2025 has only just begun, but there is already reason to be excited about the new school of talent in pop culture that will be instrumental in shaping this year. Either through music, film, or even sketch shows, creatives are already hard at work, reinventing wheels and making content that we can’t just help but fight over in our group chats.
Below, we have curated ten creators that you should look out for in 2025:
The Cast of This Week Tonight
The first entry on our list is not one person but a group of comics who have consistently created sketch shows that table the myriad of issues that keep us all at night in the vane of Saturday Night Live. Everything from government policies to campaign billboards has been on the sharp end of the commentary from the cast of This Week Tonight.
Temi Adetayo, Fejiro Omu, Eme-Uche Chidera, Okiki Aribigbola and Kolamide have been able to break through the trend of making caricatures of already marginalised people as comedy by elevating relevant topics with humour.
Ama the Amazing
Perhaps one of the hardest categories to break through is the food category, in large part because many of us are not as willing to proclaim that our mother’s food might not be the best out there. But Ama was able to do that. His videos, cooking for his friends, have been exciting to watch. Though he still has under 100k followers on Instagram, brands already see his potential and have partnered with him for dozens of his videos.
Aida
Aida cultivated a following in 2024 for her unique spin on an otherwise familiar brand of TikTok content. Gist has always been a huge part of the internet and how news is consumed online, but she has been able to elevate the format by presenting herself as your best friend. Think Gistlover for the Republic Journal crowd.
Fido
His December hit song, “Joy Is Coming” is already the song of the new year. After a year filled with economic upheaval and a very wonky power grid, the musician Fido preaches hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Already, critics are highlighting the similarities between his sound and Kizz Daniel, who also rose to fame by consistently dropping hits.
Bloody Civilian
The musician Emoseh Khamofu, known as Bloody Civilian, has been trying to break through as an Afrobeats artist for years. But after she called out the controversial minister, Helen Ukpabio, who has been criticised for causing large-scale harassment and violence against children accused of witchcraft late last year, she found new fame that led to a renewed interest in her music.
Iremide Adeoye
As a young Israel Ransome-Kuti in the Bolanle Austen-Peters original Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Iremide Adeoye ushered himself into a new level with his acting. He currently stars in three Showmax originals, including the latest season of the hit show Wura, where he first got the public’s attention. He started out in the creative space as a drummer, but after an actor didn’t show up on set, he was offered the role and has been taking his acting seriously ever since.
Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo
The trifecta creative—actor, singer, and dancer—Ifeoma Chukwuogo has been working her way up in entertainment for some years now. But at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) last year, the feature film she directed, Phoenix Fury, was met with critical acclaim. Chukwuogo won Best Director for this film. While it has not yet had its cinema run or debuted on a streaming platform, it’s expected to be successful.
Dahmola
Stylist to the stars, Dahmola had one of his best years yet in 2024, culminating with Christmas in Lagos, for which he was the costume designer. Toke Makinwa, Simi, and Bonang Matheba are among his clientele. In an interview with Zikoko last year, he said he was ready to expand his offerings to include bridal styling. Some brides and their grooms have already enlisted his services for their big day ‘fits.
Angel Micheal
Think of Angel Micheal’s brand of content as “A day-in-the-life” on steroids. He took an old internet format and reimagined it by attempting to show the lives of others. He has done A-day-in-the-life videos of the pre-internet world, bricklayers, mechanics and more.
Chidimma Adetshina
After facing a series of xenophobic attacks in South Africa that ultimately pushed her out of the Miss South Africa contest, she emerged winner of the Miss Universe Nigeria contest, which saw her represent the country at the global Miss Universe contest. Though she didn’t win, she was the first runner-up, which was a huge victory considering the year she had.
