There has been enormous growth and transformation in the music industry all over the world, as its intent and health benefit to man has outweighed our expectations. And trust me, you cannot talk about the music industry and its unity with current trends without including musicians from countries like Nigeria, Jamaica, South Africa, and a host of others, we would be listing out the top 10 list of great artists from Port Harcourt 2021.
In recent times, they have been an intense partnership with musicians from African countries, particularly with Nigerian entertainers. Why is that? It is because of the limitless potentials and creativity that they have seen erupt from these great talents.
Now, you can see most Nigerian musicians like Burna Boy and a few others share International platforms with other foreign entertainers.
While applauding them for the International recognition, let us not forget how and where they started their journey before climbing to fame.
The music industry in Nigeria has birthed many musicians from different parts of the country. However, our focus will be on the musicians that started from the great city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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The city of Port Harcourt has birthed many great musicians that have not only been recognized nationwide but have also been applauded and recognized internationally. A few of them include Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Ducan Mighty, and a few others.
The city of Port Harcourt has become a dwelling place for several record labels that in one way helped in the growth of these musicians.
They include No Do Record, 7dnaija Record, and Grafton Entertainment, one of the leading labels in Africa since 2004, this record label has played a great role in uncovering and recognizing raw talents.
Below is a list of the top ten 10 musicians from the city of Port Harcourt with a sneak peek into their biographies. They include:
1. Burna Boy
Damini Ebunolowo Ogulu with the stage name Burna boy was born on the 2nd of July, 1991 into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ogulu all from Ahoada LGA in Rivers State.
Damini was born and bred in the southern part of Nigeria although he concluded his secondary school at Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State. He began making plans to become a musician at a young age by making his beats with fruit loops.
Not long after, Damini moved to Uk to advance his studies. Over there, he studied Media Technology at the University of Sussex followed by Media Communication and Culture at Oxford Brookes University. Damini is currently not married but reports show that he had once dated Stefflon Don in 2018.
Burna Boy had his early studio record in Leriq Treehouse studio, Port Harcourt after that he grabbed an initial gig that landed him on stage in December 2010 at the Calabar carnival.
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Officially, his music career kicked off properly in 2011, letting his mum, Bose Ogulu be his manager.
He came to the spotlight in the year 2012 after the release of a lead single “Like to Party” from a debut album L.I.F.E which was released in 2013. Over the years Burna Boy has uniquely been known for how well he mixes Nigeria hip hop, reggae, and high life.
Shortly after the release of his album in 2013, he accepted a contract deal with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group in 2017. By 2019, he released his third studio album Outside and by 2020, he had released his fifth studio album, Twice as tall.
Having mentioned the release of the above albums, Burna Boy stuck to a category of genres of music which are Afro-fusion, Afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, hip hop, pop, and R&B. He has received several awards/nominations and has also been recognized Internationally by top musical brands. To amaze you, in 2021 he was awarded a Grammy award for the category of the Best Global Music Album, Twice as Tall.
In the course of his music journey, he has performed with a few musicians like Ed Sheeran, Beyonce, Wizkid, Stefflon Don, and a few others.
2. Omah Lay
Another great musician from the city of Port Harcourt. Let’s take a sneak peek into his biography.
Stanley Omah Didia with the stage name Omah Lay was born on the 19th of May, 1997. And he hails from Ikwerre in Rivers state.
Omaha Lay had lived most of his life at the marine base while growing into an adult.
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Omaha Lay is known to be a singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He had a major break in 2020 after the release of his first Debut Ep ‘Get Layd’ which shook the internet.
Before now, he would write songs and assist to produce these songs but he wasn’t pleased with the accolades he got for producing these songs which triggered him to start writing his songs and producing them too.
He attempted with the release “Do Not Disturb” together with “Hello Brother” which earned him a record deal with KeyQaad.
His genres of music Afro-fusion(A known form of music from West Africa and its scatterings like Nigeria, South Africa, and the likes).
Omah Lay is presently a rapidly growing celebrity that started from the city of Port Harcourt.
3. Duncan Mighty
You cannot mention top musicians from Port Harcourt without including the name of Duncan Mighty.
Duncan Wene Mighty Okechukwu was born on the 28th of October, 1983 and he hails from Obio-Akpor, Rivers State.
