In 2022, music streaming and discovery app Audiomack launched “Keep the Beat Going,” a campaign to reinvigorate the platform’s music discovery mission of introducing talented African artists to fans worldwide. The inaugural KTBG campaign featured several standout artists including Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Rema, Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo, and many more across playlists, digital ads, and billboards while hosting creator workshops across the continent. Now Audiomack kicks off Keep the Beat Going 2024, highlighting the next generation of African superstars poised to skyrocket to global fame.
The rise of African music is a testament to the strengthening ties between Africa and its diaspora. Through KTBG 2024, Audiomack will introduce listeners to the voices and stories of 12 emerging artists from the continent: Qing Madi, Muyeez, Majeeed, Lasmid, Olivetheboy, Reggie, Marioo, D Voice, Platform, Nkosazana Daughter, Tyler ICU, and Yumbs.
Selected by the Audiomack team, these young talents will be connected with new fans worldwide through placements on Audiomack playlists as well as editorial and social support across all of the streaming platform’s formats and channels.
“We are thrilled to spread the word about these talented artists hailing from all around the continent,” says Charlotte Bwana, Vice President of Marketing Audiomack. “From D Voice’s Singeli music–a local genre in Tanzania–to Tyler ICU’s amapiano or Qing Madi’s soulful AfroRnb fusion, Keep the Beat Going 2024 has something for every music fan to love.”
Nigeria —
Qing Madi
Born in Benin City, Qing Madi rose to public acclaim this past year in Nigeria after her standout collaboration “Olé”, in partnership with BNXN. scene. At the age of only 17, the former church choir girl followed up with her self-titled debut EP, which spawned the runaway hit “American Love” in addition to the 2033 R&B staple “Vision,” which later beckoned Chloé Bailey to join her on an international remix. “My music is the freedom to express myself without limitation. The voice for the people. A fusion of AfroRnb.”
Muyeez
Discovered from an Instagram freestyle video, 16-year-old Muyeez exploded onto the scene in 2024 as the youngest member of his new Vibez Inc. collective with his debut single “Instagram” —a reworked version of the freestyle alongside Seyi Vibez. His debut EP, and two further EPs, released in May and June all topped the Nigerian charts, an unprecedented feat for the Lagos-born teenager. Muyeez describes his music as an experience “I think my music is an experience; an uplifting and energizing one. I like the melodies to flow through me and make the listener feel something,” he featured Seyi Vibez on his first single, Instagram. He has gone ahead to drop 3 EPs all of which have debuted at No. 1 on Audiomack. “I’m excited to be a part of this. Audiomack is doing a great job by spotlighting artists and being a bridge between Artists and their fans/supporters” says Muyeez.
Majeeed
Having established himself as a prolific songwriter, working with artists such as Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shay, and Zuchu, Lagos-born Majeeed came to the fore in his own right with his breakthrough single “Yawa No Dey End” in early 2022. The success built anticipation for his sophomore EP, Cheers to Life, which went on to accumulate more than 25m streams on Audiomack, earmarking Majeeed as a talent on the cusp of stardom in his native Nigeria. Majeeed describes his music as “An expression of my reality. With a blend of soul, dancehall, and afro-pop, infused with Afrobeats, I can call my sound Afro-Reality.
South Africa —
Nkosazana Daughter
Nkosazana Nolwazi Kimberly Nzama (born 6 October 2000) professionally known as Nkosazana Daughter, is a South African singer and songwriter. Nkosazana gained national recognition after she released her 14-track debut album that featured notable artists such as DJ Maphorisa, Makhadzi, Master KG, Kabza de Small, Tyler ICU, Major League DJz, Young Jonn, Chronical Deep, and others. She was named one of Audiomack’s artists to watch in 2024. In June 2023, her debut studio album was released and debuted at number 1 in South Africa on Audiomack.
“Firstly I must say It’s a privilege to be recognized as a prominent artist in South Africa, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this campaign. My Music has always been a channel for me to express my thoughts, emotions, and experiences and a way to connect with people from all walks of life. I must say, to be able to share my message and perspective with a wider audience through this campaign is a dream come true. I hope that my involvement will inspire others to pursue their passions and use their creativity to make a positive impact in the world. Shoutout to Audiomack for this opportunity!!”
Yumbs
Amapiano record producer and international DJ, Yumbs is one of the artists currently making waves thanks to his flourishing career that has seen him take on the global music scene. Real name, Ayanda Oratile Yumba, Yumbs has gained notable recognition as being one of the artists who have pushed amapiano locally and internationally.
Yumbs first made a name for himself in 2020 by co-producing Musa Keys’s ‘Vula Mlomo’. Since then he has gone on to produce and work alongside artists such as Kelvin Momo, Bien, Major League Djz, Dj Maphorisa, Blxckie, and Nigerian hitmaker Joe Boy.
