Top 5 Rising African Music Stars You Need to Hear Now

The top 5 rising African music stars you need to hear right now are Chella, Taves, Usimamane, FOLA, and Abigail Chams. Each of them has already earned a verified chart milestone, a major label or award recognition, and a growing fanbase built on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok. They span Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania — and together they represent the next generation of African music at its most exciting.

5 Rising African Music Stars at a Glance

Before the full breakdown, here is a quick snapshot of every rising star on this list, their country, sound, and the milestone that put them on the map.

Artist	Country	Genre	Breakout Song	Key Milestone
Chella	Nigeria	Afrobeats, Afro R&B	“My Darling”	#1 TurnTable Nigeria Top 100, #8 Billboard US Afrobeats
Taves	Nigeria	Synth pop, Afro R&B, Soul	“Folake”	Billboard African Rookie of the Month
Usimamane	South Africa	Melodic rap, Trap, R&B	“Cheque”	3x Platinum South Africa, Apple Music Rap Life Africa cover star
FOLA	Nigeria	Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop	“you”	Grand Jury Prize at Music Moves Europe Awards
Abigail Chams	Tanzania	Bongo Flava, Afropop, R&B	“Nani?”	Debut EP hit #1 Tanzania and #3 Africa, signed to Sony Music

1. Chella (Nigeria) — The Viral Afrobeats Wildcard

Chella’s “My Darling” hit #1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100 and #8 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart. Born Uzochukwu Michael Ikechukwu and based in Lagos, Chella became Afrobeats’ most unexpected breakout story. “My Darling” blends Igbo and Pidgin English over a strings heavy, low bass beat. The song spread from TikTok to radio across Nigeria with a speed that surprised even industry insiders.

Why “My Darling” Hit Differently

OkayAfrica called “My Darling” a “transcendental record” accepted by children and adults alike. It reached 2.8 million on-demand weekly plays at its peak on TurnTable Nigeria. Chella became the only Nigerian act with a song on TikTok’s global year-end chart. His crossover did not stop at Nigeria — he released “My Darling (uDali Wami)” with South African singer Zee Nxumalo to push the record across borders. CNN covered his story in Lagos, tracing his journey from TikTok creator to chart-topping Afrobeats artist.

Chella Fast Facts

• 47.8 million Spotify streams on “My Darling”
• Over 90 million YouTube Music streams on the same track
• 2 million TikTok videos created using “My Darling”
• Only Nigerian song on TikTok’s global year-end chart
• Follow-up EP Chella Chant debuted at #10 on Spotify UK Top Albums Debut
• Covered by CNN in a full Lagos-based feature interview
• Compares in style to Omah Lay and Rema, but with his own southeast Nigerian identity

Must-Hear Chella Songs

• “My Darling” — Start here. The record with 2.8M weekly on-demand plays that made Nigeria stop and listen.
• “My Darling (uDali Wami)” ft. Zee Nxumalo — The South African remix that turned a local hit into a continental record.

Chella’s rise sits in the same category as the stories behind Africa’s best new artists and the future of the continent’s music. His sound feels new, but his songwriting connects on a level that only experienced writers usually reach.

2. Taves (Nigeria) — Billboard’s African Rookie of the Month

Taves earned Billboard’s African Rookie of the Month title on the strength of his breakout single “Folake.” Born Toluwanimi Aluko and raised in Ibadan from age 8, this 21-year-old singer, songwriter, and guitarist fuses 80s synthwave with Afrobeats, R&B, and soul into a sound that has no easy comparison in Nigerian music right now. He began recording demos on his phone while studying computer science and posting covers on Instagram and SoundCloud.

How Taves Got His Big Break

A viral Instagram cover of BNXN’s “For Days” caught the attention of BNXN himself. He signed Taves to his T.Y.E imprint in partnership with Atlantic Records UK. From there, Taves released “Bodija” and “Folake” — two singles that built his reputation as a genre-bending force in Nigerian music. Rolling Stone placed “Folake” on their Best Afropop Songs list, describing the record as “as dark and vast as the ocean.” He also appeared as a guest feature on Tiwa Savage’s album This One Is Personal, earning a co-sign that placed him alongside one of the biggest African female artists alive.

Taves Fast Facts

• Named Billboard’s African Rookie of the Month
• Signed to BNXN’s T.Y.E imprint after a viral Instagram cover
• Featured as guest on Tiwa Savage’s This One Is Personal album
• “Folake” appeared on Rolling Stone’s Best Afropop Songs list
• Musical influences include Asa, Wande Coal, Khalid, Ed Sheeran, and The Weeknd
• Fans online describe his sound as “realm teleporting” for its ability to lift them into new sonic spaces

Must-Hear Taves Songs

• “Folake” — A lovelorn synth-pop confession that made Rolling Stone’s best Afropop list and earned Billboard recognition.
• “Bodija” — A street love record rooted in the culture and energy of Ibadan.
• “Are You Listening?” — The introspective R&B single that built his fanbase before “Folake” broke through.

