5 Nigerian artistes who sing in more than one language

TIWA SAVAGE

In Nigeria, artists sing in English or pidgin English, and sometimes one or more other language. Here is a list of five.

Olamide

Olamide Badoo as he is fondly called is one of the most popular Nigerian artistes known for singing in Yoruba language. His real name is Olamide Adedeji. He sings in English, pidgin English and Yoruba language. This gained him a lot of popularity among the Yoruba when he first started his music career. He has won lots of awards for his works and has nine albums so far. He has songs like ‘Melo Melo’, ‘Eyan Mayweather’, ‘Durosoke’, ‘Shakiti Bobo’, ‘Local Rappers’ and ‘Eleda Mi’ to mention a few, to his credit.

Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage is one of the few artistes who go by their real names professionally. Her full name is Tiwatope Savage. She sings in Yoruba language and mixes it with Pidgin English and English language. ‘Kele Kele Love’, ‘Ifewa Gbona’, ‘Folarin’, ‘Eminado’, ‘Adura’, ‘Key to the City’, ‘Sugar Cane’, and ‘Ma Lo’ are some of the songs she has to her credit.

Phyno

Phyno’s real name is Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike. He is a rapper who predominantly raps in the Igbo language. He sings in a combination of Igbo, English and Pidgin English. Phyno has a large audience, especially among the Igbos. He has recorded four albums in the course of his career. ‘Oringo’, ‘Yayo’, ‘Connect’, ‘Nnunu’, ‘Ezege’, ‘Alobam’, and ‘E Sure For Me’ to mention a few are some of his songs.

Teni Entertainer

She is a sensational singer who also makes people smile through her music. Teniola Apata is also an entertainer who, aside singing in English and Yoruba, also does her comedy shows in Yoruba language. She has won several awards and has been nominated for some. She has sung songs like ‘Fargin’, ‘Wait’, ‘Pareke’, ‘Jersey’, ‘Askamaya’, ‘Case’, ‘Uyo Meyo’, ‘Dangote’ and ‘Billionaire’ to mention a few.

Yemi Alade

She also goes by her real name professionally. Her full name is Yemi Eberechi Alade. She is born to a Yoruba father and Igbo mother. She has taken advantage of this and sings in a combination of Igbo, Yoruba, Pidgin English and English language. She has songs like ‘Fimisile’, ‘Ghen Ghen Love’, ‘Johnny’, ‘Tangerine’, ‘Duro Timi’, ‘Na Gode’, ‘Kom Kom’ and ‘Koffi Anan’.