Nigerian mainstream music has long been dominated by Lagos-based artists, but today, several Nigerian artists outside Lagos are changing the narrative and building thriving music careers from their own cities.

It’s no surprise that the city that brims with culture and entertainment has housed the biggest names and even paved the way for up-and-coming artists to carve their names in Nigeria’s hall of fame. A pivotal instrument in the sonic architecture and construction of Afrobeats, Lagos is the city you either make it in or make it out of. It wasn’t just about the landmark; it was everything: the connections, shows, the community, and culture. For most netizens and industry stakeholders, it is the London of the UK and the New York of the USA.

When artists break out from cities like Jos and Port Harcourt, they scurry to Lagos to leave indelible marks in the industry. But beyond the glitz of Lagos lies a hungry community of listeners spread across different cities in Nigeria. And amidst Nigerian artists outside of Lagos like PsychoYP, Odumodublvck, and Wizard Chan who defy the narrative by blowing up from their cities, there are other artists giving Lagos acts a run for their money.

From Enugu, Abuja, and Kaduna, these Nigerian artists outside Lagos are redefining what it means to ‘blow up’ in the industry. Here are 7 Nigerian artists running the music industry from their cities.

Jeriq

When the call for the face of Eastern Hip-hop goes out, Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, popularly known as Jeriq, remains the one of the most sought-after acts in the industry. From bursting onto the scene with his debut EP Hood Boy Dreams in 2015 to releasing breakout songs like “Active” and “Akpofegum,” the Igbo trap star has cemented himself as the leader of the new wave of Igbo Hip-hop and Drill. As a pioneer of “Iyoo Trap,” Jeriq weaves stories that draw from the realities of the streets into chest-thumping bars and anthems delivered in Igbo and Pidgin language and carried by his rich baritone.

Being born in Nkpor, Onitsha, was never enough to deter his rise. Jeriq has defied industry conventions, putting Enugu, and the entire East, firmly on the map. His sold-out, 22,000-capacity headlined show, Jeriq Hood, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu stands as proof of that. While he reps the streets, the Headies nominated rapper’s fame cuts across countries, pushing him to grand heights like Billboard Afrobeats Chart at Number 47, and Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023.

But this movement is reminiscent of forerunners like Phyno and Zoro Swagbag, who walked the Eastern Hip-hop scene, so the new wave of rappers, including Jeriq, Aguero, Evado, and Highstarlavista, could run.

Aguero Banks

Another artist who has maintained his artistry outside of Lagos and has been putting Enugu on the map is Aguero Banks (born Chukwu Francis Chukwubuikem). The Igbo Hip-hop rapper, whose street credibility is second to none, has garnered wide acclaim for his street-bred lyricism and raw storytelling. His eclectic ascension in the music industry has birthed noteworthy songs like “Preach” and “Still Sober,” featuring iconic rapper Phyno, scoring him feats among the new wave of Igbo Hip-hop and Drill rappers. But Aguero Banks knows his fame knows no bounds. So he presents his perseverance in his highly acclaimed debut album The Hero, inviting contemporaries like Jeriq, Wizard Chan, and Phyno. A frequent collaborator in the eastern Hip-hop scene on stage and in the studio, Aguero Banks is sealing his footprints on the sands of time.

Evado

The Eastern music scene is quickly gaining momentum with a cult following, and Evado is no newcomer to this movement. Born as Emmanuel Njoku in Enugu, the singer and rapper delivers his truth with fiery flows and unapologetic storytelling that reflect real-life experiences. He captures the realities of the street with introspective melodies that fuel hustle and inspire in ways that remain authentic to his audience. With street credibility on his back and hit songs to his name, Evado stands at the forefront of indigenous Afrobeats street anthems, all without social media fuss. Hit songs like “Only Me” and “My Pay Day” drew heavy chants during Davido’s 5ive tour in Enugu, signaling him as an emblem in the region.

Firstklaz

For a long time, the North seemed sidelined in Nigerian mainstream music, but with the rise of artists like First Klaz (born Joseph Justice Elsa), the narrative is finally changing. An underdog in the music scene, Firstklaz is rapidly ascending and spreading the spotlight on the North, straight out of Abuja. His creative blend of traditional sounds — including Northern rhythms and Fuji — alongside art and culture, help to uncover the sonic landscape of the region, setting him apart in the new wave of artistes. With a debut EP (featuring the veteran, Iliya Entertainment) and a steady stream of releases, including “Gen-Z Faaji” featuring Joeboy, and the viral “Gen-Z Arewazobia” featuring Jeriq and Zlatan, Firstklaz is staking a claim that the North is coming to take over the industry, and they don’t need to do it from Lagos.

OG Abbah

New music soon stay active 💯❤️🙏🏾🔥 pic.twitter.com/gSOvTEKAjf

— OG Abbah (@ogabbah) November 10, 2025

OG Abbah joins those who are performing a sonic reconstruction on the Northern music scene. The self-acclaimed “Gwoza Presido” has taken the Nigerian music industry by storm with his viral debut single, “Wayyo Allah Na.” The catchy, groovy song released in February 2025 has caused a frenzy all over social media, influencing netizens to jump on challenges and tagging it as a “Detty December” jam for the year. Since the likes of rapper Magnito, who has been holding the scene, there has been a new wave of Arewa-focused artists, and OG Abbah is at the forefront of it. From garnering millions of digital streams and ranking among the Top 100 songs on Apple Music Nigeria to getting co-signs from Mr. Eazi, Ice Prince, DJ Neptune, and Don Jazzy, OG Abbah is proving that he’s a force to reckon with.

Highstarlavista

Omulu Nelson Chidozie, professionally known as Highstarlavista, is another South-Eastern act giving Lagos artists a run for their money. The singer and rapper reinvents the Iyoo Trap template by fusing his street-inspired bars and unique ghetto gospel melodies native to Eastern listeners. Known for delivering swaggering Drill on Igbo highlife with Christian undertones, Highstarlavista has garnered wide acclaim in the east. With his debut album The Prophecy and standout songs like “Homecoming,” “Obodobo,” featuring Aguero Banks, and “Ave Maria,” he co-leads with those forging the indigenous Hip-hop and movement.

Rumerh

Sun tabo ni ae sun so magana ne 😪 pic.twitter.com/g6jlHqM7g0

— Rumerh (@Rumerhofficial) November 9, 2025

The new wave of Arewa-focused artists are contending for their place in the Nigerian music industry, and they’re doing it audaciously. Fast-rising female singer and rapper from Kaduna, Rumerh, might just be the new Sasha P to make it out of the industry. With chest-thumping bars, Hausa-inspired lingos, and a swaggering persona, Rumerh has been gaining momentum in the North. Surfing onto the scene since this year, she takes inspiration (and co-signs) from rapper Magnito, releasing sizzling singles like “Beauty Sleep” and “Streitbullet,” drawing the spotlight on the Arewa music community. With lush vocals and braggadocios flows that defy convention, she promises to be a worthy contender for the new wave of the Nigerian music industry