10 Nigerian Artists and their real names (See List)
Today, we will be talking about 10 Nigerian Artists and their Real Names.
Nigerian Artists and their real names (See List)
10. 2 Face Idibia - Innocent Ujah Idibia
2Baba has a real name, hope you know that, and it’s Innocent Ujah Idibia. He was born on the 18th of September, 1975, in Jos City, Plateau State, Nigeria. His family comes from the Idoma ethnic group from the southern part of Benue State, central Nigeria. That means in 2026, his age will be 51 years old.
He attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. Later, he enrolled at the Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he studied business administration and management. While he was at IMT in 1996, he began composing jingles and performing at student shows and radio station events. Around that same year, he adopted “Tuface” (also spelt “2Face”) as his stage name.
He completed his studies and relocated to Lagos to pursue a music career. That was how he teamed up with Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo (Blackface Naija/Blackface) and Chibuzor Oji (Faze) to form the group Plantashun Boiz. Tuface later changed his stage name from 2Face Idibia to 2Baba. He is currently based in Lagos.
2Baba, like I already told you, began his musical journey with Plantashun Boiz. This was the starting point of his career.
After Plantashun Boiz disbanded as a group, 2Face launched his solo career in 2004 and began a new career in the music industry.
Tuface released his first solo album, Face 2 Face, on 15 May 2004 under Kennis Music. This debut album sold more than two million copies in Nigeria. It had hit tracks such as “African Queen,”. “Ole” is another top track, and “Nfana Ibaga (No Problem)” is another solo hit.
Following the success of his debut album, 2Face dropped his second, Grass 2 Grace, on 8 December 2006. This was his breakout album and included popular songs like “See Me So,” “True Love,” “If Love Is A Crime,” and “4 Instance.”
In December 2008, he released his third solo album, The Unstoppable. This was the first album under his own label. In 2010, he released The Unstoppable International Edition, which was an international re-release with added tracks. Away & Beyond, released on 30 April 2012, featured collaboration works with other talented artists. And on 21 July 2014, 2Face released The Ascension.
9. Falz - Folarin Falana
Nigerian rapper Falz first drew notice for his singular approach of pairing intricate rhymes with a comedic edge. Early momentum came via the track “Marry Me,” taken from his 2014 album Wazup Guy, while global awareness followed in 2018 when he delivered “This Is Nigeria,” an adaptation of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” whose fresh verses spotlighted corruption inside his homeland.
Born Folarin Falana in 1990, Falz spent his childhood accompanying his family on frequent travels that introduced him to many cultures. Music and performance already captured his attention during his teenage years, prompting early collaborative work with friends and the 2009 release of Shakara: The Mixtape, which gathered some of his first recordings. Several singles issued in 2011 broadened his reach to a mainstream listenership and paved the way for the 2014 debut studio album Wazup Guy, whose single “Marry Me” featured guest vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade. The project established Falz as an emerging force in Nigeria, leading to the 2015 follow-up Stories That Touch. Steady output continued as his profile rose, encompassing regular singles and the 2016 EP Chemistry, a joint effort with R&B vocalist Simi. He also began pursuing acting alongside music and grew increasingly prominent at home, then surprise-issued his third album 27 on his 27th birthday, October 27, 2017. After Childish Gambino unveiled the groundbreaking “This Is America,” Falz responded with his own version and video, “This Is Nigeria.” The next year he unveiled his fourth album, Moral Instruction.
8. Tiwa Savage - Tiwa Savage - Balogun
Tiwatope Omolara Savage (born 5 February 1980), known professionally as Tiwa Savage (listeni), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress who has been called the Queen of Afrobeats. Savage sings in English and Yoruba; her music is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, afropop, pop and hip-hop. Savage’s contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her several achievements. Born in Isale Eko, she relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing backup vocals for artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. After participating in the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music, Savage signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009.
Inspired by the growth of the Nigerian music industry, Savage moved back to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records in 2012. She made an appearance on the label’s 2012 compilation album Solar Plexus. Tiwatope Savage was born on 5 February 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria. Her family relocated to London when she was 11 years old. While attending secondary school, she was a trombone player for her school’s orchestra band. Savage graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Kent, and started working at The Royal Bank of Scotland.
