As African music continues to dominate the global stage, it’s become more and more important to lock in on new talent and watch their growth from its early stages. 

For this month’s edition of uNder, we’re highlighting the best artists from across the continent who have risen above the tide of emerging talent — from Southern Nigerian talents WesthanBoyz, whose soulful sound taps right into the melancholia and search for community that rules young people’s lives today, or South African singer Joya Mooi whose  refreshing, heart-on-your-sleeve honesty powers her catchy alt-R&B cuts.  

This months selection also includes the talents of Rwanda-born Sarah Phenom, the enchantress whose evocative style takes all the best influences from R&B and Soul; and Nigerian act, Soundz, whose unforgettable hooks are sure to become a staple in Afropop as his star continues to rise. 

Read more below and listen to our uNder playlist here:

SARÀH PHENOM

For fans of: Anabel Rose, Aya Nakamura & Lavaud

Sarah Phenom is a musical omnivore. While the London-based artist’s music – which is still in short supply at the moment – mostly operates within the framework of popular music, it’s a refreshing mix that marries the progressive tempos of Afropop with stateside Hip-hop and R&B influences into a “melting pot” as she describes in a recent interview with NATIVE. It’s no surprise that the fast-rising star’s music is chock-full of various influences as a nomadic life – born in Rwanda, raised in Belgium and France, and now based in London – has ensured she’s developed an eclectic taste that comes across evidently in her music and crisp visuals. 

After a memorable showing on “Edamame,” an enthralling cut off Molitor’s 2022 compilation album, Sarah Phenom released her official debut single “10%” in early 2024. The single offered a polished and punchy introduction to Phenom’s style as she smoothly sings about the push-and-pull qualities of a flawed relationship over some groovy basslines and moody synths. “I thought about calling you today, But then I just put my phone away,” she sings relatably in the opening seconds of the single. Phenom followed up her debut with the bouncy “TESLA” where she shows off her rap and multilingual skills before recently releasing her debut project titled “girl.”

The 6-track debut coalesces much of Phenom’s wide-ranging influence into dynamic and entertaining records that showcase her artistic range. Aside from the pre-released “10%” and “TESLA,” tracks like “Don’t Stop” which takes influence from the UK’s electronic subgenre DnB and the extremely groovy, House-inspired “Boyfriend in Paris,” are further proof of her eclecticism and ingenious style that’s equally entertaining and refreshing. The Thisizlondon-assisted opener “Ou La La” is also a standout cut, as the London-based singer effortlessly glides atop a riotous beat, showing off the scale of her artistry and laying down a strong marker for the exciting potential that she possesses. 

 – B.A

Soundz

For fans of: Crayon,  Oxlade and  Joeboy

There’s an irresistible charm to Soundz’s music. Whether he’s serenading a love interest or singing about the demands of becoming a successful act, his approach is usually uncomplicated, blending the tender sensibilities of Afropop with R&B to make for extremely melodic earworms. Aside from his breezy, straightforward approach to making music, a huge part of Soundz’s appeal is his ability to craft killer hooks that stay with you long after you’ve heard them. Take for example “Attention,” his 2022 sleeper hit that helped him achieve mainstream success, built around an incredibly catchy hook that has an ease to it. It’s formulaic, but it works.

This formula – which heavily relies on Soundz’s melodic instinct – has taken some time to nurture. While early singles like “Shakara,” “Okay” and 2020’s self-produced “Cinderella” are tuneful, they don’t particularly stand out when stacked up against the plethora of breezy Afropop numbers that have become ubiquitous on streaming platforms. After slightly refining his sound, the Lagos-born singer found the perfect groove on 2022’s ‘In The Rough.’ In an interview discussing the creative process of the project, Soundz explained that the EP was inspired by a rough patch that he experienced. The songs are, however, anything but rough. They all sound slick and streamlined, powered by straightforward lyricism, inviting melodies and harmonies as well as his characteristic saccharine hooks. 

Following the success of ‘In The Rough,’ which peaked at number 36 on the TurnTable Top 100 Albums chart, Soundz has continued his ascent to the the top of the Afropop pyramid with singles like “at your Service,” the uber-chill “Kiss N Tell,” and “Fever,” a lustrous duet with Fave which has found considerable success on streaming platforms. More recently, Soundz released his sophomore project ‘Diamond & Roses,’ a neatly executed 4-track pack that offers more airy Afropop cuts which will likely have you longing for your toes in the sand with a drink in hand. The records are not groundbreaking or eccentric, but they possess an irresistible quality that continues to help Soundz stand out amidst the new vanguard of Afropop stars. – B.A

WesthanBoyz

For fans of: Ajebo Hustlers, Styl-Plus, and Bracket. 

