Any list of Africa's best musicians will be very dynamic and fluid as the continent is teeming with musical talent constantly trying to outshine one another in their various countries and also in the continental market. Additionally, there are so many different genres of music in Africa that it's difficult to pick the absolute best.
Ideally, all of the continent's different musical genres should be given equal representation on a list like this; Because no type of music should claim to be better than any other.
However, in order to reach wider audiences across the continent, musicians tend to play mainstream music, which may, to varying degrees, incorporate traditional music. To be among the best; A musician must be unique, have good vocal strength and use instruments well.
Top 20 best musicians in Africa
1. Angelique Kidjo
Land: Benin
Genre: Afropop, Afrobeat
Angélique Kidjo has been the face of African music for many years. She is one of the biggest stars to ever come out of Africa; and she has the kind of talent that is both rare and dynamic. Angelique Kidjo is known around the world for her voice; their mix of traditional African music and contemporary beats. Her music has a mystical appeal; and she sings in various African languages, including Yoruba.
Angelique Kidjo is a five-time Grammy winner; Their music is unique in tempo and taste. Angelique Kidjo has done so many collaborations with artists all over the world; Musicians are actually lining up to be associated with her.
Angelique Kidjo has performed in the world's greatest arenas; and she has performed with some of the biggest stars in the world throughout her career.
Some of their biggest hits are: Aye, Logozo, Djin Djin and Ewa Ka Jo.
2. Burna boy
Land: Nigeria
Genre: Afropop, Afrobeat
Burna Boy is the biggest star among the current generation of musicians in Nigeria. He is rightly called African Giant after his successful album of the same name. Burna Boy sings Afropop and Afrobeat and performs in English, Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba, among others. Burna Boy is a Grammy winner; He is one of the very few Africans to have received this award.
His songs come with a rich use of musical instruments reminiscent of traditional African music. He has frequently sighted Fela Anikulapo Kuti as his influence; his mother was a dancer in Fela's band. The Burna Boys' music is very popular on the streets; He is very good at using local slangs (some of which need censoring) in his music and therefore showcases Nigerian street culture in his music.
Interestingly, Burna Boy's music has gained worldwide acclaim; He has performed in the world's biggest arenas and performed with some of the world's biggest stars including Ed Sheran of the UK. Burna Boy has grown so much that musicians all over the world are lining up to perform with the big-voiced black boy.
3. Asa
Land: Nigeria
Pop, Afropop, Afrobeat
Possibly Africa's most accomplished musician, Asa has the vocal power, musical genius and charisma of a top performer; one capable of captivating any audience on a daily basis. She is one of the artists who, with their bands, which also include professional musicians, run what music professionals call "serious music business".
Asa produces music in English and Yoruba languages, and her music is recorded and packaged in France. It is always a pleasure to see Asa perform African music with her band members, many of whom are European and play the tones perfectly on their guitars, pianos and drums.
Asa is probably the best guitarist in Africa; and she uses her mastery of this instrument to great effect. Some of their biggest hits are "Fire on the Mountain", "Jailer" and "Why Can't We".
4. Magic Child
Land: Nigeria
Genres: Afrobeat, Afropop, Reggae, Dancehall and R&B
Wizkid is a global brand in music, one of Nigeria's biggest music exporters and has long been the undisputed top African artist. Wizkid makes Afrobeat, Afropop and Dancehall. At the age of 11 he produced an album together with a group of friends.
He burst into the limelight in 2009 and has continued to grow as a musician ever since. Wizkid is an international artist; He has won multiple awards both in Nigeria and abroad, including a Grammy Award for a collaboration with Beyonce.
Wizkid has performed on every major stage and arena in the world; He is one of the continent's most in-demand musicians, collaborating with the world's greatest artists.
5. Evil C
Country: South Africa
Genre: Rap
Nasty C is a phenomenal musical talent. Africa will not be big enough to contain his talent any time soon; he is like a force of nature; with powerful lyrics, strong vocals and a talent for composition that will be hard to match. He is not only a rapper but also a songwriter and record producer.
Nasty C hails from South Africa, but he's arguably the biggest name in rap, not just in that country but across the continent. His rap is usually mainstream and in English.
