African music is no longer defined solely by its loudest exports. Beneath the charts and beyond the algorithms, a quieter but more consequential movement is taking shape, one led by artists building communities, experimenting with form, and prioritising longevity over momentary virality. These artists are not waiting for institutional validation; they are earning relevance through consistency, live performance, digital intimacy, and cultural resonance.
“15 African Artists to Root for in 2026” is not a prediction list. It is a documentation of momentum. Each artist here has demonstrated intent, whether through grassroots followings, critical recognition, or sonic innovation- and stands at a point where the next year could meaningfully shift their trajectory. Across West, East, and Southern Africa, these musicians represent the evolving logic of African pop: decentralised, genre-fluid, and increasingly self-authored.
1. The Pneuma (Nigeria)
Ibadan-based singer, songwriter, and performer The Pneuma is one of Nigeria’s most compelling grassroots success stories. Born Eleazar Ayodele, the artist began releasing music in 2024 and has since cultivated a cult following among University of Ibadan students, where his music resonates deeply with youth navigating faith, identity, and selfhood.
What distinguishes The Pneuma is not just his songwriting, but his growing dominance in the live performance niche. His independently funded annual concert, “The Pneuma Live,” has become a cultural fixture within Ibadan’s student community — a rare feat for an artist so early in his career. With co-signs from Taves, Olumide Owuru, Lady Donli, Johnny Drille, Bella Shmurda, and Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, The Pneuma enters 2026 as a community-powered artist with undeniable momentum.
2. Anabel Rose (Ghana)
Filipino-Ghanaian alt-pop artist Anabel Rose occupies a rare creative lane. A member of the collective 99PHACES and a double nominee at the 3Music Awards, she has steadily built momentum through intentional artistry rather than spectacle.
Her debut EP, Something About A Rose, blends alt-pop, R&B, rock, and house with introspective lyricism — a testament to her genre-fluid approach. As African pop continues to widen its expressive range, Anabel Rose remains one of its most exciting nonconformists heading into 2026.
3 Njerae (Kenya)
Few alternative artists have expanded their reach in 2025 as effectively as Njerae. The Kenyan singer-songwriter’s soulful storytelling and emotive R&B earned her a place in Apple Music’s Africa Rising Class of 2025, marking a major milestone for a non-Afrobeats artist.
Njerae’s growth reflects a broader appetite for vulnerability-driven African music. As she moves into 2026, her ability to translate intimacy into scale positions her as one of East Africa’s most important contemporary voices.
4. ru. (Nigeria)
A rising Afropop voice, ru. carries a quiet but unmistakable presence. The Nigerian singer-songwriter’s artistry is defined by subtlety, emotional depth, and a sonic richness that rewards attentive listening.
Her trajectory gained a notable boost with a co-sign from Muyiwa Awoniyi, manager to global star Tems — a signal of both artistic credibility and long-term potential. As Afropop continues to diversify beyond high-energy formulas, ru. stands as an artist whose restraint may become her greatest strength.
5. Tai Dai (Uganda)
Hailing from Uganda, Tai Dai is a razor-sharp rapper and songwriter rewriting expectations within Eastern African music. Her lyricism is precise, confrontational when needed, and deeply self-aware — qualities that set her apart in a region often underrepresented in continental hip-hop discourse.
Tai Dai has steadily solidified her reputation as one of Eastern Africa’s finest talents. As African rap continues to decentralize, her voice is positioned to travel far beyond national borders in 2026.
6. Tayo Creed (Nigeria)
Few artists sound like Tayo Creed — and that is precisely the point. Armed with a distinctive falsetto and an experimental approach to composition, Creed exists firmly in his own lane. His music fuses unlikely sonic elements into cohesive, forward-thinking records that challenge conventional African pop structures.
Rather than chasing trends, Tayo Creed functions as a catalyst, pushing sonic boundaries while redefining what African experimental music can feel like. As listeners grow more receptive to genre hybridity, Creed’s position in 2026 looks increasingly significant.
7. Toxic Lyrikali (Kenya)
Emerging from Kenya’s vibrant hip-hop and spoken word scenes, Toxic Lyrikali (born Timothy Omondi) embodies the resurgence of lyric-first African rap. His work is rooted in linguistic dexterity, layered narratives, and an unfiltered reflection of urban realities.