Taves represents a new direction in Nigerian music, one that sits outside conventional Afrobeats but keeps its roots intact. His story is part of a bigger wave of African music breakthrough artists redefining what the continent’s sound can be.

3. Usimamane (South Africa) — Durban’s Rising Rap Star

Usimamane’s debut single “Cheque” is certified 3x Platinum in South Africa, making him the most decorated new voice in South African hip hop at 21 years old. Born Omuhle Mxolisi Simamane in Umlazi, Durban, Usimamane grew up in a musically inclined family. He describes his music as “fate music” — rooted in honesty, hope, and lived experience from one of South Africa’s most storied townships.

How Usimamane Broke Through

“Cheque” became an instant national anthem. Its emotional pull and memorable hook made it the kind of track that cuts through a crowded market. Apple Music noticed immediately and named him their Rap Life Africa cover star, placing him on Ebro Darden’s flagship Rap Life playlist. His debut album 20th: Days Before Maud then broke Spotify South Africa’s record for the highest number of second-day streams at the time of release. Rolling Stone Africa named him a Future of Music Cover Star — a recognition that puts him in a class above most new South African rappers. The same city of Durban that produced Nasty C and Blxckie is now claiming Usimamane as its latest gift to African music.

Usimamane Fast Facts

• “Cheque” is 3x Platinum in South Africa
• Named Apple Music’s Rap Life Africa cover star, featured on Ebro Darden’s Rap Life playlist
• Debut album 20th: Days Before Maud broke Spotify South Africa’s second-day streaming record
• “Uvalo” ft. Sjava debuted at #4 and climbed to #1 on South Africa’s Local Streaming Top 10
• Named a Rolling Stone Africa Future of Music Cover Star
• Often compared to Nasty C for smooth flow and emotional swagger
• Born in Umlazi, Durban, the same hometown that shaped Nasty C and Blxckie

Must-Hear Usimamane Songs

• “Cheque” — The 3x Platinum breakout anthem. Start with this one.
• “IMALI” — Hard-hitting and street-certified. Shows the hungry side of his artistry.
• “Uvalo” ft. Sjava — The emotional collab that debuted at #4 and went all the way to #1 in South Africa.

South Africa’s music scene is full of momentum right now. Usimamane joins a strong field of new artists coming out of the country. Read more on the top South African female Amapiano artists and the sound behind Amapiano that is reshaping how the world hears South African music.

4. FOLA (Nigeria) — The Songwriter Who Won Europe

FOLA won the Grand Jury Prize at the Music Moves Europe Awards — an accolade previously won by Hozier, ROSALÍA, and Dua Lipa — making him the most globally recognized new Nigerian artist at the time of his win. Signed to Dangbana Republik and Empire Distribution, FOLA released his debut album catharsis as an 11-track, 28-minute project built entirely around R&B songwriting, rich melodies, and emotional honesty.

How FOLA Built His Breakthrough

FOLA built his profile through collaborations before his album landed. His name appeared on key records across the Nigerian music scene, earning him a reputation as one of the most in-demand young voices on major playlists. Singles “Lost,” “you,” and “Eko” built anticipation for catharsis. The album itself features Victony, Kizz Daniel, Young Jonn, and London-based Nigerian artist Gabzy — a lineup that shows both his industry standing and his instinct for the right creative partners. African Folder described catharsis as “a clear stamp in the incredible moment Fola is having, a breakout year that would be remembered fondly in history.”

FOLA Fast Facts

• Won the Grand Jury Prize at the Music Moves Europe Awards, joining winners like Hozier, ROSALÍA, and Dua Lipa
• Signed to Dangbana Republik and Empire Distribution
• Debut album catharsis features Victony, Kizz Daniel, Young Jonn, and Gabzy
• Received a 7.6/10 from African Folder and 8.7/10 from The Upper Entertainment for catharsis
• OkayAfrica selected him as one of their 12 African Artists to Watch
• His R&B driven sound draws comparisons to the emotional depth of Ayo Maff and early Fireboy DML

Must-Hear FOLA Songs

• “you” — The single that announced catharsis. Melodically rich and emotionally direct.
• “Lost” — The lead single from catharsis. Sets the tone for the whole project with one of his best vocal performances.
• “Eko” — Released days before the album, this Lagos-rooted record blends city pride with soulful delivery.

