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African music is on the up globally, from artists like Burna Boy, whose music is described as afro-fusion, a genre that blends afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, American rap and R&B, to other popular options at the moment, such as Mavin. On the whole, music from the continent of Africa is booming.
One of the main reasons why this type of music is thriving in a number of foreign territories is due to the exposure platforms like Spotify provide to the genre. Thanks to the emergence of sophisticated smartphones, people aren`t just updating social media statuses and accessing a real money online casino Canada platform for gaming. Alongside this, they`re able to search through an extensive catalog of tracks and access some of Africa`s finest artists. Artists like the before mentioned Burna Boy have registered big success in countries such as America and the UK also, therefore helping to shine more of a light on this growing music scene in the process.
In 2022 and beyond, a number of African music stars are being tipped to follow in Burna Boy`s footsteps and further elevate African music. While there are plenty of talented individuals who deserve a place on the list, let`s assess five names in the frame below.
Elaine
Offering a soothing R&B sound through a number of memorable tunes, Elaine is South Africa`s rising star. The 21-year-old has a golden voice that is capable of winning over the most diehard of R&B fans, especially thanks to popular releases like βΛYou`re the One`. Elaine`s growth was perhaps best summed up when US label, Columbia, snapped her up in 2021. Her hypnotic voice is expected to gain further exposure in the coming months.
Omah Lay
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A music-maker with plenty of talent, Omah Lay is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who managed to hit the mainstream after the release of his song, βΛBad Influence`. A silky smooth voice with a welcome dose of afrobeats, afrofusion, and soul, Omah Lay is an artist who could easily become a global name in the near future. With a dedicated and loyal fanbase behind him, Lay`s appeal could spread to new audiences soon.
Sha Sha
Sha Sha provides a soulful sound that is capable of relaxing you during the most stressful of days. Her strong voice particularly shines on amapiano sounds, something that enables the Zimbabwean-born South African singer from Mutare to stand out from the crowd. In 2020, she was named as one of the top 10 most streamed female artists on Spotify in South Africa. Last year, she also won Best New International Act at the BET Awards. Sha Sha is definitely an artist to keep an eye on.
Ayra Starr
A name Nigerian music fans have been raving about for a while now, Ayra Starr is one of Nigeria`s shining lights. Offering an abundance of charm and attitude, the 19-year-old singer has grown from a social media creator to a recognized artist, especially when she signed to Mavin Records in 2020 after Don Jazzy discovered her on Instagram. Since then, Ayra Starr hasn`t looked back, with βΛBloody Samaritan` and βΛ19 & Dangerous` beingΒ worthy of a listen if you haven`t done so already. Ayra Starr is certainly one to watch in 2022 and beyond.
KiDi
While KiDi`s sound might not appeal to everyone, there is no doubting that his name is certainly spreading. The talented artist from Ghana rose to prominence after winning Album of the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards. Offering afrobeats and highlife to create a feast for the ears, KiDi`s excellence is evident. Even American singer, Teddy Riley, has worked with the Ghanian artist.
