Top 10 Most Influential Artists In Africa
African music has witnessed a seismic global impact, thanks to the relentless efforts of extraordinary individuals who have propelled the sound into the international spotlight. These artists not only amassed wealth from their innate talent but also cultivated an extensive sphere of influence among music enthusiasts worldwide. In acknowledgment of the triumphs of these African icons, we have meticulously compiled a list of the 10 most influential artists in Africa.
Before going into the details, it is crucial to underscore the meteoric rise of African music, particularly the Afrobeats genre, which has become an unmistakable musical powerhouse on the world stage. Spotify's streaming data underscores this phenomenon, revealing a staggering 500% surge in global streams for the genre between 2017 and 2022.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, further attests to the genre's meteoric ascent in 2023. Afrobeats, she reveals, has commanded an astonishing 223 million hours of playtime, with streams surpassing a monumental 7.1 billion on Spotify. Her assertion that the Afrobeats genre is poised for enduring prominence resonates, heralding a future marked by even more remarkable achievements. Without further ado, allow us to introduce the 10 most influential Artists in Africa.
Most Influential Artists In Africa [2023/2024]
- Burna Boy
- Wizkid
- Rema
- Davido
- Angelique Kidjo
- DJ Black Coffee
- Youssou N’Dour
- 2Baba
- P-Square
- Sarkodie
1. Burna Boy
At the zenith of this illustrious roster stands Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, renowned globally as Burna Boy. Presently, Burna Boy reigns supreme as the most influential artist in Africa. His recent magnum opuses: Twice as Tall, Love Damini, and I Told Them, have catapulted him to the vanguard of Africa's musical dominion. Internationally acclaimed hits such as Ye, Last Last, and On the Low have garnered hundreds of millions of streams, amassing a legion of fans spanning the globe.
With an astounding 19 million Spotify listeners, Burna Boy is poised to etch his name in the annals of the most streamed African Artists in history. Beyond these unprecedented numbers, Burna Boy's penchant for selling out colossal venues and stadiums is legendary. He stands as the pioneer African Artist to achieve this feat in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.
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Burna Boy's unparalleled achievements extend to selling out four of the five busiest arenas globally, including the O2, Ziggo Dome, Accor, and Madison Square Garden. Notably, he is the first Nigerian to secure back-to-back Grammy nominations, a testament to his indomitable artistry. A recipient of a slew of prestigious accolades, including the Grammy Awards and BET Awards, Burna Boy is an exemplar of musical prowess.
This Grammy-Award-winning luminary ascended to stardom in 2012 with the release of Like to Party, the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E. Since then, he has released an impressive six additional studio albums. His association with Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group on the international stage solidified his stratospheric ascent in the global music milieu.
For a more comprehensive exploration of Burna Boy's journey, consider delving into the riveting narrative encapsulated in his Biography and Net Worth.
2. Wizkid
Ibrahim Ayodeji Balogun, affectionately known as Wizkid, commands the second spot among the preeminent figures in African music. This luminary, possessing a near-mystical following, stands as the quintessential poster boy for Afrobeats. Wizkid is heralded as one of the pivotal figures responsible for catapulting African Music onto the international stage, with anthems like Ojuelegba, Soco, Joro, and a litany of others.
Widely acclaimed as arguably the greatest musician to emerge from Africa, Wizkid's trove of awards, certifications, streams, and chart records is nothing short of monumental. His social media presence underscores his immense influence, boasting over 10 million followers on Twitter and an impressive 14 million on Instagram.
In addition to collaborations with global titans such as Drake, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown, Wizkid has ascended to the zenith of earnings in the continent, cementing his stature as one of the highest-paid musicians. His international triumph, Essence, earned the unanimous accolade of the 2021 song of the summer. This magnum opus further etched its name in history, becoming the first African song to attain platinum status in the United States and Canada.
Wizkid's album Made In Lagos etches an indelible mark in Billboard's annals as the longest-charting African album in history. A veritable tour de force, it stands as the best-selling and most-streamed African album, amassing over one billion streams within a year of release. In the realm of live performances, Wizkid's resonance is equally formidable, having sold out iconic venues like the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Accor Arena in France, and an array of others. His historic feat of selling out the 02 Arena in 2018, 2019, and curating a triumphant three-day festival in 2021 further attests to his monumental impact.
3. Rema
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At the third position stands the prodigious 23-year-old, Rema, acclaimed as the kingpin of the new school. Unlike some of his peers on this esteemed list, Rema's ascent to international acclaim has been swift, propelled by his knack for crafting infectious and melodious music. In parallel with Wizkid, Rema has engendered a fervent following, particularly with the early releases of his extended plays.
