In an ever-evolving industry dominated by mainstream giants, our dedicated monthly column uNder serves as a vital platform for discovering authentic and exciting talents bubbling below the surface. For years, this column has been committed and continues to be dedicated to amplifying these unique voices and untapped potential of niche artists who offer a distinct alternative to the status quo.

For this month’s entry, we have DaveTheOracle, Musta4a, Che Mario and Kiki Celine, noteworthy talents from across the continent who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary African music. DaveTheOracle has recently gained significant traction through his collaborations with uNder alumnus scottyolorin. Meanwhile, Che Mario is reaching thousands of TikTok feeds with his innovative fusion of various musical styles. Ghana’s Kiki Celine and Musta4a are also reimagining genre boundaries, positioning themselves at the vanguard of a new era. 

Musta4a

For Fans Of: Rema, Bryson Tiller & Lojay 

Ikorodu has become a breeding ground for some of Nigeria’s most exciting young artists, and Musta4a (pronounced Mustapha) is actively expanding the area’s musical legacy. Straight out of the Lagos outskirts, the singer-songwriter got his early start with records like 2020’s “Energy,” quickly grabbing listeners drawn to his finely-tuned ear for innate musicality. As his catalogue deepened, so did his ambition.

He took a formative step in defining his artistic identity with ‘Serenade, Vol. 1,’ settling into the easy-going style that has become central to his music while proving his ability to hold together a cohesive body of work. His airy falsetto soon became a defining trait, a sound that continued to evolve on the 2025 collaborative EP, ‘Musty & Yugo, Vol. 1.’ On that project, Musta4a expanded on the style he describes as Neo-Afropop, blending Afropop, R&B, and the free-flowing sensibilities of Nigeria’s alternative scene into a seamless listening experience. The release reaffirmed his strengths as both a performer and a songwriter, a skill set that has also earned him recognition behind the scenes.

His growing profile has been further shaped by key collaborative moments, including standout appearances on Cosamote’s ‘Files ‘26.’ There, scene-stealing turns on “One + One” and “Pamukutu” spoke clearly to his versatility alongside a new generation of talent. Musta4a has maintained a stellar run through 2026, driven by singles like “CTRL” and “INTROVERT III,” alongside collaborations with bubbling peers like Danpapa GTA that have quickly become staple tracks for the new guard. Meanwhile, on “Party,” he maps out his sonic fascinations, looping vibrant elements to tastefully float between club records and slow burns. The success of these records sets the stage for Musta4a to fully hone his sound, inviting his audience to tap into a worldview that feels entirely familiar yet refreshingly ahead of its time. – M.A

Che Mario

For Fans Of:  Doja Cat, Naeto C, and Drake. 

Che Mario might just be the 22-year-old but the London-based singer might legitimately have a claim to having the song of the summer thanks to his scorching hit, “U Da Cake,” that’s building momentum. Blending influences from Dancehall, Gqom, and Hip-Hop, the song is built around  the viral “you the birthday” phrase that has been a staple on TikTok in the last few months, displaying Mario’s knack for infusing of-the-moment references into his music while maintaining his blistering flow. Released in May 2026, “U Da Cake” has already crossed over 400,000 streams on Spotify and is quickly becoming a reference point for parties across Western Europe while catching the attention of curators and music enthusiasts alike across the world. 

It’s an interesting inflection point for Mario who only whose musical journey started at the age of five when he started to receive classical piano training before going on to learn how to play the drums, bass, and keytar. Those early years have helped sharpen his instincts for melodies and developed a willingness to move beyond the strictures of genres if need be. It’s a knack that he has consistently shown so far in his nascent career that has seen him receive significant co-signs from acts like Tyla and Ayra Starr. 

