The Nigerian music industry is the Hollywood of Africa. In the last decade, the industry has experienced a surge of talented individuals coming through its ranks.
Lyrically speaking, the Nigerian music industry can compete with their contemporaries in Europe and America. Such is the level of progress the country has made music-wise over the last decade.
It’s safe to say that the country has moved on from the era of “bad music”.
The race for Artist and Album of the year is as competitive as the Ballon d’Or, if not more difficult. The Next Rated Artiste award can be likened to the UEFA best player award.
It’s visible that in today’s Nigeria music industry, quality trumps quantity. Up and coming artists are giving the big guys a run for their money.
Similarly, in the world of football, we’re currently experiencing the same scenario.
Young talented football stars are taking the footballing world at the scruff of their neck.
While the accomplished stars keep scoring and re-inventing their games, the young stars are breaking into stardom, brimming with confidence and threatening the position of the veterans.
If the Nigerian musicians were football stars, who would be Messi, Ronaldo and co? Well, you’re about to find out shortly.
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Wizkid
One is highly skilled with the ball at his feet, the other is a maestro with the mic on his lips.
One is always compared to football god Pele, the other compared to Afrobeat icon, Fela.
There’s no doubt that Wizkid is the Messi of the Nigerian music industry. If Messi were to be a Nigerian, he’ll belong to Wizkid FC. That’s how entangled these two are.
Unlike Messi though, Ayodeji Balogun is just nearing his peak. Contrastingly, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is gradually approaching the twilight of his illustrious career.
But take nothing away from these two superstars who have kept us entertained on and off the pitch.
Davido
The DMW boss is the son of a billionaire, while Ronaldo is football’s first billion dollar earner.
If the Rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is anything to go by, then David Adedeji Adeleke is the Cristiano Ronaldo of the Nigerian music industry.
With Wizkid’s latest album Made in Lagos, it’s safe to say that his fans are “ruling” the social media space… for now.
Davido is almost set to release his much anticipated album A Better Time, a follow-up to his 2019 LP A Good Time which has seen over a billion streams.
This should give the fans of OBO bragging rights before the year runs out.
The tale of Messi versus Ronaldo has been about talent versus hard work. Davido may not be as talented as Wizkid, but he’s put in the hard work to get him to this position today.
Burna Boy
Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy is a Port Harcourt born Nigerian music sensation.
The self-proclaimed Giant of Africa has proven beyond reasonable doubt why he’s to be reckoned with as one.
There’s no one in the world of football that can be compared to Burna Boy other than the Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Like Burna Boy, Ibrahimovic has also gone on to declare himself World’s Best.
Both stars are vocal, pragmatic and have got this somewhat attractive arrogance around them.
If Zlatan Ibrahimovic was Nigerian, he’d probably have also declared himself Giant of Africa. His towering figure would definitely make that happen.
And guess what, Burna Boy is also Twice as Tall.
Olamide.
Olamide is the King of the Streets, Neymar Jr. is undisputedly one of the most skillful player.
Both superstars have found it difficult to break into the “top 3” of their respective fields in recent times.
Neymar, a one-time golden boy and heir to Messi’s throne has his best days behind him, with only glimpses of his talent on show once in a while.
The YBNL boss on the other hand had his best performance during the 2014/2015 musical year. He has since maintained an album every year, which is very commendable by the way.
Olamide left Colded Tunes and founded his own company YBNL Nation in 2012. Neymar on the other hand left Messi in order to build his own empire, the rest is history.
If the Baddest Guy Ever Liveth were to be a football star, he’ll be the Samba star.
Kizz Daniel
Quality performance is one factor that differentiates mediocrity from exceptionality.
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented artiste in the Nigerian music industry, and holds the title of No Bad Songs, his 2018 album by the same title acknowledges this sentiment.
If the Woju crooner were to be a football star, he’ll be Robert “Goal” Lewandowski.
We can all agree that these two talents haven’t truly gotten the recognition they deserved.
On the one hand, Lewandowski’s performance during the 2019/ 2020 season was nothing short of brilliant, but Covid19 took the shine away.
On the other hand, Kizz Daniel has been overshadowed by the likes of Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy and the likes.
