Nandy

Hometown: Moshi, Tanzania

Nandy is a Tanzanian star. Born and raised in the city of Moshi in the Kilimanjaro region, she made a name for herself as a Bongo Flava singer but has since expanded into Afrobeats and R&B. She was voted Best Female Artist in East Africa at the All Africa Music Awards in 2017 and 2020. On “Party,” she enlists the assistance of Afropop star Mr Eazi and Tanzanian rapper Billnass for a club banger fitting of its title. Her latest release “Siwezi” depicts the visceral pain caused by an unfaithful partner.

A-Reece

Hometown: Pretoria, South Africa

A-Reece is one of the young leaders of a new pack of prolific South African rappers, armed with battle-ready punchlines and a debonair flow. He picked up a pen in the fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since, dropping his first LP Paradise in 2016 and five more to date. Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory released in 2021 is punctuated by jubilant tracks, but ultimately reflects on his personal tragedies. Recent releases “tufF lucK” and “Couldn’t Have Said It Better, Pt. 3” showcase A-Reece’s ability to dash between the fun and outlandish, and the more introspective.

Amerado

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Amerado is one of Kumasi’s latest exports, commanding mostly Twi in his raps and some English to dispatch uplifting messages. In a stroke of good fortune, Amerado linked up with in-demand Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif on his hit song “Abotr3,” which preaches patience and perseverance in the face of unfamiliar struggles on the path to success. Amerado’s 2021 EP Patience is a fan favorite, racking up over 11 million streams on Audiomack to date.

Ninety

Hometown: Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Port Harcourt native Ninety utilizes R&B, dancehall, reggae, and pop to make music he calls Afro-Fusion. Signing to FreeMe Music in 2021, he released his first track “Touch & Follow,” an account of his near-obsession with a woman’s touch. His latest Rare Gem EP is built around a narrative of the character traits of seven Nigerian women in his life. Coming out of the city that’s produced the likes of Burna Boy and Omah Lay, Ninety’s versatile nature earmarks his drops amid a pool of sensational song-makers.

Davis D

Hometown: Huye, Rwanda

Being a contestant on Rwanda’s biggest talent show in 2017 gave Davis D the much-needed platform to strive to the highest levels. But it wasn’t until 2019 that he got his big break with “Dede” and kept up the momentum to position himself as one of Rwanda’s fastest-rising artists. Crafting Afrobeats songs mainly sung in Kinyarwanda, he uses his 2022 single “Girlfriend” as an opportunity to publicly adore his romantic partner. Davis D’s latest single “Akana” follows suit, maintaining his familiar themes of dalliance on polyrhythmic ballads.

Joey B

Hometown: Cape Coast, Ghana

Darryl Paa Kwesi Bannerman-Martin, widely known as Joey B, had his first taste of national acclaim through his 2014 single “Tonga” featuring Sarkodie. Since then, he’s been a constant fixture in Ghanaian music, releasing staple projects Darryl and Lava Feels, dabbling between rap and Afrobeats. He tapped in Asakaa pioneer Yaw Tog in December 2021 for the emphatic “GORILLA” where Joey declares his status as a leader in the Ghanaian scene.

Patty Monroe

Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa

Patty Monroe’s introduction to the South African music scene came in 2015 by way of her unique blend of house music and hip-hop on her debut single “High Fashion.” Subsequently trying her hand at multiple genres, Patty Monroe refuses to be pigeonholed because of her striking look. On “Perfect Timing,” she reflects on her growth and appreciates the present moment as an opportunity to feel joy amidst life’s highs and lows.

Balloranking

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Every piece of music Balloranking makes is an effort to bare emotions and motivate his listeners. The artist found his voice after a year of frequent freestyles on the streets of Lagos, dating back to 2019. Street-cred in check, he now describes his music as Afro-soul and Afropop with a rap base. The Amapiano jam “Marama” comes from a street slang that means “all good” while his latest offering “Elevate” is a reflective song of prayers.

Boutross

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Boutross is a frontrunner in Shrap, a genre that mixes Sheng (urban Nairobi slang) and English into a medley unique to Nairobi. Locally famous since he was 12 due to his omnipresence at talent shows in his neighborhood and at school, his persistence earned him stripes as a hometown hero. In 2019, Boutross was among 30 African artists selected for the emPawa platform’s musical grants through his entry single “Wrong.” Boutross plays around on “Yea Yea Yea,” incisively rapping about his caliber, relationship status, and nonchalant attitude.

Baaba J

Hometown: Accra, Ghana

Baaba J started recording professionally in 2020 as a byproduct of lockdown restrictions in Accra. Following that, music became a place of joy, purpose, and a channel to preach self-love. “I keep recording because it makes me happy and gives me purpose and somehow people relate to it,” she shares with Audiomack World. At the end of 2020, Baaba J released her debut EP Lumumba St., referencing her childhood cul-de-sac. “Tomboy” is a triumphant answer to questions she’s faced about her mannerisms and sexuality since she was a child.

10 African Artists You Should Know (May 2022)