Music moves quickly these days. Our monthly column 10 African Artists You Should Know cuts through the noise to tell you the rising artists from the continent on Audiomack you should be paying attention to. Listen to standout selections from all 10 artists as a playlist below.

Holy Ten

Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe

“Put It Down” presents the introspection often associated with Holy Ten, as well as the melancholic themes of searching for peace and striving for balance amid tough personal situations. Born Mukudzei Chitsama, Holy Ten’s music favors storytelling over punchlines, frequently relating to the realities of everyday life in Zimbabwe. Blending English and Shona, his trademark growl and socially conscious music attracts a fanbase who deeply connect to the emotions he conveys.

Jaido P

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Taiwo Olajide Daniel, widely known as Jaido P, has risen up the ranks from his time in university as a battle rapper to become one of the leading voices in Nigerian street-hop. His first taste of widespread acclaim came through 2020’s “Tesina Pot,” featuring legendary rapper Olamide, who provided him with an appropriate cosign. March single “One of a Kind”—featuring Nigerian star and university mate Fireboy DML—asserts Jaido’s ability to rap fluidly on Afrobeats rhythms, placing him in both hip-hop and Afrobeats conversations in Nigeria. His music delves into the harsh realities of life on the streets, and eventually making it out.

Skyface SDW

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Skyface SDW is a member of the Asakaa Boys, a collective of rappers who pioneered the Ghanaian drill movement by fusing UK and American drill that was heavily influenced by late rapper Pop Smoke. Away from the collective, Skyface has two EPs—S-Tape and The Menace—and multiple singles under his belt. To close out 2022, he assembled the Asakaa crew for the drill anthem “Obaa Hemaa,” his biggest track to date which has already racked up over six million streams on Audiomack.

V-Be

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

V-Be, or Vijana Barubaru, is a music duo comprising the poetic rapper Mshari Spikes and seasoned vocalist Tuku Kantu. The Kenyan duo makes optimistic Bongo Flava in the face of challenging life experiences. March-released “Romantic Call” follows the breakthrough success of “Sasa Hivi,” and tells the tale of a long distance relationship, and the drive to keep it together regardless of the problems that distance often creates. Their songs contain profound subject matter for listeners seeking the familiar groove of Bongo Flava, as well as an opportunity for some food for thought.

Fathermoh

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Fathermoh is a former member of the Kenyan group Mbuzi Gang, who made Gengetone music and gained visibility from their hit song “Shamra Shamra.” After the group split last year, Fathermoh embarked on a personal journey to find his footing, and February single “Kaskie Vibaya” featuring Kenyan rapper Ssaru shows his ability to shine as a solo artist. The song plays on a popular Kenyan phrase often used to counter an argument, and both artists land witty retorts to frequently discussed topics relevant to young Kenyans, like relationships and social media personas. Fathermoh connects with the idiosyncrasies of Kenyan youth, which makes him a trusted voice among those communities.

Rinyu

Hometown: Koutaba, Cameroon

On “Dem Neva Bonam,” Cameroonian singer Rinyu melds Bikutsi (a traditional Cameroonian genre) with modern Afropop rhythms. Its title is a Pidgin English phrase that places doubt on one’s ability to do something, and in this case, it is directed at a bad-acting third party seeking to come between two lovers. The single is the latest chapter in the 26-year-old’s career, which began at age nine in talent show performances and got a massive boost in 2019 when she signed a record deal with Akumba Music and released her debut singles “Where You Dey” and “Marry Me.”

Nanette

Hometown: Durban, South Africa

At the core of “Vent” lies a sincere release of Nanette’s grievances against past partners who treated her poorly. It is a subtle R&B song with penetrating storytelling, and a standout from her project Bad Weather, which is conceptually tied to her experience with tumultuous relationships. “I actually describe the album as an exercise in finding refuge in cathartic artistic expression,” she told Hype Magazine last year. Signed to Universal Music South Africa in 2021, a year after her professional debut, Nanette’s rise in the South African scene has been prompt and well-received by R&B lovers.

Jay Trigga

Hometown: Lusaka, Zambia

Turning heads with a fresh take on Afro-fusion from Zambia, 24-year-old Jack Lumbeta Kafukwilwa is a producer-turned-artist who made his first statement in the country’s scene with his 2017 EP DREAMS. The singer’s next big moment came 2020 with his single “Money,” featuring Nigerian rap icon Ice Prince. Now signed to Cloud 9 Music Africa, Jay Trigga’s most recent EP Lover Boy is an Afrobeats and Amapiano fusion heavy on love.

SGawD

Hometown: Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

SGaWD raps with a ferocity embraced by young Nigerians, especially women. Her foray into music happened when she returned to Nigeria from Miami in 2019 and switched her practice as a lawyer for more time in the studio making music. Her assertive raps are balanced by her ability to sing softly, as she does on her debut “Like Me,” featuring 10 African Artists You Should Know alum Jess ETA. She exhibits both of these artistic sensibilities on her March release “Intermission,” where she raps about handling a constant male gaze while trying to focus on her grind.

CHERRY

Hometown: Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Debuting with “Ole,” CHERRY represents a new wave of Tanzanians fusing local and continental genres in novel ways. The song is an Afrobeats record with choral-backed tracks and an inviting rhythm supplemented by her silky voice. “Ole” is an account of a young girl who is choosing to not allow heartbreaks get in the way of her peace of mind. CHERRY arrives in the Tanzanian scene as part of a long line of artists who’ve broken out from national talent shows. She appeared on Bongo Star Search multiple times until making it as a finalist in 2022 and securing a record deal with BXTRA Records.

10 African Artists You Should Know Right Now (May 2023)