Learning how to become a successful musician in Nigeria is very vital. It’s no hype, music is the ultimate entertainment for the world.
It’s food for the soul. Across regions, people, tribes, ages, and backgrounds, everyone listens to good music and some even transcend to realms beyond the physical through music.
Here in Nigeria, the music industry is about the biggest when it comes to entertainment.
Music artists emerge every day as the old ones dissipate into irrelevance, It takes a successful artist to become and remain relevant in the music industry only a few manage to achieve this feat out of the army of singers marching on every day.
At the moment, the A-list music acts in Nigeria bank home with six figures, sometimes daily and sometimes weekly.
So this financial splendor, to a large extent is the fuel behind many with just a paucity of music talent hopping into the bandwagon of the album release and falling out shortly owing to a lack of understanding of how the industry works.
The 10 ways how to become a successful musician in Nigeria
- Talent and Hardwork
- Do the unusual
- Become a nationalists
- Enter a music competition
- Create a unique dance step or style
- Raise some dust
- Align with the big boys and roll with them
- Feature a big name in the industry
- Get a partner and split later on
- Be known for something,
1. Talent and Hardwork
While it is true that in every field, there are born prodigies and their people who had to work their butts off to become successful.
Either way, what mattered, in the end, was that they were successful.
So if you have the talent, you have this zest for music, you look around you and at the snap of a finger, you have fixed yourself some lyrics and a song is set, then that’s terrific!! you are one step ahead.
You are blessed and talented.
All you need do is to add up more personal efforts in improving whatever kind of music genre you’re good in, then just follow the other sub-headings.
However, if you don’t fall into this “gift and grace” category, it means you have to work your nerves out to the latter.
Hang around the studios often, read books on music, get a mentor, play a lapdog if you have to, learn a musical instrument, and do all you can in all the ways you can to start singing really good songs.
When you’ve arrived at that point where someone can listen to your song and nod in affirmation of good music heard, then you have successfully crossed the very first bridge to being a successful artist in Nigeria.
2. Do the unusual
See, the Nigerian music scene is cluttered with too many artists doing wacky conventional songs with household beats that everyone rolls their eyes to in exasperation.
If you can become unique and carve out a niche for yourself you’ll be popular and successful.
Ask Terry G, he went gaga doing music, he got his fame and success.
Ask Phyno who took to rapping in his dialect.
Ask Asa who spat on all the traditional Hip Hop and went solo, doing her thing with the guitar.
You can go out of the country, get beats and styles from other African nations, and come back and infuse them into your music.
Just do the extraordinary, do a song in an exceptional way against what everyone is used to hearing and then the spotlight can beam brightly on you.
3. Become a nationalists
Well, you can ask Duncan Mighty who sang “Port Harcourt Boy” and Mish with his “Akwa Ibom Ayaya” song.
This route is even faster, especially if the beats are great and the lyrics talk about every good thing your state has to offer.
Call names, governors, ministers, senators, commissioners, hype them, and say all the good things in the book.
Your song will be played regularly at your state’s government house.
You’ll be often called to come to do it in political gatherings in the state.
Your governor might rock the song so hard, that he’d be forced to honor and empower you.
So going patriotic can accelerate your ascension into tables where the big boys sit and then you can continue from there, reeling out other great songs not necessarily with a patriotic undertone this time, else you will slip down that height you climbed.
4. Enter a music competition
This boils down to a combination of talent and hard work.
You are talented and you think you can do it.
Beautiful! enroll in one of these music competitions all over the place.
Go out and battle with other contestants, you could get lucky and become the winner.
Iyanya, Praiz, Chidinma, Omawumi, Mercy Chinwo, Timi Dakolo all rose from these platforms, look where they are today.
The good part is that, even if you didn’t end up as the winner, you could still shine with the popularity and experience you’ve gotten.
Even the first and second runners-up of this competition still make it big afterward.
