African music has continually produced waves of new, fresh talent each year, which has fueled global interest in Afrobeats, amapiano, and its several other subgenres.
2022 was a breakthrough year for artists such as Buju, Costa Titch, and Asake, whose success drove them onto Wrapped’s year-end top lists.
For listeners of African music on Spotify, 2023 promises a new roster of amazing performers poised to achieve mainstream fame and streaming success.
Some performers are poised to deliver their best music in the coming months, while others have had early success on Spotify and show numerous signs of future success.
Others are relatively recent additions, generating fresh interpretations of classic sounds that augur significant transformations in popular music.
According to Spotify data, these artists hailing from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda with a variety of styles, cultures, and perspectives are the ones to watch in 2023.
Pabi Cooper
With the success of her social media single Waga Bietjie and her inclusion on the lineup for Afro Nation Portugal, 2023 is building up to be her biggest year yet.
The Boontle RSA
This South African performer and songwriter has been on over a dozen of 2022’s hottest amapiano tunes, including those by Wenza Kanjani and POLO, and is poised for a breakthrough in 2023.
Cousin Waffles
Lungelihle Zwane, often known as Uncle Waffles, has rapidly established herself as an influential force in fashion, music, and amapiano culture. Following her social media popularity in 2021, she rocketed to fame with her song Tanzania, which topped the charts for months.
Nkosazana Daughter
Nkosazana Daughter, a 21-year-old singer and songwriter, is a rising star in the amapiano genre. In 2023, she was nominated for her first award in the category of Best Female MVP at the SoundCity MVP Awards Festival.
Young Stunna
Young Stunna has built a name for himself in the amapiano genre with songs like SETE, on which he collaborates with Blxckie, and Adiwele, on which he collaborates with Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
Jay J. J. Phoelogo Judah Mataboge, sometimes known as Jay Jody, is a rapper and singer-songwriter who began his career as a member of the rap duo B3nchMarQ.
Blue Tape
With songs like thE confrontatioN and blvcK kidZ, their fresh, mellow sound has attracted a devoted fan base. Having worked with other emerging artists such as A-Reece and Jay Jody, their sound is just beginning.
Khanyisa
Khanyisa Jaceni, who began her career as a social media figure, transitioned to music in 2021 and soon established herself in the amapiano genre. Together with Lady Du, her breakout song Bheka Mina Ngedwa brought her to our attention.
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Since the release of her breakthrough single Home in 2021, vocalist Lwandile Mtshali, also known as Lwah Ndlunkulu, has risen.
Will Linley
21-year-old Will Linley began creating songs at a young age and moved to TikTok in 2021 to begin his musical career. His 2021 debut single Miss Me (after you’re gone) became a South African radio hit, establishing Will as a budding pop music star.
Droomsinsinsins Brother pair Droomsindroom has been a pioneer in the Afrikaans indie pop music scene with the release of two songs and an EP in 2022.
Officixl RSA
With tracks like Drumonades and Jozi Night, Officixl RSA’s mesmerizing sounds make his music a mainstay at any groove party.
»Spotify provides a list of hot new artists to watch in 2023«