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

For fans of African music Spotify2023 promises another roll of outstanding artists ready to break through fame and mainstream streaming success.

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

If anything, African music is constantly unleashing a wave of new and fresh talent every year that has sparked global interest in Afrobeats, Amapiano and many other sub-genres.

2022 was a breakout year for musicians like Buju, Costa Titch and Asake, whose success put them on the best list at the end of 2022.

As these talents take to the main stage, many rising stars set the stage for the year.

Some of these musicians, Spotify says, will release their best music in the coming months. Others have had early success on Spotify and are showing signs of even greater success. Others are relatively new elements, developing new sounds that harken to significant changes in popular music.

Hailing from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with different styles, cultures and perspectives, these artists, according to Spotify data, are the ones to watch in 2023.

KHAID

At 17, Khaid is a Gen Z star in every sense. Her debut, With You, is a fast-paced romance, sparking a syrupy teenage love story in a crescendo. As part of the first generation of artists discovered on social media, Khaid’s songs resonate with a core online audience, inspiring many viral challenges. Afrobeats inspiration appears in songs like Akpako, but Khaid also shows his emo-trap side in Ski, which is popular among young Nigerians in 2022.

TEMPO

Known for his producer tag, MAD!, the young producer is behind some of Afrobeats’ biggest hits. A long-term friendship with CKay gave birth to Love’s global smash, Nwantiti, now certified double platinum in the United States. 2022 shows a new pace for Tempoe’s hit churning power; he produced Joeboy’s viral hit, Alcohol and performed in Soweto, global sensation by Spotify RADAR alumnus, Victony. With over a hundred million Spotify streams to his name, Tempoe is poised to deliver more hits this year.

NOTE read

First introduced to fans for his dancing skills, Poco Lee has since used his skills to create some of the biggest street pop songs of 2022. Poco Lee has built a huge fan base by supporting some of the hottest emerging talent – including Bella Shmurda and HotKid. Whether it’s an ear for future hits or the ability to put the right creative in the same place, Poco Lee has blessed with hit records like Otilo and YARD. Wherever Afrobeats is this year, you’ll find Poco Lee cooking nearby.

INFORMATION

Bayanni has reached 2023 running. The latest artist from Mavin, the house that produced Rema & Ayra Starr, introduces himself with the eponymous four-track EP in September 2022. Ta Ta Ta has risen on the shoulders of the viral social media challenge to become almost unavoidable. And it didn’t stop there, finding its way into the dressing room at Manchester City, where Algerian footballer Riyad Mahrez chose the song to celebrate his stellar performance.

SMOOTH

With only one release to his name, Brume is still a mysterious entity to some. His song, Workaholic, is not. Released in 2021, the irreverent hustler’s anthem extols the virtues of perseverance and hard work as the young singer strives for the holy grail. Brume first gained attention with his freestyle on social media before Workaholic, and as 2023 begins, ears are happy with the new music Brume has to offer.

YKB

Formerly known as YusufKanbai, YKB is an eclectic artist on many Ones to Watch lists. He has released several cult favorites over the years and built a solid community when he won The One, a competition by online publisher Clout Nigeria. YKB stepped it up a notch with 2021’s Before I Blow, playing fan favorites like Practice Patience and Oshofree. He has converted more fans with San Siro 2022, a football-themed love story that many believe is YKB’s time.

KAESTYLE

Kaestyle has a certain skill with words and narration which, in harmony with his catchy melodies, has made him a part of the library of many music fans. The singer’s debut EP, Kae’s Study, showcases her ability to play across multiple lanes, offering exercises on Moving Mad and some Afropop on Blessings. His collaboration with Victony, True Love, was an early fan pick, and fans will be eager to stream more effortless hits from Kaestyle.

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Below is a list of other artists who appeared on the continent.

GHANA MUSIC MUSIC

REGGIE

SNYPA

IN MELLI

BEEZTRAP KOTM

SAMSNEY

KENYA, TANZANIA & UGANDA, EMERGING MUSICIANS

WOMAN VOCATIONAL

NOTE

MISEE billion

man

ANGELA

KILLY

PIN

V-BE

LIAM Sound

AXON

SOUTH AFRICA MUNANG ARTISTS

COOPER PIG

BOONTLE RSA

Uncle Waffles

NKOSAZANA PUTRI

YOUNG STUNNA

JAY JODY

BLUE TAPE

LAMP

God

will LINLEY

DREAM SYNDROME

Official RSA