Music
8 UK Afrobeats artists you need to know
This distinctly British mix of African pop, dancehall and reggaeton is the sound of the summer – get acquainted with a few of its stars, from NSG to Afro B.
In the UK, it's safe to say that Afrobeats (or "Afrowave", "new wave", "Afro fusion", whatever you wanna call it) has soundtracked the last few summers. Currently catching fire across the UK and storming the charts, it’s a head-spinning style that fuses African pop, dancehall, reggaeton and more.
The hybrid genre’s popularity means that all manner of artists are poking their head above the ground, poised to blow up. We’ve compiled a handy list of the best producers and MCs set to soundtrack the next hit...
1. NSG
Quickly becoming a powerhouse for the genre, high-energy collective NSG caught mainstream attention for Hackney smash hit We Dey, while the follow up Yo Darlin' cemented the notion that they were on their way to widespread success. Recent single Options – featuring Tion Wayne and production from J Hus-affiliated banger factory Jae5 – peaked at no.7 in the UK singles chart.
2. Yxng Bane
Yxng Bane hails from Custom House, East London. Proving it’s possible to make bangers out of Ed Sheeran tunes, Baney Boy has been lending his caramel-smooth vocals – both rapped and sung – to hits like Dun Talking and Fine Wine, cuts that have been getting regularly rinsed. 2018 saw Bxne drop two full lengths – the collaborative LP Any Minute Now with D–Block Europe and solo project HBK, which explored a deeper side to the hit-maker.
3. IQ
Lewisham artist IQ created a buzz in 2016 with his seriously catchy tune Tell A Paigon Try. Following a string of bangers and an appearance on 2018's Red Bull Music Sound System at Notting Hill Carnival, in 2019 IQ has been in a lovestruck mood, dropping a video for his steamy tune Scream and revealing his single Slow Down on Valentine's Day.
4. G.A.
If you’ve listened to a lot of Afrobeats you’ll likely have heard the whispered production tag “G...A…” on various big ones by Kojo Funds (including his collaboration with Jamaican dancehall star Kranium) and Yxng Bane, not to mention Belly Squad’s breakthrough hit Banana.
5. Maleek Berry
Maleek Berry – real name Maleek Shoyebi – earned a gobsmacking amounts of streams with 2016 hit Kontrol. The runaway success of that track has catapulted the British-Nigerian into the international spotlight, which has seen him relating his unique blend of R&B, African and reggae to a global audience. He's well and truly sustained the hype – 2018 single Love U Long Time is currently sitting on 35 million YouTube views.
6. Not3s
Hackney’s Not3s broke through in 2016 with his paean to Uber’s rivals, Addison Lee, which became a huge hit and lead to him playing at the cab company's Christmas party. Having become one of UK Afrobeat’s leading hook writers, his sound fuses Caribbean and African influences, coupled with uptempo, colourful production. Recent notable collabs include My Lover with Mabel, AJ Tracey's Butterflies and CRB Check with Chip.
7. Afro B
Afro B’s a genre ambassador as much as an artist in his own right. The brains behind MOVES: The Sound Of UK Afrobeats, the essential 2017 compilation that’s swept together Congolese house and Ghanaian anthems, the south London scene lynchpin sure has an ear for a sugary-sweet hook. His colossal hit Drogba (Joanna) is recognised a summer classic worldwide, and has earned him cosigns from the likes of Wyclef Jean.
7. Juls
Raised between Accra, Ghana, and East London, Juls channels his roots into his own productions, as well as influences spanning the likes of J Dilla, Swizz Beats and DJ Premier. Having produced tracks for Burna Boy, as well as being behind Mr Eazi’s whopping Skintight, in 2017 he dropped his album album Leap Of Faith, which boasts guest slots from Kojo Funds and Lagos-born, London-based artist Moelogo.
8. Naira Marley
Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, hails from Nigeria and is a sharp talent to watch. Repping Peckham, this rap star in waiting bubbled up through a series of freestyles, and counts both Chief Keef and Bob Marley as influences. Marry Juana, his big heater from 2014, was overtaken in 2017 by MOVES anthem Money On The Road – featuring Harlem Spartans members G Millian and Blanco. In 2018, Marley collaborated with Nigerian artists Olamide and Lil Kesh for Issa Goal – an unofficial World Cup anthem for the Super Eagles.
Like Red Bull Music on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @RedBullUK
Listen to Red Bull Radio for in-depth interviews, exclusive mixes, live broadcasts and more