Success Stories of Africa’s New Music Talents
Africa conjures up images of lush jungles and towering mountains, but this vast continent is much bigger and deeper than the existing stereotype. The African music industry is transforming from continental to global, just as melbet sports betting is going international. Forbes AFRICA highlights five artists who are at the forefront of this revolution, next we will talk about them.
African music scene is filled with talented artists that are making waves internationally. While it would be impossible to include all rising stars here. Watch these rising stars carefully and you may just discover Africa’s next big thing through their captivating sounds and captivating performances; they could add something fresh to global music landscape and inspire the next generation of musicians!
KO-C
Njang Mengu Collins, known by his stage name KO-C, has been making waves in Africa’s music scene since 2011. As a singer-songwriter-producer he has taken hold of Africa with tracks reaching both US and UK charts; working alongside notable musicians like Drake, Brent Fayaz and Justin Bieber he is recognized for songs with powerful lyrics that speak about issues throughout Africa.
These artists’ successes demonstrate the transformative potential of music as an international language and means of uniting communities across borders and across cultures. KO-C, for instance, uses his songs to draw attention to issues like poverty and inequality in Africa; his lyrics also mirror a society which boasts rich natural resources yet struggles to provide basic services to its citizens.
Gyakie
Gyakie was born Jacqueline Acheampong and is the daughter of Highlife musician Ernest ‘Owoahene’ Nana Acheampong, with whom she shares musical similarities. After attending Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi Ghana as a scholar she began her musical journey as Gyakie Acheampong.
Gyakie first released her EP Seed in 2019 with singles like Love Is Pretty and Never Like This to introduce herself and establish her sound in the music scene. But it was Gyakie’s 2021 release of Forever that truly catapulted her career forward – topping charts across numerous countries worldwide as well as receiving an official remix by Nigerian singer Omah Lay – ultimately landing her a deal with Flip the Music that launched her into global prominence.
Gyakie’s songs are designed to uplift and connect with audiences worldwide, which is why she has won so many fans. Gyakie shows genuine passion not only for her own music but for the industry as a whole; she encourages listeners to expand their tastes in music while supporting those outside mainstream genres. We are thrilled that so many fans are experiencing what a truly genuine artist this truly talented individual has in store! We can’t wait to see what exciting surprises lie in store!
Black Coffee
African culture-savvy 1.3 billion are poised to comprise one quarter of global population by 2050 and this means there will be plenty of listeners eager for African music – be it at clubs or jukeboxes in Paris or Johannesburg. Producers and DJs who have embraced global markets have become stars.
Black Coffee, one of South Africa’s best-known DJ and producers, has become one of the continent’s newest dance superstars – yet has been humbled by his success.
He boasts a long list of high-profile collaborators (the grey in his beard speaks volumes of this), and is regularly in the studio with rappers from all over the globe. However, he remains true to his roots and style of house that propelled him into prominence: deep house with soulful vocals and Afrobeat-influenced percussion.
His Soulistic label has brought new talent into the fold. Additionally, he’s expanded his appeal to include pop audiences by releasing singles with more contemporary sounds that still incorporate African elements – as seen with his most recent collaboration with Drake on three tracks!
Lebo M.
As dawn breaks across the African savannah in Disney’s 1994 movie, The Lion King, Lebohang Morake–better known by his stage name Lebo M–awakens the animal kingdom with his distinctive tongue-clicking Zulu chant to announce “Circle of Life.” That moment marked just one milestone on Lebo M’s long and remarkable journey as producer and composer in South Africa.
Morake moved from apartheid-era South Africa, singing nightclub sets across apartheid-era South Africa, with dreams of becoming a superstar performer in America. However, upon his arrival to Los Angeles he found himself living on Skid Row; at first living in an empty Greyhound bus terminal then sleeping on its floor as part of his desperate situation.
Morake found an opportunity for renewal when he met music producer Hans Zimmer. Zimmer had heard Morake sing at a recording studio, and wanted to incorporate authentic African music into The Power of One movie set in South Africa that year.
Since then, Lebo M and his musical collaborators have collaborated on multiple movie soundtracks, including two Grammy-nominated albums Deeper Meaning and Rhythm of the Pride Lands. Additionally, they wrote, produced, and performed for Broadway musical sensation The Lion King which celebrated its 25th anniversary this November with a special event where Lebo M was invited as guest of honour.