Music
Meet 5 rising voices, each reshaping the genre with their flavour, from Fuji fusions to soul-tintedtrap. Yes, Lagos’ next wave has arrived with a new class in session, and it’s rewriting theAfro‑HipHop playbook from the ground up.Blending the grit of Lagos streets with global flair, these artists are not just dropping hits, they’recarving new lanes. Here are the 2025 names you need to know:1. KunmieKnown for “Arike,” which hit Spotify Viral Global’s top list in Q1 2025, Kunmie blends traditionalYoruba vocal stylings with minimalist beats. Think Ayra Starr meets Asa, in a soft, rootedreinvention.2. ChellaChella scored a runaway viral hit with “My Darling” in March 2025, combining street-hopcadences with old-school Shabba energy. TurnTable and Shazam data proved the hit wasn’t afluke—it was a movement.3. TML VibezMentored by Seyi Vibez and backed by Vibez Inc., TML’s gritty, melodic voice is anchoringstreet-hop’s latest evolution. His 2024 projects trended across Boomplay and TurnTable,marking him as a Gen Z favorite.4. EspagoThe Lagos-born newcomer with a Fuji-influenced Afro‑HipHop vibe, Espago, entered the gamewith a background in hospitality, design, and live storytelling. With one year of studio time underhis belt and a debut single (“Killing Me”) dropping July 19, 2025, his vocal precision andFuji-soul blend make him one of the most unique entrants on this list.
5. VasaKnown for his raw TikTok freestyles, Vasa’s Book of Vasa EP series built a cult following. Hisemotion-driven bars and melodic rap made him a TurnTable Emerging pick to watch in 2024,now it’s 2025 and he’s taking centre stage.The Class of ’25 is loud, experimental, and deeply rooted. As Afro‑HipHop evolves beyondstreet stories into full-bodied narratives, these artists—Ayo Maff, Qing Madi, Espago, andothers—aren’t just releasing music. They’re shaping culture.
