Top 12 Best Africa Musicians Right Now

Music plays a very special role in life. More than anything, it connects people, creates identity and can shape people’s culture and way of life. This is especially true in Africa where culture and tribe are very much cherished by the people, so the things that give them identity are especially celebrated and owned by the people.

Africa is the second-most populated continent in the world; therefore, it will have a people of many diverse cultures, religions, and interests, and so the people have different tastes in music. Over time however, cultural advancement and development of the world have modified and streamlined most of these differences so that it is now easier for people from different backgrounds and cultures to find mutual interest in different areas of life and associate based on these interests.

Over the years, African music and musicians have evolved tremendously, so much so that the genre of music for which Africa was known for has also evolved greatly and the continent is originally known for Juju, Fuji, Highlife, Makossa, Kizomba, Afrobeat music can now comfortably boast of artistes that make hip-hop, Rhythm and blues, rock and even country music and win global awards with them. that’s how good and diversified African artists and music have become.

The artists can come together from different cultural heritage and backgrounds, make different genres of song, the African people listen to, enjoy and appreciate these songs and the artists are winning awards and making waves in the global community.

Some of these artists have taken the sound of old they inherited and infused it with the new to come up with their original genre of song and they’ll still sound incredible. In recent years, it is becoming more common for indigenous artists from Africa to win the pinnacle of music awards – the Grammy awards – this is a testament to how good they are and the originality of sound they create.

Best Africa Musicians 2024

• Sho Madjozi
• 2Baba
• Yemi Alade
• Sarkodie
• Tems
• Tiwa Savage
• Fally Ipupa
• Angelique Kidjo
• Davido
• Diamond Platnumz
• WizKid
• Burna Boy

1. Sho Madjozi

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Sho Madjozi is a growing talent throughout all of Africa, not only in West Africa. She has been highlighted on a number of well-known international venues, such as CNN's African Voices and the BBC's Africa Beats. Along with working with artists from all over the continent, she has performed on numerous tours in Africa and beyond. African audiences have responded favorably to her distinctive style and strong message, elevating her to the rank of the top musicians on the continent.

Traditional African rhythms are blended with contemporary hip hop and pop elements in Sho Madjozi's music. She calls the sound that distinguishes her as her trademark sugar honey ice tea.

Her songs are renowned for their inspiring and powerful sentiments and frequently deal with topics of identity, culture, and social justice. Huku, Dumi HiPhone, and John Cena are a few of her best-known songs. Along with collaborating with other musicians, she has made hits with songs like Wamuhle and Asambe, which are well-known for their catchy beats and strong sentiments.

2. 2Baba

Nigerian legend 2baba, formerly 2face Idibia, is a musician. He is regarded as one of the founders of Afrobeats, a popular music style that has recently become extremely popular all over the world. R&B, reggae, hip hop, and traditional African sounds are all included into 2baba's contemporary pop songs. He is well-known for his multilingual singing abilities and his deep, soulful voice.

In addition to being a renowned musician, 2baba is also a successful producer and businessman. Among the many honors he has received is the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act. Along with the Legend of African Music award, he also received the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Artist of the Decade.

In addition to his musical endeavors, 2baba has worked as a humanitarian, using his platform to promote peace and progress in Africa. In the African music scene, he is unquestionably a force to be reckoned with.

3. Yemi Alade

She started her career in 2009 after winning the Peak Talent Show but had to wait until 2014 for her breakthrough when she released the hit single “Johnny”. The music video of the song is still the most-watched music video by an African female artist ever.

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Yemi released her first studio album Kings of Queens in 2014 to huge commercial success and followed this up with her second album Mama Africa which was also a great success. So far she has recorded five studio albums and has toured the world with her music.

Since 2017, she has participated in The Voice Nigeria as a coach. In 2021, she was invited to perform by the royal family to perform at the Earthshot Prize ceremony hosted by the Royal Foundation.

