Top 10 Hausa Musicians (2025 Ranking)
This guide ranks the top 10 Hausa musicians who have influenced the music scene across generations, with the likes of traditional icons like Mamman Shata and Dan Maraya Jos, as well as modern stars like Hamisu Breaker and DJ AB.
- Ali Jita
- Nazifi Asnanic
- Adam A. Zango
- Fati Niger
- Mamman Shata
- Dan Maraya Jos
- Hamisu Breaker
- DJ AB
- Umar M. Shareef
- ClassiQ
1. Ali Jita
Ali Jita, born Ali Isah Jita on July 15, 1983, in Kano State, Nigeria, is a popular figure in Hausa music. Known for Hausa and English style called Ingausa, he is both a singer and songwriter.
Ali grew up in Kano, Lagos, and Abuja, and studied Public Administration and Computer Science. He started his music career in 2006, and many of his songs have been featured in Kannywood films.
He has worked with top Hausa artists like Naziru M Ahmad, Fati Niger, and Umar M Shareef. His song Love was ranked the second-best Hausa music of 2018 by BBC Hausa. He also produced hit songs like Kano, Mama, and Arewa Angel, featuring actress Rahama Sadau.
With several music videos and albums to his name, Ali Jita continues to contribute to Northern Nigeria’s music scene, loved for his guitar skills and smooth vocals.
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2. Nazifi Asnanic
Nazifi Asnanic, born Nazifi Abdulsalam Yusuf on February 2, 1982, is one of the most successful Hausa musicians in Nigeria.
Known as the “Golden Voice,” he rose to fame in the early 2000s after releasing his debut album in 2002. His hit song Dawo Dawo gained massive popularity, opening doors for him in Kannywood.
He has since released over 10 albums, including Labarina, Rayuwa, and Dakin Amarya, selling millions of copies. His music features in Kannywood films, and he has worked closely with big names like Ali Nuhu and Aminu Saira.
Aside from music, Nazifi is also a film director and producer, with works like Rai da Buri and Ba’asi.
In 2014, he won the City People Entertainment Award for Best Musician and received honors from the Zamfara State government for promoting Hausa culture.
3. Adam A. Zango
Adam Abdullahi Zango is one of the top Hausa musicians and entertainers in Nigeria. Born on October 1, 1985, in Zango, Kaduna State, he started his career through school music clubs before breaking into the entertainment industry in 2001.
Zango began as a music composer in Kannywood and later became a leading actor, appearing in over 100 Hausa-language films. He is also a dancer, scriptwriter, and film producer. He has worked with top actors like Ali Nuhu and Sani Danja.
Despite facing legal issues in 2007 for a banned music video, he remained active and committed to his art. In 2019, Zango made headlines when he donated 47 million Naira to support orphans’ education.
4. Fati Niger
Fati Niger, born Binta Labaran, is one of the most notable voices in Hausa music. Often called the “Princess of Hausa Music” (Gimbiyar Mawakan Hausa), she grew up in Maradi, Niger, where she first learned Quranic teachings and developed a love for traditional Hausa songs.
In 2004, while visiting her sister in Kano, Nigeria, Fati discovered a vibrant music scene. Encouraged by her sister, she recorded her first song at Ali Baba’s studio. Since then, she has released four albums and over 500 songs.
Her music ranges from film soundtracks to political and celebratory songs. One of her most popular tracks, Girma-Girma (meaning “God is greater”), earned her fame across Hausa-speaking regions and beyond. Fati Niger is also active in Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry.
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5. Mamman Shata
Alhaji (Dr.) Mamman Shata MON was a legendary Hausa musician born in 1923 in Musawa, Katsina State. He was famous across Northern Nigeria and beyond for his powerful voice, lyrics, and mastery of the kalangu (talking drum).
Coming from a Fulani background, Shata defied his father’s wishes to pursue music. He sang about culture, politics, morals, unity, and even global events like the Gulf War. Shata never rehearsed.
