys and beyond.

Tiwa Savage

Tiwatope Omolara Savage (born 5 February 1980), known professionally as Tiwa Savage is a Nigerian singer, songwriter

Genre: Afrobeats / R&B

Notable Achievements: MTV Europe Music Award, Roc Nation signee

After returning from abroad, Tiwa chose Lagos to restart her music career and it paid off. Her electrifying performances and chart-topping hits, from Kele Kele Love to All Over, were powered by the city’s vibrant industry. Today, she’s one of the most powerful female voices in African music.

 Davido

David Adedeji Adeleke OON (born November 21, 1992), known professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter and record producer

Genre: Afropop

Notable Achievements: Multiple BET Awards, global tours

Born in Atlanta but raised in Lagos, Davido’s breakout hit Dami Duro was a Lagos anthem before it became a continental sensation. Lagos was the cradle of his 30BG movement, and it remains the core of his global empire.

Rema

Divine Ikubor (born 1 May 2000), popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper. He gained recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi".

Genre: Afro-rave

Notable Achievements: Billboard-charting hits, featured on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack

Discovered and signed by Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in Lagos, Rema’s infectious sound exploded with Dumebi. Blending trap, Afrobeat, and futuristic melodies, Rema’s “Afro-rave” style continues to capture audiences from Lagos to London to Los Angeles.

 Tems

Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.[3][4] She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence

Genre: R&B

Notable Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Oscar-nominated

Tems found her voice in Lagos’s alté music scene, where authenticity is the rule. Her soulful sound and raw lyrics earned her recognition with songs like Try Me before her global moment came with features on tracks by Drake and Future. Still, her roots in Lagos remain central to her artistry.

Olamide

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989), known professionally as Olamide (and also Olamide Baddo BaddoSneh or simply Baddo) is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist

Genre: Hip-hop / Indigenous rap

Notable Achievements: Multiple Headies Awards, Founder of YBNL.

From Bariga to the world, Olamide is a Lagos original. His use of Yoruba, street lingo, and unfiltered lyrics helped shape the voice of the city’s youth. Beyond his own career, Olamide has launched global stars like Fireboy DML and Asake through his YBNL label.

Ayra Starr

Genre: Afropop

Notable Achievements: Billboard-charting hit, global tours.

Born in 2002, Ayra Starr rose to fame with her breakout single Away, which hit No. 4 on Nigeria’s TurnTable chart and reached No. 17 on Billboard’s Top Triller Global. Signed to Lagos-based Mavin Records, she released her debut album 19 & Dangerous in 2021, quickly becoming one of the most promising young voices to emerge from Lagos.

Asake

Ahmed Ololade (born 13 January 1995), as Asake, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter.

Genre: Afro-fuji / Amapiano fusion

Notable Achievements: Global chart success, sold-out O2 Arena

Asake burst onto the Lagos music scene with an undeniable street vibe and Fuji-infused energy. Songs like Omo Ope and Sungba quickly became anthems, leading to international acclaim. Lagos nightlife and street culture directly shape his bold, genre-blending sound.

Fireboy DML

Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan , who is known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.He was born on 5 February 1996) .He is currently 28 years old .

Genre: R&B / Afropop

Notable Achievements: Platinum-certified singles, global collaborations

Signed under Olamide’s YBNL, Fireboy launched his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps right out of Lagos. With poetic lyrics and a voice that transcends genres, he gained global acclaim with hits like Peru featuring Ed Sheeran, all while staying deeply connected to his Lagos foundation.

Lagos is not just a city t’s a sound, a stage, and a movement. These artists represent a new generation of Nigerian excellence, blending tradition with innovation, and local grit with global glamour. Whether it’s Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, or street-hop, one thing is certain: if it started in Lagos, it’s destined for the world.