Top 7 Nigerian Female Artistes of 2015

In a male-dominated Nigerian music industry, a number of female artistes have done well with standout pieces of music, earning themselves reasonable portions of mainstream renown. And this has been really interesting to watch thus far. 
 
In reviewing the top performances from female artistes in 2015, we start by acknowledging that it has been a fairly odd year in terms of music outputs as the ‘top shots’ were largely missing in action.
Heavyweights like
Waje, Omawumi and Tiwa Savage weren’t exactly in the party for the most part of things.
While it is understandable that Omawumi and Tiwa had their babies in 2015, and so struggled with attending to the newborns and staying relevant in pop culture, Waje’s absence in the scheme of things is a little beyond shocking.
Be that as it may, the new breed of singers and the overall competition today is great for the industry. The paradigm shift is even a greater proof of growth and dynamism in the Nigerian music industry.
Fingers crossed, one hopes 2016 heralds a lot more from the A-list female artistes, so that increased consistency can broaden the prospects in the industry in addition to ensuring a sustained dominance of the African music scene (as is the case).
But if the equation changes again in the coming year and we see an introduction of ‘outsiders’ like Toby Grey, Tope Odu, Zaina, Fefe or Saeon in the top tier of female artistes in Nigeria, all well and good. After all, they say competition is good for business as monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.
That said, below are our top 7 female artistes of 2015 in no particular order:
1. Yemi Alade

File photo of singer Yemi Alade.

Yemi Alade has achieved a lot for herself this year and, even though hers is some laudable feat, many would attribute her success to the shift at the top. In all, she deserves everything she has gotten. There really isn’t anymore to say about the Johnny singer. She has been there, done that. And is still doing it. The awards are a testament to her recent success.
2. Cynthia Morgan

File photo of Cynthia Morgan.

She has displayed her talent right from the start, stunning with her abilities. From Don’t Break My Heart and Lead Me On, to Popori and then Jamo in 2014, we knew the industry was in for some surprising introduction into the mix.And come 2015 Morgan didn’t disappoint. She continued her winning streak with German Juice and Come And Do. We can only hope for more from the eccentric dancehall singer.
3. Simi

File photo of singer and songwriter Simi.

The X3M Music singer and songwriter is on a definite path to greatness. Her unique voice, relatable lyrics and originality are her strongest points. She had a super 2015 and it’s been thrilling seeing her lay the groundwork for a new album which she says is in the works.
4. Seyi Shay

Singer and songwriter Seyi Shay. Credit: YNaija

Seyi dropped her long-awaited debut album Seyi or Shay in 2015 – a sassy body of work that features 18 tracks (plus 1 bonus cut). It had the entire industry talking for some time. She has paid her dues since relocating to Nigeria. From flashes of ace artistry in Irawo to Loving Your Way and No Lele, it is only obvious how much more she is set to achieve in her soaring career.
5. Victoria Kimani

File photo of singer Victoria Kimani.

Chocolate City started the year on a good note with a shift in management structure and the release of the album The Indestructible Choc Boy Nation which had all the label’s artistes present. But it’s been akin to a grave-silent 2015 from the label’s front men save for Ice Prince Zamani and Ms. Kimani. Kimani dropped the fairly big hit song Show in 2014, followed up with a crisp video that got her buzzing acros the media in 2015. She was on the One Campaign with other A-listers for the song Strong Girl. Then there was Vex with Emma Nyra and Cynthia Morgan as well as Loving You with label mate Ice Prince Zamani.  She has potentials; all she really needs to do is to focus more on putting out music, quality sounds and less on presenting the sexy, and she will be good.
6. Chidinma

File photo of singer Chidinma.

Musically, Chidinma dropped a whole lot in 2015 but seeing as it has been a generally slow year in terms of outputs she still manages a slot on this list. From 2012 with Kedike, 2013 saw her flying with Emi Ni Baller and then Oh! Baby (with Flavour) in 2014. Her output this year was only a little above average (at a time when she had all the time and space in the world to consolidate at the top tier owing to the paradigm shift) which is not exactly impressive. If No Be God and Lorry put together won’t have gotten her anywhere in a keenly contested year but again it has been a pretty slow year so she makes it into this list.
7. Niyola

File photo of singer and songwriter Niyolai.

The EME singer and songwriter has been impressive in the last one year and she deserves all the accolades. Her partnership with a functional management looks to be paying off as she has enjoyed relative success with singles Toh Bad, Last Bust Stop and Love To Love You, among others.
Niyola has a sweet, fresh appeal and her rendition is always appealing to the senses. She needs to seal her spot in the top though, she needs to raise her game and achieve the much-needed ascendancy. Hers is long overdue given how long she has been around.
Worthy mentions: StormRex, Ruby Gyang, Niniola and D’ija
D’ija is on the worthy mentions list because, although she isn’t exactly a top female artiste yet, she has exhibited potentials of becoming an A-lister in the not-too-distant-future. Niniola has all it takes to break into the top too, but she needs to concentrate her efforts some more in the new year. Ruby Gyang and StormRex are great vocalists lacking the right hands to help manage their crafts so that they make into the top league as they deserve. One can only hope for a change as 2016 draws near.
So over to you; share thought sin the comments.