His remix of Muni Long’s ‘Made For Me’ and his rendition of Ciara and Chris Brown’s ‘How We Roll’ has solidified his position as a trailblazer in the amapiano genre. In 2024 Yumbs signed a record deal with Warner Music Africa. “I am so excited to be part of the Keep The Beat Going campaign and would like to thank Audiomack for making this possible for me. Audiomack is doing an amazing job of connecting audiences with African music. As an artist, it’s great to see the dedication to supporting us, the producers, and the fans. Seeing our work showcased on billboards, radio ads, and more is a huge step forward for African music worldwide.”
Tyler ICU
He gave it all to us in “Mnike”, this took his name beyond the South African borders. Music producer and DJ, Tyler ICU, real name Austin Baloyi, is currently dominating the amapiano scene with back-to-back hits. “My music goes beyond limits, making a lasting impact and staying upbeat to the ever-evolving sound.” ‘Mnike’ has been a smash hit and amassed huge success that saw Tyler ICU not only become a household name but ensured his name was known outside of South Africa’s borders. ‘Mnike’ was certified platinum in South Africa, and peaked at number one on the Audiomack charts. “I feel honored to have been featured on such a global platform, it’s a game changer in my music not only that but enabling me to reach out to my fans on a broader scale.”
Ghana —
Lasmid
Lasmid rose to public acclaim in his native Ghana as Charger, the rapping winner of the MTN Hitmaker Season 8 in 2022. However, it would be through singing that the Takoradi-born artist would find his greatest success. Later in the same year, Lasmid emerged as a pop star with global potential, with the infectious “Friday Night”. The success of Friday spawned a stream of Ghanaian hit releases; “Running”, “Bad Boy” and “Puul”, in addition to his standout feature on JZyNo’s ‘Butta My Bread”, which led to his signing with Nigerian powerhouse label, Dapper in 2024. “My music is spiritual, it is a divine food that calms the soul and I’m always inspired by how I was brought up & the things I have experienced throughout my life.”
Reggie
A founding member of the genre-defining Asaaka Boys drill collective, Reggie’s sonic experimentations led to his breakout lead single “Oh Ma Linda” in April 2023, which earned him a nod for best Hiplife song at the 2024 Ghanaian music awards. Following up on “Sa Me”, another high-powered hit in collaboration with the Asakaa Boys, Reggie’s ethereal brand of Asakaa has positioned the Kumasi-born rapper at the forefront of West African hip hop in 2024. “[my music] talks more about real-life experience and the street lifestyle is music everyone can relate to. I get my inspiration from the street and my lifestyle. I mostly tell my real-life stories in my music.
“Having fans nationwide and worldwide who use Audiomack, I think Keep The Beat Going is a big platform for me, is helping me reach a lot of fans and having new listeners too.”
Olivetheboy
Joel Ofori Bonsu known by the stage name OliveTheBoy is a Ghanaian Afrobeats singer and songwriter. He is currently signed to Sony Music’s Columbia Records through its subsidiary Bu Vision Entertainment. He released his debut EP in May 2023 titled Avana EP which had the single “Goodsin” which became the most streamed Ghanaian song in first half of 2023 peaking at No.1 on the Audiomack charts in Ghana.
Tanzania —
Platform
As one of Tanzania’s brightest up-and-coming talents, Platform, real name Suleman Salim Gao, he followed up the success of ‘Fall’ (2022), his first collaboration single alongside Marioo, with the EP’s first downtempo single ‘Ananipenda’ that earned millions of streams on Audiomack.
Platform’s budding career began in 2015 when he started practicing, writing, and recording with various artists and Producers. In the year 2020, he officially released his first song “Chuki”, the single that introduced him to the world. Since the platform has been releasing hits after hits, his fan base has kept growing on social media and streaming platforms.
Marioo
Omary Ally Mwanga, known professionally as Marioo, is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is known for his hits such as Bia Tamu, Mama Amina, Dear Ex, Raha, Mi Amor, and Naogopa, songs that have made him a household name in Tanzania.
Marioo released his debut album “The Kid You Know” on December 9, 2022.
D Voice
D Voice (Abdul Hamisi Mtambo) is a Singeli music artist, a local genre in Tanzania born on October 10, 2004, in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He is WCB Wasafi newly signed artist owned by Diamond Platnumz. D Voice is known for his melodic singing and a voice that resonates with many.
D Voice believes that Singeli music is unique and easy to understand and enjoy compared to other music genres. D Voice’s first EP dubbed “Swahili Kid” peaked at Number 1 on the Audiomack charts in Tanzania and Kenya making him one of the fastest-rising artists in East Africa. In January D Voice was named as one of the African Artists to watch in 2024.
© 2024, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