His songs were spontaneous, poetic, and critical of those in power, including General Abacha. Over his decades-long career, he worked with major record labels like EMI and Polygram. He received national and international honors, including a doctorate from Ahmadu Bello University.
Shata passed away in 1999, leaving behind three wives, 19 children, and millions of fans who still revere him as a voice of the people.
6. Dan Maraya Jos
One of the most iconic Hausa musicians is Dan Maraya Jos, born Adamu Wayya in 1946. Orphaned as a child, his name means “the orphan of Jos.” He became famous for his powerful voice and his mastery of the kontigi, a small, single-stringed lute made from a sardine can and goatskin.
Dan Maraya is a praise singer, honored ordinary people like drivers’ mates in his famous song Wak’ar Karen Mota. His music also tackled social issues, forced marriage, divorce, and gossip.
He was a skilled griot; he performed across the world and took part in major events like Festac’77. By 1986, he had released over 150 recordings and composed 500 songs.
Some of his notable works include Auren Dole, Jawabin Aure, and Munafukan Yaki. He passed away in 2015, tragically.
7. Hamisu Breaker
Hamisu Breaker is one of the most popular Hausa musicians today. Born in 1992 in Dorayi, Kano State, his real name is Hamisu Sa’id Yusuf. He found his love for music while in secondary school and later rose to fame through heartfelt songs sung entirely in Hausa.
His breakout hit, Jaruma, made history in 2020 by becoming the most-viewed Hausa song on YouTube, crossing 10 million views. Other fan favorites include Karshen Kauna, So Dangin Mutuwa, Masoyiya, and Jarumar Mata.
His smooth voice and emotional lyrics have earned him a massive fan base among Hausa-speaking youths, especially in Northern Nigeria. He is a strong voice in modern Hausa music, signed under Amjad Records.
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8. DJ AB
DJ AB, born Haruna Abdullahi in Kaduna State on December 30, 1993, is one of the top Hausa musicians making waves in Nigeria.
He started his music career in 2011 and has since released over 50 songs. Hi sound combines Hausa hip-hop, Afrobeat, and pop, appealing to both northern and southern audiences.
His breakout hit, “Da So Samu Ne,” gained major attention in 2020. A year later, he joined emPawa Africa, a platform for rising African artists, and dropped his first EP, Supa, featuring Mr Eazi and Di’ja.
DJ AB has performed with big names like M.I. Abaga, Yemi Alade, and 2Baba. He studied at Federal Government College, Kaduna, and is pursuing a degree in Quantity Surveying at Ahmadu Bello University.
Recognized across the north, he’s been nominated for awards like Arewa Best Rap Album and Kannywood Hip-Hop Artist of the Year.
9. Umar M. Shareef
Umar M. Shareef is a top Hausa musician and actor from Kaduna State, Nigeria. He’s been making music since 2007, but it was Masoya, released in 2017, that put him on the map.
He has since released over 400 songs, with Hausa and English in a style known as Ingausa. Umar is also active in Kannywood, appearing in more than 30 Hausa films.
Outside entertainment, he runs Shareef Studios Investment, helping young talents grow in the Hausa music and film industry. He is married with two children.
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10. ClassiQ
ClassiQ, born Buba Barnabas Luka, is a popular rapper and singer from Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria. Born on September 21, 1991, he began his music career at 16 and later earned a degree in Computer Science from Bayero University Kano.
Often called the “King of the North,” ClassiQ infuses Hausa and English in his lyrics. His sound fuses traditional Hausa vibes with modern hip-hop and Afrobeat. Songs like Susanna, Gudu, and I Love You brought him national fame.
His mixtape, Sarki, features popular tracks such as Duniya and Magana. ClassiQ has also worked with major stars like M.I. Abaga and Wande Coal. He’s signed to Arewa Mafia and Up North Records.
