3. Wizkid
With the possible exception of Davido, Wizkid is Nigeria’s most visible and lauded pop star right now. Though his style is less noticeably Caribbean-inspired than other artists on this list, his music at times recalls that of Popcaan, with whom he shares a mixture of honest vulnerability and youthful exuberance. Already a huge star across Africa, Wizkid gained one of the most valuable co-signs in music last year when Drake issued a remix of the sublime “Ojuelegba,” also featuring Nigerian-British rapper Skepta. With that endorsement in his pocket — along with collaborations with Major Lazer (he’s on Peace is the Mission bonus track “Boom”) and Rihanna (for whom he’s recently written) — you can bet Wizkid’s name will be ringing a lot more bells in North America and Caribbean from now on.