Emerging leaders of the new cool

The year started with so many controversies and you will be forgiven if you thought that the artistes have drained up all their creative juice in this recession and just decided to pour out their frustrations on any and every available person, you kinda wonder why they didn’t pour out these pent up anger on wax though, by addressing situations that appealed to the masses.

As the year progressed however, the music began to win yet again, and with the aid of online tools like Deezer, Itunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, the upcoming artiste could bypass the traditional outlets where he would not have to go the payola route in getting his music out there. The hits came heavy, the biggest international collaboration happened this year, alternative music got a new breathe of life with the likes of Johnny Drille, Aramide, Lindsey Abusei planting solid feet on the scene, indeed 2016 was a year that had it all and whilst the likes of Wizkid, Olamide, Davido and Tiwa Savage still featured prominently, here are five artistes who cemented their place this year to become the new leaders of the emerging scene going into 2017.

Falz:  Folarin Falana popularly known has Falz has been on the scene for quite a while but off the back of his sophomore album which was released in late 2015, , the bahd guy really had a lot of stories in 2016. With the success of the album came vast and critical recognition, the video to Soldier indeed had a storyline that touched, fresh hits like ‘Bad, Baddo, Baddest’ became an anthem, he rocked shows nationwide and his ‘Chemistry’ with Simi with all the planning put into the pre-album shoots and release party puts him firmly as one of the leading rappers in the country today.

Adekunle Gold: Before the release of his album, there were few fears on how much of control his label will have on the direction of his album, but when the tracklist was released and his CEO was not even featured on it, you had an idea that Adekunle had been given the license to and that he did brilliantly with sounds like ‘, , placing him as one of the new generation sounds worth listening to for that Highlife or Alternative feel.

Tekno: Even without an album, Tekno became one of the highest earning acts of the year through downloads and streaming with major hits like Panaand whilst bagging awards across many spheres, his album is one of the most anticipated ones in 2017. Often criticized for his shallow lyrics but the way he constantly appeals to his young fans through his constant social media videos, melodies, and appearances shows an artiste that has a seeming understanding of the demands of his fanbase, with the pony tail, red lips and dance moves, Tekno may just be bringing sexy back.

Kiss Daniel: There is a reason why his album was termed also a show of the confidence he has in his ability when the first track off the album is titled after reacting to criticisms that his sound was quite monotonous, Kiss Daniel put together a well reaching debut album, the project whilst striving to appeal to a broad base of new and young listeners maintained some substance and decent song writing and with his young and innocent look, Kiss looks like a long term contender to the Pop throne.

Mr. Eazi: Arguably, the breakthrough artiste of the year, Mr. Eazi made everyone appreciate slow tempo tunes yet again, the Nigerian born artiste based in Ghana who is signed to Starboy Records had a 2016 to remember, from major hits like to solid features likewith Dj Neptune, Spinall’s , Yung6ix’s Ill Bliss’sto mention a few, whilst some fear about the chances of him burning out before the release of his debut album, Mr. Eazi is bold enough to put out a ‘Life is Eazi’ concert which will test his popularity amongst Lagos fans going into 2017 where much is expected from him.