As it is, Mario’s discography is still byte-sized making his debut with 2023’s “Wanna Do It,” a sultry anthem about love and desire that rides along on his irreverent flow and attempts to assure a love interest that he’s in for the long haul while playing it cool. After a two year hiatus, he returned with “Like That” in 2025, premiering the genre-blurring fusion of Hip-Hop cadences and diasporic Dance influences that have launched him to the cusp of global renown. Both tantalisingly fresh and eerily familiar, his 2026 song, “U Da Cake,” has now placed Mario on a pedestal that will only keep his stocks high as the world rocks to the refrain of his popular song all year round.  – W.O

DaveTheOracle

For Fans of: Psycho YP, Juice WRLD & Kayode

scottyolorin’s growing reputation has recently been bolstered by the notable success of “FAAJI,” a new release that capitalises on the impressive momentum the young singer has been building in recent months. While the single highlights his talent for crafting infectious melodies and clever lyrical hooks, it is DaveTheOracle’s contribution that truly brings the song together. He dovetails nicely with scottyolorin on Kuspid and Nazz’s spacey beat, giving the song added oomph with his smooth vocals and synergistic flows. 

Over the past few weeks, the Lagos-based rapper and singer’s profile has grown significantly, largely due to a fruitful partnership with scottyolorin. This creative alliance has not only delivered the aforementioned “FAAJI” but also newer tracks like “GLACIER GIRL,” featuring Kobilou, and “4:44 FREESTYLE,” a posse cut featuring Monochrome and Zen Univrse alongside the duo. This run has allowed DaveTheOracle to showcase much of what he’s about: a promising rising act that’s adept at singing and rapping in equal measure, making him a versatile force within the underground scene.

While this recent run has undoubtedly brought DaveTheOracle the most visibility in his career thus far, he has been putting himself out there since 2021 when he released his official debut single “No Drill.” This initial release effectively showcased his signature blend of melodic rapping and singing, which he fleshed out on his first project, ‘Love Is War,’ a four-track EP that arrived over a year after his debut. His next project, ‘BLOCK 19,’ wouldn’t arrive until 2024. In that extended period, his sound and lyrical themes had become more expansive, exemplified by cuts like “Dave’s Prayer,” “Lester’s House,” and “Activitate,” which bridged the gap between his gritty raps and infectious, melodic Afropop crooning. 

He’ll take another two-year hiatus before finally returning with “I DON’t MiND,” a collab with fellow rising rapper Suono Sai. This would kickstart the impressive run he’s currently on, following up with a couple of fire guest verses and a 3-pack titled ‘SWAGA VOL. 1.’ The frequency of his releases this year suggests he’s finally finding a consistent rhythm, moving away from the sporadic release schedule of his early career toward a more prolific output that promises to keep him at the forefront of the underground scene. – B.A

Kiki Celine

For Fans of:  Anabel Rose, Gyakie, and SZA. 

Kiki Celine operates from a Soul framework but there’s something forward-leaning about her work that reveals a hidden Pop intention. Born Celine Elizabeth Kiki Dede Ofori, Celine’s music is a vibrant representation of what she’s feeling at any given moment in her life, offering vignettes of her lived reality from track to track. Whether alone or as part of the Ghanaian music collective, 99 PHACES, Celine brings a diaristic approach to songwriting that places the nuances of her life at the center of her artistic outlook, displaying the nous of an artist that’s both at ease with their process and keenly aware of where the journey might be taking them to. 

Celine’s career kicked off in September 2022 with “Love Letter 2,” a collaboration off YungDegraft’s project, ‘Flowers & Rings.’  Her solo debut followed in February 2023 with the release of “Desire,” a Dancehall-Hip-Hop-adjacent exploration of desire and its various dimensions that featured close collaborative partner, Tikki Waja. Five months later, “Desire” was followed up by “Fragile,”  an earnest glimpse into her life that featured a roll call of her self-confessed insecurities and desires. 

Similar impulses have driven singles like “Old Love,” “Memory Lane,” and a standout showing on “Closer Tonight,” off ‘HeartStrings & Loops’ by Iyke Parker and LeonardoDDJ. In October 2025, she made several singing and songwriting contributions to 99 PHACES’ debut album, ‘THE KIDS ARE JUST FINE,’  performing admirably on highlights like “BA HE MI (FINDING MYSELF” and “MELODY.” Her first single of 2026, “Good Life,” is a wholehearted embrace of the softer side of life as she sings about finding peace of mind away from a toxic lover and luxuriating in her new found lease on life. From following in the footsteps of her icons like Gyakie, Tems, SZA, MzVee and Baaba J,  Celine is fashioning out a career built of boundless self-expression. – W.O