10 Underground and Upcoming Nigerian Artists to Look Out for in 2027
Nigerian music in 2027 could be shaped by artists who are already building dedicated fan bases outside the usual mainstream spotlight. While Afrobeats continues to expand globally, a new generation of musicians is experimenting with underground rap, trap, street-pop, punk, R&B, and alternative sounds that do not always fit the traditional Afrobeats formula.
The movement has already produced viral records, unexpected collaborations, and underground events where fans know the lyrics before some of the artists become household names. Wave$tar’s contribution to Mavo’s “Escaladizzy,” Zaylevelten’s growing reputation as a rapper and producer, and the online attention around Danpapa GTA’s “Ikeja (No Go Thief)” show how quickly an artist can move from internet conversations into wider music-industry recognition.
As we look toward 2027, these are 10 underground and upcoming Nigerian artists worth keeping on your radar. This is a watchlist based on current momentum and potential, not a ranking or a guarantee of commercial success.
1. Tenski / Zaylevelten
If you have been following Nigeria’s new-generation underground rap scene, the name Zaylevelten should already be familiar. His producer identity, Tenski, is equally important to his story. The two names represent different sides of the same creative force, with Zaylevelten handling the rap persona and Tenski shaping much of the production behind the sound.
His project then 1t g0t crazy helped establish a distinctive blend of distorted trap, heavy percussion, street slang, and unconventional vocal delivery. Records such as “Maye” and “Guide Pass” have become important entry points for listeners discovering his music. His signature ad-libs and slang have also helped create a recognisable identity around the music.
The growing interest is not only about individual songs. Zaylevelten has become part of a wider conversation about where Nigerian rap can go when artists combine local street language with sounds influenced by international underground hip-hop. Coverage from Dazed and The Guardian has highlighted his role in that shift, while his growing network of collaborations and producer credits suggests that his influence could extend beyond his own releases.
Why to watch in 2027: He has a distinct sound, production skills, recognisable branding, and an audience that responds to the world he is building around his music.
2. scottyolorin
scottyolorin has quickly become one of the names associated with Nigeria’s emerging underground scene. His rise has been driven by consistent releases, a playful approach to genre, and songs that connect street-hop energy with alternative rap textures.
Records such as “TRABAYE,” “LIKE ASHERKINE,” and “DEELA” helped establish his presence, while his 2026 mixtape OLORIN PACK brought several moments from his catalogue together. One of his most significant records so far is “GLACIER GIRL,” alongside DaveTheOracle and Kobilou. The song has been singled out in underground music coverage as one of the scene’s defining releases of 2026.
The response to “GLACIER GIRL” also demonstrates the value of collaboration within this movement. Instead of relying entirely on one artist to carry a song, the record brings different personalities together and gives fans several names to discover. scottyolorin’s next challenge is to turn that scene-level recognition into a catalogue that attracts listeners consistently.
Why to watch in 2027: Strong release activity, a memorable collaboration, and a sound that can appeal to both underground rap fans and listeners looking for energetic new music.
3. Wave$tar
Wave$tar, also stylised as Wave$tar or Wave$tar, is one of the names worth following if you want to understand Nigeria’s growing underground rap movement. The Lagos-based rapper, born Praise Okechukwu, first attracted attention through freestyles circulating on social media before gaining wider recognition through his appearance on Mavo’s “Escaladizzy.”
That collaboration introduced more listeners to his low-key vocal delivery, introspective writing, and blend of trap, emo-rap, and Afropop. His contribution to “Escaladizzy” helped make the record a major talking point, while his own catalogue, including $tarlife: The Mixtape and “Prada BBY,” gives listeners more than a single viral moment to explore.
What makes Wave$tar interesting heading into 2027 is his ability to move between underground rap and more accessible records without losing his identity. If he continues releasing strong solo material and lands the right collaborations, he could build on the attention he has already earned.
Why to watch in 2027: A recognisable voice, a growing audience, and a breakout collaboration that introduced him to listeners beyond the underground scene.
4. Danpapa GTA
Danpapa GTA is one of the clearest examples of how a distinctive local idea can become an online talking point. His record “Ikeja (No Go Thief)” gained traction after a snippet circulated on TikTok, with the song’s street humour, wordplay, and memorable hook helping it stand out.
The record draws on everyday Lagos experiences and pairs them with an unusual production approach, including a video-game-inspired sound. It helped bring the artist into wider conversations about emerging Nigerian street-pop and rap. Before that moment, his project Balenciaga Kuti had already demonstrated an interest in connecting older Nigerian musical influences with contemporary street sounds.
What makes Danpapa GTA worth watching is that his identity is not limited to one viral phrase. His work as a producer and recording artist gives him room to develop a recognisable sound, while his interest in Nigerian musical history could help separate him from artists chasing the same trends.
Why to watch in 2027: A proven viral moment, locally grounded songwriting, and the potential to turn internet attention into a more lasting musical identity.
5. Luwa.Mp4
Ibadan-born Luwa.Mp4 is among the more experimental artists on this list. He describes his sound as “Cyber-Phunk,” a blend of punk energy, hyperpop distortion, trap, and Nigerian influences. Rather than making music that fits neatly into a conventional Afrobeats category, he builds a distinct atmosphere around his releases.
Projects such as punkstA and PS Specimen show his interest in creating a broader artistic world rather than simply releasing isolated singles. His approach is visual and cinematic, with unconventional production choices that can appeal to listeners who enjoy discovering music outside the mainstream.