5. Create a unique dance step or style
Everyone loves to dance to the beats of a song.
It might just be the game-changer for you as an upcoming artiste.
I like sighting instances, Olu Maintain prior to “Yahooze” was upcoming, but the dance style announced him.
Dance styles have sent Nigerians wild in excitement, from Alanta to etighi to Azonto to shoki to galala to shaku shaku, the list is endless, help me complete them and be the judge of the artist who sang them in terms of fame and success.
You should have thought about one new dance step already.
Oops!! you’re still thinking?? continue.
6. Raise some dust
Publicity is publicity.
Whether it’s good or bad.
Do something that will give you the “all eyes on me” attention.
Hey! don’t murder someone or bang someone’s wife.
Just go a little controversial, grab the spotlight and shine it on your forehead by dissing a top artist, feigning something you’re not and getting caught, fall off the stage while performing, allow female fans to molest you on stage, strip down to your panties on stage, if you are a female, keep flashing some panties and boobs at every given opportunity, just do something crazy that can court attention for you, but I must warn here seriously.
In fact!
Caveat:
This piece of advice is to be used with caution and at users’ risk.
It might not make you successful pronto but it will give you enough popularity which might lead to some deals.
Trust me, some people will like you for flashing your boobs steadily or for attacking top musicians daily.
Cossy has fans, Bob risky does, and the controversial OAP daddy freeze does too.
And by the way, even the top celebrities in music and Nollywood do it whenever they notice a sharp decline in their relevance and popularity.
They call it “Publicity Stunt”.
Two big acts will engage in an altercation online, two days later they are apologizing to one another after giving blogs a fat paycheque, don’t you suspect something?
Well, I do.
7. Align with the big boys and roll with them
When you roll with the A-list acts in the industry, some of their clear dazzling lights might tilt in your direction.
Lobby your way into being signed by one of these top record labels, there’s an article on this already how to get signed by a record label in Nigeria.
Go there and get some tips.
Hang around the big boys, submit under them as a hireling or something like that, be loyal and faithful, they’ll carry you along, and little by little you’ll start getting successful.
If one fool rolls with four wise men, he makes them five wise men. Do you get it??
8. Feature a big name in the industry
Partly this is linked to number 7.
Your continued alliance with the big boys in the industry might earn you a free collaboration with one of them.
But if it doesn’t, pay if you have to.
Fame is not cheap.
Sacrifices are needed in form of cash, sweat, and time.
So if they ask you to give them some bread, don’t run away, look for the money, pay.
That big name might just be the only reason why you would sell a million copies of that song.
Plus, you might even receive free sound mixing and other sweet ingredients that will make your song sound pleasant.
Since a big act is involved, he won’t sit and allow you to disgrace him with crappy beats from a rookie.
9. Get a partner and split later on
If you can succeed on your own better, if you think you can’t, find yourself a partner.
Probably one who has dope fluid rap punchlines, so while you do the solos, the other person does the rapping.
Two heads are better than one.
Most times, some people’s success is tied to others, if they can find themselves, they become successful.
R2Bees made up of Mugeez and Paedae were successful partners from Ghana, including the famous P Square, Bracket, Stylplus, Plantashun Boys, KC-Presh, all these are fantastic combinations of artists as a group that did great together.
All the groups listed are now history, but each member is left with his own share of wealth and fame.
So splitting at the right time is necessary, it’s not marriage, change is constant, what matters most is that you guys rode to success on each other’s back.
10. Be known for something
Alternating between Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae will make you look confused.
Stick to one genre and be known for it.
Stop being versatile to your own detriment.
Stick to what works for you.
Be consistent and success will be attracted to you.
Conclusion
Never relent in your hard work, there are so many artists who once dined with the high and mighty because at one point in their music career they were termed “successful” but they relented and got wiped into obscurity.
Put in a lot of hard work to go up there, and when you get there, double your efforts to stay up there.
