In recent years, the UK music scene has experienced a renaissance—and at the heart of it is a wave of Afro-diasporic artists rewriting the rules of global sound. The British music industry has witnessed a vibrant fusion of cultures and sounds, with British-Nigerian artists and entrepreneurs playing a pivotal role in shaping its contemporary landscape. From grime to afroswing, these stars are not just making hits; they are shaping culture. Meet the voices behind the movement—Tion Wayne, Libianca, Skepta, Stormzy, NSG, and Jae5—who are turning their heritage into power and their passion into purpose. There are yet other influential figures such as Oluwafisayo Isa, popularly known as Darkoo; Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, known professionally as Tinie (formerly Tinie Tempah); and Chukwudumebi “Dumi” Oburota, a key music entrepreneur and co-founder of the entertainment company Disturbing London. Their journeys exemplify not only personal talent and hard work but also the evolving influence of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK music scene.
Skepta: The Godfather of Grime
Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr.—you know him as Skepta—is not just a rapper; he’s a legend. Born in Tottenham on September 19, 1982, to Nigerian parents (Yoruba father, Igbo mother), Skepta is the eldest in a talented family that includes Jme, Julie, and Jason. Together with his brother Jme, he co-founded Boy Better Know in 2005, putting grime on the map. One of his most memorable moments? The iconic Lord of the Mics 2 clash with MC Devilman, etched in grime history. Skepta didn’t just ride the wave—he built it.
“Sweet Mother” is a highlife song by the Cameroonian and Nigerian singer Prince Nico Mbarga and his band Rocafil Jazz. Released in 1976, it remains one of the most popular songs in Africa. As a 2017 BBC Media Report put it, “Prince Nico Mbarga wrote one of the biggest-selling singles in music history – and yet outside the continent of Africa it’s barely recognised, while Prince Nico’s story is shrouded in obscurity.”
Follow the rhythm, embrace the roots. The Afro-diasporic sound is here to stay
Stormzy: The Skengman With a Purpose
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., better known as Stormzy, is more than an artist—he is a movement. Born on July 26, 1993, and of Ghanaian descent, Stormzy emerged from the UK underground with his Wicked Skengman freestyles in 2014. But it was Shut Up that shot him into stardom, turning a YouTube freestyle into a UK chart-topper. Whether he’s headlining Glastonbury or funding scholarships for Black students at Cambridge, Stormzy shows that music and mission can go hand in hand.
NSG: Where Nigeria Meets Ghana and Hackney Meets the World
Hackney’s finest, NSG is the ultimate afroswing squad: six childhood friends with heritage from Nigeria and Ghana, schooling in Islington, and a hustle mentality that won’t quit. Their name? NSG. Take your pick: Never Stop Growing, No Sleep Gang, or Non-Stop Grinding. They live up to all of it. The group—OGD, Kruddz, Mojo, Dope, Papii Abz, and Mxjib—first dropped heat with their 2016 EP Grown Up, before launching their 2020 mixtape Roots, home to bangers like Options (feat. Tion Wayne) and Yo Darlin’. Their 2023 album Area Boyz and 2025’s The Big Six prove NSG is here for longevity, not a moment.
Jae5: The Man Behind the Music
Behind many of these anthems is a sonic architect: Jae5. Born Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah on March 27, 1992, this British-Ghanaian producer from Plaistow, East London, has built a legacy beat by beat. A Grammy Award winner and master of genre fusion, Jae5 is signed to Black Butter Records and is responsible for some of the most iconic sounds in the UK afrobeats and grime scenes. He’s the older brother of NSG’s OGD and Kruddz—proving talent really does run in the family.
Tion Wayne: The Edmonton Accountant-Turned-Hitmaker
Born Dennis Junior Odunwo on September 1, 1993, in Edmonton, North London, Tion Wayne was once on the path to becoming an accountant. The son of Yoruba immigrants—a nurse and a computer engineer—he grew up with structure and ambition. But it was music, not spreadsheets, that called his name. Tion started out with a few gritty YouTube videos around 2010, and by 2014 had dropped his first mixtape Wayne’s World. With a steady grind and growing fanbase, he went on to support heavyweights like Rick Ross and Ghanaian icon Sarkodie. His 2016 sequel, Wayne’s World Vol. 2, cemented his reputation in the UK rap scene.