In an era where substance is once again finding value, Toxic Lyrikali’s craft places him squarely among the continent’s most promising hip-hop storytellers heading into 2026.
8. Lordkez (South Africa)
Award-winning South African singer-songwriter Lordkez represents the new wave of African soul and R&B artists redefining the genre’s global presence. Based in Pretoria, his music blends vulnerability with technical polish, earning him critical and industry recognition.
As African R&B continues its ascent, Lordkez enters 2026 as one of the genre’s most reliable torchbearers.
9. Khani (Nigeria)
Khani, born Eucharius Okhani Senator, is a Nigerian singer whose debut single, “Grind and Kiss,” immediately signaled promise. The record’s melodic confidence and emotional clarity position Khani as a talent still in early bloom but already rooted in intentional artistry.
With a measured rollout and growing listener interest, Khani represents the kind of slow-burn artist whose breakout feels inevitable rather than forced. 2026 may well be his year of consolidation.
10. Fimi (Nigeria)
One of the most exciting internet revelations of 2025, Fimi sits at the intersection of music, fashion, and cultural confidence. A rapper, singer, and tastemaker, she has captivated audiences with sharp lyricism, charismatic delivery, and a bold visual identity that feels instinctively star-bound.
More importantly, Fimi represents a future-facing version of Nigerian hip-hop, one that is unapologetic, stylish, and unconcerned with legacy constraints. Her rise has been organic, fueled by digital virality and cultural resonance rather than industry machinery. In 2026, Fimi is not just one to watch; she is one to bet on.
11. Esoterica (Nigeria)
Enigmatic and genre-fluid, Esoterica is one of Nigeria’s most promising underground artists. Often positioned within the alté space, the rapper and singer operates on the fringes of Africa’s experimental music terrain — where form, lyricism, and mood take precedence over commercial predictability.
Her recent collaboration with fellow rapper Sgawd has drawn critical acclaim, signaling her readiness to transcend niche appeal. Esoterica’s strength lies in her ability to balance mystique with technical skill, making her a formidable presence as African audiences increasingly gravitate toward unconventional voices.
12. Gonaboy (Ghana)
A rising force in Ghana’s hip-hop scene, Gonaboy has built a growing fan base through catchy anthems like “Same Timbs.” His appeal lies in accessibility without dilution — music that connects quickly while retaining authenticity.
With consistent releases and increasing audience engagement, Gonaboy’s trajectory suggests a rapper on the verge of broader cultural relevance in 2026.
13. Jubed (Ghana)
Kumasi-born artist Jubed creates music shaped by lived experience. His sound is emotionally charged, with a vocal delivery that feels both raw and intentional. Born Jubed Kyei Baffour, his work reflects the quiet intensity of an artist translating personal history into melody.
As Ghana’s music ecosystem continues to spotlight emotionally driven acts, Jubed stands out as a voice worth sustained attention.
14. Brenny (Ghana)
Ghanaian singer Brenny is steadily redefining the intersections of Afrobeats and R&B. Her sound blends sultry vulnerability with an assured stage presence, crafting songs that linger emotionally.
Drawing sonic parallels to Tems and Tyla, Brenny’s music explores love’s softest tensions while maintaining global rhythmic appeal. With continued refinement, she stands poised for a defining year ahead.
15. Zaylevelten (Nigeria)
A breakout artist of 2025, Zaylevelten is a rapper, producer, and songwriter whose grind dates back to 2021. His steady output and consistency have earned him a loyal fan base built on trust rather than hype.
Operating also under his producer alias Tenski, Zaylevelten’s sound merges American street music aesthetics with Nigerian sensibilities, creating a hybrid that feels both familiar and fresh. With growing industry co-signs and a strong independent foundation, he enters 2026 as a fully formed artist poised for wider recognition.
Rooting for artists in 2026 requires more than passive listening. It requires attention to process, context, and growth. The artists on this list are not chasing the centre; they are redefining it in fragments, across campuses, underground scenes, digital spaces, and intimate stages.
What binds them is not genre or geography, but intentionality. They are building careers that suggest sustainability rather than spectacle, depth rather than saturation. As African music continues its global expansion, these artists remind us that the future is not always the loudest; sometimes, it is simply the most deliberate.
2026 will not make all of them stars. But it will clarify which of them is building something that lasts.
