Ayra Starr was featured on the remix of Nakamura's hit song Hype. The remix has reportedly been awarded a certification by the French Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Particularly, the Hype remix achieved this feat in just 11 days.

The original Hype dropped on January 26, 2024, and became an instant hit in France and beyond. The remix featuring Starr took things a step further. Fans loved the blend of Nakamura's signature sound with Starr's Afrobeat influences. The song is officially a certified hit in France.

In other words, this gold certification signifies the song's strong commercial performance in France within a very short timeframe. Ayra Starr's accomplishment shows the growth of Afrobeats' music on the global stage. As well as the recognition in France, with Starr herself emerging as a major talent.

This news is likely to further solidify Ayra Starr's position as a rising star in the Afrobeats scene and potentially open doors for more collaborations between African and French artists.

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Considering the recent trend of African and UK collaborations – "Hype" further pushes the African-French alliance. We've been treated to bangers like Ninho and Omah Lay's Bad and MHD and Wizkid's Bella amongst others, but now the spotlight shines on the leading ladies of the scene. Aya Nakamura and Ayra Starr are taking the reins, and Hype attest to that.

Backed by the skilled production of Chef Bandit, Hype is a infectious tune woven with infectious melodies and pulsating rhythms. It's a song guaranteed to get your heart racing and your body moving, regardless of where you're from or what language you speak.

Hype is a celebration of female empowerment and artistic exchange. It's a prime example of what happens when talented artists from different backgrounds come together. Meanwhile, get ready to crank up the volume and let the "Hype" of Aya Nakamura and Ayra Starr take over!

Listen to the Hype here.

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The remix for Aya Nakamura's popular track, Hype, features a collaboration with the talented Ayra Starr, immerse yourself in the official lyrics for the Hype remix and discover the magic created by these two artists.

Aya Nakamura & Ayra Starr - Hype Remix Lyrics

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Je crois que je n’t’aime plus (Je crois que je n’t’aime plus)
J’vais changer d’vie, de numéro (Hmm)
C’que j’devais voir, bah, je l’ai vu
J’ai comme retrouvé la vue (Elle a retrouvé la vue)
Je demande : “C’est qui Michelle ?” (Je demande : “C’est qui Michelle ?”)
Tu me dis que j’fais du seum (Uh)
C’est là qu’entre nous, t’as déclaré la guerre (Mmh, mmh)
Telle une sirène tous les bougs, je racollais

Il a la dick facile, j’suis une hit machine
Pas une fille facile, j’me donne dix sur dix
Hit machine, j’suis une hit machine
Pas une fille facile, j’me donne dix sur dix

J’suis plus hypée, hypée
Hypée, hypée, hypée
Désenlovée, t’as zaillé
Plus hypée, hypée, hypée (Yeah)
Lui, il aimait trop les bitches
Faisait trop de bêtises (Faisait trop de bêtises)
(Lui, lui) Lui, il aimait trop les bitches
Faisait trop de bêtises

I put you first, that’s my bad
Block and delete you, no more time for that, no, no
Two chances, too many to track
Just worry ’bout my bag, I don’t want you back, no
So cry for me, go cry
I be doing fine, promise you this time I won’t fall for
All those stupid lies
Pack your shit and go
You just someone I used to know, uh
You just someone I used to know
T’as zaillé, hypée, hypée

J’suis plus hypée, hypée (Hypée)
Hypée, hypée, hypée
Désenlovée (Désenlovée), t’as zaillé (T’as zaillé)
Plus hypée, hypée, hypée
(Lui, lui) Lui, il aimait trop les bitches (Il aimait trop les bitches)
Faisait trop de bêtises (Faisait trop de bêtises)
Lui, il aimait trop les bitches (Il aimait trop les bitches)
Faisait trop de bêtises (Faisait trop de bêtises)

‘Ti-‘ti-’tises (‘Ti-’tises), les bitches (Les bitches)
Faisait, faisait trop les bêtises
‘Ti-’tises (‘Ti-’tises), bitches (Bitches)
Lui, il aimait trop les bitches
(Lui, il aimait trop les bitches)
(Faisait trop de bêtises)
(Lui, il aimait trop les bitches)
(Faisait trop de bêtises)
(Lui, il aimait trop les bitches)
(Faisait trop de bêtises)
(Lui, il aimait trop les bitches)
(Faisait trop de bêtises)

Check Lyrics of Latest Songs Here

Collaborators for 'Hype Remix' Lyrics

Olufunke Taiwo, Funmilayo Kanmodi, Utere Naomi, Peter Okhide, Elizabeth Clifford, Idris Adeleye, Buzi Brown, Nikki Laoye, Oluwafemi Adebanjo, Tobiloba Akinsete, Oluseyifunmi Akinrinmade, Bamise Oyetayo, Ovie O.

