Top 20 African R&B Artistes You Should Know

By: Unorthodox Reviews

Feel the soul-stirring power of African R&B, a genre that captivates with heartfelt lyrics, mesmerizing melodies, and soulful voices. Join us on a journey from West Africa to the southern tip of the continent to discover standout artists in this genre.

1. Tems

Tems, known for her Alté and Afrofusion, reveals her R&B prowess with honeyed vocals and passion. From 'For Broken Ears' to 'If Orange Was A Place,' she shines. Plus, collabs with Drake and Future boost her global presence!

2. Tiwa Savage

Meet Nigeria's consistent queen of music, Tiwa Savage. From R&B roots to reigning as the 'Queen Of Afrobeats,' her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics captivate fans worldwide. Her upcoming R&B project is eagerly awaited!

3. King Promise

Ghana's R&B sensation, King Promise, mesmerizes with his velvety vocals and irresistible melodies. Blending R&B, highlife, and Afrobeats, he's captured hearts across Africa. Collaborations with Simi, Kojo Antwi, and Omah Lay make him a top African R&B artist to watch!

4. Simi

Simi's angelic voice and relatable lyrics have won R&B hearts. She seamlessly blends Nigerian tradition with contemporary R&B, evident in hits like 'Duduke' and 'Stranger.' 

5. Langa Mavuso

Meet South Africa's rising R&B star, Langa Mavuso. His sultry voice and emotional depth shine in 'Liminal Sketches'—his 2016 EP. Langa's soulful, poetic lyrics are a testament to his R&B talent.

6. Fireboy DML

Fireboy DML, Nigeria's R&B sensation, shines with soulful vocals and emotional lyrics. With hits like 'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps' and 'Apollo,' he's a leading figure in contemporary R&B, as he discussed on CNN's African Voices Changemakers.

7. Asa

Asa's soulful music knows no borders. Her storytelling and melodies touch on R&B, folk, and afro-soul, creating a distinct and universal emotion-capturing style. From 'Bibanke' to 'Moving On,' she shines in the world of R&B.

8. CKay

CKay, a Nigerian sensation, crafts catchy Afrobeats, R&B, and pop songs, with "Love Nwantiti" propelling him to international acclaim.

9. Nonso Amadi

Nonso Amadi, now in Canada, blends African sounds with Western influences in his R&B music, exemplified in his latest album, 'When It Blooms.'

10. Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Gold's R&B tracks combine poignant lyrics and memorable melodies, showcasing his artistry on albums like 'Afro Pop, Vol. 1' and 'Catch Me If You Can.'

11. Amaarae

Amaarae, hailing from Ghana, blends R&B, pop, and Afrobeat, creating a captivating fusion that stirs emotions and honors African musical heritage.

12. Omah Lay

Omah Lay, also known as Stanley Omah Didia, rises swiftly in global music. His 'Afro-Depression' music carries heavy emotions. With a unique voice and emotional lyrics, his tracks on 'Get Layd' EP masterfully fuse Afro sounds with R&B, touching on love, relationships, and the human experience.

13. Kidi

Kidi, a Ghanaian artist, makes waves in R&B with his smooth vocals and relatable lyrics. His soulful melodies shine in songs like "Adiepena," "Odo," and "Thunder," blending heartfelt R&B with infectious rhythms.

14. Joeboy

Joeboy, aka Joseph Akinfenwa-Donus, is a standout in R&B. With soulful singing and relatable songwriting, he's a star. Hits like "Beginning" and "Don't Call Me Back" establish him as an R&B sensation, expressing universal emotions through music.

15. Chike

Chike, also known as Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka, shines as a gifted singer-songwriter in the music industry. His enchanting voice is the heart of R&B, evident in tracks like "Roju," "If You No Love," and "Running (To You)," where he crafts resonant melodies.

16. Magixx

Magixx, signed to Don Jazzy's Mavin Records, is making waves with his unique style and voice. His journey began with the R&B gem "Love Don't Cost A Dime," which he later remixed with label mate Ayra Starr. His tracks like "All Over," "Colors," and "Maria" continue to elevate the R&B genre, enriching the musical landscape

17. Elaine

Elaine, also known as Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli, is reshaping R&B with her soulful voice and introspective lyrics. Hits like "You're the One," "I Just Wanna Know," and "Changes" solidify her status as an R&B sensation in South Africa.

18. Rowlene

Meet Rowlene, the South African singer-songwriter known for her R&B artistry. Tracks like "Cupid," "Stay," and "Even" showcase her talent for crafting soulful melodies and relatable lyrics.

19. Ayra Starr

Before her rise to fame, Ayra Starr kickstarted her music journey by sharing freestyle and cover videos online. Her powerful voice evokes a range of emotions, from sorrow to relief. Combining deep bass, choirs, and drums, her music is a captivating blend. Ayra Starr is undeniably a promising R&B standout

20. Tyla

Meet Tyla, the South African sensation. From a young talent in Johannesburg, she's risen to become a celebrated R&B artist with soulful hits like 'Been Thinking,' 'Girl Next Door' with Ayra Starr, and 'Water.'

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