Afrobeats' foundation in highlife and Afrobeat, blending diverse influences to create a new era of music.
Afrobeats in 2026 features veterans, rising women, and a fearless new wave, shaping the culture long-term.
Source: John Phillips / Getty
Afrobeats didn’t just pop up overnight. Before it was running up streams and selling out arenas in New York, London, and Paris, its foundation was being laid in West Africa decades ago. The genre itself traces its roots back to highlife in Ghana and the politically charged Afrobeat sound pioneered by Fela Kuti in the ’60s and ’70s. Afrobeat was rebellious. It was layered. It was intentional. Afrobeats — plural — evolved later, drawing on that foundation while blending dancehall, Hip-Hop, R&B, and electronic influences. Same spirit. New era.
By the early 2000s, Nigerian and Ghanaian artists started shaping what we now recognize as modern Afrobeats. Producers leaned into bounce-heavy drums, infectious melodies, and hooks that felt like sunshine. It became the soundtrack of youth culture across Africa. Then streaming changed everything. Suddenly, Lagos wasn’t just influencing Accra — it was influencing Atlanta. London. Toronto. Afrobeats wasn’t “international music” anymore. It was just music.
The U.S. rise happened fast but not by accident. Strategic collaborations, diaspora support, festival performances, and TikTok virality all helped. Burna Boy is selling out stadiums. Wizkid is landing global hits. Tems is winning Grammys. Rema is breaking streaming records. Afrobeats became cool in a way that didn’t feel forced. It felt earned. More importantly, it felt Black in a global way — unfiltered and unapologetic.
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What makes Afrobeats special isn’t just the tempo — it’s the emotion. It’s love songs you can two-step to. It’s heartbreak that still makes you move. It’s confidence. It’s prayer. It’s flexing. It’s joy. As we step deeper into 2026, the genre isn’t slowing down — it’s expanding. New voices are emerging. Women are dominating. Cross-continental fusions are getting stronger. The sound is evolving in real time. So, if you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve rather than catch up late, here are 15 Afrobeats artists you should absolutely know in 2026.
Wizkid
A certified global icon. Wizkid helped push Afrobears into American pop culture in a real way. From “Ojulegba” to “Essence,” his catalog bridges continents. Even in 2026, his influence is everywhere — from production styles to how artists approach international crossover.
Burna Boy
Grammy-winning, stadium-selling, genre-bending. Burna effortlessly blends Afrobeats with reggae, dancehall, and Afro-fusion. His stage presence alone keeps him elite, but it’s his consistency that makes him undeniable.
Davido
Few artists have stayed as relevant for as long. Davido understands hits, period. He’s mastered balancing mainstream appeal with cultural authenticity, and his global collaborations keep him locked into every major market.
Tems
Tems isn’t just an Afrobeats artist — she’s a global vocalist with depth. Her pen is introspective, her voice is soulful, and her crossover appeal is unmatched. She represents the genre’s emotional expansion.
Rema
Young but already legendary status loading. “Calm Down” changed the trajectory of Afrobeats globally. Rema moves like a pop star but keeps his Nigerian roots front and center. He’s the blueprint for Gen Z dominance.
Ayra Starr
Confident. Stylish. Fearless. Ayra Starr brings youthful energy and star power that feels limitless. She’s part of the generation redefining what female Afrobeats stardom looks like.
Asake
Street bounce meets global polish. Asake’s sound feels gritty but celebratory at the same time. His live performances are chaotic in the best way — pure energy.
Fireboy DML
Melodic and smooth, Fireboy leans into vulnerability. His music feels cinematic. He’s carved a lane that blends Afrobeats with alt-pop textures, and it works.
Omah Lay
If Afrobeats had a “late-night drive” category, Omah Lay would dominate it. His emotional storytelling and moody production make him stand out in a genre known for upbeat vibes.
Kizz Daniel
Hitmaker energy. Kizz Daniel has mastered the art of creating songs that stick immediately. Dance floors love him. Streaming platforms love him. The numbers don’t lie.
Tiwa Sawage
A pioneer for women in Afrobeats. Tiwa’s influence goes beyond music — she helped normalize female dominance in a male-heavy space. Her legacy keeps growing.
Victony
Genre-blending and experimental, Victony represents Afrobeats’ future-facing creativity. His resilience and unique tone give him star potential that’s still unfolding.
BNXN (Buju)
Vocally rich and emotionally layered, BNXN effortlessly bridges Afrobeats and Afro-fusion. His collaborations stay strong, but his solo work proves he can carry momentum on his own.
ODUMODUBLVCK
If Afrobeats had a rebel cousin kicking the door down, it’d be ODUMMODUBLVCK. He doesn’t just make music — he bends the rules. Blending Hip-Hop grit with Afrobeats bounce and heavy Nigerian street influence, ODUMODUBLVCK carved out a lane that feels raw, loud, and unapologetic. Whether it’s viral anthems, politically aware bars, or high-energy performances, he represents the genre’s fearless expansion.
Tyla
Yes, she leans amapiano. Yes, she crosses into pop. But Tyla’s success proves Southern Africa’s influence on the broader Afrobeats ecosystem is only getting stronger. Her global breakout moments show that the African sound isn’t boxed in anymore — it’s evolving.
Afrobeats in 2026 isn’t just about who’s hot right now — it’s about who’s shaping the culture long term. The veterans are still dominating, the women are ascending, and the new wave is fearless. If the last few years taught us anything, it’s that the next global superstar is probably already recording in Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg — or somewhere in between.