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Aya Nakamura, a renowned French- Malian pop singer who is best known for her hit single DjaDja announced on twitter that fans should be expecting a project from her in collaboration with Ayra Starr.

The collaboration is quite interesting as there is to be a mix of French pop and Afrobeats pop who isn’t the norm. Ayra Starr has taken 2024 by storm with her recent accomplishments. The young Afrobeats artist recently released Commas that charted #1 in over 5 countries and still counting.

… Jeudi 18h pic.twitter.com/2LopxvSEwT

— Aya Nakamura (@AyaNakamuraa) March 5, 2024

The collaboration with Aya Nakamura is set to be released on Thursday, March 7, 2024. In the tweet, the project, whether it be a single or an EP would released by 6pm. It might also be named Hype. Fans and music enthusiasts are awaiting the release.

The post Ayra Starr to partner with Aya Nakamura in new project appeared first on NotjustOk.

If you're a fan of Aya Nakamura's music, you can't miss her latest single, Hype, take a look at the song's lyrics and sing along for the ultimate experience.

Aya Nakamura - Hype Lyrics

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Je crois que je n’t’aime plus (Je crois que je n’t’aime plus)
J’vais changer d’vie, de numéro (Hm)
C’que j’devais voir, bah je l’ai vu
J’ai comme retrouvé la vue (Elle a retrouvé la vue)
Je demande : “C’est qui Michelle ?”
(Je demande : “C’est qui Michelle ?”)
Tu me dis que j’fais du seum (Uh)
C’est là qu’entre nous t’as déclaré la guerre (Hm-mh)
Telle une sirène tout les bougs, je racollais

Il a la dick facile, j’suis une hit machine
Pas une fille facile, j’me donne dix sur dix
Hit machine, j’suis une hit machine
Pas une fille facile, j’me donne dix sur dix

J’suis plus hypée, hypée
Hypée, hypée, hypée
Désenlovée, t’as zaillé
Plus hypée, hypée, hypée (Yeah)
Lui, il aimait trop les b****es
Faisait trop de bêtises (Faisait trop de bêtises)
(Lui, lui) Lui, il aimait trop les b****es
Faisait trop de bêtises

Moi j’voulais nous deux, mais tu vis pour les caméras (Pour les caméras)
Tout ce cinéma, c’était pour les caméras (Bah ouais)
Moi, j’voulais lover, lover, lover, et caetera
Mais dans toutes les bouches, j’ai entendu des commérages (Des commérages)
J’sais qu’j’éteins (Uh)
Toi, tu doutes de quoi ?
Je sais qu’j’éteins (Yeah)
Et pour les bougs comme toi (Hey)
Fini sentiments, fini tout ça (Yeah)

Les gars, j’me suis mise en bombe, en pétard (En pétard)
Yeah, mais du coup le boug est fâché (Le boug est fâché)
Eh, j’étais dedans moi, j’ai lâché (Moi j’ai lâché)
Moi j’ai laché tout ça

J’suis plus hypée, hypée (Hypée)
Hypée, hypée, hypée
Désenlovée (Désanlovée), t’as zaillé (T’as zaillé)
Plus hypée, hypée, hypée
(Lui, lui) Lui, il aimait trop les b****es (Il aimait trop les b****es)
Faisait trop de bêtises (Faisait trop de bêtises)
Lui, il aimait trop les b****es (Il aimait trop les b****es)
Faisait trop de bêtises (Faisait trop de bêtises)

‘Ti-‘ti-’tises (‘Ti-’tises), les b****es (Les b****es)
Faisait, faisait trop les bêtises
‘Ti-’tises (‘Ti-’tises), les b****es (B****es)
Lui, il aimait trop les b****es
Lui, il aimait trop les b****es
Faisait trop de bêtises
Lui, il aimait trop les b****es
Faisait trop de bêtises
Lui, il aimait trop les b****es

(Il aimait trop les b****es)
(Faisait trop de bêtises)
(Il aimait trop les b****es)
(Faisait trop de bêtises)

Check Lyrics of Latest songs Here

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The Afro Nation Festival 2023, held in Portugal on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, was an unforgettable extravaganza of music and entertainment. The event showcased a star-studded lineup that included Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Focalistic, Popcaan, Aya Nakamura, and many more talented artists who set the stage on fire and left the audience in awe.

