Top 10 African Artists You Should Be Listening To

As a solo artist, Kenyan singer Bien is relatively new to the scene, but his velvety voice has been charming fans for years. He first rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the beloved afropop group Sauti Sol, with whom he released five albums. While he is still a member of the band, Bien branched out as a solo artist in 2021 with the release of his debut EP Bald Men Love Better. The Nairobi-based musician blends Sauti Sols signature afropop sound with elements of rhumba and Amapiano to create a unique style thats as heartfelt as it is dancefloor-ready. Beyond just entertainment, Bien also uses his music to spotlight pressing social issues in Kenya and is an outspoken advocate for artists rights.

Before he hit superstardom, Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz faced a difficult upbringing and worked several odd jobs to fund his studio sessions. Those efforts eventually paid off in 2010 with Kamwambie the hit single that shot him to fame. Since then, he has been unstoppable. He has transformed bongo flava, Tanzanias native genre, into a pan-African sensation by infusing it with a more upbeat tempo and blending Swahili with English. That crossover appeal has shown in the numbers, as he became the first sub-Saharan artist to reach one billion views on YouTube. And while hes shared the mic with the likes of Rick Ross, Ne-Yo and Jason Derulo, Diamond Platnumz still flies a bit too far under the international radar.

Theres a lot to learn from the music of Black Sherif. The Ghanaian artist fashions himself a philosopher and storyteller, and his lyrics, which are written entirely by him, clearly reflect that. After making his debut in 2019, Black Sherifs breakthrough came three years later with Kwaku the Traveller, a powerful single that showcased his ability to tell raw, emotional stories in both English and his native Twi. That song catapulted him to international stardom, but the fame never dulled his edge. If anything, it made it even sharper. Black Sherif has since released two full-length albums, The Villain I Never Was and Iron Boy, the latter of which broke Spotifys record for the most streams in a single day by a Ghanaian album.

Greatness often takes time to materialize, and few stories prove that better than Black Coffees. Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, this DJ began his career in 1994 as a backup singer, and later joined an afropop group. But it wasnt until the early 2000s that he started making real waves on his own. His 2005 self-titled debut album, which featured remixes of South African classics, put him on the map at home. But Black Coffee always had his sights set on the global stage, and his unique blend of afrobeats, house and dance music carried him right onto it. In 2022, his album Subconsciously took home the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album, making him the first African to win in that category.

Try putting Amaarae in a box we dare you. The Ghanaian-American genre bender is pop, R&B, afrobeats and alté, all rolled into one brilliant package. She first caught ears with her dreamy 2017 EP Passionfruit Summers, but it was her 2020 debut album The Angel You Don't Know that made critics and fans alike sit up and really listen. While those projects were rooted in afrobeats, her sophomore album Fountain Baby took a slight detour into the glitzy world of electronic and dance-pop music, to great success. The self-proclaimed warrior princess brings a voice that is otherworldly, a sound that is eclectic, and a fashion sense that refuses to follow the rules. If that doesnt deserve your attention, we dont know what does.

When it comes to steadily churning out hits, only a few African artists can keep up with Davido. Ever since he broke out with Dami Duro in 2011, Davido has kept his foot firmly on the gas. His signature mix of afrobeats, dancehall and R&B lights up dance floors across the continent, and can take any party from 0 to a 100 in a second. Dont believe us, just play tracks like If, Fall, and Fem, and watch the high-energy vibe instantly lift your mood. At the risk of being accused of talking too much, well just say that while Davido comes from a privileged background, that doesnt mean he hasnt put in the relentless hard work to get to where he is today.

Youve most likely heard Drake's chart-topping hit One Dance, but you may not be familiar with Wizkid, the voice behind its groovy post-chorus. Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizkid is one of Africas most influential musical exports. He started making music at just 11 years old, but it was his 2010 hit Holla at Your Boy that launched him into the spotlight and set the stage for a career that would help take afrobeats global. Over the years, Wizkid has consistently raised the bar, collaborating with other international A-listers like Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris and Beyoncé. But his own work has been just as impactful, most notably 2020s Essence, which became the first Nigerian song to crack the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was Wizkids Essence that gave Tems her first international hit. Before that, she first made waves in Nigeria with 2018s Try Me, which landed her on multiple Artists to Watch lists. After breaking onto the global stage, Tems built strong collaborations, helping to craft hits for heavyweights like Drake, Beyoncé and Rihanna. In fact, she co-wrote Rihannas Lift Me Up, which made her the first Nigerian singer to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song. Despite these impressive accomplishments, Tems remained somewhat in the background, until 2024, when she took center stage with her debut album Born in the Wild. It produced the critically acclaimed singles Burning and Love Me JeJe, the latter of which won a Grammy for Best African Music Performance.

Although she only launched her career in 2019, Tyla has already become one of Africas biggest music stars. The South African singer got her big break in 2023 with Water, which became an international hit after it sparked a viral dance challenge that flooded social media. But anyone thinking shed be a one-hit wonder was quickly proven wrong. Tyla kept the momentum going with a string of successful singles, including Truth or Dare and Push 2 Start. Her status as a rising star was solidified when she won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, becoming the youngest African artist to win a Grammy. Tyla always dreamed of being the biggest pop star out of Africa, and judging by her meteoric rise, shes well on her way.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Mr. Money Has Taken Fuji Music From the Streets to the World Stage

Nigerias Sabi Girl Sure Knows How to Craft Incredibly Catchy Tunes

This Malian Singer Draws From Her Experiences to Make Deeply Resonant Music

South Africas Rap Prodigy Forged His Own Path With Sharp Lyrics & a Versatile Flow

He Is Bold, He Is Unapologetic, He Is an Afrobeats Icon in the Making

Calling yourself the African Giant takes a lot of confidence, but Burna Boy has the talent to justify it. Raised in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, he was surrounded by music from an early age. His grandfather even managed the legendary musician and activist Fela Kuti, whose influence still echoes through his work today. Burna Boy infuses everything from hip-hop to reggae into afrobeats to create a sound that is unmistakably his own, and impossible to ignore. His music is wildly entertaining, and just like Kuti, he also uses it to speak out on the issues facing Nigerias youth. With a Grammy on his shelf, BET Awards to his name and millions of records sold, Burna Boy has more than earned the right to call himself the African Giant.

Which of these artists do you already have in your playlist? Show them some love in the comments below.