Here’s your complete guide to African artists who have performed at Coachella, from historic debuts to groundbreaking sets at the iconic music festival.
Few stages in the world symbolize musical range quite like Coachella —and for Africa, it’s a whole other level to be a part of the movement, not as spectators but as performers. Since 2019, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has seen a steady rise in African representation, with artists from across the continent bringing their sound, stories, and swagger to Indio, California.
Since its inception in 1999, Coachella has evolved into one of the world’s most iconic music festivals—and a major career milestone for artists across the globe. Held annually over two weekends each April, it offers far more than just music; Coachella is a cultural rite of passage. From pop to punk, Afrobeats to amapiano, the festival celebrates genre diversity and groundbreaking artistry, cementing its place as a defining stage for global talent.
As we look ahead to the next edition, we take a moment to spotlight every African act that has ever lit up the Coachella stage—proof that the continent’s musical influence is not just rising, it’s here to stay.
1. Die Antwoord
South African rap-rave group Die Antwoord—comprising Ninja, Yo-Landi Vi$$er, and DJ Hi-Tek—made their explosive Coachella debut in 2010. Their performance of Enter the Ninja became one of the most talked-about sets of the year, with Dazed magazine calling it “one of the most buzzed-about” moments of the entire festival.
2. Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti returned to Coachella in 2025, once again taking the stage with Egypt 80, the legendary Afrobeat band founded by his father, Fela Kuti. His first appearance at the festival dates back to 2012, marking a historic moment as the first-ever Nigerian artist to perform at Coachella.
3. Black Coffee
Having performed four times—2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022—South African producer Black Coffee holds the record as the African artist with the most Coachella appearances. His debut in 2016 left audiences spellbound and marked a significant moment for African electronic music on a global stage.
4. Mbongwana Star
This seven-member Congolese band performed in 2016, showcasing a unique fusion of punk and Congolese rhythms. Their performance highlighted songs from their acclaimed debut album, Kinshasa.
5. Fuse ODG
Fuse ODG, the British-Ghanaian artist known for championing Afrobeats and the “New Africa” movement, made an appearance at Coachella in 2016 as a guest during Major Lazer’s set. He joined the group on stage to perform the remix of their track Light It Up, adding a distinct African flair to the high-energy performance.
6. MHD
MHD, the French rapper of Guinean and Senegalese descent, performed at Coachella in 2018, taking the Mojave stage on the festival’s opening day. A pioneer of the afro-trap movement, his appearance marked a significant milestone—not just for his career but for the global recognition of the genre he helped bring to life.
7. Burna Boy
Burna Boy made his Coachella debut in 2019, marking a watershed moment for the Nigerian music industry. His appearance not only showcased the global appeal of Afrofusion but also sparked controversy when he called out the festival organizers for displaying his name in small font on the lineup poster. Declaring, “I am an AFRICAN GIANT and will not be reduced to whatever that tiny writing means,” Burna turned the moment into a powerful branding move that birthed both his now-iconic moniker and the title of his Grammy-nominated album, African Giant. He returned to Coachella in 2023 with even more firepower, delivering electrifying performances of fan favorites like Last Last and his global anthem Ye, cementing his place as one of Africa’s most commanding voices on the world stage.
8. Mr Eazi
In 2019, Mr Eazi took the Coachella stage with his vibrant Lagos to London live set, delivering an unforgettable performance that showcased his signature Banku sound. He wowed the crowd with tracks like Let Me Live and the fan-favorite Skin Tight.
9. Moonchild Sanelly
South African singer Moonchild Sanelly performed at Coachella in 2019 and 2023. In her debut, she joined DJ Diplo’s set to perform iWalk Ye Phara, becoming the first South African woman to perform at the festival. She later returned to perform “With Love to an Ex” with the Gorillaz.
10. AMÉMÉ
AMÉMÉ, the Beninese DJ and Afro-house sensation, made his Coachella debut in 2022 with an electrifying set that blended deep house rhythms with rich African percussion. He returned in 2025, further cementing his global appeal and solidifying his role as a key ambassador for Afro-house on the world stage.
11. CKay
In 2022, CKay made a surprise appearance at Coachella, joining Pink Sweats on stage to perform his global smash hit Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah). The moment marked a major milestone in his meteoric rise and highlighted the far-reaching impact of Afrobeats on the world stage.
12. DBN Gogo
DBN Gogo, one of South Africa’s leading DJs, brought her infectious energy to Coachella in 2022, where she headlined the Heineken House alongside Major League DJz. Her mission was clear: “pushing Amapiano to the world.” With a high-energy set that blended deep grooves with signature log drums, she played a pivotal role in introducing the genre to a broader international audience.
