Features

Spotify: Meet the artists rewriting Africa’s sonic future

By Music In Africa Foundation

23 Jan 2026 - 12:16

While 2024 marked the year African music cemented its global export status, 2025 has been a year of introspection and reinvention. Across the continent, a new wave of homegrown talent has disrupted charts once dominated by legacy artists, signalling a recalibration of Africa’s musical landscape.

Data from Spotify’s 2025 Wrapped illustrates the trend clearly. Streaming platforms became more than just music libraries; they accelerated careers and introduced audiences to a generation of artists redefining engagement with their music. From the bustling streets of Lagos to Nairobi’s digital airwaves and Johannesburg’s rhythmic pulse, these artists are shaping Africa’s sonic future.

West Africa: Ghana and Nigeria’s rising stars

In Ghana, audiences embraced fresh narratives alongside established acts like Black Sherif. Emerging artists such as Gonaboy and Jubed saw extraordinary growth, recording streaming uplifts of 1,228% and 1,057% respectively. Their rise reflects an appetite for innovation and a new generation of cultural disruptors.

Nigeria experienced an even more dramatic shift. Mavo achieved a staggering 13,000% increase in streams, signalling a viral connection with audiences that bypassed traditional industry gatekeepers. Other notable names include Sound Of Salem (3,700% uplift) and SteveHills (1,300% uplift), while FOLA maintained sustained attention with a 940% uplift, demonstrating the potential for dual viral and lasting success.

East Africa: Kenya crowned new leaders

Kenya’s music scene has witnessed a generational shift. Toxic Lyrikali emerged as a defining voice, recording a 22,000% increase in streams – the highest uplift across Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025. Beyond a momentary spike, the artist dominated the Top Most Discovered Artists and Local Discoveries charts, signalling consistent audience engagement. Rising stars Dufla (11,000% uplift) and EMKAY64 (1,700% uplift) also highlight a thriving new wave of Kenyan talent, with younger audiences actively shaping local music trends.

Southern Africa: South Africa’s competitive breakouts

South Africa’s vibrant music scene, particularly its amapiano sector, continues to challenge artists to innovate. Shandesh stood out in 2025 with an 1,800% uplift in streams, ranking fourth on the Local Discoveries list. Other notable breakouts include Mordecai (1,200% uplift) and Issa Sisdoh, known for Vuma Dlozi Lami, who achieved a 900% uplift. These artists demonstrate that even in highly competitive markets, authentic sound and connection with audiences prevail.

The streaming effect: 2026 and beyond

What unites Siicie in Accra, Mavo in Lagos, Toxic Lyrikali in Nairobi, and Shandesh in Johannesburg is the transformative role of streaming platforms. In 2025, digital discovery became central to music culture, enabling artists to connect directly with audiences hungry for fresh voices.

As these artists build on their 2025 momentum, 2026 promises to consolidate their influence and establish them as the next pillars of African music. The audience is listening – and it is listening to the future.

Artist uplift

South Africa