By 2100, Lagos is projected to become the world’s most populous city with over 88 million inhabitants. Over the past decade, the city has helped produce global stars such as Tems, Wizkid and Davido. With companies investing heavily in the Nigerian music and creative sectors, the city shows no signs of slowing down. This is the story of how Lagos is becoming a global music capital.
Lagos is on track to become the world’s biggest city
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, is projected to become the world’s most populous city by 2100, with more than 88 million inhabitants. Driven by a high birth rate, urbanisation and migration, the city is expected to grow dramatically in the coming decades.
The musical history of Lagos
Nigeria officially gained independence from Britain in 1960, but long before that, traditional Nigerian music was performed in churches and communities around the country. In Lagos, a new style of music called Jùjú was gaining popularity during the first half of the 20th century, drawing influence from traditional Yoruba music blended with Western guitars and South American percussion.
This blending of genres continued and in the 1960s, when Fela Anikulapo-Kuti helped lay the foundation for a genre now known as Afrobeat. The genre combined jazz-like elements with traditional African rhythms and funk. Kuti later opened his communal residence and music studio in Lagos which became a symbol of cultural and artistic freedom in the city.
The modern musical powerhouse of Lagos
Today, many of Africa’s biggest artists hail from or reside in Lagos. Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido are just a few examples. The city is the cultural hub of Africa and attracts people from all over the continent in the hope of building a creative career. Neighbourhoods like Surulere and Ajegunle are known for their vibrant music scenes and diverse communities.
New genres such as Afrobeats (not to be confused with the previously mentioned Afrobeat) and Afropiano (a fusion of Afrobeats and south african amapiano) have helped bring African music to a global audience. For instance, Afrobeats has grown over 1000% in countries like India, Egypt and Thailand on Spotify since 2020.
Since Spotify’s launch in Nigeria in 2021, four of the five most-streamed artists either live in or come from Lagos. The city has a large young streaming audience, with 18- to 24-year-olds accounting for 44 % of all the Spotify streams in June 2026.
The global music industry is turning its attention to Nigeria
Unlike many parts of the world, where populations are aging, Nigeria has a young and growing population. Around half of the people living in Lagos State are under the age of 25. Global companies are seeing opportunities in the West African country and investing heavily.
In 2024, the world’s largest music company Universal Music Group bought a majority stake in the Afrobeats label Mavin Global. The same year, Warner Music Group announced its plans to open a fully owned office and creative hub in Lagos to strengthen its position in the Nigerian music industry. It also provided wider financial support in the form of donations to foundations to support emerging producers and music professionals.
Music streaming services such as Tidal, Audiomack and Spotify have entered the Nigerian market over the past ten years and have long-term investment plans in the region. This reflects a wider shift toward expanding music markets outside North America and Europe.
Conclusion
With rapid population growth ahead, Lagos is set to become the world’s biggest city in the coming decades. With a growing young population, a new generation of talented artists is emerging. Artists such as Tems, Wizkid and Davido have brought the sound of Lagos to global audiences and there seems to be no signs of slowing down. Companies are investing heavily in the West African metropolis, strengthening its position as the continent’s leading cultural hub.