Nigerian music has continued to gain global recognition, with superstars Rema, Tems, and Ayra Starr making it onto Rolling Stone’s 2024 top albums of the year staff list. This achievement reflects the global rise of Nigerian stars and the popularity of Nigerian pop music worldwide.
Rema’s sophomore album, “HEIS,” ranked 11th on the list, following its commercial success and recent Grammy nomination for Best Global Album Performance. Rolling Stone described the album as a “buzzy, visceral, sweat-it-out music” that seamlessly traverses hip-hop, house, R&B, and dancehall.
Tems’ highly anticipated debut album, “Born In The Wild,” was placed at number 37, following a successful tour and record-breaking Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best Global Album. Rolling Stone praised the album, stating that it offers both emotional and physical comfort, with a seamless blend of stripped-down ballads, 1990s R&B, and Afro-dance music.
Ayra Starr’s sophomore album, “The Year I Turned 21,” was commended for being one of the finest Afrobeats projects of 2024, showcasing her abilities and ambitions as a global pop star. Rolling Stone described the album as a showcase of maturity that is far beyond her age, with a refreshing blend of Afrobeats elements and songwriting that is reminiscent of SZA.
The inclusion of Rema, Tems, and Ayra Starr on Rolling Stone’s top 100 albums of 2024 is a testament to their status as international stars and the growing popularity of Nigerian pop music globally.
