The Afrobeats scene has experienced a slower year compared to previous ones, where breakout stars were typically solidified by the third quarter.
Since 2020, the “Afrobeats to the World” movement has gained tremendous momentum, producing numerous global hits and captivating audiences worldwide. Sold-out arenas and the rise of new stars have become commonplace.
Typically, artistes build their catalogues from the beginning of the year (at most second quarter), aiming to accumulate enough “hits” or at least familiar tracks to secure bookings for the “ember” months. By the third quarter, the distinct breakout stars of Afrobeats are usually recognised and cemented. Promoters often clamour for these fresh faces, eager to book them as their novelty usually excites concertgoers. Beyond being promoters’ favourites, some artistes even manage to headline their own shows by year-end, provided they’ve built momentum early on and have a strong enough catalogue to support a headline event.
Looking back over the past decade, Afrobeats has consistently introduced new faces who has either remained relevant till now or shone for a few years or less before stepping aside. In 2019, soul-stirring songstress Tems emerged as one of the most exciting new acts, with breakout hits like ‘Looku Looku’ and ‘Mr. Rebel.’ She would go on to have and be part of global anthems like ‘Essence,’ ‘Free Mind,’ and ‘Wait for U,’ even earning a Grammy. Also, controversial street-hop singer Naira Marley had one of the most impressive streaks in modern Afrobeats, with back-to-back hits like ‘Pxta,’ ‘Tingasa,’ ‘Tesumole,’ ‘Mafo,’ ‘Am I A Yahoo Boy,’ ‘Opotoyi,’ ‘Soapy,’ ‘Gobe,’ and others.
In 2020, despite the lockdown, stars like Omah Lay rose to prominence with his ‘Get Layd’ EP, featuring tracks like ‘Bad Influence’ and ‘Damn.’ BNXN (formerly Buju), who had already made waves the previous year with ‘Spiritual,’ was propelled further with the 2020 remix of ‘L’enu’ featuring Burna Boy. Blaqbonez also had a strong year with hits like ‘Shut Up,’ ‘Haba,’ and ‘BBC.’ Ajebo Hustlers made their mark with the End-SARS charting protest anthem ‘Barawo,’ followed by a remix featuring Davido. Bella Shmurda solidified his position with ‘Vision 2020’ featuring Olamide and monster hit ‘Cash App,’ along with notable guest appearances on albums by Davido, Olamide, and Wizkid.
2021 introduced Afro-pop sensation Lojay, whose joint project with ace producer Sarz, ‘LV N ATTN’, featured Wizkid and included major hits like ‘Tonongo’ and ‘Monalisa.’ Lojay also shone on DJ Neptune’s ‘Only Fan’ alongside Zlatan. Ayra Starr captivated audiences with ‘Away,’ ‘Fashion Killer,’ and ‘Bloody Samaritan,’ while Fave charmed with ‘Beautifully’ and ‘Baby Riddim,’ and featured on Olamide’s tenth studio album ‘UY Scuti.’
In 2022, we witnessed one of the most impactful breakouts in Afrobeats history: Asake. In a single year, he released both an EP and an album, delivering smash hits like ‘Sungba,’ ‘Omo Ope,’ ‘Terminator,’ ‘Palazzo,’ ‘PBUY’ and a slew of others. Despite Asake’s overwhelming presence, the year still allowed other artists like Victony, Pheelz, Young Jonn, and Seyi Vibez to gain their own well-deserved recognition.
2023 saw fewer breakout acts, but those who did emerge made a significant impact. NATIVE records rapper Odumodublvck had a stellar year, with his track ‘Declan Rice’ even being used by a 138-year-old English football club, Arsenal, to announce their new player, Declan Rice. Shallipopi also had an outstanding year, with hits like ‘Elon Musk,’ ‘Oscroh,’ and ‘Cast,’ earning enough buzz to launch his own record label.
However, in 2024, the pace has noticeably slowed. Although new faces have appeared, they have yet to leave the same mark as their predecessors. There are no major hits or influential tracks that would position them as headliners or even key acts on festival lineups. Some might attribute this slowdown to the overwhelming volume of music being released, making it difficult for listeners to keep up. Also, the music scene’s growing competitiveness, coupled with the influx of money, has arguably made it more cutthroat, with talented artistes without sponsorship being overlooked or unable to achieve greater milestones as opposed to those with bigger marketing budgets. Nevertheless, new talents will continue to emerge. Against this backdrop, below are some of the notable acts that have made significant strides in breaking through in 2024, in no particular order:
1. TML VIBEZ
The Seyi Vibez signee is currently one of the most exciting street-hop artistes in the scene. Also in the “Afro-Adura” gang, a genre which revolves around themes of optimism, grass-to-grace stories, the importance of faith in God, and documenting the harsh realities of the lower class—including poverty, fraud, drugs, and more—he’s made a strong impact since his signing in 2023.
