Emoseh Khamofu, known professionally as Bloody Civilian, is a groundbreaking singer, songwriter, and record producer making waves in the Afrobeats scene. Signed to 0207 Def Jam, the UK arm of Def Jam Recordings, Bloody Civilian is celebrated for her bold artistry, blending radical expression with Afropop sounds. She gained widespread recognition with her powerful debut single, “How To Kill A Man” (2022), followed by “Wake Up”, a collaboration with Rema featured in the soundtrack for Marvel’s blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Born and raised in Northern Nigeria, Bloody Civilian’s artistic journey began early. By age eight, she was writing songs and sharing them with her family, drawing influence from her father, a travelling musician. Her upbringing in a conflict-ridden region inspired her stage name and gave her music a raw edge. As a teenager, she honed her skills as a producer, creating beats and sending them to schoolmates, developing a unique production style that she would later use to craft her own sound.
In 2023, she solidified her place as a rising star, featuring on “Blood on the Dance Floor” with ODUMODUBLVCK, and being named among Nigeria’s most radical emerging talents by The Guardian Nigeria and an essential artiste for 2023 by NME. She ranked number one on TurnTable’s NXT Emerging Top Artistes in October 2023, and by November, she reached number 16 on TurnTable’s Artiste Top 100 chart. In early 2024, Bloody Civilian was tapped to contribute to the soundtrack for the highly anticipated Bob Marley biopic One Love.
With her fearless approach to music and impactful storytelling, Bloody Civilian is not only a queen of Afrobeats but also a key voice in shaping the future of Nigerian music.
Hadiza Blell-Olo, popularly known as Di’Ja, is a celebrated singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and visual artist, recognised as one of the queens of Afrobeats. With a unique blend of Nigerian and Sierra Leonean heritage, Di’Ja incorporates Hausa and Krio dialects into her music, creating a distinct and captivating sound.
She began her music career in 2008 and gained early recognition with her single “Rock Steady”. In 2014, she signed with Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, marking a major milestone with the release of her hit single “Yaro”, which paid homage to her diverse cultural roots. That same year, Di’Ja gained widespread fame with her feature on Mavin’s chart-topping hit “Dorobucci”, alongside labelmates Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks.
Di’Ja’s creative versatility shines in her 2017 EP Aphrodija, which includes collaborations with Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks. Her influence extends beyond music, with notable performances such as her hit track “One Talk” during the Mega Music Nationwide Tour in 2017.
With multiple accolades, including the Best New Artiste award at the 2008 Beat Music Awards, Di’Ja continues to shape the Afrobeats landscape, blending her soulful voice with eclectic influences, and remains a leading figure in African music.
Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, known professionally as Fave, is a rising star in Afrobeats and one of its emerging queens. The Nigerian singer-songwriter first gained widespread recognition during the COVID-19 lockdown, captivating audiences with her minute-long videos on Twitter. Her official debut single, “N.B.U (Nobody But U)”, released in 2020, marked the start of her professional music journey.
In 2021, Fave achieved her big break with the release of her hit singles “Baby Riddim” and “Beautifully”, which solidified her place in the industry. In 2022, she released her debut EP Riddim 5, showcasing her unique blend of soulful vocals and rhythmic Afrobeats sound. The same year, she was awarded Rookie of the Year at The Headies, affirming her rising status in Nigerian music.
With collaborations alongside top Nigerian artistes and co-ownership of her label, Tumblar, Fave is carving a distinct path for herself in Afrobeats, with her soulful voice and compelling songwriting making her one of the genre’s most promising talents.
Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, known professionally as Seyi Shay, is a dynamic singer, songwriter, and actress, celebrated as one of the queens of Afrobeats. Her career began in the global spotlight as the lead singer of the now-defunct girl group From Above, which was signed to Sony’s Columbia Records and managed by Mathew Knowles’ Music World Entertainment. She launched her solo career in 2013, signing deals with major brands like Etisalat and Pepsi, and eventually with Island Records in 2015.
Seyi Shay’s debut studio album, Seyi or Shay (2015), produced several hit singles, including “Irawo,” “Murda” featuring Patoranking, and “Right Now,” which showcased her versatility and solidified her position in the Nigerian music scene. Known for her smooth blend of Afropop, R&B, and dancehall, Seyi Shay has captivated audiences worldwide.
Her journey in music began early, performing in choirs and touring with the London Community Gospel Choir as a teenager. She later formed a UK-based girl band, Boadicea, before fully embarking on her solo career. Beyond music, Seyi Shay made her acting debut in the 2018 film Lara and the Beat, starring alongside top Nollywood talents.
In addition to her music and acting career, Seyi Shay is a passionate advocate for the girl child, founding her charity Shay A Ray of Hope in 2015 to support girls’ empowerment. With multiple awards, including Best Female and Video of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards (2015) and R&B Artiste of the Year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (2016), Seyi Shay continues to be a powerhouse in Afrobeats and an inspiring figure in African entertainment.
