In a country where music is life, asking Nigerians to pick the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in music is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child—impossible without drama. But we did it anyway.
We took to the streets, social media, campuses, markets, bars, and even church parking lots to ask thousands of Nigerians just one question: “Who is the GOAT of Nigerian music?” The answers? Spicy. Surprising. And honestly, shocking.
A Little Backstory—Why This Question Even Matters
Before you call out your fave, let’s define GOAT. We’re not just talking about the latest TikTok sensation or the most streamed artist this week. We mean longevity, impact, versatility, influence, and that hard-to-define magic that makes a legend.
Nigerian music has evolved beautifully—from Highlife and Juju in the ‘70s to Afrobeats global domination today. Our sounds have conquered continents, and our artists now fill stadiums from Lagos to London.
So, who really deserves the crown? We broke it down by generation, geography, and fan love.
The Legends Who Paved the Way
Before there was streaming, there was Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the father of Afrobeat and arguably the originator of the GOAT conversation. Fela was more than a musician—he was a movement. Political, fearless, and musically unmatched. His legacy? Untouchable.
Then came the likes of King Sunny Ade, Osadebe, and Ebenezer Obey, whose Highlife and Juju vibes were the soundtracks of weddings, parties, and family gatherings for decades. While their era may feel distant to Gen Z, their influence remains deep.
The Bridge Generation – Icons of the 2000s
Enter the 2000s—a golden age of homegrown superstars. And leading that pack was 2Baba (2Face Idibia). If you’ve never heard African Queen, were you even born here? 2Baba’s consistency, voice, and humility earned him GOAT votes across generations. He walked so others could fly.
Then there was D’Banj, the Koko Master himself, who made swagger mainstream. From Tongolo to Oliver Twist, D’Banj brought charisma and broke international ground. He made Nigerian pop cool, period.
This era also gave us game changers like P-Square, MI Abaga, and Wande Coal, all of whom shaped the sound and structure of today’s scene.
The Big 3 Era – Who Runs the Game Today?
Fast forward to the 2010s, and the so-called “Big 3” emerged: Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. Each with their own lane, each with their own army of fans, and each fully qualified for GOAT status.
Let’s talk Wizkid. From Holla at Your Boy to Essence, he’s transformed from a teen star to a global icon. His fans, Wizkid FC, are legendary for their loyalty. He’s quiet but powerful, smooth but lethal. He doesn’t just make music—he sets the vibe.
Then there’s Davido, the people’s champ. Loud, generous, energetic, and incredibly consistent. Fall, FEM, Unavailable—Davido makes hits that stick. Whether it’s his philanthropy or his knack for uniting African artists, he’s the heartbeat of the people. GOAT? Many said yes.
Burna Boy, on the other hand, came in roaring with Ye, Gbona, and Last Last. He’s bold, politically aware, and proud of his roots. Winning a Grammy cemented his legacy. He’s the artist’s artist—respected by fans and critics alike.
Rising Voices and Shocking Mentions
Here’s where things got spicy. While we expected the usual suspects, some younger Nigerians mentioned Rema, Asake, Tems, and Olamide. Yep—GOAT status already.
Olamide, especially, got major street cred. He’s been holding it down for over a decade, mentoring others, switching styles, and never missing a year. As for Tems, her voice and global collaborations earned her massive respect, despite being relatively new.
The Result – And Why It Shocked Us
We compiled all the responses, grouped by age and region. And the most voted GOAT in Nigeria, according to our survey, was…
FELA KUTI.
Yes. Not Wizkid. Not Burna. Not 2Baba. Fela still holds the crown.
Why? Because Nigerians respect legacy. Across all age groups, even Gen Z voters who never saw Fela live acknowledged his impact, message, and immortal sound. That said, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy were close contenders, with Wizkid barely edging past Burna in youth-dominated polls.
What Makes a Nigerian Music GOAT?
From our analysis, here’s what truly counts:
- Longevity: You’ve got to survive changing trends.
- Cultural Influence: Did your music shape society?
- Global Reach: Did you represent Naija well abroad?
- Catalog: How many classics do you have?
- Respect: What do your peers and fans say?
By these metrics, Fela, 2Baba, Wizkid, Burna, and Davido all deserve seats at the table.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, choosing a GOAT is personal. For some, it’s about lyrics. For others, it’s about how the artist makes them feel. But what this survey showed is that Nigerian music is rich, diverse, and powerful.
Whether you grew up on Fela’s sax, 2Baba’s melodies, Wizkid’s vibes, Burna’s fire, or Davido’s energy—you’ve experienced greatness. And that’s what really matters.
So… who’s your GOAT?
FAQs
1. Who is the GOAT of Nigerian music?
According to our survey: Fela Kuti, with strong showings from Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and 2Baba.
2. How was the survey conducted?
Via online polls, street interviews, and social media engagement across Nigeria.
3. Why not just pick one from the Big 3?
Because legacy and influence matter as much as current popularity.
4. Does international recognition make someone a GOAT?
It helps—but it’s not the only factor. Local impact is just as powerful.
5. Will the GOAT ever change?
Absolutely. The crown is heavy, and time has a way of revealing new kings and queens.
Leave a Reply