The bulk of the work we do at NATIVE Mag revolves around music and its capacity for inspiring the best of us. However, the journey to being a music star has never been more fraught with uncertainty and structural barriers. Whether it’s a Nigerian Indie Pop star at the beginning of her career or a South African vocal prodigy, the need to get behind the acts we love has never been more urgent or felt as right as it does in 2026. With that in mind, we are sharing a list of some of the stars we believe will be big draws over the coming months.

tg.blk

Nairobi’s alternative scene may have found its most compelling export in tg.blk. Recently inducted into Apple Music’s Africa Rising Class of 2026, she has built momentum through her fearless delivery of lo-fi, emotionally resonant tracks, earning a loyal, cult-like following across East Africa. With a debut album teased for later this year, tg.blk is poised to expand her genre-blurring sound while solidifying her place as one of the region’s most exciting emerging voices. – Melony Akpoghene

Igwe Aka

Igwe Aka is starting the year on the front foot, exploring heavily-stylised Igbo Hip-Hop and Trap music with the release of “Kapow.” This builds on the already established acceptance for his distinct artistry. With his current momentum, 2026 is potentially the year for a mainstream star turn accompanied by a widespread inclusion in pop culture conversations. – Michelle Ejiro

MaWhoo

A KwaZulu-Natal native, MaWhoo has evolved from a “hook killer” for giants like Kabza De Small into the undisputed golden voice of 3-Step and Amapiano. Her sound is defined by rich, spiritual Zulu lyricism layered over electronic dance beats. With her defining solo project, ‘Amazwi Okubonga,’ released last year and featuring tracks like “Bengicela” and “Umona,” she cemented her ability to carry hits on her own. As 3-Step itself showed significant promise last year, it is compelling to watch how MaWhoo grows alongside the genre, while also hinting at a reach that extends beyond it. – M.A

Elsy Wameyo

A producer, rapper, and singer born in Nairobi and now based in Adelaide, Elsy Wameyo is a self-sufficient artist who writes, produces, and directs her own work. Her music draws on choral Gospel elements and moves fluidly between Hip-Hop, Soul and alt-R&B, weaving in themes of identity and belonging shaped by her African heritage. Over time, her sound has grown more confident and focused. On the self-titled EP she released last year, ‘WAMEYO,’ she sharpens that approach, pairing tightly controlled flows with an assertive delivery that highlights her technical skill and sense of command. – M.A

Rico Ace

EsDeeKid, the hottest thing out of the UK at the moment, has generated massive buzz thanks to the release of his 11-track LP ‘Rebel,’ which hit No. 4 on the US Billboard’s Rap Albums chart. A couple of its biggest songs, “Phantom” and “LV Sandals,” both feature another exciting British rapper named Rico Ace. While a lot of the rising star’s work has been in collaboration with EsDeeKid, 2026 could be the year he steps out of the Scouser’s shadow. – Boluwatife Adeyemi 

Danpapa GTA

The viral success of the snippet of Dan Papa GTA’s latest single, “Ikeja (No Go Thief),” meant 2026 was going to be a pivotal year for the promising up-and-comer. He’d been digging away at his eccentric style for a couple of years, experimenting with his production choices, lyrical content, and long-winded intros. It’s finally begun to pay dividends, and the coming months could be really exciting for the singer and his growing fanbase. – B.A

Valentino Rose 

Valentino Rose might only just be at the start of her career, but the singer’s powerful voice and mastery of messaging stand her out, whether she’s leaning into predestination on “Higher” or going toe to toe with ODUMODUBLVCK on “TOY GIRL.” 2025 was an eventful year for the rising act who showed her range across several features and collaborations, 2026 could be the year that she claims her place at the top tables of Afropop – Wale Oloworekende

Monochrome

Monochrome’s delivery of his verse on the buzzing single, “How Far,” sets precedence for a takeoff as the year progresses. It follows his slow and steady growth from following releases like “SUPA-SEHski” and ‘+SWAGU’, which essentially showcase his range, ability, and readiness to set bodies moving. – B.A

Kkeda

Kkeda might just be Afropop’s biggest open secret. From hypnotic sensual cuts like “No Words” to declarative Pan-African collaborations like “Queen Africa,” the Accra-based singer has built a reputation for glidng across soundscapes with profound clarity and purpose. If her suites of releases from 2025 showed anything, it is that the singer is inching ever closer to a breakthrough moment. – W.O

WAVE$TAR

2024 was the year WAVE$TAR officially debuted, showing promise on his fiery mixtape, ‘STARLIFE.’  The project served as a strong manifesto for what was to come, funnelling his fears, lofty ambitions, and hedonistic tendencies into fun music. He built on that promise in 2025, thanks to the success of “Escaladizzy,” and the late-year release of “PRADA BBY” and “TRAP.” As the calendar turns, 2026 feels poised to be a monumental year for the rising rapper. – B.A