topnaijanews Stay informed with the latest Nigerian news at your fingertips
Whether it be superstars shining on the global award stage, headlining record-breaking tours, or engaging in interminable celebrity beef, this year was filled with several news-making moments.
Out of these notable events, Pulse Music Desk has narrowed down the 10 most memorable moments. These events were selected for the buzz they generated and their impact on the ecosystem.
Top 10 Moments in Nigerian Music of 2024
10. Rema’s performance at the Ambani wedding
The Ambani wedding is one of the most expensive and talked about weddings in recent times. Among the stars selected to entertain guests at the event was Nigerian star Rema.
The superstar was rumoured to have been paid 3 million to perform his mega-hit single ‘Calm Down’ which made history by getting into the Guinness Book of World Records.
9. Burna Boy breaks highest-grossing venue record in the United States and Canada
In another record-making feat, Burna Boy has become the African artist with the highest-grossing tour in Canada.
According to the post shared by Touring Data on June 13, 2024, Burna Boy grossed $5.7 million from 69,219 tickets sold from 6 concerts as part of the ‘I Told Them’ tour in Canada which is an African record.
In a post shared on June 13, 2024, by Touring Data, Burna Boy grossed $1.725 million at the ‘I Told Them’ tour at the Capital One Arena in Washington on March 7, 2024. This feat sees Burna Boy break his previous African record set at the TD Garden in Boston.
8. Yemi Alade’s Grammy nomination
Nigerian superstar Yemi Alade warmed hearts when her single ‘Tomorrow’ earned a Grammy nomination.
Fans and colleagues cheered for the superstar for what is a well-deserved moment in a career that has spanned over a decade during which time she has exemplified herself as an outstanding performer flying the African flag.
7. Shallipopi and Muyeez parting ways with Dapper Music
2024 brought some drama notably among which is Shallipopi’s split from Dapper Music.
The rapper accused the company of breach of trust, lack of financial transparency, and an attempt to make him sign away 30% of his earnings in perpetuity.
Rising star Muyeez also followed Shallipopi’s footsteps in parting ways with Dapper Music over similar claims of breach of trust and lack of transparency.
The company denied all claims in what was another record label vs artist dispute that has pervaded the Nigerian music industry.
6. Rema’s sophomore album ‘HEIS’
Anticipation was high for the release of Rema’s sophomore album ‘HEIS’ after he teased some tracks that gave listeners an insight into the album’s sonic direction.
Rema’s breathless delivery, chest-thumping, and pulsating drums captured listeners’ attention and instantly became a subject of debate among listeners.
5. Tems’ Grammy nominations
At the 67th Grammy nominations, Tems made history by becoming the first African female artist to earn a nomination outside of the global categories with a nod for Best RnB song for her single ‘Burning’.
The song off her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’ also made her the first African artist to earn a solo nomination outside of the global categories.
4. Ayra Starr’s sophomore album release
2024 saw the release of Ayra Starr’s acclaimed sophomore album ‘The Year I Turned 21’.
Ahead of the album release, Ayra Starr made news by making headline performances in Paris and Brazil while revealing viral teasers as she executed what was an impressive rollout plan.
While most of her contemporaries often resort to news-making antics that don’t flatter them or positively reflect the ecosystem they represent, Ayra Starr delivered a rollout plan befitting of a pop star.
3. Nigerian domination of the 67th Grammy nominations
At the 67th Grammy Awards, Nigerian superstars dominated the African Music Performance category in what was a display of the popularity of Afrobeats in the United States.
Nigeria was also represented in the Global Album Category with Rema and Tems both securing nods.
2. Wizkid Vs Davido beef
In 2024, the interminable dispute between Wizkid and Davido descended to a new low as the former engaged in a series of social media attacks against his rival.
After making up and partying together in December 2023, the newfound love between the duo didn’t last as 2024 came with a lot of drama in a dispute that has lasted nearly a decade.
Wizkid particularly appeared to have an axe to grind with Davido whom he persistently attacked on X in what also seems like a rollout strategy for his latest album ‘Morayo’.
