The Nigerian music industry is filled with some of the most talented musicians, songwriters and performers. Because the industry is made up of majorly Nigerians, it is easy to assume that everybody within the industry is 100% Nigerian. However, that is in fact not the case.
Today, we’ll be counting down 5 Nigerian singers you may not know are partially non-Nigerian. Are you ready to find out who they are? Then let’s go!
1. Ayra Starr
Breakout musician and MAVIN superstar Ayra Starr has been enjoying a lot of success with hit singles such as “Bloody Samaritan”, “Rush”, “Commas”, and more.
With all the fame and success Ayra is enjoying here in the Nigerian entertainment industry, it may surprise some to know that she was actually not born here. In fact, Ayra Starr was actually born on 14 June, 2002 in Cotonou, Benin Republic making her a Beninese woman by birth.
2. Bisola
Nigerian singer and actress Bisola Aiyeola is another woman who doesn’t hold solely a Nigerian citizenship. During her appearance on the Tea With Tay podcast, Bisola revealed that she was actually born in the United Kingdom but never stayed long enough to take the passport because people back home told her mother that if Bisola was to stay in the UK, that she would spoil. So when Bisola was just about a year old, she was carried back to Nigeria where she has lived majority of her life.
Still, being born in the UK makes Bisola a British woman by birth.
3. Yinka Davies
Powerhouse vocalist, dancer, songwriter and previous judge of the reality TV show, Nigerian Idol, Yinka Davies is a woman who has had a very successful career in the Nigerian entertainment industry, a career that has spanned 28 years.
With all the fame and success Yinka Davies has found here in the Nigerian entertainment industry, it may surprise some to know that Yinka is also part Beninese, just like Ayra Starr. Yinka’s father is of Benin Republic descent while her mother is from Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria making Yinka Davies a Beninese woman by blood.
4. Ayo Jay
Ayoola Ogundeyi Jr. popularly known in the music industry and to the world as Ayo Jay is a Nigerian singer who is popular for making such hit tracks as “Your Number”, “Available”, “Correct G”, and more.
What many people may not know is that Ayo Jay was actually born in the United Kingdom making him British by birth.
5. Tems
Finally, accomplished musician Tems is the hitmaker behind such hit songs as “Try Me”, “Crazy Tings”, “Love Me Jeje” and more.
What many people may not know is that although Tems was born in Lagos, Nigeria to a Nigerian mother, she actually has a British-Nigerian father making her a half-British woman. In addition to that, on a recent appearance on the show Is This Seat Taken?, Tems also made the revelation that she is part South-African saying:
TEMS: I am part South-African. I have South African blood. It is in the DNA.