When Kizz Deniel left G WorldWide to create his own label Flyboy Inc, it heralded the beginning of greater things.
Similarly, Lewandowski’s transfer from Dortmund to Bayern Munich made him an even better player.
Kizz Daniel’s unofficial title of artist with No Bad Songs will be a consolation prize for him and give his fans some level of bragging rights as does the goals and titles Lewandowski keeps getting year in, year out.
Falz
When Falz released his debut album Wazup Guy in 2014, many were sceptical as to what this law graduate will bring to the Nigerian music industry. Fast forward to 2020, and the rest they say is history.
If Folarin Falana were to be a football star who would he be? There’s one guy that has the same track record as Falz – Virgil Van Dijk.
Both superstars are defenders in their own rights.
Virgil Van Dijk is a Liverpool FC player, he defends goals from being conceded; Falz on the other hand is a Lawyer by profession, he defends people against the government and corrupt policemen.
Van Dijk can lead an attack from behind leading to goals, Falz can lead a protest from the front leading to pressure in Aso Rock.
Both have dual responsibilities: the Liverpool man and Netherlands captain scores goals with his head and also defends solidly; Falz sings about current events and also defends the law.
Mayorkun
One is the Mayor of Lagos, the other is the Prince of Paris.
Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel is a talented singer and songwriter, if he were to be a football star, the Geng crooner will be Kylian Mbappe.
The French professional footballer currently plays for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France National team.
Both stars are young and are taking their respective fields by the horn.
Mbappe might be quick with the ball at his feet, but the rise of Mayorkun to stardom is equally as fast.
Having signed with Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) in 2016, the Mayor of Lagos haven’t looked back ever since.
Mbappe and Mayorkun are surely destined for the top; one is touted as a future Ballon d’Or recipient, the other a star in the Nigerian music industry.
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Rema
Divine Ikubor known professionally as Rema is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper who’s currently signed to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records.
For your song to appear on Barack Obama’s summer playlist in 2019, you should know you’re destined for great things.
Who could Rema be as a football star? No other person than the Egyptian wizard – Mohammed Salah.
Both stars had their hair cut in 2020. Many believed Rema had his hair cut in support of the #EndSARS protest. He tweeted saying: “Dreads don’t mean I’m a criminal #EndSARS.”
The Liverpool forward on the other hand traded his afro for a Mo-hawk-like hairstyle.
In September 2020, Rema’s song was included in the FIFA 21 soundtrack.
Fireboy DML
Not many saw Fireboy coming. His blistering run of form couldn’t have been predicted.
Adedamola Adefolahan is signed to YBNL Nation, and if he were to be a football star, he’ll be Erling Haaland.
Haaland just like Fireboy DML was a breakthrough star during the 2019/ 2020 season. Erling Haaland scores goals for fun, Fireboy makes music with passion.
Both stars are young and they’re taking the Nigerian music industry and the football world by surprise.
The Norway star has a promising future and has been recognised as a future World Best; Fireboy on the other hand won City People Music Award for Most Promising Act of the Year.
Just this year, his single Scatter was listed as one of the official soundtracks for the football simulation game FIFA 21.
Similarly, his song Champion was also used as a soundtrack by European Champions Bayern Munich who were once interested in signing Haaland. Coincidence right?
Omah Lay
Like Fireboy, Omah Lay’s entry into the Nigerian music industry came like a flash of light.
He’s unarguably one of the hottest Nigerian artists in 2020.
Guess which football stars progress during the 2019/ 2020 season was also unexpected – Ansu Fati. The Barcelona prodigy was one of the breakout stars of last season.
If Stanley Omah Didia were to be a football star, he’ll be Ansu Fati. Both of them are still in the early days of their careers, and are leading the attack in the Nigerian music industry and Barcelona respectively.
Omah Lay is one for the future and so is Ansu Fati.
Honourable Mention
- Terry G – Balotelli
- Lil Kesh – Martial
- Naira Marley – Maguire
- Small Doctor – Daniel James
- Adekunle Gold – Sadio Mane
- Joeboy – DeBruyne
- Fela – Pele
What do you think of our pairings? Who would you have added or removed?
Nice written article. keep it up
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Wow, nice article, keep writing for us…May God Bless you Sir/mam
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate. Do check back for more.