The music industry has long been dominated by male artists and executives, but new, talented, and fearless Gen-Z women are shattering glass ceilings. These 6 girl bosses are not only achieving massive commercial success in the Nigerian music scene but are using their platforms to empower young girls and women around the world.
From songwriting that tackles important issues to business ventures that uplift female entrepreneurs, these relatively new debutants are redefining what it means to be a woman in music. Their confidence, creativity, and unwavering pursuit of their dreams serve as an inspiration for girls everywhere to boldly chase their ambitions.
Read on to figure out who the girl bosses on our list are!
1. Qing Madi
Qing Madi is one of the most brilliant rising stars in the music industry, and she’s only 17! Born in Delta State and raised in Benin City, Edo State, the ‘See Finish’ singer started creating and developing a huge passion for music when she was 7 years old. According to her, music has always been an integral part of her life, and she can’t remember a life without it.
Since her debut in 2023, she’s been cooking in the studio nonstop, coming up with songs like ‘American Love,’ ‘Why,’ and ‘Madi’s Medley.’ Madi has worked with BNXN to create ‘Ole,’ and she’s even collaborated with Chloe to create a remix of her song ‘Vision’’ which is now an international smashing hit! Her style of music consists of rhythmic melodies that evoke uplifting, celebratory, and fun emotions, and it is heavily inspired by Hip-Hop and RnB.
2. Kold AF
Aninooritsewarami Alero Oritsesan, who is professionally called KOLD AF, is another emerging star that has taking the music scene by storm! Graduating with a law degree from OAU, she decided to make a career out of music instead in 2020. Since then, she’s released two impressive projects; her EP ‘Kold Szn’ in 2022 and another EP ‘Kollided’ in 2023.
Kold Af uses melodic rhythms and fuses a plethora of genres to make her songs unique. However, what really sets her apart is her songwriting! Aside from music, she’s a passionate advocate for human rights and she believes that society should adopt a more equitable structure.
She believes that with an open heart and mind, keen observation, and introspection, creatives can get their inspiration from anything.
3. Yimeeka
Yimeeka—whose real name is Olayinka Owoseni— is yet another new kid on the block who’s rising fast in the music industry. She’s also released an album ‘Alter Ego,’ which included A-list artists and producers like Pheelz and Joyce Olong.
Like many other artists, she realized her passion for music when she joined the choir. However, her transition into the music industry started in 2020 during the pandemic. Now, she has released a 6-track self-titled EP on the way. This EP will have elements of Afrobeats, House, and Amapiano.
But, that’s not all there is to her. What if I told you that she’s actively involved in the tech industry? She is a Head of Operations at Kan-Awa, a startup that she co-owns with her friend.
4 Amaeya
If there’s something that everyone loves about Amaeya, it’s her voice. It’s so encapturing and many fans have said that it feels like her voice is coated with Candy. Since making an impression through her impeccable journey in The Voice, she went on to make her debut in 2021 and released ‘On my own.’
Today, she has three singles to her name and boasts of 200,000 streams and listeners every month.
Before going off on her own, she has also sang back vocals for A-list artists like Tems, Ric Hassani, Tiwa Savage, Lojay, Skibbi, Asake, and Show Dem Camp after relocating to Lagos to elevate her music career.
5. Ebunyele
Ebun Yele uses brilliant artistic expression and dynamic fusions of genres to tell captivating stories. She constantly mixes elements of UK Pop/House, Afrobeats, and soul into her sound, and backs it up with her melodious voice.
Despite all this creative brilliance, her journey to music is quite an interesting one. She graduated with a Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine degree and got a masters degree in Management. By having these science-oriented degrees, she provides a whole new perspective on creative excellence and expression.
6. Dela
Of all the girlbosses on this list, Dela seems like the least popular on paper. Make no mistake, though, because her musical delivery is nothing short of phenomenal! Debuting in 2023, she has several songs to her name, including her self-titled song ‘Dela,’ ‘Save Me,’ and ‘Solomon.’ She was also heavily involved in the production of MBA For Africa’s album ‘Pepple Street.’
Currently, she has a thriving community which gets her about 5000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and thousands of likes and comments on social media. Her music heavily revolves around the beauty of self-expression and the power of being different. You can see what she’s up to by joining her fan club on Telegram or Snapchat here!
7. Lifesize Teddy
There’s only one thing on Lifesize Teddy’s mind; world domination. She’s one of the new-age Afrobeats singers who have decided to add Western pop influences into the genre, and it’s working wonders for her!
Signed to Macon Records, she has two EPs, one of which is self-titled, and the other one is called ‘POIZN.’ The ‘Hypnotic’ singer is all the rage right now, and she’s putting the newly found fame to good use. She’s worked with big producers like André Vibes, and Sevn.
Lifesize Teddy draws inspiration from the esteemed A-listers like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. She’s on her own lane, but she’s fast overtaking many other veteran artists in the Nigerian music scene right now!
8. Bagetti
What if I told you that although Bagetti only started releasing music in 2024, she has about 51.2k monthly listeners on Spotify? She’s THAT talented. Signed to Jonzing World this year as well, Bagetti has mentioned that she wants to tell her story as beautifully as she can.
She has a 6-song EP to her name called ‘Hard Girl,’ filled with breakup stories and positive motivation for herself and her fans.
In an interview with iMuller, Bagetti mentioned how she had to reach deep into herself to find things she didn’t know existed in order to create her EP. And, if these songs are anything to go by, then we’re in for good music from her for a long time to come!