One of the highlights of the festival was Ayra Starr's captivating performance. The rising Nigerian star took to the stage with confidence and grace, immediately capturing the attention of the audience. Her soulful vocals and magnetic stage presence mesmerised everyone in attendance. Ayra Starr delivered powerful renditions of her hit songs, including Sability and Rush, showcasing her incredible range and artistry. With each note, she connected with the crowd on a deep level, creating an intimate atmosphere that reverberated with energy and emotion.

As the night continued, the crowd eagerly anticipated the arrival of Burna Boy, one of Africa's most celebrated musical exports. True to his reputation, Burna Boy delivered a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. The Grammy award-winning artist brought his A-game to the stage, commanding attention from the moment he stepped foot on it. The crowd erupted in excitement as he launched into his chart-topping hits like Ye, On The Low, and Killin Dem. Burna Boy's infectious energy was contagious, and the audience sang along fervently, creating a harmonious chorus that echoed throughout the festival grounds.

The Afro Nation Festival was not just about Nigerian artists. Focalistic, the South African sensation, brought his unique blend of Amapiano and Hip-hop to the stage, infusing the atmosphere with a vibrant energy that had everyone dancing. Popcaan, the Jamaican dancehall star, brought tropical vibes and had the crowd swaying to his infectious rhythms. Aya Nakamura, the French-Malian powerhouse, showcased her undeniable talent and charm, leaving a lasting impression on the festival-goers.

Beyond the individual performances, the Afro Nation Festival offered a vibrant and diverse celebration of African and Afro-Caribbean culture. The event showcased the richness and versatility of the music scene across the continent and its diaspora. From Afrobeats to dancehall, Amapiano to R&B, the festival provided a platform for artists from different genres to share their art and connect with fans from around the world.

As the night came to a close, the audience left the Afro Nation Festival with unforgettable memories and a sense of unity fostered through the power of music. The performances of Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Focalistic, Popcaan, Aya Nakamura, and many other talented artists demonstrated the immense talent and cultural influence that Africa and the diaspora have to offer. Afro Nation Festival 2023 will be remembered as a milestone event that brought together music lovers, celebrated diversity, and showcased the immense talent of the artists who graced the stage.

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Like white rice and stew, music releases and music videos are two musical outputs best relished together. As a result, the video-sharing platform, YouTube which is the most popular one has over the years garnered a reputation as a music-streaming hub, enabling fans to connect to their favorite musicians via audio-visuals content. The app has also cultivated a habit of celebrating the milestones of its content creators whenever they unlock a feat and in Nigeria where the fans are just as competitive as the musicians, these milestones are converted into bragging rights that are touted whenever a supremacy tussle is in the offing. So apparently since hitting the milestone of a billion views on a video or in total is a huge deal not only on YouTube but in real life, in this list, we'll be spotlighting the African musicians who have gained a total of 1 billion and more views on their individual YouTube channels, in the process making them the African acts with the most YouTube streams.

Who are the African Artist with over billion Views on YouTube?

8. Davido from Nigeria

Pretty much the Pied Piper of Nigerian music; wherever Davido is, a crowd is sure to converge. This carries true for the megastar who joined YouTube in 2018 yet has amassed views to the tune of 1.47 billion and fifty-two million views and counting, with the highest subscriber count of any Nigerian act at 3.41 million. 

ALSO READ: List Of African Acts With The Highest Number Of Grammy Awards 2022

A king of collaborations and hit records, Davido’s top videos include Fall, which has 264 million views, If with 165 million, FIA with 99 million, Assurance which has 89 million, and several other double-digit numbers in millions.