Getting rich is one thing, staying rich is another. GOOD LUCK!!!
95 Comments
Thanks for teaching and encouraging me. I believe that i shall make it in jesus name. Amen
Amen
Believe
Thank u very much
Thank you sir for your lesson i really appreciate that actually i love music and i want to become musician for my future
Good day to u sir , I Mmaduabuchi Joseph Akwuobi. really appreciate this topic I like for I to be part of Nigerian musician and too I made well in songs and wish I will make it.
Hope this would help me..
But if anyone wanna make a group I’m in plea my email is below the comment
[email protected]
Are what to become are music
I must appreciate I leant enough from ur advice and and am very very happy ready dis thanks
My pleasure
I love this content
Thanks
Pls i want to do r n b and i m a halfcast and i wil need a partner but how much wil it cost to make my music public
Yh
I do appreciate for your lesson sir i love music so much and i wish to be a musician by the grace of God 🙏
Me too am and artist and i need sign
What did you say speak well
I’ve wrote songs that could make an album, but I need backup and someone that could be raising chorus for me, I’m living in abuja, my email,
[email protected] in case if any body wants to role with me.
I appreciate you sir thanks alot. I wish to become a musician like wizkid boy god grace it will come to pass amen
Tnxs a lot 4 de courage.
Plz my new song,drop on
Audio mack.Titled:corper’s wee.By mr izulo.
Tnxs,GOD bless u.Lov u all
I Appreciate Ur Effort Sir,i Luv Music But I Dont Ave A Good Voice,although I Know That Music Is Not My Talent But Football.
I honestly wish u could be my yoga
Plz reply if u could
[email protected]
Thanks this has been helpful but how do i get my music to be heard and played
thanks so much for the topic
Please i wanna join the Music Industry
Email: [email protected]
09043658100
This is quiet good enough and very helpful to many up coming artists out there like me thank you so much i love [email protected]@outlook.com.
Pls I would love to be a musician I have written a lot of songs and raps I just need the beat . Reply to me through my email pls thanks.
Please I would love to become a musician in the future
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1 one chance 2 awareness 3 beauty 4 blessings 5 fine babe etc. Once again i go by de name Fweshboi [email protected]:fweshboi budget watsup:09013393254 Thanks and may God bless
I’m a rapper as well…and I need someone to role with…so you can get me the beatz…let’s go there…I call myself Shirtless…coz I don’t wanna put on shirt on stage
I mr tan fgtg an artist I really need help I want to be among other artist in Nigeria
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this is my record names 1god plans 2 money 3ashawo 4 lighter 5 love 6 etc
I really enjoyed this…it’s got a lot of help…I’m a rapper and a musician…I need someone to role with
this advice is really helpful to we the upcoming music artist and we appropriate thanks alot because it gingas me alot today and give me more better hope nt to give up
REALLY GREAT. WOULD NEED THIS IN THE FUTURE
Thanks for the wonderful advise
It’s now left for me
I want to become a nigeria producer singwritter and editor
Thanks for encouraging me I believe I will make it in life by the grace of God and the son and the holy Spirit
AMEN..
I want to become a successful Nigerian musicians may God bless me on that
In Jesus name amen..
thank you sir for your time and effort
i do like music .
I do rap
and I always do cover of many musician in nigeria
like fire boy
bella shmurda etc
once again thank you sir
I appreciate sir
Thank You Sir
Dude says a very big thank you!!! for sharing your knowledge. Bless!
Ice boy says thank you
Thanks boss
Thank you for the great courage you’ve given me am an artist I’ve recorded many songs but I don’t know where to start but by the spacial grace of God I will surely get there in Jesus name Amen 🙏 am iorfer Paul orjighjigh
I really love to bee a musician like burnaboy ,an I will a musicians whent I rish 17years THANK YOU SIR
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Thanks boss
Thank
Nice one God bless you
Great
Thank you so much for the advice
Thanks sir
u are trying
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thank you sir
Thanks bro
Thanks, , I’m Mr GEOZZY an artist from imo based in Anambra Nigeria, I have nice songs but to market it is my problem….no sponsor
I love David and Wizkid
So interesting and educative.thank u so much.
