The Alte Cruise Scene in Nigeria (the Lifestyle, Music and Fashion)

Nigeria is home to many diverse talent, and the biggest entertainment export from Africa. Nigeria music industry is huge and has seen the rise of many of his artist reaching international stardom.

Why Afrobeat music seems to be the biggest music genre from Nigeria, However, It is not the only musical genre out of Nigeria.

today we will be looking at the less known but growing Alte cruise genre out of Nigeria.

Alte is a short way of saying Alternative. The alte music is a kind of music which infuses afrobeats with different sounds to create a unique kind of music which sounds slightly different from the well known afrobeats music from nigeria. This genre started in lagos nigeria.

The Alté movement is a group of Nigerian youth with a unique sense of fashion and music. They often call members of this movement Altéist (pronounced: all-tist).

The Alte cruise is not just about music, Its a lifestyle. its about their choice of cloths, thier style of music, their vibes which is generally different from other afrobeat artist.

Alte cruise generally tends to have its followers wear vinatge clothes and exudes vintage vibes. Its a really cool thing to see as this lifestyle is steadily growing in Lagos nigeria.

‘Alté’ goes beyond music. Alte followers are decked in clothing that disregards the norm of dressing in Nigeria. there is a disregard for poular fashion rules its followers dress to express themselves.

Here are some of the pioneers of the alte cruise music genre in nigeria.

1. Odunsi the engine

Odunsi the Engine is a fast rising star of the Lagos alté scene. Born Bowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi, he has created global buzz around his synth-pop-meets-R&B music that smoothly infuses afrobeats production. Establishing this unique sound on his debut album, Time Of Our Lives (2016), Odunsi followed up with a second album, rare, in 2018. As an artist, Odunsi flies a flag for a new wave of Nigerian creativity – often flying in the face of traditional gatekeepers at a time when Nigerian culture is undergoing big shifts, spearheaded by the younger generation. (Source Google Arts and culture)

Listen to Star Sign by odunsi the engine

2. Wurld

Sadiq Onifade, known popularly known as WurlD, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in mushin area of Lagos, Nigeria, WurlD relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a secondary education and record music. He describes his style of music as electro-fusion. He released his debut EP Evolution in 2013

Sadiq Onifade’s music is a unique sound that just takes you out of the world

Wurld has stated that he grew up listening to Nigerian music, especially Fuji and Juju music, which his parents love to listen to. Wurld has been able to create a disticnt sound from mixing different sounds of music from Nigeria like juju, fuji and afrobeat music with electrop pop, and RnB to create his own distinct sound

Listen to Mad by Sarz and Wurld

3. Tems

Its amazing that in 2021 Tems became one of the biggest artist from nigeria despite having hard time to get record labels in Nigeria to sign her. record labels in Nigeria just couldnt understand her sound and style of music. But she sticked to her style and didnt change.

Born Temilade Openiyi, she earned two US top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with her collaboration with Drake on the song “Fountains” and on Wizkid song essense.

Guess her sound wasn’t bad after all. Kudos Girl.

Listen to Try Me by Tems

4. Lady Donli

Lady Donli was born in cleveland Ohio, United states. She spent her early years in Abuja and Kaduna, Nigeria. LadyDonli moved to the United Kingdom after her secondary school Education where she obtained a degree in law, from the University of Surrey.^[1]

Donli’s earliest musical influence was the ECWA church in Nigeria, where a particular style of synchronous praise-chanting had become established. She was also influenced by the music of Brenda Fassie, Angelique Kidjo and Erykah badu.

Donli is part of Nigeria’s alté music scene, which is known for blending sounds from multiple genres of music, including Afrobeats, R&B, and soul

Listen to Cash By lady donli

5. Cruel Santino

Cruel Santino or simply known as Santi is a Nigerian artist and prominent member of the Alté movement.

Born Osayaba Ize-Iyama on June 3rd, 1992. He grew up in Nigeria. Santi debut album proived that he was a unique and different artist who like many Alte artist from nigeria is not afraid to create his own sound.

Santi was inspired by drakes thank me later album, saying hearing Drake sing and raps made him wants to do the same thing. Also in high school, Santi use to rap and sing, and while in school Santi won the mostb promising act.

Santi has released a good number of work and his song rapid fire gained wide acceptance in nigeria.

Listen to rapid Fire By Santi