By the TurnTable Editorial Team, July 2025
We love to hate them, don’t we? Those fiercely opinionated men and women who chronicle the pulse of our culture. The role of a music journalist is often thankless. If you’re doing your job right, you’re bound to ruffle feathers. You can’t turn a blind eye to missteps or blunders by artists or their teams—you must document the culture. You can’t skew reviews of projects to suit personal tastes or biases, nor can you sit on the sidelines. You must document the culture.
A music journalist’s expertise is constantly tested, yet it may be the most vital of all. In many ways, it’s a higher calling. They are our last frontier, our librarians, the custodians of Afrobeats’ journey through past, present, and future.
TurnTable proudly presents its list of the greatest music journalists of the 21st century.
It’s important to note that the names featured in this list are presented in no specific order; each individual holds their own unique significance and impact.
- Osagie Alonge
- Ayeni Adekunle
- Ayomide ‘AOT2’ Tayo
- Motolani Alake
- Joey Akan
- Jide Taiwo
- Chiagozem Onyekwena
- Bayo Omisore
- Victor Okpala
- Ayo Jaguda
- Mayowa Idowu
- Ehiz Combs
- Ovie Ofugara
- Sesan Adeniji
- Ify Obi
- Dennis Ade Peter
- Emmanuel Ichiban Esomnofu
- Oris Aigbokhaevbolo (The OG)
- Michael Aromolaran
- Uzoma Ihejirika
- Tami Makinde
- Nelson C.J
- Adeayo Adebiyi
- Noble Igwe
- Victor Okpala
- Ogagus
- Segun Akande
- Wale Oloworekende
- Tobi Ibironke
- Tomiwa TooExclusive