10 Great African Singers & Musicians to Pay Attention to in 2021

10 Great African Musicians to Pay Attention to in 2021

It looks like it is going to be a great year for African music. There are some interesting musicians with new sounds and styles and some exploring completely new genres. While many of us are hooked on signing in to win that online casino Australia no deposit bonus, just across the Indian Ocean, there are many new and wonderful artists to tune into from all over the African continent: from South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, to name just a few.

Below we look at ten African artists, from different countries, who are particularly interesting, and who you should definitely watch out for in 2021.

Elaine from South Africa

Elaine (pic above) is claiming her place as a true Rhythm and Blues singer. The 21- year -old is sticking with the sounds of her own voice and chooses not to use auto tune. Several months ago, she signed with Columbia records, an American label so she is off to a really good start. In 2019 she released a song entitled ‘You’re the One’ and she became one of the highest streaming artists in South Africa and made her many fans. With the launching of her EP Elements, she showcased her hypnotic voice, with great lyrics and all about love and relationships. Fans are loving her authenticity.

Fik Fameica from Uganda

Fik Fameica, who also goes by the name Fresh Boy, is a new and interesting rapper from East Africa. He first emerged in 2017 when he released the single Kutama. He is a 24- year- old artist, not trying to fit into the mainstream Ugandan music scene and exploring different sounds that show influences of reggae. Fik Fameica is becoming popular with many young people and has already collaborated with some well- known musicians in Africa. These include Vanessa Mdee, Patoranking and Joeboy.

Gaz Mawete from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Gas Mawete appeared in 2018 with the release of Olingi Nini and has become big on the Francophone music scene. He became known when he took part in talent contests and has since collaborated with some very successful artists such as Fally Ipupa when they appeared together on C’est Raté. He was also showcased on Poison ou Antidote, the album by Dadiu. Mawate was nominated last year at the MTV Europe Music Awards in the Best African Act category. We will likely see him during 2021.

Kabza De Small from South Africa

Kabza De Small has become very popular since he first appeared in 2016. He’s actually a record producer and DJ and is known as the King of Amapiano, a variety of music beginning in South Africa. Kazba De Small’s sound has filtered out into other African countries and is also gaining popularity everywhere around the world. Last year he was nominated in the Best African Act category at the MTV Europe Music Awards and it is possible to hear his influence in songs recorded across the continent.

KiDi from Ghana

Kidi is a Ghanaian artist whose career was launched when he released his album, Sugar, and it won the album of the year in 2020 at the Ghana music awards. He is of today’s generation. With Afrobeats and Highlife, his music has become popular beyond the borders of his country. Last year, his song, Say Cheese, won him an international standing when US singer, Teddy Riley joined with him on a remix for the song. KiDi, who is 27, has also collaborated with Davido and Mr Eazi as well as other West African artists.

Omah Lay from Nigeria

Omah Lay came to prominence with the release of Bad Influence. His captivating voice and very defined sound combining soul, Afrobeats and Afrofusion makes him one to watch out for. He has done work with US singer/rapper 6lack and is gaining a lot of popularity. Not long ago he was detained in Uganda for supposedly not adhering to regulations concerning covid-19. However, the huge media coverage and campaign to allow him to leave are evidence of just how popular he has become.

Sha Sha from Zimbabwe

Sha Sha has a wonderful soulful sound which can be heard on her 2019 album Blossom. The singer’s moving voice uses Amapiano sounds and this sets her apart from others. In 2020 Sha Sha was one of the 10 female singers most streamed on Spotify in South Africa. At the same time her song, Tender Love which also featured DJ Maphorisa and Kazba De Small was recorded as having been one of the songs most streamed in 2020. Not to mention that she also won Best New International Act at the BET Awards. So, one to watch for.

Soraia Ramos from Cape Verde

Soraia Ramos’s songs are sung with lyrics in Portuguese and Creole and are all about love and relationships. She has added to the kizomba genre touches of hip hop and also R & B. Soraia Ramos is making an impression with her new single O Nosso Amor which was released with Calema and also because of her single Bai of which she and Lisandro did a remix. Both versions of the song in video form, have together reached more than 15 million views on YouTube.

Tems from Nigeria This Nigerian singer songwriter released her single, Try me, in 2019 and immediately got attention. She has a very powerful voice and uses elements from R & B, hip hop and soul music. Since Tems released her EP, For Broken Ears, her fan base has grown and now extends well beyond Nigeria and also beyond the continent.

Zuchu from Tanzania

As a new artist not long on the scene, her prominence has grown incredibly. Zucha sings in Swahili and also in English and often trying out using The Tanzanian Bongo Flava genre. She released her debut EP last year, I am Zuchu, and also signed with Diamond Platnumz’ record label. The BoomPlay streaming app listed her EP as the album in Tanzania which was playe