15 Top African Artists in 2023

From pulsating Afrobeats setting your soul on fire, to bongo tunes soothing your heart; top African artists in 2023 outdid themselves. The African music industry was revolutionarily inviting this year with good music from the west, east, south to the north.

Amapiano tunes from South Africa and its infusion from across Africa, mostly Nigeria set you on the path for musical goodness. Ideally, 2023 was a symphony of sounds redefining the global stage. Genre-bending mavericks, powerhouse vocalists, and lyrical storytellers weaved tales of love, loss, and everything in between with a tunes going beyond borders.

Top African Artists in 2023

See Africa Today present the top African artists in 2023. While some are not new to the game, some are upcoming artists who broke records, challenged stereotypes, and ethched their names in the hearts of many. This article is a ticket for musical safari through West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and Central Africa. Here are the African musicians holding the year’s torch as 2024 edges closer.

Ayra Starr

The 21-year-old Nigerian singer ended 2022 on a high with ‘Rush’ and started 2023 with ‘Sability’. It blew up, so did other hit singles that she released throughout the year. Ayra quickly became the queen of collabos just like the amazing Tiwa Savage.

She collaborated with American artists David Guetta, Lil Durk, and a dozen Nigerian artists among them Crayon, Ladipoe, Magixx, Boy Spyce among others.  An aspiring model at one time; she also performed in many international concerts unlike 2022.

Tems

The talented Nigerian songbird was a TikTok sensation throughout the year for different reasons all bordering on her musical craft.  Tems won a Grammy Award in 2023 – she became the first female Nigerian artist to ever win the coveted award.

Further, she released a series of viral singles as a prelude to her upcoming debut album. Some of her popular songs released this year include ‘Me&U’ , ‘Not An Angel’

Sauti Sol

There is no reason why the beloved Kenyan boy-band Sauti Sol would miss in the list of the top African artists in 2023. Although they took a musical break in December, they treated the world to amazing tunes during their world tour and mega concert in Nairobi. The quartet performed alongside the famed Boyz II Men in Nairobi and later held another Sol Fest concert to thank their fans for their support over the years.

Tyla

Tyla’s 2023 was all about building a brand with her electrifying ‘Water’ anthem that became Africa’s first song to clock a billion views on TikTok. At 20, she feels the love, inspiration and pressure that comes with a creative of her repute. Her iconic ‘Water’ dance earned her love across the borders and she is now one of the top African artists in 2023.

Yammi

The 21-year-old Tanzanian born singer is giving big names in the Tanzanian music industry a run for their fame. She rose from the ashes like a phoenix with big hits such as ‘Namchukia’, ‘Tiririka’ among others.

Appy

Appy is the magic behind the soulful ‘Watu Feki’ tune that has millions of views on TikTok. The Tanzanian artist introduced herself this year with this enchanting tune touching on a relatable life issue. She did many a favour by calling out fake friends with no aplogy.

Bridget Blue

Her song ‘Kesho’ took over the Kenyan airwaves and Kenyans are appreciating her musical wit with so much love.

Bien

Bien-Aime Baraza simply known as Bien, shed his Sauti Sol skin and emerged as a solo artist blazing with vibrant soul. His debut album, titled “Alusa, Why Are You Topless?” It isn’t a collection of songs but was a declaration of artistic liberation with big hits such as ‘No Easy’.

Rema

Rema continued with his musical charm as his ‘Calm Down’ hit song dominated music charts home and away. The song’s remix featuring American Rnb and pop singer ‘Selena Gomez’ pushing closer to a billion views.

Spice Diana

Spice Diana spread the love with a charming tune ‘Ndi Mu Love’ rocking Uganda and beyond. She is a real vocal beauty spreading the African music vibe with bubbly tunes.

Azawi

Azawi’s 2023 wasn’t just a year, it was a reign. She cemented her place as the queen of Ugandan music, captivating audiences with her infectious confidence, smooth vocals, and genre-bending tunes. Singles like “Summer Bae,” “Njagala Vibe,” and “Omwenge” dominated Ugandan airwaves and playlists, earning her millions of streams and fan adoration

Zakes Bantwini

After two decades of serenading and captivating audiences, Zakes Bantwini’s musical journey ascended to a whole new stratosphere in 2023. His single “Bayethe,” a soul-stirring collaboration with the phenomenal Nomcebo Zikode and the masterful flutist Wouter Kellerman, became the crowning jewel of his career.

Not only did “Bayethe” captivate fans across the globe, but it also stormed the prestigious Grammy Awards, bagging the coveted trophy for Best Global Music Performance.

Fally Ipupa

2023 wasn’t just another year for Congolese sensation Fally Ipupa. It was a mark of triumphs, accolades, and a coronation of sorts. From the vibrant streets of Paris to the ancestral heartland of the Anamongo people, his talent reverberated and resonated, marking him as a cultural force and a musical kingpin.

Libianca

Libianca stomped onto the global stage among top African artists in 2023 courtesy of her ‘People’ hit. She made a successful debut with a BET Award and debuted on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs Chart, something no other Cameroon artist has achieved.

Burna Boy

He is the face of Nigerian music and this year, he released his seventh studio album ‘I Told Them’. And just like his last album ‘Love Damini’ Burna Boy is art of storytelling remains unrivalled.