Davido's ranking as the 8th musician on this list is, however, purely subject to the total number of views on his personal YouTube channel, as the star has impressive numbers on videos uploaded under the channel of his record label, DMW. For instance, his Aye video alone has 77m views, the two videos of Skelewu sit at 30 million and 14 million views, respectively, Gobe also sits at 45 million, and the star has an estimate of about 250 million views and more from music videos and tour videos alone.

7. Fally Ipupa from Congo

A Congolese icon, Fally Ipupa’s name, and sound is one that has earned recognition in coasts far from his Congolese country due to his talents and his love for collaborating. His solo songs are however the cherry on the cake, giving the artiste a good chunk of YouTube relevance via views. With 3.5 million subscribers, Fally Ipupa who’d joined YouTube in 2007, currently has views that stand at a billion and counting.

His most-watched videos include Un Coup featuring French singer, Dadju, which has 75 million views, Eloko Oyo, with 91 million views, A Flye, with 51 million, and more.

ALSO READ: Here Are the 10 Most Followed African Musicians on Instagram in 2021

6. Wizkid from Nigeria

Wizkid, whose videos are uploaded on Starboy TV, has incredibly revolutionized Afrobeats in a decade and conquered the YouTube space with even less time. Having joined in September 2014, the megastar ranks as the fourth most viewed African musician on YouTube with 1.2 billion and counting streams and a current total of 2.79 million subscribers.

And while the world continues to enjoy his Essence smash hit, the record is still several views from being his most viewed videos, with Joro amassing 239m views, his Come Closer sitting pretty at 131m views, the Nigerian internet sphere-shaking Fever at 108m and then, Essence comes in at 144m.

5. Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania

In June 2020, while the Covid-19 pandemic raged, Diamond Platnumz had with his craft brought glory to his country Tanzania when he got a surprise delivery of an iced-out cake in celebration of attaining the 1 billion views milestone. One of the biggest stars in his home country Tanzania which doubles as the home to the Bongo Flava sound that he has helped propagate, Platnumz had become the first Sub-saharan African musician to hit the 1 billion benchmark after joining the app in 2011. 

A look through his video discography would reveal the importance of collaboration as his channel’s main squeezes happened to include iconic collaborations with musicians from all over the world. These records include his feature on Congo singer, Inoss’B’s Yope Remix which has 179 million views, Nana featuring Nigerian musician, Flavour which has 80 million views, Inama with assist from Congolese singer, Fally Ipupa sitting on 104 million views, African Beauty featuring American singer, Omarion and the Beverly Hills-located video for Marry You with Ne-Yo with both raking in 47 and 55 million views respectively. 

All of these views and more have joined forces to grant the Tanzaniana icon 6.24 million subscribers and 1,690,331,090 views.

4. Burna Boy from Nigeria

Once the most talented, underrated act in the country, Burna Boy has, in a short while, bridged the gap from underrated to megastar, proving his skills on charts, endorsements and shows. He also proves it with his visual presence as he ranks in at number five on the list of African musicians with 1 billion and more views at a total of 1.7 billion streams and 2.37 million subscribers.

These numbers are also super impressive as he joined the video-sharing platform in 2018. His biggest videos include On the Low which has 333 million views, Ye at 177 million, and Gbona at 70 million views.

2. Aya Nakamura from Mali

The second act on the esteemed list of African musicians with 1 billion and more YouTube views is Mali-born, France-based star Aya Nakamura. While she may have relocated to the European country in her childhood, her African roots have led her to record-breaking success with her blend of Afrobeats and urban sounds, finding pleasant footing in Europe to make her the most streamed female musician in France.

ALSO READ: 12 Female African Musicians Pushing the Sound to the World

Aya Nakamura, who joined YouTube in June 2016, is most popularly known for her song Djadja which has 920 million views on YouTube while a cumulation of her views shows that with 7.09 million subscribers, the star has amassed 3 billion and more views on the platform.

2. Saad Lamjarred From Morocco

Moroccan actor, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, and record producer, Saad Lamjarred, is a notable mention on this list. The Moroccan has surpassed 4 billion views across all credits on Youtube with over 154 videos on his official channel and a total of 14.4 million subscribers.

