Musa Keys

Hometown: Limpopo, South Africa

The piano in church was the origin point for Musa Keys’ love of music. By age 14, he was producing beats and recording trap music to middling success. However, it was making Amapiano songs that helped Musa Keys find his footing. His 2020 breakout project Samarian Boy SZN is acclaimed for its feathery melodies and quirky synthesizers. “Selema (Po Po)” is from his continent-spanning EP TAYO (meaning “source of joy” in Yoruba), and he tapped in Nigerian rising star Victony for a September 2022 remix.

Jay Melody

Hometown: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“Nakupenda” translates to “I love you” in Swahili, but Jay Melody’s newest single chronicles much more than romance. On “Nakupenda,” he speaks of a love for his country and its people who reciprocate positive emotions in his day-to-day interactions. The 25-year-old artist came onto the Tanzanian scene as a prodigy in the non-profit incubator Tanzanian House of Talent in 2016. Following a year of artistic development, he was signed by Epic Records Tanzania. Under the label, he has released multiple romantic Bongo Flava hits such as “Sugar,” “Najieka,” and “Sambaloketo.”

TAR1Q

Hometown: Benin City, Nigeria

Nigerian label Chocolate City Music announced its newest signee TAR1Q in July 2022. The 21-year-old Benin City native made the announcement with a five-track EP, SON OF THE MOON. The emotive project covers love, ambition, loss, and their effects on mental health. TAR1Q transitioned from making trap music to his present soulful, mid-tempo version of Afrobeats. On “Bad Intentions,” he approaches a romantic interest with honesty and vulnerability, stating his dreams of a fruitful future between them.

Poptain

Hometown: Gweru, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean dancehall artist Poptain grew up with his ears glued to Jamaican reggae and dancehall, citing Mavado as one of his major influences. The 28-year-old from Gweru found an escape from the harsh realities of his neighborhood through high school music lessons. After high school, he started recording his own music, going by the name “Mad Arzlaan.” He found success with his 2020 single “Fadza Mutengi,” and on recent single “T-shirt Chena,” Poptain sings about the comfort and reliability of a well-ironed white T-shirt.

Karole Kasita

Hometown: Wakiso District, Uganda

Dancehall is a burgeoning space in Uganda and Karole Kasita is one of its forerunners. Her career took off after being in a popular band called S&S from 2015 to 2018. After going solo, she began an ongoing collaboration with Ugandan artist Daddy Andre, which was well-received in the region. She tapped Kenyan dancehall singer Arrow Bwoy and Ugandan rapper Fik Fameica on the Bongo Flava song “You” from her debut album, Limited Edition.

Wendy Shay

Hometown: Kwahu, Ghana

Wendy Shay was born in Kwahu, Ghana, but moved to Germany after her father passed away when she was four. She attended a music school in Bernhausen, Germany and moved back to Ghana prior to signing a record deal with Rufftown Records. Her first offering under the label was “Uber Driver,” a largely Twi-sung single that preceded her debut album, Shay on You. “Survivor,” released in May 2022, is a solemn record where she resolves to keep soldering on regardless of being wronged by her ex.

Majesty Lyn

Hometown: Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Majesty Lyn wrote poems as a child in Port Harcourt, and gradually, poetry turned into rap battles and cyphers in her university. Seeking a broader audience after graduating, she gained some attention through posting covers of popular Nigerian songs on social media. In 2018, she moved to Nigeria to pursue music full-time, consistently releasing music until she signing to Freeme Music in November 2021. Her latest project, Things on Things, is a reflection of the shared struggles of young Nigerian women. On the dancehall-infused standout “Stop Dancing,” she beckons her partner to keep the party going.

Medikal

Hometown: Accra, Ghana

Samuel Adu Frimpong selected the moniker Medikal due to his fascination with doctors and medical practitioners, subsequently communicating his desire to deliver witty raps with surgical precision. Since his 2016 debut single “Bra From,” he has become one of the most decorated contemporary rappers in Ghana. Along the way, he has released four albums Disturbation, The Plug, Island, and The Truth. On “Letter to my Ex,” he reminisces about how he was blinded by love in a past relationship, but with time, has achieved some clarity.

Confy

Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda

Rwandan artist Confy makes Afrobeats and Bongo Flava songs in a mix of Kinyarwanda and English. He attributes his ability to follow his current path to his family, who were enthusiastic about his dreams. His career took some time to catch steam, but since his 2021 single “Jowana” went off, he hasn’t looked back. “Kloza” is a jolly Bongo Flava record that encapsulates Confy’s endearing artistry.

Jeeba

Hometown: Thies, Senegal

Jeeba (a clever amalgamation of his real name Djibril Ba) defines his musical style as Afrombalakhé—a variation of the popular Senegalese genre mbalax. Incorporating familiar indigenous instruments like the bongo and sabar, Jeeba combines mbalax with pop to create a sound that is easily digestible all across Senegal. “Lamou Saff” speaks of the powers of feminine energy and men’s susceptibility to seduction.

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10 African Artists You Should Know (November 2022)