Cool
Thank u sir
I truly appreciate you for all what I saw here
And I pray for it to work for me 🙏🙏🙏
I really appreciate
I truly appreciate you for all what I saw here
And I pray for it to work for me
Can’t go WITHOUT A thanks wether seen or not
I’m by name Youngie.Tk
I’m very talented with music please I need help I promise to singout the kinds of song you want please hear me I have no one to help me please. My pleasure is to become a musician I love music
Thank you so much I am very grateful, you have taught me so many things 👍👍👍
Bless for this
Woah!!
I feel so much stronger reading all this, I hope it all goes well for me and my brothers and sisters who are doing their best in adding to the Book🕊 @KAY D
Pls i am here new,pls i need your help i am a musican pls pray for me
i want to be a GOSPLE singer but i need helper to handleth me
Thank you very much sir, I really appreciate you for that. I love music so I will try and stick to what you say so that I can succeed in music
I am Giftson joseph akakatang
i knw how to sing and write song and knw how to dance wel like poco lee
my number
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You are doing a great job. My name is “Deeway Guitar’ I’m an upcoming artist but I don’t have money or someone to sponsor me but one thing I know is that I got this music thing and I believe one day it will be my time to shine.You can check me out on IG @Deeway Guitar. thank you!
Swears, this is useful, thanks immensely
Very useful thanks for the coaching sir.
thanks for your coching me about music sir big thanks
This is interesting.. Am a big choice I am a musician just need God and more money….
Thanks for your teaching I will make it in life
nobody wizkid is the best of everything if you follow him you will blow
I want to become a musician, please i need help. My phone number=
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Hey am Exgee
i’m a rapper, beat is my best friend really need a partner
I’m mac-philip [OTF] by name, I have de intention of becoming a musician but i need some one to co-operate with. Below is my contact: 08106453343 Nevertheless:I really appreciate for dis.thanks sir I hope this will carry me a long way.
Thanks for dis
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just wanted to let you know ur new upcoming rapper here is my number
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I real apereciate u for the advice. Am by name: promise, stage name:skaffy
Hello my name is NEROWEST i’m an upcoming artist and i really need your assistance in my music i’m a RAPPER AND SINGER BOTH and i will also love to feature you in one of my songs title called FOR YOU after singing this song FOR YOU i believe that i will be famous just like some other young artist in case you like me and you really want to sing with me this’s my what’s-app number +2347013666255 or you can simply add me on Instagram with my Music Name Called NERO-WEST and i promise to reply back to you as soon as possible never-mind i also have other song that i written down but i have not seen money to record them Title of those songs are RORA HIGHER BACKER FINESSE and PANDA this are those songs that i have written down but the is no money to put them on re-code but buy your help then can all be record and played all over the world i hope you reply back to me as soon as possible and please don’t be scared or worried about the photo of which i put on my profile that is what i love to put but if you request a real photo of mine i will surely send it to you okay I LOVE MUSIC AND I ALSO LOVE YOU ALL WHO READ THIS AND REPLY BACK TO ME
Thanks You Mentor……………………???????????????????
Thank u for that me too am an upcoming but i dont have someone to support me if there is anybody that can help me here is my number;09135780702
Skalesh jonathan is a afropop singer
Thanks it’s was really helpful
This sh*t hard I thank u for the advice me and my ni*ga’s are gonna try love the sh*t u wrote
You are really a good musician teacher am call Boyfrynd from Uganda.
Hey thanks for the article. Hmm plz follow akinola daniel on facebook and also stream diola_AD songs on audiomack via Diola_AD. Thanks as u help pull him up