Africa's music scene is a sonic melting pot, where rhythms collide and cultures connect. It's a universal language, a force that breaks boundaries, and equally fuels the soul. This sonic tapestry isn't just diverse –it's explosive!

Afrobeats and Amapiano own the spotlight right now. Those irresistible Afrobeats hooks and beats? They've got the whole world dancing. And the Amapiano's hypnotic blend of South African house and street sounds? That's straight-up addictive.

Mainstream African artists are pushing the boundaries like no one else, taking Amapiano, and running with it. They're injecting their own fire, creating a whole new flavour. This is proof that African music is a living, breathing thing –always evolving, always surprising, always rooted in the soul, and obviously alive.

But here's the thing: Afrobeats and Amapiano are just the tip of the iceberg. Africa's bursting with underground talent, artists blending tradition with raw energy. We're talking R&B, EDM, Lekompo, Asakaa, Dancehall, Fuji, and Gqom among others.  

Music fans, it's time to delve deeper because, beyond the mainstream spotlight, a treasure trove of music awaits. Platforms like Spotify's Fresh Finds curate playlists specifically highlighting these emerging artists, eager to share their unique sounds with the world. So, don't limit yourself –explore, discover, and immerse yourself in the incredible diversity that African music has to offer.

Here are some of the emerging artists creating diverse and evolving sounds across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to discover and explore:

1. Kaestyle

Kaestyle, a Nigerian recording artist and music producer hailing from Port Harcourt city reflects his relaxed personality through his music. His smooth vocals lean towards R&B and soul, greatly influencing his musical style. With exceptional penmanship and prowess, Kaestyle is carving a niche for himself in Nigeria's growing music industry. His latest release, “Egberi” is a fusion of highlife and drill, showcasing his versatility and innovation.

2. Kold AF 

Kold Af is an emerging artist renowned for her unique blend of soul, dancehall, and R&B. She stands out as one of the burgeoning stars in Nigeria's vibrant music landscape. To date, she has delivered two captivating projects: her two-song EP ‘Kold Szn’ in 2022 and her collaborative EP with French producer BGRZ, titled ‘Kollide’, released in 2023.

3. Sigag Lauren

Sigag Laurn, a Nigerian EDM producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter, is well-known for his innovative production style and versatility in blending various genres. His talent for crafting infectious beats and outstanding soundscapes has earned him widespread admiration among his audience. Sigag has released numerous new singles in addition to his album. The upbeat song, “Minds Already Made Up” has an addictive groove that will have listeners dancing.

4. Kah-lo

Kah-lo is a dance music artist whose music stands out with its unique style. Despite not being widely popular in Nigeria, her unmatched talent earned her a Grammy Nomination for her work with British DJ Riton, “Rinse and Repeat”. She released her debut album ‘Pain and Pleasure’ in 2023.  

5. Yaadman 

Yaadman, popularly referred to as Yung L, is a dancehall and reggae artist born in Jos, Plateau State. Despite his longevity in the industry, with each release, he consistently exudes the vibrant energy of a new artist. 

With his recent release, “Yes Indeed Deluxe”,  he reminds his listeners why he is loved by many. 

6. Lemon Adisa

Lemon Adisa is an excellent performer who weaves skillfully blending traditional African rhythms with modern influences using his dynamic voice. He effortlessly merges fuji with genres like Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop, concocting a unique and engaging musical fusion. He recently released a body of work called ‘Yeebo’. 

7. Kharishma

Kharishma is certainly Lekompo’s leading lady and to that effect, she has been dominating the music charts and is currently one of the genre’s artists to watch. While Lekompo is not yet widely recognised, there is no denying it is gaining popularity. Kharishma’s career as an artist is growing alongside it. Her notable songs include “Matome”, and “Sekoloto”, and the latter is credited with introducing her unique vocal style to a wider audience. 

8. Mr Thela

Mr Thela, a Gqom DJ and producer from the Mother City, has independently released the album, ‘Tronics Land Series 2’ which placed him in the success circle of Gqom music. He first hit the music scene a few years ago in 2020 with the South African Music Awards nominated album, ‘Make Cape Town Great Again’. One of his popular songs “Kwandonga Ziyaduma” extends, musically speaking, the popular Nguni phrase usually used to refer to Johannesburg’s way of life, and its synonymy with the fast life. 

9. Filah Lah Lah

Prominent for her soothing sounds at the BET Africa Soul Cypher, Filah Lah Lah, is a vastly talented Rhythm and Blues artist who recently inked a music deal with Sony Africa. Her talent extends beyond just singing as she writes with such compassion, parallel to writing synonymously with the 40s and 60s. 

Her debut EP, ‘Filahsofy’, and her recent release, “Call Me” are perfect examples of how fascinating her sounds are.  

10. Lwah Ndlunkulu

Lwah Ndlunkulu infuses traditional elements into her music. She's the perfect example of an artist intersecting both traditional music and modern sounds. And in her case, Maskandi and Afropop. She had a fantastic year as a featured artist on the South African Maskandi hit song, “Paris” with Mthandeni SK. Lwah Ndlunkulu’s “Ithuba” permeates the music atmosphere, from Kwazulu Natal to Gauteng while “Ngiyeza” just draws you in on the first note. 

11. Lasmid

Lasmid emerges as one of Ghana’s hiplife sensations, climbing charts with his breakout song, “Friday Night”. His victory in MTN Hitmaker catapulted him into the spotlight, solidifying his status as a rising star. Since then, he has gone on to deliver several chart-topping songs. 

12. DESIREE

Leading producer, DESIREE which is pronounced, /De-Ir-Ray/, is prominent in the EDM space. Known for her enthralling sets, DESIREE’s “Psilocybin” got the whole of Mzansi dancing. DESIREE’s career has been her consistently performing dance music at sought-after, music-leaning venues around the world.

13. Jay Bhad 

Jay Bhad is a Ghanaian artist famous for his work in the Asakaa genre –Ghanaian drill music which fuses elements of drill instrumentation with hiplife melodies. He was raised in the ghetto of Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana and has seen his life transformed when he started music. His music reflects his view of the environment he grew up in and how it's his biggest influence. Jay Bhad has hit songs like “Condemn” and “Y3 Y3 Dom” to his credit.

With Afrobeats and Amapiano taking the world by storm, it's time for music enthusiasts to discover the boundary-breaking emerging artists and evolving genres shaping the future of music.