Rising showbiz stars to watch in 2026
A new class of Nigerian (and diaspora) talents in music and film are poised to shape the entertainment landscape in 2026, alongside a few iconic names entering powerful new phases of their careers.They are already pulling strong numbers on streaming platforms, landing major roles and redefining sound and storytelling for a new generation. Breakout music acts Fola (Folarin Odunlami): One of 2025’s breakout stars whose album Catharsis entered Spotify’s top Nigerian albums with tens of millions of streams, helped by singles like “You” and “Lost” featuring Kizz Daniel. Zaylevelten (Chisom Lucky Okoro): Rap/alt Afro fusion artist who blends street energy, trap and experimental sound, with added edge as producer “Tenski,” shaping his music from beat to final mix. Fido (Josiah Olayemi Awosika): Emerged in 2025 among the new wave setting Nigeria’s “sonic agenda,” placing songs on major year end lists and tipped […]