The release of “Benin Boys” by Rema and Shallipoppi on June 20th, 2024, was met with widespread acclaim from both listeners and critics. The undeniable chemistry between the two artists, paired with the song’s infectious beat progression, made it an instant hit.
What makes this collaboration particularly noteworthy is the fact that both Rema and Shallipoppi hail from Benin, a city that has long been overshadowed by Lagos in Nigeria’s music scene. For years, it’s been an unspoken rule that to make it big in Nigerian music, one needs to be based in or have ties to Lagos. So, when Rema and Shallipoppi rose to fame, the people of Benin were understandably thrilled.
But what’s even more exciting is that Rema and Shallipoppi are not the only successful artists from Benin. In fact, several mainstream artists also call Benin home, including one who has become a major force in the Nigerian music industry. Let’s take a closer look at some of these talented artists.
5. Sarz: Hardly would you find any Nigerian music lover that has not heard the tagline “Sarz on the beat” before. As a matter of fact, a list of top 10 music producers in Nigeria by anybody would not be accurate if Sarz’s name is missing from that list. Osabuohien Osaretin (a very Benin name, if there’s a phrase like that) is known in Nigerian Music circles for an innovative approach to music production, as well as for audacious collaborations. His claim to greatness had already been staked as far back as 2012 when was nominated at the Headies in the same category as Don Jazzy, for Best new producer, and the music maestro has shown no signs of stopping since then. A list of production credits that has Reminisce, Lord of Ajasa, Wizkid, Asake, Lojay, Gunna and Chris Brown inside is no mean feat, in any way.
Source: African Music Library
4. Shallipoppi: “All these Elon Musk Boys, Para dey body,” is definitely one of the most popular lines to have graced the Nigerian music industry lately. The song had been making little waves, but then became an overnight hit after the singer was arrested by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) for internet-fraud related crimes. Born on the 12th of April 2000, Crown Uzama is renowned for his catchy lyrics and a unique voice that appeals to the ghetto side of Nigeria.
Source: Pop Central
3. Johnny Drille: John Ighodaro, born on July 5, 1990, and probably one of the most impressive songwriters in Nigeria. His unique style of delivering melodies, and a keen attention to crafting outstanding lyrics, separates him from other male singers in Nigeria. The graduate of English and Literature from the University of Benin and a father of one, first came into limelight in the sixth season of the Project Fame West Season, which he contested.
Source: Pinterest
His big break came in 2015, when he did a cover to Di Ja’s masterpiece ‘Awww,’ which caught the attention of Music CEO, Don Jazzy eventually leading to him signing for Mavin Records by 2017, and since then, there has been no looking back for the ‘wait for me’ crooner.
2. Qing Madi: Originally from Delta State, but born and raised in Benin, Qing Madi is one artiste that took the Nigerian music industry by storm in 2022. A smart leverage of the TikTok app made her song “See finish” go viral across Africa, and her 2023 collaboration with BNXN, “Ole” further pushed her name to far and near. Chukwuma Pearl Chimamanda, the youngest on the list as she was born in 2006, has already made a name for herself, and with a self-titled album to match, she sure is ready to go higher.
Source: Billboard
- Rema: Last, but definitely not the least. When Rema performed at the Balon d’Or Ceremony on the 30th of October 2023 at the Theatre du Châtelet in Paris, France, it was most fitting for an artiste whose sound has attained global appeal. A collaboration with Selena Gomez that has broken numerous records, an album that has bagged him a Grammy nomination, Divine Ikubor already has the music industry on a chokehold.
Source: Pitchfork
So far, who is your favourite artiste on this list? Or who do you think should be here that isn’t?
