Africa's vibrant music scene continues to evolve, with artists pushing boundaries and capturing worldwide attention. These 10 emerging talents are set to define 2025 and contribute to the ever-expanding legacy of African music. Listen to the playlist here.
Ayanne
Country: Cote d'Ivoire
Ayanne’s genre-blending, female-empowered sound established her as an artist to watch in 2023, driven by a trio of hit singles in her native Cote d'Ivoire. The Attécoubé native followed up in 2024 with her highly-anticipated debut album, Vitamine A.
Ayanne was featured in our global rising artist spotlight program You Need To Hear. Tap in here.
Ayo Maff
Country: Nigeria
Ayo Maff scored two of the year’s biggest Afrobeats hits with “Are you there?" and “Dealer” alongside Fireboy DML. The 19-year-old street pop sensation’s chart-topping debut EP MAFFIAN further cemented his status as Nigeria’s fastest-rising star.
Ayo Maff was featured in our global rising artist spotlight program You Need To Hear. Tap in here.
Beeztrap KOTM
Country: Ghana
Beeztrap KOTM established himself as a force in the Ghanaian music scene in 2024 with standout hits “Fly Girl” and “YESU”—pushing the Asakaa sound forward and building anticipation for his upcoming debut album.
Beeztrap was featured in our global rising artist spotlight program You Need To Hear. Tap in here.
Chelsea Dinorath
Country: Angola
Following the success of her debut album Caterse, Luanda’s Chelsea Dinorath made one of Angola's biggest songs in 2024 with "À Toa" alongside Anderson Mário. The 24-year-old is Lusophone Africa’s fastest-rising star.
Kivumbi King
Country: Rwanda
Kivumbi King’s breakout single “Wait” established his presence in East Africa in 2024. The Rwandan’s acclaimed album GANZA showcases his fusion of dancehall, Afrobeats and hip-hop.
Olivetheboy
Country: Ghana
Olivetheboy set pulses racing with his continental smash “Goodsin.” The Konongo native then made another hit in 2024 with “Asylum," while solidifying his reputation as Ghana’s brightest young talent with a standout feature alongside Sarkodie on King Promise’s “Favorite Story.”
Ste Milano
Country: Cote d'Ivoire
Ivorian sensation Ste Milano’s fusion of Maïmouna and coupé-décalé took both genres to new heights in 2024, lending his unmistakable vocals to two of Africa’s biggest hits, “Coup du marteau” and “Fimbu,” while landing his biggest solo success with “Merci.”
TML Vibez
Country: Nigeria
Introduced as the newest member of Seyi Vibez’ Vibez Inc project in November 2023, TML Vibez’ rapid rise to the top of Nigerian street pop in 2024 gave rise to an incredible three chart-topping EPs and one of the year’s most popular singles in “Where I’m From.”
TML was featured in our global rising artist spotlight program You Need To Hear. Tap in here.
Usimamane
Country: South Africa
Scoring one of South African rap’s biggest songs of 2024 with “Cheque,” 22-year-old Usimamane’s debut album 20th: Days Before Maud topped the charts and delivered one of the year’s standout singles, “Uvulo” alongside Sjava.
Zee Nxumalo
Country: South Africa
Zee Nxumalo burst onto the amapiano scene in 2024 with standout features on "Funk 55" and "Mfazi Wephepha." The 22-year-old, Swazi-born singer launched her solo career with the smash single “Thula Mabota,” and confirmed her status as amapiano’s freshest prodigy with the release of her debut album, Inna Ye Game.
