Waist-winding, hip-thrusting, sidestepping music that forces listeners to bop their heads and sway has taken over U.S. summer airwaves. I'm talking 'bout afrobeats. Straight out of West Africa, the Nigerian-formed musical genre seems to have finally caught on in the States.
In spring 2019, Nigerian artist Davido's "Fall" peaked at No.13 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list, despite being released two years earlier. Ivorian singer Afro B's "Drogba (Joanna)" currently peaks at No. 17 and is over a year old, but I'm sure neither artists are complaining about being slept on for so long. Even Beyoncé has hitched on to the afrobeats rhythm, filling the Lion King soundtrack, which she helped to produce, with several male and female West African artists.
While more West African male artists make their way on to the mainstream U.S. radio scene — super late, the impressive women of this and other West African genres are even more underrated. Here are 11 women to add to your afrobeats playlist, because West African music is more than just a trend; it's a lifestyle and we all should keep up.
1. Yemi Alade
Nigerian singer Yemi Alade recently made news as the first African female artist to reach one million subscribers on YouTube. Personally, I added Alade to my musical roster after her hit "Johnny" came out in 2014. Since then, her career has flourished and she's proven herself as one of the top voices to come out of West Africa.
YouTube | Yemi Alade
2. Teni the Entertainer
Sometimes known as "Teni the Entertainer," Teni is another artist coming out of Nigeria, with a melodic voice that adds a bit of groove to the list. Although her song "Case" was released in 2018, it's still hittin' today. When her vocal swag is paired with her fun, unique style, she can't help but stand out.
YouTube | Teni Entertainer
3. Ebony Reigns
Ghana's Ebony Reigns amassed several hits before passing away as the result of a car accident back in 2018. She first caught my attention after I discovered her hilarious hit "Date Ur Fada." In the song, the artist threatens to date her lover's father should her lover ever break her heart. "You gonna be my son/ You go call me your mada," Reigns sings on the track.
YouTube | EbonyVEVO
4. Tiwa Savage
With a new record deal from Universal Music Group, Tiwa Savage is absolutely living her best life right now. According to CNN, the Nigerian singer is the only woman to have ever won Best African Act at the MTV European Music Awards. Her song "All Over" is a waist-winder, for sure.
YouTube | Tiwa Savage
5. Wendy Shay
For some reason, all the Ghanaian artists on my playlist are not playing games. In one of my favorite Wendy Shay tracks, "Astalavista," she pretty much tells her dude that he's met his match. The song is a bop, and Wendy Shay is a vibe.
YouTube | RuffTown Records/Midas Touch Inc
6. Zainab Sheriff
Model, actress and singer Zainab Sheriff, who is all the way from Sierra Leone, is representing for her country. Her 2017 song "Mamie Na Power" sounds like a mesh of highlife, with noticeable synthesizers and afrobeats rhythms. OK Salone — we see you.
YouTube | Zainab O. Sheriff
7. Snoti
Snoti's "L.O.V.E" is a smooth addition to the afrobeats playlist. The Liberian songstress has a sweet sound, and her 2017 jam has an airy, feel-good flow that adds a pleasant groove to the list. Though "L.O.V.E." is more afropop, it has the African fusion elements that make afrobeats enjoyable.
YouTube | SnotiMusic
8. Sista Afia
Here comes Ghana again with the boss chicks move. "Slay Queen" singer Sista Afia croons about unapologetically, getting the cedis, the dollars, the coins — she's taking it all. The video is hilarious and the beat is classic.
YouTube | Sista Afia
9. Niniola
In "Designer," Nigerian singer Niniola lists all of the designer cars, fashions and other luxuries that she plans on adding to her collection. She's actually Teni the Entertainer's older sister, but has her own unique swag to add to this playlist.
YouTube | OfficialNiniola
10. MC Caro
A relatively new artist making waves in Liberia, MC Caro sings about getting "One More Round" at love. Not that her lover has a choice; she plans on maintaining the relationship hell or high water. The percussion on this track is blazing and MC Caro's Hipco lyrics is a Liberian specific sound that pairs well on this list.
YouTube | SMOOV HQ ENTERTAINMENT
11. Aya Nakumara
My Senegalese friend put me on to Aya Nakumara. Her 2018 jam "Djadja" is about a guy who lies about being with her and she calls him all the way out for it. Aya is on fire, the Malian afropop artist is reportedly the most-streamed female artist in France, according to Forbes. She has vocals so ear-catching that I find myself jamming to every word, even though my French is remedial at best.
YouTube | Aya Nakumara
I've gotten you started with at least 30 minutes of dope afrobeats and African music that you don't need to reserve exclusively for your personally curated summer soundtracks. You can play these songs year-round! Also, with all the other women who are killing it in the African music game, consider this list a starter pack you can continuously add to as more artists continue to emerge in the mainstream.
