At NATIVE, we are committed to highlighting the freshest talent in African music, and offering a platform to the next generation of superstars. No other African discovery platform stays on the pulse of the underground scene like uNder, with its far-reaching gaze and commitment to pin-pointing the most innovative creators of our time. 

In a time where the musical zeitgeist on the continent is experiencing a rebirth, these rising talents are at the heartbeat of the underground scene across Africa, seamlessly fusing innovation and authenticity to create music that represents the texture of their locality, but is still layered with global resonance.

For lovers of underground music and nonconformity, Kojo Blak, Ras Amor, Zerry DL and We Are Nubia are definitely ones to watch – trail blazers set to redefine the musical landscape and steal the spotlight any moment from now. 

KOJO BLACK

For fans of: KiDi, King Promise and Omah Lay  

Ghanaian rising star, Kojo Blak, places his identity and feelings at the heart of all the music he makes. Born McDonald Braide, the singer’s music is largely reflective of the angst he contends with due to the state of his life. Intuitively, Kojo Blak knows what the stakes are, coming from Dansoman, a sprawling Accra suburb that’s one of the largest estates in West Africa. It’s an experience that he’s deeply grateful for. “Growing up in Dansoman in Ghana, life was tough but it gave me a deep connection to my roots,” he said in one interview. “The struggles and the vibrant culture deeply influenced my music, grounding it in authenticity.”

Blak pays homage to his journey and the places and experiences that have made a mark on him from track to track. On  2023’s “Rulling 1 (Day Ones),” he places his love and appreciation for old friends and acquaintances on record with a startling candour that’s only matched by the emotional acuity of his delivery. “So many love for ma day ones /Them wey dey sing to the songs and the melodies I draw,” he tenderly utters over a percussion-led instrumental. In June 2023, he released an update on “Rulling 1” titled “Rulling Freestyle II (Luv N Presence).” Where “Rulling 1 (Day Ones)” mulled about his OGs and how they grounded and supported him, “Rulling Freestyle II (Luv N Presence”) pulsates with the weight of the singer’s devotion to a love interest as he floats over an Hiplife-adjacent beat. 

Most of Kojo’s subsequent releases have focused on his attraction to women and his desire for material success. “Something” is a mid-tempo ode to his ideal woman while “Maja” explores the intersection of attraction and betrayal atop Amapiano’s signature log drums. 2024 has been a similarly prolific year for the singer; “Ready,” a collab with Chop Daily set the pace for his year following the blueprint laid down on “Maja.” A song with Ghanaian shapeshifter, Moliy, soon followed where both singers duetted about needing their lovers on “Calender.” 

All of these releases made the May 2024 arrival of Kojo Blak’s debut mixtape, ‘757,’ an anticipated release. Across nine songs, the Dansoman singer pulled a thread between his past and present while laying the foundation for his future. The titular track holds the premise of Blak’s journey as he recounts his paranoia and eagerness for success while declaring that he’s all about his business. Despite all that he says on that song, the brightest moments on  ‘757’ come when he leans into his yearning for a romance to last the ages. “Abena” gently pulls at the heartstrings as he confesses that he’s not scared to love while another song, “Anything,” is a cogent promise to satisfy his lover no matter what she craves.   – W.O

RAS AMOR 

For fans of: Asa and Savara

Ras Amor does not play by pop conventions. The Kenyan musician sways to the rhythms of his heart, experimenting with Folk, Soul, R&B, and Electronica as he sees fit. Through all of his genre-meshing and trials, Ras Amor’s emotion-laden voice is a virtual constant that helps him sift through even the painful emotions and situations. Like most African artists, Ras developed his knack for singing as part of a choir, performing in the Redfourth Chorus for two years after high school before beginning his solo career. Keen to bring his ideas to life, the artist worked on his production skills and has since collaborated with a  number of Nairobi-based artists. 

His first credit as an artist came on poet Dorphange’s “Nyota Yangu,” a quasi-ballad released in 2018 that features words spoken over squeaky guitar plucks. By the next time Ras Amor emerged on streaming platforms in 2024, he was operating as a fully-realised music talent attuned to his own message and direction. Released in February 2024, his first project, ‘The Lost Tapes,’ catalogues a world of styles and moods that veer from orchestral rock to neo-soul and hypnotic blues. “Fluid” is a dedication to a woman that the singer finds irresistible while the shoegaze-leaning “Morning Sun” narrates how a love interest won his heart over. The Afropop-inspired “Love Is Forever” is an instant reminder of love’s redemptive powers. 

