8 Unique Female Vocalists You Should Have on Your Playlist
A great voice soothes the body, mind and soul of all music listeners. There’s something about listening to music, whether soulful, pop or whatever genre, and it is sung elegantly with a voice holding the tune of the music with beautiful melody and finesse. Surely, the gbedu will enter the body and the song aesthetic will dwell longer in your mind.
The Nigerian music scene is a stronghold to talented, mainstream, female vocalists like Asa, Teni, Niniola, Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shay and even the relished elite years of Omawunmi and Waje.
But shining in their niche, are some amazing female vocalists that if good music excites you, having their songs and projects on your playlists is essential. These are singers that put in their talent and unique styles to elate their listeners — simply put, these bad-ass female vocalists will give your ears an orgasm with their pulsating vocal ability and style.
FALANA
Falana draws her inspiration from different genres, mostly notably Afrobeat, Rhythm and Jazz, to give a perfect musical blend with her powerful lyrical ability. Her songs pass a message in the most melodious way and there is no doubt about her vocal prowess. The mood and message of her songs collocates with the way she tunes her voice, whether in a fierce or melancholic way, with an impeccable movement between different vocal ranges.
Falana has been in the music scene for a notable time but embarked on a 4 years hiatus after the release of her first project Thing Fall Together in 2014. To the delight of her fans, she returned in 2018 with new singles and released another EP, Chater One, a great listen and experience of this elite singer.
My favourite song off her first EP, Start Again, also emanates her captivating sound.
DAVINA ORIAKHI
Discovering Davina’s music earlier this year is a highlight of my year. I fancy her soothing voice so much that I signed up for her weekly motivational VN, she dutifully sends to her fans. The London based artist is fluid with her choice of music which cuts across Soul-fusion, Afrobeats, R&B, Reggae, Jazz and any sound she wants to create.
The singer possesses a unique songwriting ability and even refers to herself as a poet. Amid all that, she is also a great performer as seen in her music videos and shows where she dazzles with her dance moves.
Her debut project Love to a Mortal sings a melodious and well-arranged tale of love, happiness and liberation. Her wonderful voice cuts deeply and smoothly among the 9 tracks it comprises.
Her more recent songs — “Bang the Drum”, a duet with another talented singer, Preye, and “Tears”, are masterpieces that will convey minds into a cognizant state. Davina is one to watch out for as more people are getting accustomed to her music and appreciating her sound.
TEMS
Tems is a talented singer that produces her songs. The extraordinary thing about her voice is the unique quality it has to come off as fierce yet mellow. Her emotions are effective on listeners as her voice embarks her message with expressive lyrics.
Following up her features on Show Dem Camp’s albums which introduced her music to her earlier listeners, she has put out different singles — Mr Rebel, Looku Looku and more recently Try Me.
Her feature on Black Magic’s “Blackmagic Version 3.0 (Starving Artist)” album is also a great listen.
We would love to see more of Tems and expect her to drop a body of work soon, simply because, we need it.
Deena Ade
The first time I heard Deena, it was a live performance. I was so captivated by her voice and performance, it resulted in diving into her whole discography. It turned out this talented singer had put out 4 EPs in the last 3 years with the most recent titled May Love Find You.
Deena Ade’s music narratives focus dominantly on Love Wahala. With her alluring songwriting ability, she sings dreamy tales from perfect to imperfect love, with vocals flowing smoothly on the various instruments that harmonize to form the beat of her songs.
One way or another, we all come across these love issues regardless of if you are a sucker for it or not. Deena’s music digs deep, like a detective looking for a culprit, into your subconscious to bring out those experiences that have you relating to her stories. I personally love Mati Lo ft Dami Oniru off her recent EP, and Savage ft Bella Alubo (you aren’t ready for this masterpiece).
Listen to her song “Bitter” below:
Efe Oraka
Efe Oraka is indisputably one of the best vocalists in the Nigerian music scene presently. The young singer possesses the kind of vocals that hits you right in your heart. She is excellent with her vocal range, a perk of her involvement with music since she was at the young age of 9.
The singer rose to stardom following her viral mashup cover of Jon Bellion’s songs and her acoustic renditions of popular music.
Efe has a melodious voice she channels on her tracks such as Wonderland, a track about a hurtful love and the inspirational Nigerian Dream. While We look forward to the release of her much-anticipated EP, Magic, we can enjoy her new tune “Zion” featuring ace rapper, M.I Abaga.
Good Girl LA
The appealing element in Good Girl LA’s voice is the actual uniqueness. She has the kind of voice some will describe as “husky”. Her singing voice isn’t the stereotype sound, but her vocal range perfectly fits across the different genres she blends her core Afrobeats sound with.
Whether it’s a love song or a “turn up” song, the singer tweaks her voice to sail seamlessly with the vibe of her sound. Good Girl LA shows this range on her new must-listen solo EP LA Confidential. The singer also flexes her intense lyrical prowess on this project.
Good Girl LA is fast rising and I envision her becoming a lot more prominent in the music scene.
Korie
Korie is a 21 years old phenomenal singer and songwriter. She has been evolving her talent since she was aged 5 and composed over 60 songs while she was that young! The singer is at her finest form when she accompanies her songs with her guitar, striking the strings to harmonize perfectly with her alternative and classic infused style.
The Afrosoul singer released her first single in February, Ife which was just an aroma of the Extended Playlist she dished out, titled This Is Korie. Her silky voice reminds me of the melody possessed by legendary singer ASA and would surely make your heart skip a beat.
Lady Donli
If you do not have Lady Donli’s music on your playlist yet, well you should. That being said, take the next paragraph you will be reading as your guide to musical enjoyment.
The singer has had a spectacular year so far with the release of her album, a great contender for the Album of the Year. The album precisely preaches its name — Enjoy Your Life. Lady Donli put on some equally eclectic female artistes such as Tems and Ghanaian singer, Amaarae to create her pop and R&B infused sound, with a touch of soulful sound.
The Cash Mami earlier released Cash and Suffer Suffer (wey no go come our way) to foreshadow the mood she is all about. Her sound has experienced more prominence and this has greatly pushed the movement of the Alte scene.
A listen to Donli’s music is all it takes to be captivated by her Flava.
