David Adeleke, an award-winning singer better known as Davido, has been named in the 2021 ‘TIME 100 Next’ list alongside four other Nigerians.
The singer made the ‘Phenoms’ category of the list released on Wednesday alongside Amanda Gorman, an American poet.
The respected magazine, in a blog post written by Laycon, 2020 BBNaija winner, said the ‘OBO’ crooner has continued to push for societal change using musical projects which are often relatable.
It cited the impact of ‘FEM’, a single off ‘A Better Time’, Davido’s 2020 album, which became the anthem for #EndSARS protesters during October last year’s demonstration in the country.
In the post, Laycon also examined how the ‘Assurance’ singer has brought Afrobeats into the global limelight thereby paving the way for fast-rising artistes like him.
“Afrobeats is a worldwide phenomenon, and Davido is one of many Nigerian artists who has made that possible; now more and more artists, from Nicki Minaj to Young Thug, want to work with him. By bringing Afrobeats to the global stage, he’s paved the way for people like me,” he wrote.
Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi, founders of the Feminist Coalition, also made the cut for leading the campaign against police brutality in Nigeria during the #EndSARS protest.
The duo made the ‘Advocates’ category of the list alongside Feyikemi ‘FK’ Abudu, who was also one of the top voices during the protest.
“As their fight continues—in mid-October, the government pledged to implement police reform, but efforts to suppress dissent, including by arresting demonstrators, are ongoing—the coalition’s leaders hope their crucial role in the protests demonstrates the importance of having women in leadership,” TIME wrote.
Also on the list is Olugbenga Agboola, co-founder of Flutterwave, a tech startup based in San Francisco and Lagos.
Agboola made the ‘Innovators’ category of the list for his company’s contributions to startups in Africa during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The magazine said those selected for the list provided “clear-eyed hope for the world amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
“Amid a global pandemic, deepening inequality, systemic injustice and existential questions about truth, democracy and the planet itself, the individuals on this year’s list provide ‘clear-eyed hope,” it added.
TIME 100 Next — an offshoot of TIME 100 franchise — brings to the spotlight 100 rising stars around the world who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health, and more.
Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, two Nigerian women, had made the maiden edition of the list last year.
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