Creative freedom is crucial to Ras Amor’s work and his Sanctuary Nation imprint allows him to release music as he wishes. Two other projects, ‘Kitweo,’ a collaborative tape with Clef and Bandana as well as ‘Time Machine’ show that the artist loves to work at his own furious pace and inclination. The groundbreaking 2024 protests against oppressive legislation in Kenya might have disrupted the plans of other artists but not Ras Amor. The polymath threw himself fully into the spirit of protesting and has remained vocally active against the Ruto-led administration across social media. The uncertainty has not slowed down his creative prowess however; to celebrate his birthday earlier in July, he released an acoustic project of selected songs from his projects up till now.  – W.O

ZERRY DL 

For fans of: Shallipopi, Seyi Vibez and  Zlatan

As one would imagine, having a brother who had an entry as boisterous as Shallipopi’s comes with a series of benefits. A hit song with the hottest newcomer on the block, in a scene stacked with an infinite number of new entrants, would be the perfect opportunity to stake a claim as one of the artists to watch. The stars couldn’t have been more aligned for Divine Uzama, aka Zerry DL, who tapped his older brother on the remix of his debut single “Puff & Pass.” On the Busy Pluto-produced number, Zerry tabled his concerns from Nigeria’s dwindling economy and how large sums of money are now spent in seconds to the need for drug-induced escapism from reality. Analysis aside, “Puff & Pass,” as the name implies, is simply a feel-good track that gives insight into his downtime with friends. With the addition of Shallipopi’s verse on the remix’s introduction, bolstered up by on-stage performances over Nigeria’s peak festival season at the end of the year, Zerry DL effectively garnered the attention of audiences eager for brotherly synergy. 

Riding the high of “Puff & Pass (Remix),” Zerry DL released a 5-track EP before the end of 2023 with club-ready hits like “Popo” and “Knack Am.” He has since dropped another single and sophomore extended play tagged ‘Wara Wara Szn.’ He seemingly arrived armed with a lot more to say, albeit over the same flow and Amapiano-tinged rhythm, on tracks like “O.U.A.T” – Once Upon A Time. For “Cash” assisted by Seyi Vibez, he talks about his plans to spend the money derived from his impending success while “Big Body Benz” celebrated his muse and the buzzing lifestyle of escaping authorities. While he is yet to have a moment as viral as his debut, Zerry DL’s discography, though sparse, holds promise of more dancefloor-ready tunes in the coming years.  – N.I

WE ARE NUBIA

For fans of: Maya Amolo, Ami Faku and Brandy Maina

Originally a three-member girl group from Nairobi, We are Nubia made their way onto the scene in 2022 with “Usiku Na Mchana,” a feathery mid-tempo execution that glides over varying instruments to bring the atmosphere of their soulful, heartwarming renditions to land. From the ominous saxophone intro to the groovy drum patterns and piano chords scattered across the track, the trio are immersed in the perfect soundscape to passionately deliver their story of unwavering love. Their debut immediately landed them a small cult following, largely due to their distinct vocals execution and a seamless blend of English and their local dialect. When they later became a two-member group, We are Nubia continued to steal the  audiences’ hearts with soul-stirring lyrics and rhumba-leaning melodies on tracks like “Mvingo” or “Mapaenzi Ya Sinema” off their upcoming project.  

When 2024 arrived, the pair reaffirmed their penchant for making feel-good music on “Niko Sawa,” telling stories of love, loss and the resilience it takes to pursue one’s dreams. To further expand their catalogue, We are Nubia tapped Chris Clave for a balmy verse and production credits on “NINGEWEZA,” sharing their most intimate desires and dedication to a love interest. Through each new release, We are Nubia deliver impactful performances that transcend language barriers. Together, they’ve shown the potential to leave an indelible mark on Kenya’s soulful R&B scene, with moody, candid lyrics, lovesick numbers and versatile melodies.  – N.I

Featured Image Credits/The NATIVE

Words by Wale Oloworekende and Nwanneamaka Igwe 

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