Africa is known for the journey of music, Afrobeat, a style of popular music incorporating elements of African traditional music, jazz, soul and funk. Over the years, notable afrobeat artists have risen from different parts of Africa to bring life to music and create a relevant impact on the global music industry.
The African music industry, following its recognition and relevance on notable platforms like the Grammys, shows that African musicians are dedicated to creating an embodiment of music for the world to enjoy. In consideration of popularity, impact, sales, awards, and recognition, among others; here are the top 10 best musicians in Africa 2022.
10. Black Sherif
Mohammed Ismail Sherif is a Ghanaian musician and performer from Konongo, born on January 9, 2002. His recent single, Kwame The Traveller, is number one on the Ghanaian and Nigerian apple music charts. Black Sheriff has worked with notable music icons like Burna boy on his song, Second sermon, his breakthrough song. There is no doubt that Black Sheriff is a talented musician with promising talent.
9. Rema
Rema is a Nigerian singer and rapper born on May 1, 2000. Divine Ikubo was born into a poor family, he was only nine when his father died. Rema has proven himself as a talented musician in Africa. His 2022 hit single, Calm Down, which was just released has gotten over 20 million streams on music streaming platforms. He has a unique sound that is soothing to the ear. He has worked with notable figures like AJ Tracey, 6black, Don jazzy and Chris Brown. His songs were added to the FIFA 21 soundtracks. Rema's recent album, Rave and Roses, has charted 10 songs on the billboard US afrobeats chart.
8. Sho Madjozi
Sho Madjozi is a South African rapper, singer-songwriter, actress and poet. Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif was born on May 9, 1992, at Limpopo, South Africa. Madjozi incorporates our culture, Tsongo, into her music giving her a unique significance. Sho Madjozi has been listed in Forbes Africa 30 under 30. She has performed in the Global citizen festival headlined by Jay-Z and Beyoncé. She has also won multiple awards like, BET Award for Best New International Act, South African Music Award for Best of the Year (2021) and SA Music Award for Best Traditional Music (2021).
7. Slapdee
Mwila Musonda is a Zambian hip-hop and rap musician born on April 27, 1987. Slapdee is also known as King Dizo. He is the most searched musician in Zambia according to Google Trends. Slapdee has won multiple awards since his debut in 2006. He was raised by his hands after his parents and brother died. He is featured on the CNN African voices changemakers as the multi-award-winning hip-hop artist who supports local kids in Zambia. Slapdee has donated to the local orphanages and children's hospitals in Zambia. He is a brand ambassador for Kung-fu energy drinks, Fruitola drinks and Itel mobile phones. Slapdee is an influential musician in Africa.
6. Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade is a Nigerian afro-pop singer born on March 13, 1989, in Abia State Nigeria. She is also known for the "Mama Africa" slang. Yemi Alade has released four albums and multiple singles throughout her music career. She has also won many awards due to her talent and musical impact. She even gained more recognition when she performed at the Global Goals named "unite for our future" alongside famous musicians like Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Chloe x Halle, Justin Bieber, Usher, J Balvin and Jennifer Hudson.
5. Diamond Platnumz
Diamond Platnumz is a Tanzanian afro-pop and Bongo Flava recording artist. Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack was born on October 2 1989. Diamond is regarded as the richest musician in Tanzania with multiple hit songs. He has also worked with many popular artists like Rick Ross, Omarion, Davido, Tiwa Savage. Diamond Platnumz isn't just a musician but an incredible dancer. He owns a record label WCB Wasafi, a platform he has used to sign many other artists from Tanzania. He also owns Zoom extra, Wasafi TV and FM, a Tanzanian based media company.
He is also a brand ambassador for many companies like Pepsi, Nice one, Parimatch Africa and Coral paints. He was part of the featured celebrity actor in the young, famous and African series.
4. Burna Boy
Burna boy's quality unique sounds and jams have earned him recognition as one of the best musicians in Africa. Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu was born on July 2, 1991, to Mr and Mrs Ogulu in Ahoada, Rivers State, Nigeria. His grandfather, Benson Idonija, was a manager to the Afrobeat icon, Fela Kuti.
Burna boy's style of music was inspired by legendary musicians Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade and Bob Marley. Burna Boy has worked with popular artists like Wizkid, Angelique Kidjo, and 2face amongst others. He won a Grammy award for best global music album (Twice as Tall). The Grammy-award makes him the first Nigerian to win a Grammy after 10 years since Sade Adu won.
Notable mentions are Tems, Busiswa Gqulu, Ayra Stark, Ruger and Fireboy.
3. Davido
David Adeleke, well known as davido is a Nigerian top musician. Davido was born in Atlanta, United States to the billion worth Nigerian family of Dr Deji Adeleke, co-founder of the Pacific CEO Holdings Ltd and Adeleke University, Osun State.
The popular Nigerian artist Davido keeps making Africa proud internationally. The Year 2022 started off on a good note. In early March, Davido hosted a show in O2 Arena, London, which sold out a 20,000 people capacity event ticket without any resellers or show promoters. He became the first African artist to get paid over $700,000 for a show in Dubai. Davido was invited to perform at the Dubai expo night 2022, Davido is among the musicians, Aisha and Trinidad Cardona, to perform at the 2022 FIFA World Cup - for the track titled "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)".
According to sources, he was paid over 1.5 million dollars by FIFA for the World Cup Song.
2. Angelique Kidjo
Angelique Manta Zogbin Kidjo is a Beninese singer-songwriter, activist and actress who is noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. The four-time Grammy award winner is a notable figure in international acts. It is safe to say she is one of the most highly respected African musicians, both locally and internationally.
As a performer, her striking voice, stage presence and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have earned her respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. In 2021, she was listed amongst the Time magazine 100 most influential people. She also sang for the opening ceremony of the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. As a UNICEF and Oxfam Goodwill ambassador, she travels the world advocating on behalf of children in her capacity. She has won four Grammy Awards in total, with the most recent being the best global music album 2022 for mother nature, her latest album.
Angelique Kidjo has worked with various public figures like Philip Glass, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade and Jeff Bhasker, superstar producer to Kanye West, Rolling Stones and Beyonce. Angelique Kidjo has continued to prove herself to the music industry and 2022 was not left out.
1. Wizkid
Wizkid is a popular Nigerian singer-songwriter. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun was born on July 16, 1990, and is popularly known as Wizkid. Wizkid is one of the highly placed African musicians in the music industry and one of the richest musicians in Africa. Wizkid has recorded numerous songs with various popular global musicians like Chris Brown, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Beyoncé.
In 2021, his music "brown skin girl" won him a Grammy award for the best music video of the Year. He released his latest album, Made in Lagos, which rapidly became one of the most successful albums in Africa at large, with notable songs Essence, Anoti, Ginger and Sweet one. Its leading single, Essence, was a global music sensation applauded by many incredible figures in the music industry. Wizkid's album Made in Lagos has hit over 1 billion on music streaming platforms and counting, becoming the highest-charting album of all time on billboard 200 in Nigeria for 17 weeks and 50 weeks on the Billboard World album chart.
Essence became the first Nigerian song to reach the top of The Hot 100 and 1st African song to sell over 1.5 million units(almost multi-platinum) in the United States. It is also the highest-peaking African album on US iTunes. Wizkid was nominated for two Grammys, best global music album (made in Lagos) and best global music performances(Essence). His London O2 Arena concert sold out fast, a 48,000 ticket sale, the fastest-selling show of all time at the arena. Indeed, 2022 is Wizkid's year.