Nasty C was the youngest recipient of an award at the South African Hip Hop Awards in 2015, and his debut album Bad Hair (2016) continues to garner critical acclaim after years in production. Nasty C has a deal with Def Jam Records and has produced an album with the American record label.
He has received so many accolades in music circles; He is also the biggest young musician in South Africa at the moment.
6. 2Face Idibia/2Baba
Land: Nigeria
Genre: Pop, Afropop
2 Face Idibia is one of the greatest and most successful musicians in Nigerian history. For a long time he was Nigeria's undisputed champion musician; that was before the rise of Wizkid. 2 Face Idibia started out as a member of a group called Plantashun Boiz; Then in 2004, at the behest of Kennis Music, he broke out as a solo artist.
2Face Idibia then released his first solo album called Face2Face. This album brought 2Face to fame; From there he produced several successful albums, toured the world and founded his own record label.
2Face Idibia has received several awards both locally and internationally; he was also courted by international artists from all over the world. 2 Face has become a global brand; He has become an icon of music in Africa.
7. Cassper Nyovest
Country: South Africa
Genre: Rap
Cassper Nyovest is one of Africa's best musicians for his genre; he is probably only surpassed by Nasty C. Cassper is known worldwide for his lyrics, swing and attitude. He is currently regarded as the face of rap music in Africa, having performed at the forefront in arenas around the world to thunderous applause.
Cassper Nyovest is also a rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. He released his debut album in 2014 and hasn't looked back since. He used the momentum of his successful album launch and founded his own record label, Family Tree Records.
Some of his biggest hits are "Don Shabaleza" and "Gusheshe".
8. Davido
Land: Nigeria
Genre: Pop, Afropop, Afrobeat
Davido is currently one of Africa's most popular musicians; He is a certified musical heavyweight in the country. Davido burst into the limelight in 2011 with his song Dami Duro, which preceded the release of his album Omo Baba Olowo that same year. Since then he has not looked back; Since then he has produced successful songs and albums almost every year.
Davido has performed in the world's largest arenas; even the famous O2 Arena in London was sold out in no time. He has collaborated with too many artists to mention, some of them are from Nigeria, Africa and all over the world.
Davido is a very influential person in Nigeria; He is a record label executive, a philanthropist and an influencer. His biggest hits include; Blow My Mind (with Chris Brown), Dami Duro, If and Skelewu.
9. Sarkodie
Land: Ghana
Genre: Rap
Sarkodie is a musical heavyweight; he is one of Africa's most famous rappers; remarkable for both his talent and longevity. Sarkodie is from Ghana; and he has been the face of the Ghanaian music industry for several years. Sarkodie has been one of the biggest contributors to African music in recent years; and that has earned him several awards.
Sarkodie released his first album in 2009; it was titled Makye, and he hasn't looked back since. Sarkodie is one of Africa's most recognized artists; he has worked with such a long list of artists in Ghana and across the continent; Sarkodie is courted by artists from all over the world; they all want to work with him.
Sarkodie has won several awards throughout his career; including the Vodafone Ghana Music Award for "Artist of the Decade" and BET's Best International Flow Artist.
10. Diamond Platnumz
Land: Tansania
Genre: Bongo Flava, Pop, Afropop
Diamond Platnumz is the greatest musician in Tanzania and probably all of East Africa. He burst into the limelight in 2010, although he was already involved in music in 2007. Diamond Platnumz has produced songs with artists from so many countries across the continent; He is one of the greatest artists on the continent.
Diamond Platnumz is also a dancer, philanthropist, and businessman.
11th Master KG
Country: South Africa
Genre: Electro
Master KG is a South African musician; He has pushed all boundaries with his music despite being so young and relatively new to the music industry. Master KG burst into the limelight in 2017 with his song Skeleton Move. From then on he produced several top hits. He has performed in several of the continent's top musical arenas. His biggest hits include "Remember" and "Jerusalema".
12. Black coffee
Country: South Africa
Genres: House, Klassik
Black Coffee is a South African DJ, record producer and songwriter. He's primarily a DJ, but one who doesn't settle for playing other people's songs. That's why he writes his own songs and produces his own beats, which he turns into songs in collaboration with top artists.
