10 African Artists to Watch in 2026

Africa’s music scene is in constant motion, driven by artists who continue to push boundaries and capture global attention. These 10 emerging talents are ones to watch in 2026, shaping the sound and future of African music. Listen to the playlist here.

Mawelele

Country: South Africa

Mawelele is a South African Afropop artist bringing real emotion back into pop music. Since his 2024 debut, songs like “All My Life” with Kwesta and his collaborations with Naledi Aphiwe have connected strongly with listeners across the country.

Shoday

Country: Nigeria

Shoday is a fast-rising Nigerian Afrobeats artist with a street-pop sound. He built buzz in 2025 with tracks like “Purr” and “Shoday Kilode,” making him one of the new wave’s most in-demand collaborators.

Ameka Zrai

Country: Côte d’Ivoire

Ameka Zrai is a rapper-singer from Côte d’Ivoire blending hip-hop and Afropop into a style he calls l’ivoire pop. He broke through in 2025 with “HAPPIEST” from his debut album MERCON2BABIÈRE, and expanded his reach across Francophone Africa with “Santé” alongside L’Oiseau Rare.

Paki Chenzu

Country: Togo

Paki Chenzu is a Togolese rapper known for his gritty delivery and genre-fluid sound. His 2025 tracks “ASSAUT” (with Himra) and “SOLDAT” pushed his music beyond Togo and onto the wider Francophone rap scene.

Naledi Aphiwe

Country: South Africa

Naledi Aphiwe is a South African singer known for her heartfelt voice and emotional performances. Her breakout song “Ngiyabonga” and collaborations with Mawelele have made her a rising name in local pop.

Siicie

Country: Ghana

Siicie is a Ghanaian artist mixing hip-hop, dancehall, and Afropop with a street edge. He gained international attention with “Alhamdulillah” and followed up with the Top 10 hit “Do You Know?” featuring Lasmid, ahead of his 2026 debut EP.

Inès Raguël

Country: Tanzania

Inès Raguël is a Burundian-born, Tanzania-based Afropop artist whose 2025 singles “Je Tombe” and “Où étais-tu?” earned her Best Upcoming Female Artist in Tanzania at the EMEA Awards. Her Francophone pop sound is shaped by Caribbean and East African influences.

Kondela

Country: Tanzania

Kondela is a Tanzanian artist blending Bongo Flava and Kompa into romantic Afropop. After breaking through with “Day by Day,” his debut EP Love Mode solidified his reputation as the “King of Love.”

Kevin Kade

Country: Rwanda

Kevin Kade is a Rwandan Afropop artist known for energetic songs blending local rhythms with Caribbean flair. He rose to national fame with “SiKOSA,” a collaboration with The Ben and ELEMENT EleéeH, and continued his momentum with “Nyanja.”

Lordkez

Country: South Africa

Lordkez is a South African singer-songwriter mixing throwback R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop. Her SAMA-winning album Testament and the single “Aweh” have made her a key voice in South African R&B.