Saad Lamjarred's video with the highest number of views so far is the official music video for the evergreen song, 'LM3ALLEM' which has surpassed 1 billion views with over 7 million likes as well, the singer has other videos on his channel with over 100 million views as well, for example, 'GHALTANA' has surpassed 350 million views with 'Casablanca' also surpassing 240 million views as well.

1. Akon from Senegal

Nothing in life is permanent, least of all streaming numbers, so in 24 hours, Akon’s views would have gone up and these numbers would be old news. This, however doesn’t invalidate the fact that the American-based Senegalese musician, Akon sits at the top of the YouTube food chain where African acts are concerned. 

With the video of his global hit Lonely raking in close to a billion views at 700 million and counting, his beyond impressive arsenal of other hits which had been on everyone’s rotation back in the 2010s has earned him at this very moment, 10.8 million subscribers and 5.3 Billion views across all credits. Akon also makes an argument for longevity as the star joined the video-sharing app as far back as 2005.

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'Baby' is a new single dropped by Malian singer Aya Nakamura, you will find the official lyrics to song below.

Aya Nakamura - Baby Lyrics

Intro
Shiruken Music
Aya Nakamura
Nah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Couplet 1
Toi là, toi tu veux tout (Tu veux tout)
Sans rien dire, pour moi c'est chelou
J'sais pas trop c'que t'attends de moi ('tends de moi)
Hey, eh, eh, il veut qu'j'sois sa nana (Aïe, aïe aïe)
Me faire des minis moi (Aïe, aïe aïe)
J'ai senti c'que t'attends d'moi (C'que t'attends d'moi)
Moi aussi, j'suis dans celle-là, là

Pré-refrain
J'l'ai senti, j'ai senti de loin sans mentir
On peut pas se fâcher, j’ai senti ce que t’as senti

Refrain
Il veut câlin partout, partout (Partout)
Veut cher-tou partout, partout (Partout)
Affection et tout et tout
Entre nous, c'est trop dar
Parce que j'suis sa baby (Baby)
Veut devenir mon daddy (Daddy)
Hey, baby (Hey)
Veut devenir mon daddy (Yeah)

Couplet 2
Y a comme un truc qui me dérange
Tes manières qui m'ont mélangées
Y a comme un truc qui me dérange
De tout ça, j'ai pas l'habitude
Avec moi, tu veux t'balader (Balader)
Oui, je sais que t'as trop kiffé
C'est pas facile, mais faut pas lâcher (Nan)
Il faut que tu parles un peu

Pré-refrain
J'l'ai senti (J'l'ai senti), j'ai senti de loin sans mentir
On peut pas se fâcher, j’ai senti ce que t’as senti (Yeah-eh-eh)

Refrain
Il veut câlin partout, partout (Partout)
Veut cher-tou partout, partout (Partout)
Affection et tout et tout
Entre nous, c'est trop dar (C'est trop dar)
Parce que j'suis sa baby (Baby)
Veut devenir mon daddy (Daddy)
Hey, baby (Baby)
Veut devenir mon daddy (Daddy, daddy)

Pont
Toi là, toi tu veux tout
Sans rien dire, pour moi, c'est chelou
J'sais pas trop c'que t'attends de moi, hey, il veut

Refrain
Il veut câlin partout, partout (Partout)
Veut cher-tou partout, partout (Partout)
Affection et tout et tout (Et tout, et tout)
Entre nous, c'est trop dar
Parce que j'suis sa baby (Baby)
Veut devenir mon daddy (Daddy)
Hey, baby
Veut devenir mon daddy

Outro
Hey, baby
Veut devenir mon daddy
Il veut cher-tou partout (Veut devenir mon daddy)
Partout, partout
Hey, baby
Veut devenir mon daddy (Partout, partout, partout)
Hey, baby
Veut devenir mon daddy (Partout, partout, partout)
Hey, hey, hey, baby
Veut deve', veut devenir mon daddy
Hey, hey, hey, hey, baby, daddy

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Read the original and complete lyrics to 'VIP' by French singer Aya Nakamura.