His career took off around 1994 but he rose to prominence after attending Red Bull Music Academy in 2004. He founded his own record label Soulistic Music and released his self-titled debut album Black Coffee in 2005. He is very versatile and talented; he is in demand both in Africa and abroad.
Black Coffee has won so many awards including a Grammy Award.
13. Convert coal
Land: Nigeria/Ghana
Genres: Pop, Afropop
Wande Coal has one of Africa's most unique voices. He's one of the few who really makes music with a focus on vocal quality and isn't afraid to sing from the heart. Starting out as a choir at his church in Lagos, he burst into the limelight in 2006 through Don Jazzy's Mo Hits Records.
He stayed with Don Jazzy by joining Mavin Records but shortly thereafter went to Ghana where he now resides. Musically, Wande Coal has built a bridge between Ghana and Nigeria. He has performed in several top arenas around the world and has collaborated with several top artists across the continent. Wande Coal has also received several awards throughout his career.
14. Fally Ipuppe
Country: Congo
Genre: Kongomusik, Makossa
Fally Ipupa is one of Africa's finest musicians due to his talent and versatility as well as his longevity. He is a Congolese musician, singer, drummer and dancer, and guitarist. He was a member of the Quartier Latin International, the music band founded in 1986 by Koffi Olomidé. However, he rose to fame in 2006 with the release of Droit Chemin in 2006.
Since then he has only gotten stronger; He is one of the most recognizable names in African music. He has won multiple awards including a Grammy Award.
15. Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Country: (South Africa)
Genres: Pop, Elektro
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a South African musician, actress, activist and philanthropist. She has been one of the most recognized names in African music for more than 35 years. Yvonne Chaka Chaka has delighted audiences around the world with her vocal strength and musical genius. Yvonne Chaka Chaka has been called one of the most influential women in the world; She was a civil rights icon and a source of inspiration for girls around the world.
16. Rayvanny
Land: Tansania
Genres: Bongo Flava, Afropop
Rayvanny is a Tanzanian musician; In 2016, he burst into the limelight with his song Kwetu. He has been described as the most successful bongo flava musician. He has released many songs and collaborated with numerous artists from the continent and beyond.
17. Herr Eazy
Land: Nigeria/Ghana
Genres: Bank, Afropop
Mr Eazy is a Nigerian musician living in Ghana. His interest in music began when he was in college and he began organizing college parties and booking artists. He became quite popular which led him to release a mixtape titled About To Blow.
He has become one of the biggest stars in Nigeria; and has since become a major act on the international stage, especially as he is based in Ghana. Mr. Eazy has also performed with several big stars in Nigeria and abroad and has also won several awards.
18. Herr Timaya
Land: Nigeria
Genres: Afropop, Dancehall, Reggae
Mr Timaya is a very dynamic Nigerian musician who rose to fame in 2006 with his song Dem Mama in which he highlighted the atrocities committed by the Nigerian Army against the people of his home village of Odi in Bayelsa, Nigeria. From then on he renamed himself and was stylized as the king of the dance hall.
He has toured the world and performed with big stars across Africa. Timaya is known for his talent, versatility and longevity.
19. Tiwa Savage
Land: Nigeria
Genre: Pop, R&B, Afropop
Tiwa Savage is probably Nigeria's best singer. She grew up in London and later moved to the United States; where she began her career as a singer. However, she burst into the limelight in Nigeria with Don Jazzy's Mo Hits Records. Since then she has established herself as a top artist, touring the world and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music on the continent. She has also won several awards.
20. DJ Maphorisa
(South Africa)
Genres: Afropop
DJ Maphorisa is a South African singer, record producer, DJ and singer. He is considered a musical genius because he seamlessly incorporates house music, amapiano and afropop into his music. He has collaborated with several top artists including Drake, Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Black Coffee, Major Lazer, Runtown and so on.
He has won several awards and been nominated for many others.
Related:
- Top 10 Greatest African Musicians of All Time
- Top 10 worst prisons in Africa
- The 20 richest countries in Africa by GDP per capita
Close
Africa's best musicians have been selected from multiple music genres, all popular in their different regions of the continent. Originality is of course very important, but commercial success is also quite important. Africans appreciate good music; Therefore, music that appeals to a large part of Africa has to be good music and made by a good musician.