Afrobeats, the infectious blend of West African rhythms with electronic and hip-hop influences, has exploded onto the global music scene. While established giants like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido continue to dominate, a fresh wave of talented artists is bubbling under, poised to take the genre to even greater heights.
We have in the past years witnessed the rise of stars like Rema, Asake, Odumodublvck, Omah Lay, Ruger, Ayra Starr, Fave, BNXN, Fireboy DML, Joeboy, Shallipopi, Bloody Civilian and a host of others armed with unique sounds, captivating lyricism, and an undeniable stage presence, are pushing the boundaries of Afrobeats, infusing it with elements of R&B, pop, and even alternative sounds.
A new class of acts have emerged and they are taking the Nigerian music industry by storm this year. Let’s meet the names you need to know:
1. BKAY: He is a Rapper, artiste, songwriter, creative and producer. He is an alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He is projected by many critics, fans and even music industry insiders as the next big thing to happen in the Nigerian hip-hop scene. Most notably, A-Q Nigerian rapper and songwriter stated that BKAY and several other rising stars as the future of Nigerian hip-hop and he urged many to be ready for him as he never misses when he makes such predictions.
So watch out for BKAY…
2. Morravey: She is a gifted and stunning young musical artist. Renowned as a skilled singer, songwriter, and model, she has made significant strides in the entertainment industry. She featured on Davido’s hit album Timeless on the track ‘Garden’ which was praised by both fans and critics. She is currently, signed to Davido Music Worldwide owned by Davido.
3. Qing Madi: She is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and dancer. Born in Benin City, Nigeria, she became known through her hit single “See Finish.”. She rose to the limelight after the release of “Ole” ft BNXN, which peaked at Number 1 and 3 on Uganda Apple Music and Nigeria Apple Music respectively. She is also projected by some industry insiders as the next one up.
4. Oladapo: He is a singer and songwriter whose rising star is making waves with his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. His music often touches on themes of love, loss, and resilience, resonating deeply with listeners. Oladapo’s debut EP, “A Good Time To Be Alive,” showcased his versatility and storytelling abilities. He recently contributed to Wizkid’s – SoundMan Vol. 2 EP, providing backup and background vocals to some of the tracks on the EP.
5. Kold AF: She is a rising talent in Nigeria’s music scene. Formerly known as Koel, the Itsekiri-born performer studied Law at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife before launching a professional music career in 2020. She is currently managed by Entrepreneur and content creator Excel Joab.
It’s worth noting that the Afrobeats landscape is wide and ever-changing. While these five artists are now making waves, there are many more amazing people out there waiting to be noticed. The continent is teeming with new performers poised to leave their imprint on the genre, from Ghana’s Amaarae and KiDi to Kenya’s Nikita Kering and South Africa’s Tyla.
So, keep your ears to the ground and experiment with the various sounds of Afrobeats. You might just find your next favourite musician and be a part of the genre’s continuous rise to global dominance.