2013 has been an explosive year for Naija’s entertainment industry and many artist have made a great impact on these. To celebrate those artist, Nigeria Entertainment complied a list of the best acts of 2013. From sold out concerts to European tours and endorsements the following celebs are definitely A listers.
Wizkid
This ambitious artist established his own StarBoy Entertainment label. While there was much ado about his exit from EME, Wizkid went on to release a number of chart topping singles, including Jaiye, Jaiye ft. Femi Kuti. He also bagged a multi-million Naira endorsement deal with MTN and performed in Europe and several African countries.
Davido
Davido’s popsi may have money but the artists is certainly standing on his own accord. He created one of the hottest dance tracks of the year Skelewu. He also landed a larger endorsement deal with MTN, the 21-year-old went on a 13-country European tour, performed in 5 African countries and dropped two of the biggest singles of 2013.
P-Square
The duo didn’t even release an album this year yet still manage to dominate the airwaves with two singles ‘Alingo’ and ‘Personally’. The twins went on a US tour and visited quite a number of African countries. They also made big news proposing to their baby mamas with Peter tying the knot in November.
Tiwa Savage
The biggest female artiste in Nigeria has had an amazing year, Ms Savage released her hugely anticipated debut ‘Once Upon a Time’, extended her Pepsi endorsement deal, picked up a MOBO nomination and got married to her manager Tunji ‘Tee-Billz’ Balogun. The newly wed couple are also expecting their first child.
D’banj
Banga Lee with his newly setup DB Records/DKM Media continued his reign as king this year – releasing the label’s first LP, bagging endorsement deals with Bank of Industry and re-kindling his romance with GLO. The Hennessy Artistry headliner also dropped a tight theme song, Raise Your Glasses, for the event.
Iyanya
The Pop singer released his highly commercial and successful second album ‘Iyanya VS Desire’, embarked on a very successful US tour, returned and bagged an endorsement deal with MTN, Solo Phones, Zinox Computers. He was named artiste of the year at the 2013 Headies, amongst many other decorations this year.
Olamide
The Yoruba-lingo rapper broke into the commercial market with a few power singles and later dropped his third album ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’. He grabbed an Etisalat endorsement deal, dozens of awards – including three from The Headies. Add to that, the viral Gunman pose.
Flavour
Mr N’abania spiced it up this year, going on a US toured but back home he continued to dominate the Highlife music genre in Nigeria. He increased his frontiers in South Africa and also bagged an endorsement deal with GLO.
Kcee
2013 saw KCEE perform at almost every event we attended. He has cemented his place in the A-list zone with hit singles ‘Limpopo’ and ‘Pullover’ feat Wizkid. He signed a multi-million Naira deal with MTN and then released his debut solo album ‘Take Over’.
Femi Kuti
Getting his fourth Grammy Awards nomination is enough for Afrobeat great Femi Kuti to be listed here. But we’ll still tell you that ‘Shoki Shoki’ finally warmed up to mainstream media, performing at quite a number of upscale events including ‘Night of the Masters’ and ‘Music Meets Runway’.
Ice Prince
We felt the fire of Zamani, blazing even hotter from his success in 2012. He dropped his second album ‘FIre of Zamani’, performed in several African Countries and nabbed a telecom deal with Etisalat
2face Idibia
The artist kept it smoking hot, going on a ‘2face Campus Tour’ and signing on for the Star Trek concert tour. Idibia made a power move few weeks back when he announced his rebranded label Hypertek Digital, with the legendary Victor Uwaifo as one of his signings.