She did backup vocals for English singer George Michael at the age of 16, and lent vocals to other musicians such as Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Andrea Bocelli and Ms. Dynamite.[13][14] Savage enrolled at Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree in professional music in 2007.
While reminiscing about her experiences there, she said she was motivated by the drive and passion of the younger students. She also said she needed the school’s atmosphere. In 2006, Savage participated in the UK edition of The X Factor and advanced to the final 24 but ended up being the 12th person to be evicted. While participating, she had difficulty dealing with the limelight. She said, “You have to always realize that people are watching. When I got the bad news that I wasn’t getting through [to the final 12] it was a really painful time. But you still have to learn how to hold that until you get home. Because you don’t want to just let everything out. People admire you and want to see that you’re strong; they don’t want to see you breaking down. In 2009, Savage signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. The deal allowed her to write for Babyface, Kat Deluna, Fantasia, Monica and Mýa. She has received songwriting credits for her contribution to Monica’s soul-tinged ballad “Catch Me”. Her collaboration with Fantasia on the song “Collard Greens & Cornbread” earned the American recording artist a Grammy nomination in 2010. Savage wrote Jaicko’s “Oh Yeah”, featuring Snoop Dogg, and Deluna’s “Push Push”, featuring Akon. She performed background vocals on Whitney Houston’s album I Look to You (2009). Inspired by the growth of the Nigerian music industry, Savage moved back to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records in 2012.
7. Adekunle Gold - Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold and “AG Baby”was born on January 28, 1987, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He discovered his creative voice early, joining his church choir, experimenting with visual design as the “King of Photoshop,” and dreaming of a career that merged art and music.
He earned a Higher National Diploma in Arts & Design from the Lagos State Polytechnic. He caught public attention with his 2014 cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” titled “Sade.” That success led him to sign with YBNL Nation, where he released his debut album Gold in 2015, preceded by singles “Sade,” “Orente,” and “Pick Up”,which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Before his own deal, he designed the YBNL logo and visuals for Lil Kesh, Viktoh, and label boss Olamide.
In July 2022, Adekunle revealed his lifelong battle with sickle cell disease, explaining how it inspired his song “5 Star”. He also kept close contact with fans via motivational emails, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and daily encouragement. In June 2025, he launched his “5 Star Care” health insurance program, offering free coverage to 1,000 sickle cell warriors in Lagos through the Adekunle Gold Foundation.
In March 2023, he signed with Def Jam Recordings and released his fifth album, Tequila Ever After, in July 2023. He hit a high-fashion moment in June 2024 when he attended the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear Show in Paris, hosted by Pharrell Williams joining Nigerian stars like Rema, Mr Eazi, Tems, Burna Boy, and Wizkid. His track “Falling Up,” featuring Pharrell and Nile Rodgers, featured during the show.
6. Yemi Alade - Yemi Eberechi Alade
Yemi Alade was born into a home in Nigeria, a multi-tribal household at that; where she was raised by both parents James Alade (father) and Helen Uzoma (mother).
Her father James Alade is a native of Ondo State where he was a commissioner of police and her mother Helen Uzoma is a native of Abia State both in Nigeria, Yoruba, and Igbo respectively. Yemi Alade has confirmed she has learned both tongues of her parents.
She was born on the 13th of March 1989.
Yemi Eberechi Alade made use of 6 years to pursue her secondary School education at Victory Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos after which she proceeded to the University of Lagos to acquire a Degree in Geography.
Yemi Eberechi Alade was at that time a student at the University of Lagos when she broke into the Music Industry.
Her debut album, King of Queens was released on the 2nd of October 2014. The album was in collaboration with many famed music artists and producers Like Young D, Selebobo, Mr Chidoo, Philikeyz, Fliptyce, Beat Nation, and few Others.
Before the release of her debut album was her hit singles Johnny, Kissing, Tangerine. The Singles welcomed the likes of Phyno, Chidinma, Bovi, Selebobo, R2Bees, and Diamond Platnumz. Her tour to Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa was a promotion process for her new album.