13. Major League DJz
Major League DJz, the dynamic twin duo Banele and Bandile Mbere, took the stage at Coachella in 2022, delivering an electrifying set that brought Amapiano to the global spotlight. They described the performance as a “dream come true” and a proud milestone for the ever-growing Amapiano movement, marking a key moment in the genre’s international ascent.
14. Sampa The Great
Sampa The Great made history in 2022 as the first Zambian artist to perform at Coachella, bringing her powerful blend of hip-hop, soul, and traditional African rhythms to the desert stage. She described the experience as “insane” and deeply fulfilling—a major milestone not just for her career but for Zambian representation on the global music scene.
15. Kyle Watson
Kyle Watson, the South African house music producer, finally made his Coachella debut in 2023 after his originally scheduled appearance in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His long-awaited performance was a testament to resilience and a proud moment for South Africa’s electronic music scene
16. Uncle Waffles
Uncle Waffles made history at Coachella 2023, becoming the first female Amapiano DJ to perform a prime-time slot on the festival’s iconic main stage—a groundbreaking moment for the genre. She returned in 2025, cementing her status as a global force and joining the ranks of the few African acts to grace the Coachella stage more than once.
17. Libianca
Libianca, the Cameroonian-American singer, made her Coachella debut in 2023 when Becky G brought her out during her set. Together, they delivered a powerful performance of Libianca’s viral hit People in front of a crowd of over 50,000 festival-goers. For Libianca, it was a career-defining moment, calling it “the biggest moment of my career” and further propelling her into the global spotlight.
18. Jupiter & Okwess
This Congolese Afro-funk band brought their vibrant, Latin-inspired sound to Coachella in 2023, earning rave reviews for their dynamic performance. They returned in 2025, continuing to showcase their unique fusion of Afrobeat rhythms and Latin influences, solidifying their place as one of the most exciting acts in global music.
19. Tems
Tems made her highly anticipated Coachella debut in 2024, with a performance that captivated the crowd. One of the standout moments was her performance of the remix of Essence alongside Justin Bieber and Wizkid. Tems also paid homage to African musical legends with a powerful performance of Fela Kuti’s Water No Get Enemy, while delivering her hit Love Me Jeje, which samples the Seyi Sodimu classic.
20. Wizkid
Wizkid was initially billed to perform in 2018 but missed out due to visa issues. He eventually made his Coachella debut in 2024, performing Essence alongside Tems and Justin Bieber.
21. DJ Spinall
In 2024, DJ Spinall made history as the first Afrobeats DJ to perform across both Coachella weekends, paving the way for more African DJs to take center stage at the festival. His sets were nothing short of explosive, with standout moments including surprise appearances by Nigerian Afrobeats stars Fireboy DML and Teni, who joined him on stage to elevate the energy and showcase the global reach of Afrobeats.
22. Fireboy DML
Fireboy DML made his Coachella debut during DJ Spinall’s 2024 set, electrifying the crowd with a performance of their hit collaboration Sere. The moment marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian artist, further cementing his place on the global stage.
24. Teni
Also taking the stage during DJ Spinall’s 2024 set, Teni joined him for a memorable performance of their collaboration Psalm 23, adding her unique energy to the high-octane atmosphere and further showcasing the strength of Nigerian talent on the global stage.
23. The Joy
In 2024, South African vocal group The Joy was handpicked by Doja Cat to join her onstage at Coachella. Their performance of Shutcho was a standout moment, featuring a stunning Zulu rendition that added a rich layer of African culture to the global spectacle, blending seamlessly with Doja Cat’s genre-defying sound.
25. Mdou Moctar
The Nigerien rocker made his Coachella debut in 2024, just ahead of the release of his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Funeral for Justice. His performance at the Gobi stage was a powerful homage to the enduring legacy of desert blues, blending his raw energy with the soulful rhythms of his West African roots.
26. Tyla
After being forced to cancel her 2024 Coachella appearance due to injury, Tyla made a triumphant return in 2025. Her set was nothing short of electrifying, featuring high-energy, choreographed performances that had the crowd on their feet. One of the standout moments was when she brought out Becky G for a special performance of their song On My Body.
27. Rema
Rema’s 2025 Coachella has caused controversy. Critics labeled it a “disastrous set” due to his late arrival—30 minutes into a 45-minute slot—and poor lip-syncing. Still, he performed new singles Bout U and Baby (Is It A Crime).
28. Desiree
South African electronic music Desiree made her Coachella debut in 2025. As an intersex woman from Ivory Park, she broke boundaries in both representation and sound. She called the experience “a dream come true.”
29. Amaarae
Amaarae made history at Coachella 2025 as the first Ghanaian artist to perform solo at the festival. Her captivating set celebrated both her unique sound and Ghanaian musical heritage with standout performances of Ghanaian pop classics! Amaarae’s performance was a proud moment for the Ghanaian music scene, solidifying her status as a groundbreaking artist with global appeal.
