Anyone keen to follow new developments in African music likely knows that there is tsunami of new, mostly young, artists emerging into a (social) media environment with endless capacity for newcomers, and no filters, other than the clicks of potential listeners. All this makes it particularly challenging to keep up with new developments.
To the rescue, comes Audiomack, a music platform designed to empower artists, an “artist-first” platform, by their own description. Audiomack publishes an annual “Artist to Watch” list, and you can click here to see the 2026 list. The site lets you hear each artist and begin your journey of discovery. For those joining the growing anti-Spotify bandwagon, due to worsening pay for artists, ICE ads etc., here’s a comparison article on Audiomack vs Spotify.
Regardless of platform, this is an unprecedented time for African music, with more artists, more audience and more avenues to hear the music than ever before. Given the difficulties for artists wanting to tour, especially in the United States, building virtual audiences is especially important for musicians. So please dig in and discover!
Audiomack writes:
“If you've been following the previous editions, you know this list has become a pretty reliable indicator of who's about to break big. Past picks like Usimamane, Ayo Maff, OliveTheBoy, and Zee Nxumalo all went on to have major moments in 2025.
The 2026 class reflects the diversity and creative momentum driving African music forward. South African Afropop artist Mawelele stands out for his emotionally driven songwriting, highlighted by “All My Life” with Kwesta and his acclaimed collaborations with Naledi Aphiwe, another South African artist whose expressive vocals have resonated widely through her breakout single “Ngiyabonga.”
From Nigeria, Shoday represents the country’s new wave of Afrobeats, building momentum in 2025 with a street-pop sound that cut through on records like “Purr” and “Shoday Kilode.” Francophone Africa is strongly represented by Ameka Zrai from Côte d’Ivoire, a rapper-singer pioneering l’ivoire pop, who broke through with “HAPPIEST” and his debut album MERCON2BABIÈRE, alongside Paki Chenzu of Togo, whose gritty, genre-fluid approach gained continental attention through “Assaut” and “Soldat.”
Ghanaian artist Siicie brings a genre-blending mix of hip-hop, dancehall, and Afropop, breaking out internationally with “Alhamdulillah” and following up with the Top 10 hit “Do You Know” featuring Lasmid. East Africa’s rising voices include Inès Raguël, a Burundian-born, Tanzania-based Afropop artist whose Francophone sound earned her the EMEA Award for Best Upcoming Female Artist, and Kondela, a Tanzanian artist blending Bongo Flava and Kompa into romantic Afropop, known for “Day by Day” and his debut EP Love Mode.
Rounding out the list is Kevin Kade from Rwanda, a high-energy Afropop artist who gained national recognition with “Sikosa” alongside The Ben and ELEMENT EleéeH, and South African singer-songwriter Lordkez, whose SAMA-winning album Testament and single “Aweh” have established her as a defining voice in the country’s modern R&B landscape.
Together, the African Artists to Watch for 2026 showcase the breadth of sounds, stories, and creative ambition shaping African music today, reinforcing Audiomack’s commitment to discovering and amplifying the continent’s next generation of stars.
About Audiomack
Audiomack is a music streaming and discovery platform that connects artists with fans. With 50 million monthly users, the service allows artists to upload unlimited music for free and features a curated library that includes songs from all three major labels and more than 400 independents. Tools such as Connect, Boost, and Audiomod help artists engage their audiences and build community. Audiomack is home to over 1 million active creators and ranks as the No. 1 music app in more than 21 countries on the App Store and Google Play.
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