15 Afrobeats Artists Watch Out For In 2023 & Their Songs

Afrobeats as a genre has been around for decades and is a favorite among some people who want to go into music in the country. Its origins have been steeped in controversy, with Orlando Julius claiming to have been the originator.

That claim had been vehemently shut down by music executive Benson Idonije, who credited the late Fala Anikulapo Kuti as the founder. The origin of the genre isn’t something we would want to dwell on in this article thought.

The genre practitioners are, especially those we believe the public need to put their eyes on as the year disappears and another comes into view.

As you probably already know, 2022 was a splendid year for afrobeat. Not only did the genre transcend the country, but it also went international. With the year drawing to an end, expectations are high on what the upcoming year might hold for the genre.

More importantly, eyes are on artists who might erupt or otherwise flower again in the coming year. Who might they be? That’s what this article tries to answer.

Here we bring you the 15 afrobeat artists to watch out for in 2023. The list is, of course, in no particular order. Let’s roll. Shall we?

1. Davido

It was to have been a magical year for David Adedeji Adeleke, long famous by the adopted stage name Davido. In fact, he had a splendid year, traveling around the world and hosting great shows. His uncle, called the dancing senator even won the governorship election in Osun state, something he championed diligently.

But all that appeared to have turned into ashes in his mouth when he lost his only son Ifeanyi by drowning just days after the kid celebrated his birthday. It was devastating for him and his family and he decided to lie low for a while, with no new music released and shows abandoned – except for the impromptu World Cup closing ceremony – which is understandable.

Given how silent he has been for the latter part of the year because of the tragedy that befell his family, Davido is expected to erupt again in 2023, when he would have healed substantially. Keep an eye on him.

2. Iyanya

Call him an oldie in Nigeria’s afrobeat universe and you wouldn’t be wrong. About ten years ago, he was one of the in-things in Nigerian music, with his numbers blasting from radio stations. But Iyanya’s career experienced an acute decline over the years till it seemed his name vanished from the lips of the music cognoscenti.

That changed this year when he relaunched into the afrobeat universe with a new song featuring Davido. He would acknowledge his career decline in a tweet and also thank Davido in another for the support that thrust him into the consciousness of Nigerians once again.

3. Wizkid

We have passed the era of “Jah Bless Me,” but it is clear that God is still blessing Ayo Balogun, Surulere’s finest. From a kid in a church choir in one of Nigeria’s backwaters, the songster has emerged as one of the finest voices in the game.

Wizkid had a splendid 2022, with awards in the bag and an eclectic project dubbed “More Love, Less Ego,” which was released to mixed reactions from the music world. In all, it might be said Wizkid had a splendid 2022.

And he’s in enough musical shape for one to keep an eye on him in 2023.

4. P-Square

Peter and Paul Okoye might be considered the afrobeat miracle of 2022. after a long and acrimonious split that was washed in bloody details on blogs and on traditional media, the brothers decided to give amity and brotherhood a chance and reunited.

That decision reignited a hitherto forgotten brand, which the brothers amplified by beginning a tour in the band name by which they were already famous.

2023 should be a year of reflowering for P-Square. So keep an eye on that collective.

5. Omah Lay

Rivers state-born Omah Lay released his debut studio album this year to great approbation from his fans, before the release of the project, of course, he had already snagged the attention of the music-loving public.

The project was more of a consolidation shot. Omah Lay’s influence as a musician was particularly luminous this – something we expect to continue into the intervening year. Do watch out.

6. Fireboy DML

What’s in a name? We would say a lot – at least in the case of Fireboy DML, one of Olamide’s brilliant finds. Adedamola Adefolahan, long famous by the adopted stage name Fireboy, had a brilliant run this year.

With thronged gig runs and splendid streaming numbers, it is clear the public has been paying attention to the songster. What stops them from doing the same when 2023 intrudes?

7. Joeboy

Since he burst into the music scene via Empawa, an initiative that has Mr. Eazi as one of its backers, Joeboy has continued to mesmerize the afrobeat universe.

Joeboy, whose birth name is Joseph Akinwale, has had a good run this year and appears set to continue with the same brilliance in 2023. Don’t sleep on this “living testimony.”

8. BNXN (Formerly Buju)

He was formerly known as Buju but changed his name along the line. Not much has changed besides that, however, as the songster remains his exuberant creative self, popping on the trends list for his creative energy

He is one star you just have to keep your eye on in 2023.

9. Asake

Call him the miracle of 2022 and you wouldn’t be wrong. The songster was mostly unknown to many people. And boom! He’s number one on almost every chart in Nigeria. Such was the shock of his lifting – you might say rise – that one of Wizkid’s artists, Terri, insinuated Asake was using juju (that’s local magic if you please).

Terri even went to ask Asake to “cut soap” for him Lol

Well, Asake, the “Loaded” singer is one afrobeat artist you have to put your eyes on as 2022 disappears and 2023 takes its seat.

10. Rema

He is part of Don Jazzy’s Mavin records and easily one of the impressive voices from that orbit. 2022 was a brilliant year for Rema. With performances not just in Nigeria but abroad as well. Of the younger voices in the Mavin, Rema appears to be the bod with the most steam. Keep your binoculars trained on him.

11. Burna Boy

Now and then, arguments erupt about his musical focus, with some tweeps calling his brand of music afro-fusion and others calling it afrobeat, and others calling it afrobeat. Left to us, we would call him one of the resonant names in Nigeria’s afrobeat universe.

The “African Giant” got “Twice As Tall” not long ago, and stands as a notable voice in Africa’s music universe.

2022 was a brilliant year for the singer. It’s only reasonable to expect him to have an even more memorable 2023. Keep an eye on him!

12. Olamide

He is vastly admired as one of the big names who delight in lifting others. Once an unknown voice. Olamide is not only a leader in the game right now but also a benefactor to several artists who would otherwise have remained obscure. Tal Zlatan. Talk Portable. Talk…

2022 was a good year for the singer. 2023 should bear similar flowers, including the lifting of poplars thirsting for sunlight.

13. Portable

Habbeb Okikiola. Long famous by the stage name Portable, is one afrobeat musician y’all have to watch out for in 2023. the songster rose to fame only recently, thanks to Olamide’

s magnanimity. And he has remained in the consciousness of Nigerians ever since, consistent like an irreverent fly.

Portable cares and doesn’t care. He cares to work for his bread and howl when he believes he has been cheated. He doesn’t care about most of the opinions about him – probably including what’s written about him here. Lol.

14. Tiwa Savage

Another one for the Mavin family – if you don’t mind ignoring history for a bit. Lol. She might no longer be a part of Mavin Records, but she remains one of the fierce voices in Nigeria’s ever-evolving afrobeat universe.

We wouldn’t call 2022 her best year yet. But she did pretty well this year, controversies aside. In 2023, sleep on her at your loss.

15. Tems

She is a lady of many parts. And putting her in the afrobeat list cannot in any way pass for a misnomer. She’s in that orbit as well, apart from R& B and Soul. 2022 was nothing short of magical for the songstress, who had worked with the Certified Lover Boy of Canadian music, Drake.

She recently snagged a Golden Globe nomination and appears set to grab more laurels in her odyssey next year.