By Ayeotan Shola
The Year 2015 in Nigeria’s Music Industry, put into perspective, has actually been a very huge one for a lot of artistes.
2015 saw a lot of singles go on to become major hits and street favorite tunes in just the space of 12 months. Our female artistes didn’t disappoint at all, as they managed to churn out many hit tracks between them. This year definitely marked a resurgence of female artistes in the industry.
That’s we thought to ask you guys for your views on whom you think is the Best Female artist of the Year 2015.
Who do you think should be the best? Lets have your views below!
1. Yemi Alade
In a rather quiet year for Nigerian female artistes, Yemi Alade continued where she left off in 2014, stacking her claim on the King of Queens title.
After successes of Johnny and her début album, Yemi Alade went on tour, increasing her fanbase from Congo to Ghana to Zambia to Togo.
2015 was even bigger as the Effyzzie act sold-out shows in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland on her European tour. She released videos for Sugar, Duro Timi, Pose, Temperature off King of Queens, and collaborated with Cameroonian and Kenyan acts.
Yemi Alade’s efforts in the year under review could match that of her male counterparts; she lived up to her Mama Africa epithet grabbing MAMA Best Female Artiste, NEA Best Female Act, AFRIMA Best Female Artist in Western Africa, and getting nods from the MTv Europe Music Awards and BET.
2. Seyi Shay
Seyi or Shay marked the sole album by any Nigerian mainstream female artiste released in the year under review— a really poor musical year for female acts, if one were to judge. The début effort by Sound Sultan’s mentee contained previously released hits Murda, and Crazy.
The former really set Seyi Shay’s career on track, as she had had an identity crisis—some said her style aped Beyoncé’s, Rihanna’s, or even Keri Hilson’s.
The turn of the year saw Irawo sign an international record deal and a Pepsi endorsement came along. On the music front, her Harrysongz-penned Jangilova and Right Now were well-received among fans and critics putting her foot firmly in the industry. She received the MAMA Best Female Artiste nod.
3. Cynthia Morgan
Dancehall godmother, Cynthia Morgan didn’t do badly for herself, starting off with the release of hit single German Juice in February.
Weeks later, she featured on the remix of Mr. 2Kay’s Bad Girl Special which went on to win the Best Collaboration at the NEA. Come and Do, and Simati Niya received fair spins on the radio.
Though the expectation, given the buzz from the previous year, was that the Northside Entertainment act will drop her début album in 2015, that didn’t come to fruition.
4. Tiwa Savage
The joys of motherhood took Tiwa Savage away from the booth and consequently spotlight.
But it would be unfair to not cut Mrs. Billz some slack. She had such a run in 2014, winning all that was up for grabs in the female categories, sitting as queen with the lucky charm that was Eminado.
Even in her state, she found time to hop on arguably the biggest remix this year (Woju) and contribute to the Mavins’ Jantamanta and the SMD prince’s Romantic.
5. Simi
The days of the gospel act crooning Ile Amo or Ara Ile could be said to be over! She tried switching to electro-pop/dance but was lukewarmly received. The Mass Communications grad then hooked up with Oscar Heman-Ackah, whom is responsible for her new sound and direction, under the X3M label.
Tiff kick-started that transformation into a Pop/Soul artiste with Jamb Question putting her on stage to win the NEA Most Promising Act.
Her sound engineering skills that birthed 2014 Restless EP got praised on Adekunle Gold’s Orente, she also mixed Falz’s Soldier (a song her soulful vocals brought to life). She has written songs for celebrated artistes Darey and Bez.
There you have it! So which of these artists do you consider the best of the year? share your choices in the comments.
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