BAYANNI, Tempoe, Poco Lee make Spotify’s list of 2023 emerging artistes

For African music lovers Spotify2023 promises another rollout of prominent artists poised for fame and mainstream streaming success.

On Tuesday, music streaming platform Spotify released a list of African acts to watch.

Well, African music has continuously spawned waves of new and fresh talent every year, fueling global interest in Afrobeats, Amapiano and its many other sub-genres.

2022 was the year for musicians like Buju, Costa Titch and Asake, whose hits took them to the top of the charts at the end of 2022.

While these talents brought their voices to the main stage, a host of rising stars laid the foundation for their start to the year.

Some of these musicians, according to Spotify, are ready to release their best music in the coming months. Others have had their first success on Spotify and show signs of even greater success. Others are relatively new elements, developing familiar sounds that harken back to significant changes in popular music.

With diverse styles, cultures and perspectives from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, these are the artists to watch in 2023, according to Spotify.

KHAID

At 17, Khaid is a Generation Z star in every way. Her debut, With You, was an instant darling, evoking a syrupy teenage love story. As part of a generation of artists first discovered on social media, Khaid’s songs resonate with a mainstream online audience and inspire many viral challenges. His Afrobeats inspirations are prominent in songs like Akpako, but Khaide also shows his emotional trap side in Ski, a favorite among young Nigerians in 2022.

TEMPO

Best known for his own production label, MAD!, the young producer is behind some of Afrobeat’s biggest tracks. A long-term friendship with CKay led to the global smash Love, Nwantiti, now certified double platinum in the United States. 2022 showed a new pace to Tempoe’s successful powers; He produced Joeboy’s viral hit Alcohol and performed in Soweto, global sensation Spotify RADAR alumni Victony. With over a hundred million Spotify streams to his name, Tempoe is poised for more success this year.

READ THE LITTLE

First introduced to fans for his dance skills, Poco Lee has applied his skill set to craft some of the biggest street pop hits of 2022. Poco Lee has built a huge following by supporting some of the hottest emerging talent, including Bella Shmurda and HotKid. Whether it’s his ear for a future hit or his ability to put the right creatives in the same space, Poco Lee has blessed him with hit albums like Otilo and YARD. Wherever Afrobeats goes this year, you’ll find Poco Lee around the kitchen.

INFORMATION

Bayanni has launched to 2023. Mavin’s newest artist, the house that produced Rema & Ayra Starr, presented himself with a four-song EP of the same name in September 2022. Ta Ta Ta has risen on the shoulders of a viral social media challenge to become almost indispensable. And it didn’t stop there, entering the dressing room of Manchester City, where the Algerian footballer Riyad Mahrez chose the song to celebrate a great performance.

HAZ

With only one release under his name, Brume is still a mysterious entity to some. His song, Workaholic, is not. Released in 2021, the young singer extols the virtues of perseverance and hard work in pursuit of his holy grail. Brume gained attention on social media with occasional freestyles prior to Workaholic, and as 2023 begins, ears perk up with the new music Brume has to offer.

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YKB

Formerly known as YusufKanbai, YKB is an eclectic artist on the Ones to Watch charts. He has released several cult favorites over the years and built a solid community while winning The One, a competition from online publisher Clout Nigeria. YKB stepped up with 2021’s Before I Blow, featuring fan favorites including Practice Patience and Oshofree. It has made even more fans with San Siro 2022, a love story about football, with many believing it is YKB time.

CASTILLO

Kaestyle has a unique skill with words and narratives, lined up with soothing melodies that have landed him in the libraries of many music lovers. The singer’s debut EP, Kae’s Study, showcases her ability to play in different ways, offering training on Moving Mad and some groovy Afropop on Blessings. His collaboration with Victony, True Love, is an early fan choice, and fans will be eager to stream Kaestyle’s easier hits.

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Below is a list of other emerging artists on the continent.

GREAT MUSICIANS FROM GHANA

REGGIE

SNYPA

MELLIAN

BEEZTRAP KOTM

SAMSNEY

KENYA, TANZANIA AND UGANDA, MUSICIANS WITHOUT RED

WANAVOKALI

NOTE

MISEE MILLION

man

ANJELLA

KILLY

PIN

V-BE

LIAM’S VOICE

AXON

SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS

PABI COOPER

BOONTLE RSA

UNCLE GALLERIES

NKOSAZANA’S DAUGHTER

YOUNG STUNNA

JAY JODY

BLUE RIBBON

turn it on

Lord God

WILL LINLEY

THE DREAM SYNDROME

OFFICIAL RSA