28th October, 2022
By Taiwo Okanlawon
It’s fair to say that every successful Afrobeats artiste who has risen to national and international fame has journeyed through a challenging evolution, from a C-list artist to a B-list, and finally to an A-list star.
This journey is often filled with trials, failures, depression, and disappointment, yet these artistes never relented. Their achievements didn’t happen overnight; there are chronicles of their humble beginnings and struggles that reveal their greatness today, showcasing their survival and resilience in overcoming numerous obstacles.
The Afrobeats icon, Wizkid, is a prime example of an artiste who evolved from the shadows to stardom. Not just any stardom, but one so immense it paved the way for other artistes of his generation.
The last child of the Balogun family, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, was born in the Ojuelegba area of Lagos and began his career under the stage name ‘Lil Prinz,’ with a few records to his name before he found the limelight.
Before signing his breakthrough label deal, Wizkid had already started making music at an early age. Records show that he had a collaborative album with a group he formed with other church colleagues called ‘The Glorious Five.’ During this time, he met producer OJB Jezreel, frequently visiting his studio but not being allowed to record for almost a year. However, this didn’t diminish his passion and determination to live and breathe music.
His breakthrough came when he met music businessman and singer Banky W, who signed him to a record deal. This deal served as the spark that ignited his rise to global stardom, allowing him to represent the genre internationally and set a precedent that new artistes in the industry continue to follow.
Wizkid became the first Afrobeats artiste to host and sell out a show at the O2 Arena, followed by other stars like Davido and Burna Boy.
Another great artist who deserves recognition for his struggle in the music industry is Asake. A graduate of Theatre and Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, Asake is a humble soul known for his versatility in entertainment.
He has evolved from being a chanter, actor, dancer, and skit maker alongside Broda Shaggi. These diverse pursuits highlight the struggles artists face before finding their focus in music.
His song ‘Mr Money’ made a significant impact on the Afrobeats scene in 2022, and its remix featuring Zlatan and Peruzzi only solidified his presence. His journey in the music industry took a turning point when his close friend and university colleague, Yhemo Lee, allegedly connected him with the iconic rapper Olamide.
Asake had spent almost a year trying to get Olamide’s attention on Instagram, sending multiple messages in hopes of receiving the same support that Olamide had given to Fireboy DML, another YBNL Records signee.
Olamide eventually signed Asake to YBNL Records, and together they recorded and released the hit song ‘Omo Ope.’ From there, Asake’s dream began to materialize, leading to the release of his debut E.P. ‘Ololade,’ is a classy debut album.
In addition to these two great artists, one of the Nigerian artists who has been in the industry for almost a decade and struggled his way to stardom is Afrobeats artist and rapper Nito-P.
The London-based Nito-P has been active in the music scene since 2012, with a unique melodic hip-hop sound. He cites Dagrin as his role model and the inspiration behind his music career.
Nito-P, originally from Benin City in the South-South region of Nigeria, spent a decade striving for recognition, supported by his friends and university colleagues. He faced numerous challenges as the Nigerian music industry became increasingly competitive year after year.
Despite the trials and tribulations, Nito-P continued to release singles consistently until he finally released his myriad of singles debut which are blend of Afrobeats and Hip-Hop. This E.P. has earned him recognition in the industry and built anticipation for his future album. Nito-P remains undeterred by the competitive Afrobeats market, confident that his unique sound will bring him the fame and recognition he seeks, as evidenced by the success of his debut E.P.
Nevertheless, the chants of glory, the accolades, and the taste of fame enjoyed by these artists were not achieved overnight. They all endured struggles, pain, disappointment, grief, and failures. They faced issues with record labels, music promoters, low sales, and other challenges. Yet, they all shared one thing in common: the spirit of endurance and resilience.
Their unwavering determination to achieve greatness and credibility underscores the fact that these artists, now basking in national and international success, have come a long way. They overcame these challenges, never relented, and never gave up, making them the successful icons they are today.