Libianca: The Soulful Voice From Cameroon to The Voice
If you have heard the haunting track People (2022), you have felt the emotion Libianca pours into her music. Born on July 23, 2000, Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji is a Cameroonian-American songstress with a heart full of stories. Before the global acclaim, she appeared on Season 21 of The Voice (US) in 2021, where her raw vocals and vulnerability captivated audiences. Her breakout moment came with People, a song that touched millions and confirmed what fans already knew: Libianca is not just another singer—she’s a storyteller.
Darkoo: Rising Star of British-Nigerian Rap and Afrobeats
Oluwafisayo Isa, born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 19 September 2001, and better known by her stage name Darkoo, is an exemplar of the new wave of British-Nigerian artists blending rap, drill, and Afrobeats. Moving to the UK at the age of seven, she was raised in South London and attended St Catherine’s Catholic School for Girls, followed by Christ the King: Emmanuel Sixth Form. Beginning her music career at 15, Darkoo initially embraced drill rap but gradually incorporated melodic singing, enhancing her versatility as an artist.
Her breakout came with the 2019 single “Gangsta,” featuring One Acen, which gained traction on TikTok and climbed to number 22 on the UK Official Singles Chart and topped the UK Afrobeats Chart in 2020. This success established her as a rising star and earned her nominations at the 2020 MOBO Awards for Best Female Act and Best Newcomer. Additionally, she contributed to the remix of “Body” by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne, which reached number one on the charts, further cementing her position in the UK music scene. By 2023, Darkoo was signed under Virgin Music Nigeria, signaling her growing international presence.
Tinie: From South London Roots to Global Stardom
Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, born on 7 November 1988 in London to Igbo Nigerian parents, is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. Growing up in the diverse but challenging environment of the Aylesbury Estate, Tinie was inspired by the contrasts around him — from council estates to beautiful suburban houses — fuelling his ambition. His stage name originated at age twelve, inspired by a So Solid Crew music video and a clever use of a thesaurus to soften the aggressive connotation of “Tempah.”
Tinie launched his career with the foundation of Disturbing London in 2006 alongside his cousin Dumi Oburota, an entertainment company that expanded beyond a record label into brand consultancy, artist management, event planning, music publishing, and fashion. Signed to Parlophone since 2009, Tinie has consistently delivered chart-topping hits, becoming a major influence in British rap and grime. His music and entrepreneurial spirit highlight the significant role British-Nigerian artists play in the UK music industry’s global success.
Dumi Oburota: The Architect Behind the Scenes
Chukwudumebi “Dumi” Oburota, a British Nigerian music entrepreneur, embodies the importance of strong leadership and vision in the music business. His parents migrated from Nigeria to the UK in the mid-1970s, prioritizing education and resilience to overcome racial barriers — values he has carried throughout his career. Co-founding Disturbing London with Tinie, Dumi has shaped the careers of major UK artists and expanded the company’s influence across multiple creative industries.
Known as one of the UK’s most successful music entrepreneurs, Oburota balances cultural pride with a forward-thinking business mindset. His open letter during the Black Lives Matter movement highlights his commitment to social justice and the responsibilities of being a role model within the black British community. As a manager and strategist, he plays an essential role in navigating the complexities of the music industry, enabling artists to thrive creatively and commercially.
Conclusion: A New Rhythm for a New Generation
From YouTube uploads to Grammy stages, these Afro-diasporic artists are doing more than making music—they’re crafting identities, bridging continents, and creating the soundtrack of a global generation. Whether it’s in grime’s gritty beats or afroswing’s sunny melodies, one thing’s clear: the future of music is diverse, dynamic, and unapologetically African at its core. The stories of Darkoo, Tinie, and Dumi Oburota showcase the rich tapestry of British-Nigerian influence in the UK music scene. From pioneering new musical styles to building influential entertainment enterprises, their combined contributions underscore the importance of cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, and artistic innovation. They are not only shaping the soundscape of contemporary British music but also inspiring future generations to break barriers and redefine success.