Afropop might be in its glitziest and most commercial era yet; immensely rewarding solo stars who operate as the nucleus of their creative orbit – but the genre has always showcased stellar bands that reaffirm the magic that can happen when  two or more coming together to build out soundscapes that are both intriguing and well-paced. From The Remedies to P-Square , Styl-Plus, and Bracket, Nigeria has witnessed musical groups capture the zeitgeist across eras. Hailing from the country’s southern powerbase, Port Harcourt, WesthanBoyz are steeped in the tradition of Afropop’s greatest groups, subsuming influences from Rock, Hip-hop, and indigenous call-and-response music into their soul-leaning sound. 

WesthanBoyz broke out thanks to a flurry of freestyles and covers that resonated with their online community. They have continued to forge a path for themselves with a series of well-curated releases that tap into the subtle resignation of online melancholia and the fraternal sense of community that young people are tapping into to escape the bleakness of 21st century existence. Their debut single, 2022’s “Foreigner,” is a somber reflection on feeling like an outsider thanks to a mix of paranoia and the struggles of youth. 

The topics that WesthanBoyz tackle place them in the lineage of another Port Harcourt star, Omah Lay, who is lauded for his nuanced takes on sensitive topics like mental health struggles and heartbreak. If there was any doubt about the raison d’etre for their music, the Zeezy-featuring “Suicidal,” written from the brink of a mental breakdown, is imagined as an encouragement to keep striving despite life’s uncertainties. For all the angst that populates their music, there is a deft sense of carefreeness that breezes through their music. “Diallo,” off last year’s two-track release, ‘Wild West,’ is a supple romantic number fit for year-end revelry while “Kaduna Babe” is a more uptempo groove. WesthanBoyz have kept up with their impressive streak in 2024. “High Way,” an orchestral-inspired tale from the doldrums, sees the boys’ insecurities and vices rise to the surface. But the real highlight from this year has been “Red Line,” a tear-jerker in the fashion of Styl-Plus that contemplates survival, escapism, and the troubles of figuring out a pathway to sustainability in Lagos  – W.O

Joya Mooi

For fans of: Jorja Smith, Yamiko, Konyikeh

For someone releasing music for as long as Joya Mooi has, it only makes sense that her artistry has undergone several phases. The Johannesburg born singer, raised by two musically-inclined parents, could hardly escape having a vast musical background woven together by Jazz, Electronic and indie R&B. “My father plays the trumpet, my mother sang, and they really loved the idea of all of their kids playing music. So I started playing the saxophone, but by then, I already knew I wanted to sing as well. I was too shy to ask for vocal lessons, but from then I started writing lyrics and melodies in my room,” the singer shared in an interview, ahead of her 2020 release ‘Blossom Carefully’. 

Across the 6-track EP, Mooi soundtracked a myriad of emotions alluding to a longing for freedom that audiences at the time could easily relate to given the pandemic-induced lockdowns. While “Hold You Tight” expressed a longing for intimacy, the titular track hones in a feeling of loss and the need to seek a sense of belonging. And her earlier works do just that – perfectly mirroring a search for one’s self that later arrives with a sense of resolution on her 2023 R&B album, ‘What’s Around The Corner.’ 

For her most recent offering, ‘Open Hearts,’ Joya Mooi switches gears to the more upbeat tempo of Electronic music, strung together by the emotive confessionals and mellifluous vocals borrowed from her inescapable R&B roots. However, she also clearly indicates that  the road to self-discovery is never ending, with each song being an introspective exploration of her personal identity, collective heritage and true authenticity. As always, Mooi wears her heart on her sleeve, encouraging her listeners to navigate their own path to truly embracing oneself. While intro tracks “Poster Child” and “Open Hearts” are coloured with the vibrant strums of House music, “No Holding Back” optimises a more melancholic approach, allowing the groovy beats lay in the background of her refreshing vocals. However, the EP closer, “Overlooked Ghosts,” takes us right back to the dance floor with vocal assistance from Gracy Hopkins. Joya Mooi’s discography is a clear indicator of her incessant progression and maturity in delivery as well as her abundant musical range, leaving her perfectly positioned for a bigger breakthrough in the near future.