In her career, she has won a host of awards including AFRIMA Awards (All Africa Music Awards), MTV African Music Awards, Soundcity MVP Awards, Independent Music Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and The Headies. she is the first to win the MTV African Music Awards for Best female consecutively twice and in 2015, became the first African female to be nominated for the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

Her music videos and stage performance have been characterized for its creative and eccentric delivery.

4. Sarkodie

Michael Owusu Addo was known by the stage name “Sarkodie” is the ninth-best African musician. A rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Ghana, began his career in 2005 performing as an underground rapper in competitions. He met Hammer of The Last Two, a record producer who was impressed by his rap skills and ability to free-style with meaningful and rhythmic flows through his former manager Duncan Williams.

Hammer signed Sarkodie on a five-year contract and made space for him to feature on a label mate’s album which was at the time being recorded. Upon the release of the album, Sarkodie became a star as demand for him skyrocketed. He then went on to record his own first album in 2009, Makye, which was well-received by critics and fans and then followed that up with a second album, Rapperholic. He has since released 6 studio albums, two live albums, and a collaborative album with Jayso.

Sarkodie is considered to be among be best and most successful African rappers ever. He has won numerous accolades including BET Awards, The Headies, Ghana Music Awards, National Youth Achievement Awards, MOBO Awards, and Channel O Music Video Awards. He was awarded “Artiste of the Decade” at the Vodafone Ghana Music Award and at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards he became the first artist to win the Best International Flow artist.

5. Tems

Temilade Openiyi popularly known as Tems is a Nigerian Songwriter, record producer, and singer who is currently one of the hottest musical talents in Africa right now. Earlier this month, she collaborated with a couple of American Artistes, a collaboration which left ‘Future’ and some of his colleagues screaming on how excellent her vocals is and how good she is.

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Earlier last year, she collaborated with Drake on the song ‘Fountains’ which debuted in Us Top 40 entries on Billboard Hot 100. Her collaboration with Wizkid in same year on the song ‘Essence’ also entered the Billboard Hot 100 and also earning her numerous award nominations, most notably a Grammy Nomination for the best Global Music performance.

Tems is definitely one of the hottest female sensation in Africa as things stand. Her vocals, style of music and delivery ranks her as one of the best African female artistes in 2022.

6. Tiwa Savage

Tiwatope Savage who goes by the stage name Tiwa Savage (also known as the queen of Afrobeat) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her career in the United Kingdom as a backup singer most notably for singers like Mary J Blige. She went on to participate in the 2006 edition of UK’s The X Factor.

Encourage by the growing music industry in Nigeria, in 2012 she came back home to sign a deal with Mavin Records where she released her debut album, Once Upon a Time in 2013. Her second studio album R. E .D. was released in 2015.

She has released 5 studio albums and Eps and has won several accolades in her career including Soundcity MVP Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, AFRIMA, COSON Song Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, The Headies amongst others. She is the first woman to win the Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, her music is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop. We rank her as the sixth-best African musician.

7. Fally Ipupa

Number 6 on our list Fally Ipupa N’simba, a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist, and producer known by his stage name Fally Ipupa. He began his musical career in the late 1990s as a member of the band “Quartier Latin International”. It was within the band that he rose to prominence as a conductor of the orchestra.

In 2006, he left the band to start his solo career and released his first solo album Droit Chemin. Three years after the release of the album, he released a second album of 16 tracks called Arsenal De Belles Melodies (French for “arsenal of beautiful melodies”) which gave him a wider recognition across Africa and beyond. The album featured such famous artists as 50 Cents of G-Unit and Olivia also formerly of G-Units.

As of 2021, Ipupa has six studio albums to his name and a host of awards recognizing his talents and influence in the African music scene. His list of awards includes MTV Africa Music Awards, BET Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards.

