Top 10 best musicians in Africa 2022 | The African exponent. (2023)

Africa is known for the journey of music, Afrobeat, a popular style of music that incorporates elements of traditional African music, jazz, soul and funk. Over the years, notable Afrobeat artists from different parts of Africa have risen to breathe life into the music and make 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 committed to creating an embodiment of music for the world to enjoy. Considering 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 January 9, 2002. His latest single "Kwame The Traveller" is number one on the Ghanaian and Nigerian Apple Music charts. Black Sheriff has worked with big name music icons like Burna Boy on his song "Second Sermon", his breakthrough song. There's no doubt that Black Sheriff is a talented musician with promising talent.

9. Rema

Rema is a Nigerian singer and rapper who was born on May 1, 2000. Born into a poor family, Divine Ikubo was only nine years old when his father died. Rema has proven himself as a talented musician in Africa. His 2022 hit single Calm Down, which has just been released, has received over 20 million streams on music streaming platforms. It has a unique sound that is soothing to the ear. He has worked with notable figures such as AJ Tracey, 6black, Don Jazzy and Chris Brown. His songs have been added to the FIFA 21 soundtracks. Rema's recent album Rave and Roses 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 in Limpopo, South Africa. Madjozi integrates our culture, Tsongo, into her music, giving it a unique meaning. Sho Madjozi was listed in Forbes Africa 30 under 30. She performed at the Global Citizen Festival hosted by Jay-Z and Beyoncé. She has also won several awards including the BET Award for Best New International Act, the South African Music Award for Best of the Year (2021) and the SA Music Award for Best Traditional Music (2021).

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Mwila Musonda is a Zambian hip hop and rap musician who was born on April 27, 1987. Slapdee is also known as King Dizo. According to Google Trends, he is the most searched musician in Zambia. Slapdee has won multiple awards since debuting in 2006. He was raised by his hands after his parents and brother died. He is featured on CNN African Voices Changemakers as a multi-award winning hip hop artist supporting local children in Zambia. Slapdee has made donations to local orphanages and children's hospitals in Zambia. He is a brand ambassador for kung fu energy drinks, fruitola drinks and Itel cell phones. Slapdee is an influential musician in Africa.

6. Yemi Alade

Yemi Alade is a Nigerian Afro pop singer who was born on March 13, 1989 in Abia state, Nigeria. She is also known for the slang "Mama Africa". Yemi Alade has released four albums and several singles throughout her music career. She has also won many awards for her talent and musical impact. She gained even more recognition when she performed at the Global Goals entitled "unite for our future" alongside famous musicians such as 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 considered the richest musician in Tanzania with multiple hits. He has also collaborated with many well-known artists such as Rick Ross, Omarion, Davido and Tiwa Savage. Diamond Platnumz is not only a musician but an incredible dancer. He owns a record label WCB Wasafi, a platform where he has signed many other artists from Tanzania. He also owns Zoom Extra, Wasafi TV and FM, a Tanzania-based media company.

He is also a brand ambassador for many companies such as Pepsi, Nice One, Parimatch Africa and Coral Paints. He was part of the celebrity actor in the young, famous and African series.

4. Burna boy

Burna Boy's unique sounds and jams have earned him recognition as one of Africa's finest musicians. Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu was born on July 2, 1991 to Mr. and Mrs. Ogulu in Ahoada, Rivers State, Nigeria. His grandfather, Benson Idonija, was the manager of Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti.

Burna Boy's musical style was inspired by legendary musicians Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade and Bob Marley. Burna Boy has collaborated with well-known artists such as Wizkid, Angelique Kidjo and 2face, among 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 in 10 years since Sade Adu won.

Notable mentions include Tems, Busiswa Gqulu, Ayra Stark, Ruger, and Fireboy.

3. David

David Adeleke, also known as Davido, is a Nigerian top musician. Davido was born in Atlanta, USA to the billionaire Nigerian family of Dr. Born Deji Adeleke, co-founder of Pacific CEO Holdings Ltd and Adeleke University, Osun State.

Popular Nigerian artist Davido continues to make Africa internationally proud. The year 2022 has started well. In early March, Davido put on a show at the O2 Arena in London, which sold out a 20,000-person capacity event ticket with no resellers or show promoters. He was the first African artist to be paid over $700,000 for a show in Dubai. Davido has been invited to perform at Dubai Expo Night 2022, Davido is among the musicians, Aisha and Trinidad Cardona performing at the FIFA World Cup 2022 - for the title 'Hayya Hayya (Better Together)'.

Sources say he received over $1.5 million from FIFA for the World Cup song.

2. Angelique Kidjo

Angelique Manta Zogbin Kidjo is a Beninese singer-songwriter, activist and actress known 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 that she is one of the most respected African musicians both locally and internationally.

As a performer, her distinctive voice, stage presence and command of multiple cultures and languages ​​have earned her the respect of her peers and expanded her following across national borders. In 2021, she was listed by Time magazine among the 100 most influential people. She also sang for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. As a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and Oxfam, she travels the world in her capacity to advocate for children. She has won a total of four Grammy Awards, the most recent of which was Best Global Music Album of 2022 for Mother Nature, her latest album.

Angelique Kidjo has worked with various socialites such as Philip Glass, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade and Jeff Bhasker, superstar producer of Kanye West, Rolling Stones and Beyonce. Angelique Kidjo has continued to prove herself to the music industry and 2022 has not been left out.

1. Magic Child

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 highest ranking African musicians in the music industry and one of Africa's richest musicians. Wizkid has recorded numerous songs with various well-known global musicians such as Chris Brown, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Beyoncé.

In 2021 he won a Grammy for the best music video of the year with his music "Brown Skin Girl". He released his latest album "Made in Lagos" which quickly became one of the most successful albums in all of Africa with the notable songs "Essence", "Anoti", "Ginger" and "Sweet One". Its lead single "Essence" was a worldwide music sensation, applauded by many incredible music industry figures. Wizkid's album Made in Lagos has reached over 1 billion and counting on music streaming platforms and became the highest-charting album of all time on Billboard 200 in Nigeria for 17 weeks and on Billboard's Albums Chart for 50 weeks World.

Essence was the first Nigerian song to reach the top of the Hot 100 and the first African song to sell over 1.5 million copies in the United States (nearly going multi-platinum). It is also the highest-charting African album on US iTunes. Wizkid has been nominated for two Grammys, Best Global Music Album (made in Lagos) and Best Global Music Performance (Essence). His concert at London's O2 Arena sold out quickly, with ticket sales of 48,000, the arena's fastest-selling show ever. In fact, 2022 is Wizkid's year.