The entertainment industry is also part of the relocation wave popularly known as ‘japa’. Here are 14 Nigerian artistes who have relocated abroad:
- Lanre Dabiri (Eldee the Don)
Rapper Lanre Dabiri, aka Eldee the Don, tweeted why he relocated to the United States of America.
According to him, he needed to protect his physical, social and mental health.
- Freestyle Essien
One of the pioneers of rap music in Nigeria, Mfon Essien, popularly known as Freestyle, was part of the defunct music group Tribesmen.
The singer, who featured in the rave-making songs ‘Sip Easy’ and ‘Ole’ by 2baba, has not only relocated to the US but also joined the U.S. Navy.
- Etcetera
Nigerian musician and producer Pascal Uche Ejikeme, popularly known as Etcetera, also continued his career in the United States of America.
Etcetera now reportedly records as an independent act.
- Tekno
Tekno, who lent his vocals to ‘Buga’, one of the biggest songs in the country in 2022, announced that he has moved out of the country and is now based in the United States.
He jokingly explained that he left Nigeria because the country’s name was ‘changed’ to UAR.
- Adekunle Gold
Just like Tekno, his reasons for leaving are shrouded in secrecy.
Gold, married to Simi, with whom he shares a child, announced his relocation when he dropped a cryptic message on his Instagram page.
He wrote: “90219 babies! Zip code changed, and so did the price moafuckers!”
- Samklef
Popular music producer and artiste, Samuel Oguachuba, aka Samklef now resides in the United States but still makes Afrobeats music.
He had bragged on social media that he and his manager raked in $32 million in income.
- D’banj
Popular singer Dapo Oyebanjo aka D’banj is now based in Dubai with his wife Lineo and children.
He was recently appointed by Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism, DET, formerly known as Dubai Tourism, as the Official Afrobeat Artist of the AfroZons Dubai Soundoff, which took place in March 2022.
- 2Shotz
Famous rapper and one of the pioneers of Nigerian hip-hop, William Iroha, popularly known as 2shotz, made his way to America in 2016.
Reports show that the artiste is now a photographer and a filmmaker in Texas.
- Wizkid
Nigerian singer and record label executive, Ayodeji Balogun, better known as Wizkid, operates mainly from the United States.
Wizkid made headlines when some undergraduate communication studies students of a university in Ohio, USA, reportedly chose to study him as part of their project.
- Tems
Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, is based in America
From winning the Best International Act at the 2022 BET Awards to being described as ‘the future’ by the acclaimed Rolling Stone magazine, Tems has almost seen it all.
Her feature in ‘Essence’ with Wizkid fetched her fame, setting her on a global pedestal.
- Olu Maintain
Olumide Adegbulu, known by his stage name Olu Maintain is now based in the United States of America.
In his star days, the singer co-founded the musical group known as Maintain, with his cousin.
Between 1998 and 2004, the group released six albums.
Olu rose to prominence in May 2007 with the release of the monster hit song ‘Yahooze.’
- Yung6ix
Nigerian hip hop artist, Onome Onokohwomo, better known by his stage name Yung6ix has also moved to the United States.
The singer while recounting his ‘JJC’ experience to his followers on how he got robbed while trying to move into his apartment overseas said: “My car got robbed. Had my whole life in that car. My laptop with my new album and mixtape. about $5,000 – $7,000 cash, Black Magic 6k camera, 4 iPhones, my ps5 and studio recording equipment while I was moving into my new apartment.”
- Niyola
Nigerian singer, Eniola Akinbo, known professionally as Niyola also made the list.
The ‘Toh Bad’ crooner revealed in an interview with Chude that she left for Los Angeles, USA because she couldn’t find the best of her in Nigeria.
- Soul Snatcha
Popular gospel rap artiste, actor, CEO of Assalt TV and ex-member of gospel group, Rooftop MCs, Kunle Adeyoola, popularly known as Soul Snatcha, relocated to the United Kingdom in 2011.
Soul Snatcha revealed that he left Nigeria for the UK in 2011 under God’s direction.