8. Angelique Kidjo

Another legend of African music is Angélique Kidjo. She is a Beninese singer-songwriter, musician, and activist known for her eclectic, avant-garde fusion of African and Western sounds and strong, soulful voice. English, French, and Kidjo's native Fon are just a few of the languages she can sing in. She has received various honors, including a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award and four Grammy Awards. Additionally, Kidjo has fought for human rights, notably for African women and girls.

Traditional African music, especially that of Kidjo's native Benin, has a big effect on her songs. Her music includes elements of makossa, soukous, highlife, and funk. Her tracks are frequently described as having a solid groove and being influenced by both jazz and rock. Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, and Bono are just a few of the musicians Kidjo has worked with. She is a true worldwide talent who is making African music known throughout the globe.

9. Davido

David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido, is a Nigerian singer and record-producer. He dropped out of university in 2010 to pursue a career in music and released his first album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012. The single “Dami Duro” from the album won him the Next Rated award at the 2012 Headies awards.

One of the most well-known musicians in Africa is the Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer Davido. His distinctive fusion of hip hop and afrobeats gives him a worldwide sound that has made him a star not just in Nigeria but even outside. The infectious beats and upbeat, danceable vibe of Davido's songs are well-known. In Africa and other countries, his hits like Fall and Blow My Mind have reached the top of the charts. He is a genuine music legend who uses his influence to honor the rich musical heritage of the continent and to advance African culture.

10. Diamond Platnumz

One of the most popular musicians in East Africa is Diamond Platnumz, a Tanzanian singer and composer also known as Naseeb Abdul Juma. His music combines reggae, bongo flava, and afrobeats. With tracks that have topped charts in Europe, Africa, and the US, he has attained global success. Diamond is renowned for his beautiful vocals and upbeat sounds, and many of his songs have uplifting themes of optimism and love.

He began his career in 2006 as a 17-year-old releasing his first single “Toka Mwanzo” which wasn’t a commercial success.

Throughout his career, Diamond Platnumz has received various honors, including several MTV Africa Music Awards and Channel O Music Video Awards. In 2014, he received another nomination for a BET Award. One of the most well-known and famous musicians from Africa, Diamond has influenced a new generation of musicians. His fame has additionally contributed to raising awareness of the East African music scene. His music serves as a symbol of the richness and complexity of African culture.

11. WizKid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun known professionally as Wizkid. He is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He began recording music at the age of 11 after he formed the “Glorious Five” with his friends from church. In 2009 he was signed to a record label Banky W and rose to the limelight after releasing the lead single of the debut album “Superstar“. The album was a huge success and in 2014 he released his second album which was self-titled “Ayo“.

Wizkid is the first Afrobeat artist to appear in the Guinness World Records with song “one dance” a collaboration with Canadian singer and rapper, Drake when the song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and broke multiple records. He is also the first Nigerian to have his song chart on the Billboard Hot 100 with his song “Essence” from his fourth album Made in Lagos.

With over 3.4 billion streams, he is the most streamed Nigerian artist on sportify. He has won numerous awards throughout his career including a Grammy for his work with American singer Beyoncé on the song “Brown skin girl“. His music style includes Afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, R&B, hip hop, pop.

12. Burna Boy

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. After releasing the lead single of his debut album “Like to Party” he broke into limelight. He has since released four more albums, two mixed tapes, and two extended plays (EPs).

Burna has won numerous accolades in his career including a Grammy award for his fifth album, Twice as Tall which won him the Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. With his second nomination at the Grammys, he became first Nigerian to get consecutive nominations for a Grammys award.

Burna’s style of music has been described as Afro-fusion, a genre that blends Afrobeats, dancehall riddims, reggae, American rap, and R&B. He is recognized as one of the biggest and most successful African artists.

In conclusion, it is worthwhile to know that music in Africa is broader than ever, with artists creating their own unique styles and sounds. One thing is clear though, the continent is witnessing perhaps its most talented generation of musicians though some argue this as the music industry has grown to a level never seen before but the fact is that level was only achieved because of the talent of the current musicians.