Hype Lords, Spoken Word Kings and Influencer Queens: the Rise of Nigeria's New-School Entertainers

By Ayomipo Akorede 

Once upon a time in Nigeria, entertainment was all about Fuji, Nollywood and the Friday night NTA drama lineup. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re not just dancing to beats, we’re creating the beat, hyping it up, posting it on Instagram, and dropping a spoken word piece while we are at it.

Welcome to the renaissance of Nigerian entertainment where a hypeman can steal the show from a Grammy-winning artiste, a poet can go viral with nothing but her voice and a mic, and influencers are the new CEOs of pop culture. It’s loud. It’s poetic. It’s monetized. It’s realer than ever. This new wave is no accident. It’s the result of years of internet access, cultural creativity, and a generation that refuses to keep quiet. Gen Z and Millennial Nigerians have turned up the volume on tradition, giving birth to a triad of trends: hype entertainment, spoken word poetry, and the influencer/creator economy. Let’s break them down, shall we?

Hype Entertainment

I will define hype entertainment as the art of loud confidence and beautiful rhythmic extempore. You see these guys at weddings, concerts, and birthday parties—microphone in one hand, energy in the other. Hypemen and women have taken over Nigeria’s live entertainment circuit with a blend of Yoruba Oriki, freestyle poetry, and sheer vocal stamina.

Leading the charge is Segun Johnson who’s basically turned hype into high art. Add Tsunami of Hype—with a name that sounds like a superhero—and Melody M.I.A, breaking ceilings as the top female hypelady in the game. These performers aren’t just noisemakers; they’re crowd scientists, cultural storytellers, and real-time party economists.

Spoken Word Poetry

This poetry is a typicality of the mic is mightier than the pen---a revamp of the original figurative expression. So, if you thought poetry was only for heartbroken students in UNILAG, think again. Nigeria's spoken word artistes are rewriting the rules with metaphors, rhythm, and enough stage presence to silence a noisy Lagos bus.

Pioneers like Dike Chukwumerije, Sage Hassan, Titilope Sonuga, and Efe Paul Azino are pushing powerful narratives on identity, politics, climate, and love. From LIPFest stages to Instagram reels, their voices are making waves. Spoken word is no longer a niche; it’s a movement. A well-delivered piece can go more viral than a skit. Plus, it’s cheaper to produce than a music video (just saying).

Influencer & Creator Economy

Nigeria’s influencer economy is no longer child’s play: it’s a serious industry turning followers into fortune. From beauty and tech to food and finance, digital creators are the new marketing kings and queens. So, think like this: content, followers, bank alerts and you'll never be wrong.

A while back, Nollywood actress, Jaye Kuti, tried to caution her colleagues from using influencers to market their films through dances, skits and other stuff she considered unprofessional. Well, things are changing. Aren't they? Though legends like Davido, Tiwa Savage, and Funke Akindele paved the way, other creators like Mark Henry (comedy), Sabinus (comedy), Kora Obidi (dance), Jane Omenna (dance), Fisayo Fosudo (tech reviews), Amy Okoli and Diana Eneje (lifestyle and fashion) are ruling the timelines. It’s not just about selfies anymore. It’s brand strategy, content calendars, affiliate deals, and passive income. In fact, you can be an influencer if you have huge followership. 

What do these trends have in common? They’re all Nigerian at heart—loud, expressive, innovative, and unbothered by Western definitions of art or success. Whether it’s the hypeman shouting your name, the poet narrating your struggle, or the influencer showing you how to slay on a budget, the future of Nigerian entertainment is personal, powerful, and profitable. 

While the future might be predictable and even evolve into an era where hypemen will be signing endorsements, spoken word artistes realeasing albums and going on tours, there are no assurances. But, time will tell. So next time you scroll past a viral video, remember: that’s not just content, it’s culture in motion.