Interested in knowing the African musicians to watch out for in 2022? This piece is for you.
The year 2021 saw popular African music genres like Afropop, Soukous, Kwaito, and Arabic pop taken globally. We saw a number of collaborations between African artists and international acts. One of the popular ones was between Nigeria’s
Fireboy DML and Ed Sheeran on Peru Remix.
This year has promised to be exceptional. Many rising music stars in the continent continue to make waves. From Elaine in South Africa to Soraia Ramos in Cape Verde and Nigeria’s Arya Starr, these are some African musicians to watch out for in 2022.
Temilade Openiyi, popularly referred to as
Tems, is a rising Nigerian artist who has gained international recognition. The award-winning R&B Afrobeats singer was featured by popular artists like
Drake, Brent Fayaz, Justin Bieber, and Wizkid. Her tracks are one of the few African songs that made it to the top 100 US and UK Billboard Charts.
Her EPs
For Broken Ears and
If Orange was a Place released in 2020 and 2021 respectively was widely received both in Nigeria and across the border of Africa.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOrFWBjiRik[/embed]
As a Kizomba singer with a pinch of hip-hop and a dash of R&B,
Soraia has taken Cape Verde by the storm. The 28-year old Portuguese-Cape Verdean singer rose to stardom with the release of her YouTube music video ‘O Nisso Amor’ and enjoyed the same admiration on her other singles ‘Bai’ and Nao Da Ah Ah.
With her sonorous voice, Soraia sings love songs in both Portuguese and Creole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYVs8M21HTk
Based on his extraordinary performance in 2021, expect greater things from
Bruce Melodie in the year 2022. The versatile singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, and actor has been in the Rwandan entertainment industry since 2011. With albums like
Ntundize and
Best of Butera Knowles, as well as his EP,
Ikinya, the artist has shown that he has much more to offer the world.
Some of the artist’s popular songs are ‘Katerina’, ‘Game on’, and ‘Ikinya’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vDsy_5nQ7g
Natasha Chansa is a 21-year old multitalented songwriter, singer, dancer, and rapper. She released her debut EP
The Genesis through her label Zed Arts Records. The Genesis is a double-sided EP consisting of ten songs. The African rap star cum singer is just getting started but has much to offer the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgj92yLtiPk
Muhammad Ismail Sherif, known to fan as Black Sherif is a force to reckon with in the music industry. The 20-year old Ghanaian hip hop artist became a lyrical sensation with his hit songs ‘Money’, ‘First Sermon’, and ‘
Second Sermon’.
Although the artist is yet to release an album, he has garnered much attention from key players in the Ghanaian Music Industry like Hammer and Sarkodie. He has also featured the award-winning Nigerian singer, Burna Boy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFdD3Y8mqPI
6. Zuchu (Tanzania)
Zuhura Othman Soud known by the stage name Zuchu is one of Tanzania’s most promising young artists. She rose to fame after her debut track, ‘Wana’. Her songs have received recognition not just in Tanzania but in other African countries as well. Signed to
WCB Wasafi Records, Zuchu has so far recorded three EPs-
Unplugged,
Zuchu Unplugged, and
I am Zuchu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCmItvVgn6Q
The first thing you will notice about Ayra Starr is her uniquely powerful voice but she is one of the artists to watch out for in 2022. Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr has been making headlines since 2019 when she was signed by Mavins Records.
She has released a self-titled debut EP comprising the hit song Away and an album 19 & dangerous.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Sp0jIHDYE[/embed]
8. Wegz (Egypt)
Since the release of his first video, ‘TNT’, which has millions of views on Youtube, Wegz has been disrupting the Egyptian hip-hop scene. The 19-year old trap artist has gained huge popularity within a span of a short period.
Ahmed Ali known by the moniker, Wegz became the most streamed hip hop artist from Egypt on
Spotify and
Deezer. His hit singles include ‘Kharban’, ‘Asyad El Soot’, ‘Dorak Gai’, and ‘3afareet El Asphalt’.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEhSs5Uemsk[/embed]
The song, ‘Olingi Nini’ brought Mawete to the limelight in 2017 and he never looked back since. Gaz Mawete whose given name is Gael Kapia Mawete is famous for his talent as a singer, songwriter, and dancer. He won the Vodacom Superstar award and was signed by the Congolese label, Bomaye Muzik after which he released the song, ‘Paulina’.
Gaz Mawete’s other singles include ‘Bonioma’, ‘Maitresse’, and ‘Tupendama’. He has also collaborated with big-name artists like Dadju and Locko.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJuyvYubbPc
Mononymously known as
Elaine, Ndihvuwo Elaine Mukheli is a South African award-winning R&B singer and songwriter. She started as an Indie artist to release her EP
Element but has since joined the acclaimed Columbia Records. Despite her recent appearance on South Africa’s musical scene, Elaine is setting the pace for others to follow. Her single track, ‘You are the One’ released in 2019 attested to the artist’s talent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEWCJc1atvc
The year 2022 promises to bring excitement to the African music scene. Be on the lookout for these African musicians to watch out for in 2022 as they will be producing exceptionally beautiful music.
You should also read our piece on the 11 Musicians to Watch out for in 2022