Aya Nakamura - VIP Lyrics

Piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, yeah
This is a banger
Piri, piri, piri, piri

Avant j'étais dans le social (Social)
J'ai changé, c'est plus trop la tendance (Non, non)
Y a des gos qui parlent que sur moi (Sur moi)
C'est bizarre, moi, j'te connais même pas (Oh, non)
Tu m'imites mais peut pas dépasser (Peut pas dépasser)
J'suis l'égérie de ta vie, ma chérie (Yeah, yeah)
Elle se demance pour qui je me prend (Pour qui j'me prend)
L'égérie de ta vie, ma chérie (Yeah, yeah)

VIP
Pour m'consoler j'veux les gros llets-bi (Llets-bi)
Tchin-tchin, j'ai les yeux qui brillent
Tu peut parler, j'suis trop haut débit (Haut débit)
J'suis trop VIP
Dans ma vie, j'fais que les gros llets-bi
Gros llets-bi
J'suis au haut débit

Si t'as rien à m'apporter (Si t'as rien à m'apporter)
J'vais pas te cala, viens pas gratter (Viens pas gratter)
Tu veux tout faire pour me piquer
Raté, tu peux pas m'toucher
On m'a déjà beaucoup déçue (Déçue)
Tu vois pas que j'maîtrise le vice (Le vice)
Tout les yeux sont rivés sur moi (Yeah)
Tu peux tout essayer, non, non, tout sera sans effet

VIP
Pour m'consoler j'veux les gros llets-bi (Llets-bi)
Tchin-tchin, j'ai les yeux qui brillent
Tu peut parler, j'suis au haut débit (Haut débit)
J'suis trop VIP
Dans ma vie, j'fais que les gros llets-bi
Gros llets-bi
J'suis au haut débit

Mon égo m'a dit : "C'est pas la famille" (C'est pas la famille)
Te mélange pas si c'est pas la famille (C'est pas la famille)
Elle a dit (Elle a dit)
Donc j'écoute, elle a dit (Yeah)

VIP
Pour m'consoler j'veux les gros llets-bi (Llets-bi)
Tchin-tchin, j'ai les yeux qui brillent
Tu peut parler, j'suis trop haut débit (Haut débit)
J'suis trop VIP
Dans ma vie, j'fais que les gros llets-bi
Gros llets-bi
J'suis au haut débit, ouais

Piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri
VIP
Piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri, piri
J'suis trop VIP

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This list is dedicated to them and with it, we have taken care to spotlight female African acts who are making a killing with their music in their home country and have subsequently helped place their countries on the global airwaves. Here are 12 African female musicians taking the sound to the world: 

1. Female African Musicians  Pushing the Sound Globally; Angelique Kidjo- Benin Republic

While Angelique Kidjo may not have head-reeling streaming stats or any of that stuff fanbases love to huff and puff with,  rather the Beninoise singer has gotten resounding applause in form of Grammy awards from the recording academy. This globally recognised nod has been secured by the multilingual Mama Africa not once or twice, but four times out of nine nominations and makes her a leading lady pushing the African sound to the world.

2. Tiwa Savage- Nigeria

When Tiwa Savage broke out in the Nigerian music scene back in 2011 with her sultry pop single, Kele Kele, it was a breath of fresh air for two reasons; the sound and lyricism and also because she was a female voice after what had been a drought of action from female musicians in Nigeria. She has since grown into a force to be reckoned with and is touted as the Queen of Afrobeats with one of the highest shazams from female African musicians. 

ALSO READ: Here Are the 10 Most Followed African Musicians on Instagram in 2021

3. Aya Nakamura- Mali & France

Music has over time, proven to be one of the few universally understood things in our wildly diverse universe and Aya Nakamura’s French-wrapped pop tunes are one of the better received melodies pushing her home country of Mali alongside her naturalised nation, France,  forward. 

With her music videos averaging 50m views, Djadja wears the crown at a whopping viewership count of 790m. It has also gotten her international collaborations with Colombian sensation, Maluma. 

4.

Female African Musicians Pushing the Sound Globally; Yemi Alade- Nigeria

The beauty and bounty of the African continent has been romanticised at every angle and when it comes to music, we’ve seen an emergence of artistes revered with the Mama Africa tag. It's a title that has been passed on from Mariam Makeba to Angelique Kidjo as well as Nigeria’s Yemi Alade. This came to play following the explosion of her breakout single, Johnny, recorded in English and French. For the longest time, it was the first and only African song to have a video that hit the 100m views milestone. She has since Johnny, garnered fans all over the continent and in European countries as well.