Luwa.Mp4 may not be the most immediately accessible artist here, but that is part of his appeal. Artists with a clear creative identity can build committed communities when listeners feel they are discovering something genuinely different. The challenge is making that sound accessible to more people without losing its experimental edge.
Why to watch in 2027: A recognisable creative identity, an unusual production palette, and the potential to attract audiences interested in alternative African music.
6. Egertton
Egertton is another artist pushing against the boundaries of Nigerian rap. Coming from Benin City, he has developed a sound he describes as “incantation music,” combining abrasive hip-hop, punk influences, and elements drawn from his own cultural background.
His project KARNAGE offered a fuller introduction to his artistic direction, while his self-titled 2026 mixtape continued to develop that approach. Songs such as “OBOKHIAN,” “GANGSTER,” and “MY SKELLY” demonstrate the harder side of his sound, while “ISSOKAYY” and “MIDNIGHT” reveal a more melodic side.
A co-sign from alternative music figure Cruel Santino has also helped bring attention to his work. Still, Egertton’s biggest opportunity lies in showing that his sound can evolve without becoming predictable. He has room to build a stronger audience among fans of experimental rap and alternative music.
Why to watch in 2027: An uncompromising style, a developing catalogue, and the ability to move between aggressive rap and more melodic records.
7. Kobilou
Kobilou is an emerging singer and songwriter whose growing profile has been helped by his connection to the same underground network as Mavo and scottyolorin. His appearance on “GLACIER GIRL” introduced his voice to more listeners and gave the collaboration an additional point of interest.
His solo project Pretty Girls Love Lou includes songs such as “Abj City Vibrations” and “Lagos Love,” which explore young Nigerian life and the experiences associated with cities such as Abuja and Lagos. His story is also notable because he has balanced his musical ambitions with studying dentistry, showing the work that can go into building a career before an artist becomes widely recognised.
The next step for Kobilou is to make sure people who discover him through collaborations have a reason to return to his solo music. A stronger run of singles or a focused project could help establish him as an artist in his own right rather than simply a promising feature.
Why to watch in 2027: An expanding network of collaborators, a growing catalogue, and the opportunity to turn guest appearances into a more established solo career.
8. SSSoundGawd
SSSoundGawd has approached the underground scene from a different angle. Initially known as a DJ and producer, he has increasingly stepped forward as a recording artist, bringing his production background into his own music.
His collaboration with Mavo on “Aura Salad” was an important moment in his rise, helping introduce his delivery to listeners who might not have encountered his solo work. He followed that momentum with “BB Lifestyle” and “MAMACITA,” continuing to develop his position as both a creative collaborator and an artist.
His experience behind the decks and in production gives him an advantage: he understands how sounds can work in a club or become part of a wider musical moment. If he can develop a recognisable solo catalogue alongside his collaborations, SSSoundGawd could become an increasingly important name in the new underground movement.
Why to watch in 2027: A producer’s understanding of sound, successful collaborations, and the potential to turn behind-the-scenes experience into a stronger solo identity.
9. BLNDE
BLNDE is an emerging Nigerian singer who has been building a profile through a carefully developed catalogue and a distinctive approach to contemporary pop. Her song “Omo To Sexy” helped draw attention to her music, eventually leading to a remix with Tiwa Savage.
Her 2026 project BLNDE 4 PRESIDENT represents another step in developing her identity as a recording artist. Rather than depending on a constant stream of releases, she has taken a more measured approach to building her catalogue and expanding her visibility through live performances and industry interest.
The Tiwa Savage connection is a useful milestone, but BLNDE’s long-term potential depends on what she does next. A strong run of original releases could help her establish a clear identity and turn early industry attention into a larger, more committed fan base.
Why to watch in 2027: A growing profile, a notable remix collaboration, and room to develop into a distinctive voice in Nigerian pop and alternative music.
10. onoola-sama
onoola-sama stands out for her willingness to move between genres. Her music blends elements of hip-hop, R&B, and Fuji, creating a sound that is difficult to reduce to one category. That flexibility is part of what makes her an interesting artist to follow.
Her breakthrough moment came with “fêteRock*,” featuring DEELA, which appeared on her 2024 EP fujiBouyon. Since then, records such as “i seen you yesterday at norma” and “#00BB!” have continued to show her interest in exploring different sounds and moods.
For an artist like onoola-sama, the path to a larger audience may not depend on following a familiar hit-making formula. It could come from continuing to develop her identity, collaborating with complementary artists, and building a community around music that feels personal and difficult to imitate.
Why to watch in 2027: Genre-blending songwriting, a distinctive musical personality, and the potential to connect with listeners looking for something beyond conventional Afrobeats.
Which underground Nigerian artists could break out in 2027?
The interesting thing about this group is that they are not all competing for the same audience. Wave$tar and Zaylevelten are helping push Nigerian rap into new territory, while Danpapa GTA connects viral street energy with local storytelling. scottyolorin and Kobilou are building through collaborations, and artists such as Luwa.Mp4, Egertton, BLNDE, and onoola-sama are developing identities that lean into alternative sounds.
SSSoundGawd adds another dimension through his experience as a producer and DJ. These different approaches make the underground scene worth following because the next breakout may not sound like the last one.
Still, a viral snippet is only the beginning. The artists most likely to make a real impact in 2027 will need to turn online attention into consistent releases, memorable live performances, stronger catalogues, and audiences who continue listening after the first wave of hype fades.
For now, these ten names are worth keeping on your radar. Some may break into the mainstream, while others may help shape a more experimental future for Nigerian music from outside it.