He is known to be impacted by the culture of his people. He is currently married to his heartthrob, Vivian Okechukwu.
Officially called Duncan Mighty on stage. This great musician started his music officially in 2008 with the release of an album kolliwater which broke the internet and brought him to the spotlight.
After a short while, he released another album, Ahamefuna(Legacy) in 2010 and since then he has received several recognitions and awards including the Indigenous Artist of the year.
While still recovering from the excitement of his previous album release, he released another in 2012, Footprint with numerous features like Timaya, Shaggy, and the likes. His genres of music are reggae, R&B, and hip hop.
4. Timaya
Inetimi Timaya was born on the 15th of August, 1980 with the stage name, Timaya. He is a native of Odi in Bayelsa state but was born and bred in Port Harcourt.
Due to his passion for music. Timaya dropped out of school to concentrate on a solo career which resulted in the release of his first debut album, True story in 2005 followed by Gift and Grace in 2008.
Furthermore, he went on to release another album, DeRebirth with a lead single “Plantain Boy” which brought him to the spotlight. Other releases include Upgrade which has gained him awards and notable recognitions.
His genres of music include Dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and few others. He is currently the producer at DM Record Limited.
5. Ajebo Hustlers
Isaiah Precious and George Dnadeson with the stage name Piego and Knowledge are Nigerian duos in the music industry. Their genres of music include Afro beats and high life.
Their musical career kicked off in 2010 after they had gotten to know themselves while working at a restaurant.
They came to the spotlight in 2015 after the release of Bole and fish. They have worked and performed with other musicians like King Perry, Davido, Young Lix, and a few others.
These musical duos have received several awards including the Galaxy awards (GMA) for the category of the Song of the Year, 2018. Their genres of music are a blend of Afrobeat and high life.
6. Dandizzy
He goes by the name Daniel Tuotamuno Darius but known by the stage name, Dandizzy. He is a native of Opobo in Rivers State and born on the 6th of October.
As a result of the passion he had for a music career, he forfeited his admission to the University of Port Harcourt in pursuit of music.
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He officially started as a musician/rapper in 2009. In this light, he signed a contract deal with Cadily Entertainment as a result of his consistency and persistence. He also was endorsed by Camloe Records.
He performed on stage at the let’s Relate Party in 2021. He has received several awards including the Song of the Year,2019.
7. Idahams
Hart Idawarifagha Ishmael, born on the 19th of May. He is known on stage as Idahams, he is a known singer, songwriter, and music producer who is a native of Bonny Island in Rivers State.
He started making moves to be an entertainer at the age of 10 which speedily earned him a record deal with Grafton Entertainment in 2016 followed by Universal Music Nigeria in 2019.
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He had his major break in 2018 through the titled, God Can Bless Anybody by Mr 2Kay which he wrote and also performed with Mr 2Kay.
His genres of music include Afro beats, Afro-pop, Urban Afro high life, and Afro R’n’B.
He has won several awards including song/artist of the year by BAE awards and has performed with a few musicians like Mr 2Kay, Teni, and Duncan Mighty.
8. Mr 2Kay
Abinye David Jumbo officially known as Mr 2Kay is a singer and songwriter from Nigeria that started in Port Harcourt.
He was born on the 11th of February, 1988, and a native of Bonny Island, Rivers State.
He came to the spotlight in 2012 after the release of Bubugaga that broke the internet and earned international recognition while still with Grafton Entertainment but he left to Imprint Better Life Entertainment. His genres of music include Afro-pop music.
He has performed with a host of comedians and musicians like Prince Hezekiah, Double K, and a host of others. Aside from that, he has received several awards and nominations like Best Reggae in the Headies awards, 2015.
9. 1da Banton
Godson Ominibie Epelle was born on the 29th of July, 1994.
He grew up in Port Harcourt and released his first debut, Bandon in 2017 and was signed to Squareball Entertainment which triggered his relocation to Lagos.
10. Dr Barz
Victor Akpomon with a stage name as Dr Barz is distinctively knowledgeable in afro-hop music.
He was raised in the southern part of Nigeria, Port Harcourt.
In 2017, he worked together with Beatbox Entertainment to release his first single which sprung to releasing a series of singles that broke the internet and have earned him recognition including performing at a TEDx event.
By 2019, he released a debut EP, Something Else. In conclusion, he has recorded about 20+ songs.
