10 Foreign artists you didn't know have Nigerian roots

Most people have no idea that their favourite foreign artists could have Nigerian roots.

The idea that Nigerians exist in every part of the world is not far-fetched, so we compiled a list of foreign artists you did not know possessed Nigerian roots.

The acts have been viewed as influential people in their respective fields as musicians, songwriters, producers, fashion designers, and actors.

1. Tion Wayne

Influential rapper and songwriter Dennis Junior Odunwo is an English citizen of Nigerian descent, popularly known as Tion Wayne. Tion's parents are both Nigerians by birth but later moved to England.

Tion Wayne has connected with his African roots; he has made a trip down to Nigeria and currently has a hit song with the 30 BG boss, Davido, titled Who's True.

2. Dave

Popular rapper, singer, actor and producer David Orobosa Omoregie, popularly known as Santan Dave or simply Dave, is a British artist of Nigerian descent. Both of his parents are Nigerians and from Edo state. 

The MOBO Awards winner is rated and respected for his creativity and lyricism as an artist. His hit song Location, featuring the African giant, Burna Boy, is worth listening to.

3. Skepta

British grime MC, Songwriter and Producer Joseph Junior Adenuga, popularly known as Skepta or Big Skepta, is an English national with Nigerian roots. 

His collaboration with Wizkid on Bad Energy remains a classic worthy of mention. 

Big Skepta has been to Nigeria and received a chieftaincy title (Amuludun of Odo Aje) in his hometown, Ogun state, on April 4, 2018.

4. Wale

Popular American rapper Olubowale Victor Akintimehin popularly known as just Wale is Nigerian.

The award-winning artist has never shied away from his roots, as his first visit to Nigeria was memorable.

His collaboration with Wizkid on his hit song My Love remains a classic to date. 

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5. Tyler The Creator

American rapper and producer Tyler Gregory Okonma, Tyler the Creator, is of mixed descent. 

Born to a Nigerian father and an American mother, Tyler has remained an influential figure in American music and fashion.

6. Shaboozey

Singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and record producer Collins Obinna Chibueze, known as Shaboozey, is of Nigerian descent. He was born to Nigerian parents and is not of mixed ancestry. This year (2024), he collaborated with Beyoncé on two tracks for her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which significantly boosted his reputation. Following this, he released A Bar Song (Tipsy), which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

7. Rotimi

The 35-year-old actor and singer Rotimi is of Nigerian descent and is given the name Olurotimi Akinosho. He is known for his role as Andre Coleman on Power. In music, he gained popularity in 2019 with the fan-favourite song Love Riddim.

8. Jidenna

Jidenna Theodore Mobisson rose to fame in 2015 following the release of Classic Man, his debut single. The song reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned double platinum certification from the RIAA. Jidenna has a mixed heritage, born to Tama Mobisson, a White American accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo academic. He spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, where his father worked as a computer science professor at Enugu State University before relocating to the United States when Jidenna was 6 years old.

9. Seal

Multiple Grammy award winner, Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel is part-Nigerian. He was born to a Nigerian mother Adebisi Ogundeji, and an Afro-Brazilian father, Francis Samuel. He is a well-decorated artist with three Brit Awards, four Grammy Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award, with 20 million albums or singles sold by October 2011.

10. Chamillionaire

Chamillionaire, the rapper, was born to a Muslim Yoruba father and an African-American Christian mother in Washington D.C. His birth name is Hakeem Seriki. He moved to Houston, Texas at the age of four, and his parents separated during his early teenage years. According to a CBS report from 2019, Chamillionaire is now focused on entrepreneurship and venture capitalism.

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This article was originally written by Funmilayo Kanmodi - February 7, 2022

Updated by Utere Naomi - August 19, 2024.