5 African artists who made waves in 2023

At this point, we can all agree that African music has become a global phenomenon and not just a trend that’s going to fade anytime soon. ‘Afropop’ music is making an appearance everywhere, from viral TikTok trends to commanding stages worldwide; the heartbeat of the motherland has transformed into a global symphony.

The last few years have been exceptionally great for the continent, with musicians shocking the world in the late 2010s and now dominating local and international charts in the 2020s — and we believe it is something to celebrate. Let's delve into the stories of five artists who not only prove that Afropop is more than just a trend but are also shaping the future soundtrack of our interconnected world.

TYLA

Born Tyla Laura Seethal in Johannesburg, South Africa, the 21-year-old Tyla (pronounced “TIE-Luh”) has been one of the continent’s musical revelations of 2023. Her viral song “Water” is a global hit, and the song’s coinciding viral dance challenge has seen the hit peak at number 21 on the Billboard 100 Chart, making her the youngest South African artist to ever appear on the chart.

Additionally, the singer, who counts Rihanna and Tems as her idols, recently teased fans with a new song 'Truth or Dare' The full song is now released, featuring three additional tracks – "Butterflies" "On and On" and a remix of "Water" with Travis Scott. Tyla, showcasing her versatility, has also been nominated in the Best African Music Performance category at the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards and even made her American TV debut on the Jimmy Fallon Show.

Fans are already expressing excitement about this expanded musical offering, reinforcing Tyla's position as a rising star in the global music scene. We eagerly anticipate her continued success.

Odumodublvck

Immerse yourself in the hypnotic sounds of Odumodublvck, a maestro born in Lagos and raised in the rhythm of Abuja. His genre-defying blend of drill music, influenced by hip-hop, grime, and R&B, is a mesmerizing journey filtered through the Afrobeat lens of Fela Kuti.

The viral resonance of 'DECLAN RICE' released in March 2023, not only etched records but found its anthem in the hallowed grounds of Arsenal and claimed the Best Rap Single at the 16th Headies Awards. Following this crescendo, 'Picanto,' released on November 21st, 2022, became a chart-climbing collaboration with Zlatan and Eckno Miles, soaring to number 65 on the Nigeria Top 100.

In the same year, Odumodu inked a pivotal record deal with Native Records and Def Jam. Recently unveiling 'EZIOKWU' a star-studded mixtape, Odumodublvck returns to the spotlight since the dawn of 2023, affirming his profound impact on the Nigerian music scene. The mixtape's title, 'EZIOKWU,' resonates as 'Truth' in Igbo, infusing cultural depth into his artistic journey.

AYRA STARR

In the grand tapestry of global music, Ayra Starr emerges as an enchanting thread, gracefully weaving her narrative since her debut in 2021. Hailing from Benin and Nigeria, her self-titled debut extended play was released on 22 January 2021 through Mavin Records. With her anthemic Afrobeats compositions and fearless style, she has earned accolades from Variety, Fault Magazine, and Teen Vogue, where she graced the cover. Ayra’s EP's hit track, "Away" spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart. With over 1 billion global streams, Ayra Starr resonates with an expansive international fanbase.

Embarking on her inaugural world tour, Ayra Starr, a Nigerian music luminary since 2012, stands among the top ten most streamed Afrobeats artists on Spotify. Her melodies echo across the United States, France, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Sweden, South Africa, and Kenya.

‘Rush’ her chart-topping single, reverberates in the hearts of fans worldwide, painting vibrant strokes across the musical canvases of the USA, France, Malawi, Italy, Zimbabwe, the UK, South Africa, and Spain. A rhythmic journey that transcends borders.

REMA

Traversing the vibrant landscape of African music, another luminary emerges, casting a spell that resonates globally. Now, we shift our focus to Rema, a young maestro whose melodies have not only graced the prestigious Billboard charts but have also found a place in historic events and ceremonies, making him a true trailblazer in the contemporary music scene.

In September 2022, seven months after the release of the original version of "Calm Down," a remix of the song, featuring Selena Gomez, entered the Billboard 100 US charts. It would remain on the chart, widely regarded as the most prestigious music leaderboard in the world, for the next 57 weeks, setting a record for the longest charting and most successful African song of all time.

The song also peaked at number three on the chart, making it the highest-charting song in which an Afrobeats artist is the main artist. The song’s YouTube video, which has 673 million views at the time of publishing, is also the most-watched music video of all time by an African artist.

At just 23 years old, Rema also became the first African artist to perform at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in the 67-year history of the football award. He is really showing that the future of African music as a global powerhouse is something to be excited about, and we love to see it!

AMAARAE

From Ghana, Amaarae emerges as an artist poised to elevate Africa's standing as a global music powerhouse. Her distinct fusion of R&B and Afropop, labeled Afrofuturism, sends ripples across the world, securing her a major music label deal with Interscope.

Her second album, 'Fountain Baby' becomes a darling of professional dancers, propelling her career to celestial heights. album also earned consideration for a nomination at the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards, however fell short of a nomination at the end. Amaarae, an embodiment of the global recognition of Afrobeats, mirrors the trajectory of phenomenal artists propelling this genre onto the world stage. Africa's musical pulse quickens, and we embrace the vibrant beats echoing from visionaries like Amaarae.

In the medley of sounds and rhythms, these five artists – Tyla, Ayra Starr, Odumodublvck, Rema, and Amaarae – stand as pillars, each carving their unique melody into the global music narrative. Their triumphs transcend charts and accolades; they echo the heartbeat of a continent that has become synonymous with musical brilliance. As we celebrate their individual journeys, we also celebrate the collective symphony of Africa's cultural richness. The beats of tomorrow are being composed today, and with each note, the world harmonizes with the undeniable coolness of African/Afrobeats – a genre that has not just arrived but has firmly established itself as the pulsating rhythm of our shared musical future.