Why Music Artists Don’t Get Noticed in Nigeria (And How to Fix It)

Introduction: The Harsh Truth About “Blowing” in Nigeria

Let’s be honest — Nigeria is full of talented musicians. From Lagos to Jos, you’ll find people with serious talent, catchy melodies, and pure hustle. Yet, for every Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, or Rema, there are hundreds of artists stuck in limbo, barely noticed, no matter how good they are.

So what’s really going on?

The truth is, talent alone isn’t enough. The Nigerian music industry has its own structure, politics, and bottlenecks that many artists don’t fully understand. But if you know what’s blocking your growth — and how to fix it — you can turn things around.

This post breaks down the real reasons most artists don’t get noticed in Nigeria, with honest advice, cultural context, and steps you can take to break the cycle.

1. You’re Not Solving the Visibility Problem

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is thinking good music promotes itself.

It doesn’t.

In Nigeria’s saturated music space, nobody will notice you unless you push your sound hard — both online and offline. A lot of talented artists are sitting on fire songs, but nobody knows because they’re not putting in the effort to market themselves.

Quick Fix:

• Create a consistent social media presence (Instagram, TikTok, X).

• Collaborate with known influencers — even smaller ones can help.

• Submit your songs to playlist curators on Boomplay, Audiomack, and Spotify.

• Show your face. People connect more with artists they can see and feel.

• Upload To Blog like Spotivik

Example: Portable didn’t just rely on talent — he built noise on social media, and it worked.

2. You’re Copying Instead of Creating

A lot of up-and-coming Nigerian artists fall into the trap of copying trending sounds without adding anything fresh. The result? Listeners get bored.

Nigerians love originality. Even though we love Afrobeats, we also celebrate artists who bring something new to the table — whether it's a unique voice, lamba, fashion style, or street slang.

Quick Fix:

• Develop your sound. Mix your influences (Fuji, Highlife, Dancehall) into something distinct.

• Be intentional with your branding — your fashion, artwork, and even song titles should stand out.

• Don’t just chase what’s trending — create something that represents your personality.

Example: Asake came with a fresh Fuji-style blend of amapiano that was DIFFERENT — and Nigerians loved it.

3. You’re Ignoring the Business Side

Let’s be real: Many artists focus on recording music but know nothing about the music business. No branding, no split sheets, no distribution strategy, no plan.

You don’t need a major label to blow, but you do need a business mindset.

Quick Fix:

• Learn about music distribution. Platforms like Spotivik make it easy to release globally.

• Create a small team — even if it's just you and a social media friend.

• Learn how to pitch your music to blogs, playlists, and radio stations.

Tip: Consider releasing your song as a proper campaign, not just a casual drop.

4. You’re Not Investing in Promotion (Smartly)

A lot of artists say “I don’t have money for promotion” — but still spend on new phones, shoes, or vibes. Here’s the truth: even a small budget can go a long way, if you know what you’re doing.

Promotion doesn’t always mean billboards or radio. It can be as simple as paying a micro-influencer, doing targeted Facebook ads, or partnering with DJs in your area.

Smart Promotion Tips:

• Run targeted Instagram ads for your music video or snippet.

• Join local music WhatsApp/Telegram groups and share valuable content.

• Get your music on street DJ mixes and local radio stations — they still matter in Nigeria.

• Use affordable platforms like Spotivik to list your music and gain more visibility.

5. You’re Not Leveraging Relationships

The Nigerian music industry thrives on connections. If you’re doing everything alone and not networking, your growth will be slow.

You don’t need to know Don Jazzy to succeed. Sometimes, local connections — DJs, producers, skit makers, OAPs — can boost your reach faster than you think.

Quick Fix:

• Attend music events, showcases, and listening parties in your city.

• DM upcoming skit creators and offer them your music for background use.

• Build relationships with DJs, especially campus and club DJs.

Real Story: Many artists break through university tours and club rotations — not streaming platforms.

6. You’re Not Consistent Enough

Consistency is underrated. If you drop one song every year, people will forget you. If you show up consistently — dropping freestyles, performing, posting behind-the-scenes clips — you’ll stay top of mind.

Quick Fix:

• Create a content calendar for your social platforms.

• Drop at least one new content weekly (freestyle, video, teaser, studio session).

• Release music strategically — even 2-3 singles per year can work if planned properly.

Remember Success take time to build.

Conclusion: Talent Is the Starting Point, Not the Finish Line

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why don’t people rate me as an artist in Nigeria?”, this post was written for you.

Yes, there are challenges. But most of the time, it’s not the industry or your village people holding you back — it’s a lack of strategy, consistency, and connection.

You don’t need a big label to blow. You just need to get intentional. Treat your music career like a business, invest in visibility, build your brand, and collaborate wisely.

2025 is here. If you want to be heard, don’t wait to be discovered — start building your own spotlight.

FAQ: Why Artists Struggle to Blow in Nigeria

Q: Is it really possible to succeed without connections in Nigeria?
Yes, but relationships speed things up. Focus on building real ones — not begging or clout-chasing.

Q: What’s the best platform to promote music as a beginner?
Start with Audiomack, Boomplay, and Instagram. They have strong Nigerian audiences.

Q: Do I need to shoot a full music video before promoting?
Not always. Even a clean lyric video or performance video can do well if promoted well.

Q: How do I get people to actually listen to my songs?
Promote short, catchy snippets. Use hooks and chorus lines in your promo content. Think like a marketer.

Q: I’ve been making music for 5 years but still no breakthrough. What should I do?
Audit your journey. Are you consistently releasing? Promoting? Networking? If not, reset your strategy and restart strong.