5. Psquare - Paul and Peter Okoye
P-Square, the identical twin brothers who transformed every stage into a celebration, are among the few names that bear the weight and legacy of shaping the rhythm and energy of modern Afrobeats. Peter and Paul Okoye were already establishing trends with their electrifying performances, powerful vocals, and perfectly synchronised dance moves long before Afrobeats became a global export.
This Nigerian Afrobeats duo consists of twin brothers, Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, born on the 18th of November 1981 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Peter and Paul Okoye, also known as P-Square, are identical twin brothers from Ifite Dunu, Anambra State. From a young age, the twins were inseparable, not just in appearance but in passion as well. Their early exposure to music came from performing covers of Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, and MC Hammer songs at school events and talent shows.
They attended St. Murumba Secondary School in Jos and later studied business administration at the University of Abuja. During their school years, they formed an a cappella quartet that eventually morphed into a more pop-oriented dance crew, where they developed choreographed routines. Their artistic talent and precise dance routine soon made them household names in Jos, where they performed at school functions and other events. They later formed a music and dancing group called Smooth Criminal in 1997. Their works include soundtracks for several films, such as Tobi, Mama Sunday, Moment of Bitterness, and Eva’s River. Despite their parents’ hope that they pursue careers in academia, Peter and Paul remained committed to their music.
4. Simi - Simisola Ogunleye
Simisola Ogunleye who is popularly known as Simi is a Nigerian Afropop singer, songwriter, and actress. She is 32 years of age and born on 19 April 1988 in Yaba, Lagos State, Western Nigerian. Simi attained her primary and secondary education at Ikorodu, Lagos State and later proceeded to Covenant University where she earned a degree in Mass Communication.
She began her musical career at a local church choir where she was known as a good dancer and vocal singer. Simisola wrote her first song when she was only 10 years old. While she began her professional trade in 2008 following the release of her debut studio album “Ogaju” which hosted songs like “Iya Temi” and “Ara lle” courtesy of Samklef Production.In January 2014, Simi released the 5-track EP Restless, which eventually earned her a record deal with X3M Music.
The EP is composed mostly of covers recorded by popular acts, including Rihanna’s “Man Down” and Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”. Meanwhile, the sensation Afropop singer has gone on to release a series of hits singles, albums, and done notable collaboration.
3. Burna Boy - Damini Ogulu
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Popularly known as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian Singer and Songwriter, from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. he was born on 2nd July 1991, in Port Harcourt to Nigerian parents Mr and Mrs Ogulu who raised him in Ahoada and later relocated to Lagos State where he completed his basic education.
Burna Boy had his Primary Education at Montessori International School, Port Harcourt, and later moved to Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Lagos State for his secondary school education.
Just After his secondary school, he left Nigeria for the UK when he studied Media Technology at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2009.
From 2009 to 2010 he studied Media Communications and Culture at Oxford Brooke's University in United kingdom. After his studies in the UK, he did a one-year internship with rhythm 93.7fm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in the southern part of Nigeria.
2. Kiss Daniel - Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, formerly known as Kiss Daniel, now “Kizz Daniel” (May 2018), is a Nigerian recording artist, performer and entertainer best known for his chart-topping single “Woju” and his critically acclaimed song, Yeba. Kizz Daniel is signed to his own record label, Fly Boy Inc.
Kizz Daniel was born in Ogun state, Nigeria. He hails from Abeokuta North local government area. He graduated from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in 2013, with a degree in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology (Water Engineering). While in university, he decided to pursue music as a career alongside his studies.
1. Davido - David Adedeji Adeleke
David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He was born on November 21, 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, to Nigerian parents Adedeji and Vero Adeleke. Davido is one of the most successful musician in Nigeria and Africa at large, with lot’s of good Songs and a net worth of over $20 million.Early Life and Education.
Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist who hails from Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. His mother, Vero Adeleke, was a university lecturer before her death in 2003.
Davido grew up in both Nigeria and the United States, and attended the British International School in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, to study Business Administration. However, he dropped out of university to pursue a career in music and returned to Nigeria in 2011.
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