Year 2012 has finally come and everyone is hoping it would be better than the previous one. Some promising young artistes last year showed great potential of making it big soon in the industry. How soon will it be? Is 2012 the year they’ve been waiting for? ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM in this report takes a look at some of the artistes expected to shine in the industry this year.?
TIWA SAVAGE
‘Kele Kele Love’ crooner, Tiwa Savage, within her short stint in the industry has carved a niche for herself in the male dominated music industry in Nigeria. She has broken all barriers and has established herself as an artist to be reckoned with in the country.
Her style of music is a blend of Yoruba and English languages R and B. What stands her out from the rest of the female artistes in Nigeria is her vocals and style of delivery.
Her sultry, sexy and sassy style has endeared her to the male fans in Nigeria.
She is working with Don Jazzy, who is regarded as the best music producer in Nigeria in her next single, ‘Without My Heart.’ Tiwa Savage has definitely come to stay and we expect 2012 to be a great year for her.
BYRMO
In 2008, Olawale Ashimi Ibrahim aka Brymo released a hit single entitled ‘Shardy’ alongside a music video which peaked at number 2 on the MTV Base Africa Top 10 Count Down. The song peaked at number 1 on the Nigezee Top 10. It was also nominated for the Soundcity Music Video Awards.
In 2010, Brymo signed up with Chocolate City record label that has M.I, Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince on its label; and on September 18, 2011, he released his first single under the Chocolate City record label ‘ARA’ after his biggest single with Ice price, ‘Oleku’ in 2010.
He has other singles: ‘Action Film’ with M.I, ‘Attention’ with 2-Shotz and ‘Ma wo be’ with Sasha.
EVA
Blohor Eva Alordian aka Eva is one of the fast-rising rap artistes Nigeria can boast of today. Her fan base is on the rise with her style of music being compared to American rap artist, Eve. She released her first ever studio recording, ‘I dey Play’ with Tha Suspect in early 2009. She was also featured on the remix of ‘Owo ati Swagger’ alongside Gino, Terry tha Rapman and the Late Dagrin. She has other singles and collaborations with other artistes to her credit.
Last year, she won the Female Artiste of the Year (in Rap) at the Exquisite Lady of the year awards 2011. Eva was also featured in the 2011 edition of the BET Hip-hop Awards Cyphers, representing Nigeria alongside top notched rappers. This makes her an artiste to watch out for in 2012.
WIZKID
This young talented Nigerian has sold over 2 million copies of her album, but the question on the lips of everyone is can he keep the flag flying in 2012. Presently, he is recording a new album scheduled to be released in the first quarter of this year. Wizkid is one artiste to watch out for in 2012 as he said in one of his interviews that the best is yet to come out from him. The young talented artiste started his musical career at age 11 under the name Lil Prinz which was later changed to Wizkid in 2006. He got signed on to Banky W’s EME records in 2010 and has since become a force to be reckoned with in the industry.?
SAMKLEF
Samuel Ogwuachuba famously known Samklef, who just got married to his UNILAG lover had a fabulous year in 2011 by producing beats for some of the industry’s hottest acts and scoring a hit with one of the year’s biggest songs. He was the brain behind the hit single ‘Don’t Dull’ by Wizkid and ‘Noni’ which has become a street lingo. He is not relenting on his oars as he continued to produce more hit songs, the latest being ‘Suwe’.? Samklef is another artiste cum producer to watch out for this 2012.
?
WAJE
Though she is yet to release an album, her single, ‘So Inspired’ with its video was one of the songs that enjoyed massive airplay in 2011. She was the only female artiste in Nigeria that won a ‘Heady’ at the 2011 Hip Hop World Awards. She also performed at major events like the MBGN pageants and the Kenny G Jazz concert. She is currently one of the strongest songstresses in the industry and expectations are high with regards to what she has in stock for her fans in 2012.?
SKALES
The very talented artiste started his journey into music industry in the year 2000. The Zain Tru Search Talent of 2008 and Soundcity Blast Concert in 2009 brought Raoul John Njeng-Njeng aka Skales into limelight. His first singles ‘Must Shine,’ Heading For A Grammy,’ ‘Be Mine’ and ‘Ori Mi’ have placed him on the front burner in the Nigerian music industry. Some weeks back, he released his new single, ‘Mukulu’ and the song is getting regular airplay on major radio stations across the country. He is definitely one of the artistes to look out for in 2012.
DlPP
This young talented artiste has come a long way to achieve such success in the industry. ‘Half man, half amazing’ is the title of his new album which is currently the craze of the airwaves. Oladipupo Ogundele aka DIPP,? since his debut into the Nigerian music industry with his first single ‘Dangerous’, has endeared himself to the hearts of millions of music lovers within and outside the country? with his stunning dance steps and special effects that won him several awards with each song and music video.
?
OLAMIDE
Olamide’s talent is undeniable and he just proved it in his new single ‘Young Erikina’ meaning ‘young wizard.’ A wizard he truly is. He might be the next Yoruba rap sensation after the death of Da Grin.
Hope to hear more from him this 2012.
?