The 24-year-old tireless singer has released three EPs and one joint EP, delivering top-charting tracks like ‘Where i’m From,’ ‘Maria,’ ‘My Padi,’ ‘Alhamdulillah,’ ‘Wells Fargo,’ and many others. While TML Vibez boasts an impressive catalogue with notable streaming numbers that cater to his niche audience of street-hop lovers, this hasn’t fully translated into mainstream success. He’s yet to deliver a smash hit that breaks through to the wider Afrobeats market, limiting his influence in the broader scene. Nevertheless, the hard work and immense talent TML Vibez has shown this year have rightfully earned him a place in the conversation
2. AYO MAFF
Although initially introduced as a street-hop act with his introspective debut, ‘7 Days,’ the 18-year-old artist has since expanded his style to incorporate elements of street-hop, pop, and Afro-fusion, all contributing to his unique take on Afrobeats. His tracks often feature catchy melodies, smooth vocals, and rhythmic beats, and lyrically, he draws from familiar ‘Afro-Adura’ themes, focussing on faith and resilience while also exploring broader topics like love, daily life, and drugs.
Beyond ‘7 Days,’ the singer has had a solid run in 2024, notably with ‘Dealer,’ which features YBNL heavyweight Fireboy DML. However, his follow-up track, ‘Last Week,’ hasn’t quite matched the success of his previous drop. Although his recently-released EP ‘Maffian’ is yet to gain the traction needed to propel his career to the next level, a recent co-sign from Afrobeats superstar Asake, including a performance at the iconic 20,000-capacity O2 Arena in London, puts him in a promising position as we approach the final three months of 2024.
3. LLONA
Another independent artist on the list, the singer’s 2023 release, HBP Remix, featuring street-hop star Bella Shmurda, gained significant momentum. Interestingly, the 27-year-old followed up with a debut project and album, ‘Homeless,’ which should definitely be considered in the ‘Album of the Year’ conversation. Llona, an Afro-fusion artiste, wears his persona so firmly that it reflects in his craft—he’s authentic, vulnerable, and fierce in telling his story, which resonates with the life chronicles of many modern-day youths. He speaks openly about his mistakes, failures, and struggles.
Although somewhat niche, Llona has been able to gradually penetrate a wider audience that relates to his story, particularly lost youths trying to find their place in the world. His debut album has garnered over 10 million streams on Spotify alone, featuring gems like ‘Still Scared,’ ‘Another Day,’ ‘Forgive Me,’ and ‘Cold War,’ the latter featuring songstress Fave. With the way Llona has effectively utilised community as a tool to spread his music, combined with the quality of his catalogue, he is on track to potentially headline his own show by the end of 2024 or early 2025, if done strategically.
4. ANENDLESSOCEAN
Often mistaken for a gospel artiste, the singer has consistently stated that he refuses to be boxed in. According to him, he’s a Christian who makes music, and that could cover any topic—whether it’s about God, love, or socio-economic issues. His musical style floats around traditional African sounds, Afro-fusion, pop, and R&B, all of which enhance his calm and peaceful persona. Lyrically, he delves into themes of spirituality, introspection, nature, and emotional depth, inviting listeners to reflect and connect on a personal level.
Though the singer began actively gathering his followers in 2022, his 2023 single ‘Gratitude’ was pivotal in shaping his career. In 2024, he’s made even more of an impact with singles like ‘LMLY,’ ‘Love Practitioner,’ and ‘Be.’ While his music is not yet mainstream, AOE has strategically leveraged his loyal niche fanbase. He headlined a concert in Lagos in December 2023, followed by another headline show in Ibadan in 2024. He is currently on tour in the United Kingdom, expanding his reach even further.
Notable mentions include Nasboi, Kold AF, Muyeez, BhadBoi OML, Taves, Bahd Man Niko, Balloranking, Rybenna, Tiphe, Kaestyle and a slew of others.
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