FOLA’s global recognition places him in a conversation that goes beyond Nigerian music alone. His Music Moves Europe win sits alongside the kind of award recognition African artists have been earning globally over the past few years, including BET Award wins that have brought African music to new audiences.

5. Abigail Chams (Tanzania) — East Africa’s New Voice

Abigail Chams’ debut EP hit #1 in Tanzania and #3 across Africa in its release week, with lead single “Nani?” topping Tanzanian charts within just 24 hours of release. Born Abigail Anthony Chamungwana on May 7, 2003, in Tanzania, she is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and youth activist. She is one of the most exciting new female African artists in East Africa today.

How Abigail Chams Stood Out

Abigail Chams signed to Sony Music 16 months before dropping her debut EP titled 5. The project features 6 tracks that reflect core themes of faith, family, passion, personal journey, and excellence. “Nani?” topped Tanzanian charts and cemented her as a Bongo Flava artist delivering at an international standard. Her musical education and multi-instrumental skills give her a compositional poise that most emerging artists take years to develop. She became one of the first East African artists featured on Apple Music’s The Dotty Show, giving her reach beyond the continent. Writer Enky Frank at Simulizi na Sauti praised her as “a Tanzanian musician who delivers Bongo Flava at an international standard.” Her feature on “Nani?” alongside Marioo — one of East Africa’s biggest stars — showed she could hold her own at the highest level of the regional scene.

Abigail Chams Fast Facts

• Signed to Sony Music
• Debut EP 5 debuted at #1 in Tanzania and #3 in Africa
• Lead single “Nani?” topped Tanzanian charts within 24 hours of release and held #1 for 6 weeks
• One of the first East African artists featured on Apple Music’s The Dotty Show
• A trained multi-instrumentalist — her formal music education sets her apart from almost every peer
• Collaboration “Nani?” features Marioo, East Africa’s most decorated male Bongo Flava artist
• OkayAfrica named her as one of their 12 African Artists to Watch

Must-Hear Abigail Chams Songs

• “Nani?” — Her debut hit with Marioo. #1 in Tanzania within 24 hours, #3 in Africa within a week.
• “Milele” — The second lead single from her EP 5. A softer, more personal record that shows her range beyond the charts.

Abigail Chams is part of a growing wave of East African artists bringing Bongo Flava to global audiences. Read more on the Bongo Flava genre from Tanzania and why it is now one of the most streamed African music styles outside the continent. Also see how Diamond Platnumz built East Africa’s most powerful music empire — the same space Abigail Chams is now entering at full speed.

Why These 5 Rising African Music Stars Matter Right Now

They Cover the Full Continent

These 5 rising African music stars come from Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania. That geographic spread is a sign of how the growth of African music is no longer concentrated in one country or one genre. Afrobeats, South African rap, and Bongo Flava are all producing breakout stars at the same time. The next wave of Africa’s biggest music artists will come from multiple scenes simultaneously.

They Are Reaching Global Platforms

Every artist on this list has broken through on at least one global platform, like Billboard, Apple Music, Spotify, TikTok, or Rolling Stone. That international recognition is a signal, not noise. Chella’s TikTok global year-end chart entry, FOLA’s Music Moves Europe Grand Jury Prize, Usimamane’s Spotify SA streaming record, Taves’ Billboard feature, and Abigail Chams’ Apple Music Dotty Show appearance all point to the same truth: African music’s next generation does not need a major Western co-sign to build global reach.

They Represent New Genres and Sounds

None of these 5 artists sounds like the Afrobeats blueprint that came before them. Taves fuses 80s synthwave with soul. FOLA builds emotional R&B landscapes. Usimamane blends melodic rap with township energy. Abigail Chams delivers Bongo Flava at an international compositional standard. Chella is building a southeast Nigerian identity into a mainstream Afrobeats framework. Read about the full range of African music genres and the key difference between Afrobeats and Afrobeat to understand how wide the continent’s musical range truly is.

Where to Follow These Rising African Music Stars

Artist	Best Platform to Follow	What to Stream First
Chella	TikTok, YouTube Music, Spotify	“My Darling”
Taves	Spotify, Apple Music	“Folake”
Usimamane	Spotify, Apple Music Rap Life Africa	“Cheque”
FOLA	Spotify, Apple Music	“you” or full album catharsis
Abigail Chams	Apple Music, Spotify	“Nani?” with Marioo

African music is producing a new class of rising stars every season. The 5 artists above are the ones with hard chart data and platform recognition to back up the hype. Keep up with more rising African music stars across the continent as new voices continue to break through on Tubidy Africa. Also read about the top successful African female artists and how artists like Ayra Starr and Yemi Alade built the template that today’s rising female stars are now following.

FAQ: Rising African Music Stars