ALSO READ: ALSO READ: International Women's Day: Celebrating 10 Women Behind the Music We Love

5. Moonchild Sanelly- South Africa

Artistry, especially from a musical perspective, is more often than not eccentric. But for the blue-haired South African singer, Moonchild Sanelly, she belongs to a class of eccentric eccentrics and has with her similarly different yet captivating sound self-described as “Future Ghetto Punk,” amassed a fanbase that cuts across South Africa to America and Europe as well.

She, alongside Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and others, was featured on Beyonce’s Lion King: The Gift album. Rendering her vocals together with other South African female musicians, to give life to one of the most compelling songs on the album; My Power. 

6. Simi- Nigeria

Simi is the babyfaced musical sweetheart from Nigeria who has enchanted tons of music lovers with her sweet-voiced renditions of Afropop and modern highlife. Her sweet but steely-spined artistry has however travelled farther than her home country. This was evidenced in the success of her heartwarming single, Duduke, which was an ode to her newborn daughter that also nestled in the hearts of several expectant mothers and music lovers all over the continent till it reached the number one spot on the African Charts. Duduke was afterward reiterated in French, granting her an even firmer foothold in French-speaking countries all over the world. 

ALSO READ: Top 10 Nigerian Music Challenges that Rocked Social Media in 2020

7. Sho Madjozi- South Africa

A loud and proud South-African rapper and singer among other creative ventures, Sho Madjozi’s artistry is distinct with her colourful multilayered outfits and accessories, an interpretation of her Tsonga heritage. Her personal style goes hand-in-hand with her vibrant personality and energetic performances which has endeared her to music lovers in South Africa, Nigeria among other countries. Her artistic contributions to her country has also earned her a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2019. And one time, an appearance by American professional wrestler, John Cena, while performing her song similarly titled song on American TV during the Kelly Clarkson show. 

8.

Female African Musicians Pushing the Sound Globally; Asa- Nigeria

In Nigeria, Asa has with her indie-pop and alternative afro-tinged sound, unlocked veteran status. And despite her very private and closeted persona, is a popular favourite among music lovers. Her birthplace being Paris has provided a portal for her sound to travel through Europe and has through this established herself as a continental star, touring the world with her music. 

9. Busiswa- South Africa

Also known by her self-given title as ‘Her Majesty Busiswa,’ she has given the title more credence after creating a documentary reality show that premiered on BET Africa. Busiswa has since 2011 when she broke out, become a musical icon in South Africa with recognition from MTV Africa Music Awards in form of a nomination in the best female category for making colourful boppy music in Gqom, Kwaito and also Amapiano. Her vocals currently sit on the chorus of one the biggest songs in Nigeria at the moment, Coming by Naira Marley. She is also in the elite class of African artistes featured on Beyonce’s Lion King album. 

10. Niniola- Nigeria 

The Nigerian music scene is filled with numerous talented acts with unique markers, yet Niniola easily stands out and is addressed as the Queen of Afro-house by virtue of her compelling Afrobeats-induced interpretation of South African-style house music. Back in 2017, her Maradonna single had exploded into a smash hit and had gotten her a remake with French DJ, DJ Snake. Last year, Niniola also got recognised by the Grammys for her work on Beyonce’s Lion King album where she is credited as a producer as elements from her Maradonna were sampled into the track, Find Your Way Back.

11. Amaarae- Ghana

While she’s still on the cusp of full global recognition, Amaarae is the genre-bending princess of the new school of alternative pop. Her debut album, The Angel You Don't Know was released to critical acclaim from local and international media such as Pitchfork and she was also the face of Apple Music’s Africa Rising for two months afterwards. With a firm foothold in the Ghanaian and Nigerian music scene, the Atlanta-bred singer is set to take on Europe later this year with her upcoming tour.

12.

Female African Musicians Pushing the Sound Globally; Tems- Nigeria

Tems had been steadily growing into a Nigerian fan favourite since 2018 when she broke out with Mr. Rebel. Her pace has however been amped up severely with the success of Wizkid’s Essence where she laid the highlight of what is now the song of the summer in the United States. With this Tems’ sound has been launched stealthily on to the global market and can only progress further.

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