However, it was with the release of his debut album, Rave and Roses, that Rema solidified his legendary status as the vanguard of the new school. This opus, in tandem with his global chart-topper, Calm Down, has commandeered the international music stage, charting in myriad countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The remix featuring the luminary American songstress Selena Gomez not only soared to the third position on the Billboard Hot 100 but also led the U.S. Afrobeats Songs for an astounding 52 consecutive weeks.
Calm Down now reigns as the most-viewed Afrobeats music video on YouTube, and concurrently, it holds the distinction of being the most-streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify. The deluxe version of his inaugural album, Rave & Roses Ultra, released in 2013, further galvanized his status, becoming the first African album to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.
4. Davido
Davido, a multiple-award-winning luminary, claims his rightful place on this esteemed list of the most influential artists in Africa for the 2023/2024 calendar year. Heralded as one of the preeminent music icons and celebrities to emerge from Africa, Davido boasts an enviable following on social media platforms, trailing only behind the illustrious Mohamed Salah.
Davido's luminous trajectory commenced with the release of Dami Duro, the resounding second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012. Since then, the 29-year-old maestro has unveiled three additional studio albums, all of which have attained both commercial and critical acclaim, both within and beyond the continent. Notably, his international chart-topper, Fall, once reigned as the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in the annals of Billboard History.
His most recent magnum opus, Timeless, featuring viral TikTok hits like Unavailable, resonated profoundly across the continent and in Europe. With a net worth of $19 million, the DMW maestro ascends as one of the wealthiest musicians on the African continent. His accolades include a citation among the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019.
For an in-depth exploration of Davido's journey, consider immersing yourself in his captivating Biography and Net Worth Forbes Updates.
5. Angelique Kidjo
The illustrious Beninese songstress, Angelique Kidjo, secures the fifth position among the most influential artists in Africa for the year 2023. She is widely acclaimed as one of the paramount vocalists to emerge from the continent, revered not only for her mellifluous artistry but also for her enduring impact on the global stage. This multiple award-winning luminary stands as a vanguard in propelling African music onto the international forefront.
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Kidjo's musical legacy is underscored by a discography spanning over 16 albums, firmly cementing her status as one of the preeminent musical luminaries in the African milieu. Beyond her musical resonance, Angelique Kidjo stands as an advocate and philanthropist of exceptional repute. Her appointment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2022 marked a historic milestone, as she became the first African woman to be conferred with this distinguished title.
Furthermore, she established The Batonga Foundation, a non-governmental organization that empowers some of the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach young women and girls across the continent. Kidjo's illustrious career has garnered a litany of prestigious awards and recognitions, including inclusion in the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2021.
Moreover, she holds honorary doctorates from esteemed institutions such as Yale University, Berklee College of Music, Middlebury College, and UCLouvain. Her illustrious repertoire further includes the 2015 Crystal Award bestowed by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Grammy Award, and the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International in 2016.
6. DJ Black Coffee
Nkosinathi Innocent Sizwe Maphumulo, widely known as DJ Black Coffee, stands as an indomitable force in the African music landscape, securing his position as one of the most influential artists on the continent. This South African luminary not only commands the title of the wealthiest musician in South Africa but also claims the second spot among the richest musicians in Africa.
A luminary in record production and songwriting, DJ Black Coffee boasts an estimated net worth of a staggering $60 million. His artistry extends beyond borders, earning him prominence on the international stage. He has orchestrated some of the most monumental music festivals, parties, and concerts both within and outside the African continent.
Black Coffee's musical journey commenced at the Durban University of Technology, where he first ventured into the realm of music. He subsequently transitioned into a backup singer for the esteemed South African musician Madala Kunene. Since his foray into the South African music industry in 1994, he has released an impressive repertoire of nine studio albums, solidifying his standing as a luminary in the musical landscape.
Furthermore, Black Coffee has collaborated with some of the most illustrious American artists, including Usher, Alicia Keys, Drake, and P Diddy. Like his counterparts on this prestigious list, he has garnered a trove of awards, including the coveted Grammy for the Best Dance/Electronic Album in the 2022 Grammy Awards.
7. Youssou N’Dour
Youssou N’Dour, the legendary Senegalese singer, transcends his status as the most renowned vocalist in Senegal to secure a place as one of the most influential artists across the African continent. Celebrated not only for his exceptional vocal prowess but also for his pivotal role in shaping the Senegalese music genre known as mbalax, N’Dour's legacy resonates far and wide.
N’Dour's journey in music commenced at a remarkably tender age of 12, embarking on a trajectory that would lead him to perform alongside the illustrious Star Band, Dakar's foremost group in the 1970s. At the age of 15, he joined Super Diamond and embarked on a tour across West Africa, marking a pivotal juncture in his illustrious career.
In 1976, N’Dour inked a contract to sing with Ibra Kasse's Star Band at Kasse's Miami club in Dakar, an engagement that would propel him to sensational acclaim. In tandem with several members of the Star Band, he established Étoile de Dakar, a band that played an instrumental role in the evolution of Senegal's burgeoning musical style, Mbalax.
Beyond his indelible contributions to the global success of African music, Youssou N’Dour's activism and advocacy loom large. In 1985, he orchestrated a concert in honor of Nelson Mandela's release. He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour.
Moreover, N’Dour's appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2000 stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. In a bid to foster connectivity among Senegalese communities worldwide, he founded Project Joko, which established internet cafes in Africa.
8. 2Baba
Innocent Ujah Idibia, fondly known as 2Baba, emerges as a seminal figure in the realm of Nigerian music and stands as one of the pioneers in propelling African music onto the global stage. The inaugural recipient of the MTV Europe Best African Act Award in 2005, 2Baba's indomitable presence in the musical arena is nothing short of iconic.
2Baba's journey in music commenced at the Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu, where he earned a National Diploma. His earliest performances unfolded at school-organized events and regional school gatherings, subsequently setting the stage for his extraordinary musical career.
Before embarking on his solo trajectory in 2006, 2Baba played an instrumental role as a member of the disbanded Plantashun Boiz, alongside Blackface and Faze. The band released two triumphant albums, Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003), before parting ways in 2004. Their reunion in 2007 culminated in the recording of a third and final album, aptly titled Plan B (2007).
With a discography comprising over seven studio albums, 2Baba has firmly etched his legendary status in the Nigerian music industry. His extraordinary accolades encompass a spectrum of prestigious awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award, World Music Award, Headies Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, BET Award, MTV Africa Music Awards, MOBO Award, KORA Award, Afrima Awards, and a trove of additional nominations.
9. P-Square
The dynamic Nigerian musical duo, P-Square, clinches the ninth position in the pantheon of the most influential artists in Africa. Although they may not currently command the same mainstream attention as in yesteryears, their artistic reinvention, musical versatility, and visual presentation continue to underscore their enduring influence.
Integral to the evolution of African popular music in the 2000s and 2010s, P-Square earned the coveted title of the Best African Group and emerged as one of the most influential African acts of all time. Their pivotal breakthrough into the mainstream consciousness was heralded by the release of the anthemic Senorita in 2003. The duo ascended to even greater heights with the release of their sophomore album, Get Squared, in 2005.
Since then, P-Square has unveiled four additional albums, each achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success, collectively amassing a staggering 40 million records sold worldwide. Their distinguished presence has been acknowledged with nominations for BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, and MOBO Awards. Furthermore, they clinched KORA Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, and Channel O Music Video Awards.
In 2012, P-Square etched their name in history as the first Nigerians to peak at the top five on the SNEP – French official chart and secure a position in the top ten on Ultratop – Belgium official chart with the French Version of E no easy, featuring Matt Houston.
10. Sarkodie
The venerable Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie, commands the eighth position among the most influential artists in Africa. At 36 years of age, Sarkodie stands as a paragon of contribution to the Ghanaian music industry, widely regarded as one of the preeminent rappers to emerge from the continent.
Sarkodie's musical odyssey unfolded as an underground rapper, discovered by his manager during his participation in a prominent rap competition in Ghana. His debut album, Makye, released in 2009, garnered effusive praise from critics and fans alike across the continent.
Sarkodie collaborated with some of the most illustrious names in African music and has unveiled an impressive suite of five additional studio albums, solidifying his status as one of the most successful and illustrious rappers in Africa. He stands as a pivotal proponent of the Azonto genre, a genre that has had a profound impact on the African musical landscape
In conclusion, these influential figures not only amplify the sonic heartbeat of Africa but also champion humanitarian causes, as seen in Angelique Kidjo's advocacy and Youssou N’Dour's activism. Their collective impact resonates far beyond melodies, uniting communities and transcending borders.
As Africa's musical landscape continues to evolve, these artists serve as both vanguards and ambassadors, perpetuating the rich tapestry of sound that defines the continent. Their contributions to the global music industry solidify their places as not only influential artists in Africa but also as trailblazers in the global musical lexicon.
