In 2026, Afrobeats is no longer defined solely by chart positions or radio spins. A new generation of artists is reshaping the scene through community-driven followings, sonic risk-taking, and cultural resonance.
It is 2026, and commercial success in Nigerian music has entered its most dynamic era yet, with multiple metrics — from social media virality and streaming success to sonic experimentation, community loyalty, and on-stage dexterity — now determining who breaks into the mainstream.
Last year, a handful of underground artists emerged with hypnotic, polarising records that spread like wildfire across the scene. The most prominent among their cohort was Mavo, the genre-fusionist who broke out mid-year with his defiant record, Escaladizzy. Around him, a wider cohort of mavericks, each with distinct soundscapes and massive community following, has steadily moved from niche spaces onto the public radar, emerging as the new wave of Afrobeats foot-soldiers piloting the scene’s most experimental era yet.
In today’s Guardian Music, we take a look at some of these new school acts set to take over the Afrobeats scene this year.
TENSKI/ZAYLEVELTEN
With hip-hop making a fierce comeback within Afrobeats, Nigerian rapper and producer Chisom Okoro, professionally known by his monikers Zaylevelten (rapper persona) and Tenski (producer persona), broke out last year with his self-produced Trap-fusion album, then 1t g0t crazy. The album rings with heavy synths, trap flows woven in gritty street vernacular, and a litany of self-styled ad-libs Maye and Yami, which have since entered pop-culture lexicon. His core community, largely made up of Gen Z listeners, populated his Detty December shows, mosh-pitting and singing along with high-octane energy.
As a producer, Tenski represents a new front guard of artists rewriting harmonic rules through heavy trap percussion and off-beat vocalisation. He’s what Ken Carson might have become if he grew up in Ikorodu and hustled through Lagos’ unforgiving streets to achieve stardom. With multiple co-signs — including Davido, Zlatan, and Odumodublvck — over ten songs surpassing a million streams on Spotify, and a growing alternative fanbase, Tenski/Zaylevelten is stealthily inching his way to Afrobeats’ mainstream limelight in 2026.
PDSTRN
Pdstrn (pronounced Pedestrian)’s latest record, Moshood, provides the clearest glimpse into his alluring hip-hop artistry. A neat mix of vintage US hip-hop and Nigerian street-hop, Pdstrn (born Bennett Obeya) connects with a storytelling depth largely missing in today’s Nigerian hip-hop. He has been weaving stories of Lagos street life since his 2022 takeoff, The Prologue. That same year, he also won the Hennessy Hip Hop Artistry VS Class Rap contest, drawing wider attention to his craft.
His standout 2024 collaboration with Ayo Maff, Letter 222 Dele, exposed him to a wider fanbase, with critics recognising his lyrical precision and emotional clarity. Raised between Ojodu Berger in Lagos and Toronto, Canada, Pdstrn brings a multifaceted worldview, reviving the fading glory of poetic hip-hop for a contemporary audience through punchlines, storylines, and sonics that signal an imminent breakthrough in Afrobeats’ saturated ecosystem.
AZANTI
After debuting in 2023 with his collaborative tape with Nigerian hip-hop star Psycho YP, YP & Azanti Vol 1, Azanti (born Nathan Otekalu Aje) immediately showcased his distinct R&B sonority. If Chris Brown, Styl Plus, and Wizkid morphed into one person, they might sound like Azanti, whose silky sonics elevated tracks like Caro, Focused, and Julie (with The Cavemen) to classic status.
A member of the Apex Village label, Azanti has built a core community with his versatile sound that combines R&B, pop-soul, and, more recently, Naijapiano. His 2022 debut solo album, Hearts, Parts & Nostalgia, and his 2024 YP & Azanti sequel pushed him firmly into mainstream consciousness.
After taking a brief hiatus to focus on school, the Abuja/Canada-based musician returned with Skyfall last year, a three-track project traversing his signature progressive pop, US funk/disco, and private-house Amapiano. With his over six million Spotify streams, the project cemented his status as one of Afrobeats’ most promising indie pop acts.
KUNMIE
Kunmie broke out early last year with the soulful love anthem, Arike. The song exploded on TikTok, going viral for several weeks, and it eventually bagged a remix with Simi and Mabel a few months later.
His EP, Before We Became Strangers, released later that year, attracting widespread attention and critical acclaim as an evergreen R&B record. With cultural undertones, streaming success, and a growing fanbase, Kunmie’s ascent signals a promising year ahead.
LOVN
Lovn (real name Akinloye Temidayo) emerged as one of last year’s most notable breakouts following his signing to Mavin Records. His latest release, Sorry I’m Busy, benefitted from major label rollout, placing him firly in the public eye.
While his Afro-pop sensibility carries moments of shock value, it is his airy harmonies that define his artistry. His 2022 EP, This Is Lovn, remains an essential entry point into the young singer’s alluring discography, blending Fuji, salsa, and Afropop into a love-themed sonic journal. With rising streams and undeniable vocal skill, Lovn’s 2026 outlook appears promising.
STRAFFITTI
Many know Straffitti (born Olawale Olukayode) as the creative director behind the fashion label Thir$ty Laboratory, but the multidisciplinary creative is also one of the most compelling voices in Nigeria’s underground music scene.
His musical journey began in 2017 with Zero Safety, gradually introducing his urban street dance-pop aesthetic through steady, intentional releases. With past collaborations spanning MI Abaga (on Rendezvous), Ice Prince, Zlatan, Bnxn, Kida Kudz, and Psycho YP, Straffitti reached a defining moment last year with his five-track EP, Bur$t.
The project delivers a fusion-driven blend of dance-pop and Naijapiano, with all five tracks resonating strongly on arrival. With standout records such as Te Wo (with Scotty Olorin) and Scopatumana (with Zilim) still on heavy rotation, Straffitti is fast becoming a favourite among younger Afrobeats audiences.
NO 11
Abuja-based singer NO11 (born Nnamdi Odom) is the latest rave of the moment, thanks to his electric Naijapiano hit, How Far (with Monochrome and Ayjay Bobo). The club-hit has received significant acclaim on social media, with several artistes dropping their own covers of the song already.
Going down the rabbit hole of his catalogue, his earlier records like 2024’s I Prayed For This So It’s Calm, and 2023’s Notes To 11, Vol 1, showcase his versatile groove that melds emo-pop, Trap-soul, and Afro pop, with a unique genre-blurring soundscape. With no major label backing or popular collaborations, the young artiste has risen to the front burner of Afrobeats’ new class. From viral TikTok notoriety to mainstream popularity, 2026 sure looks like the year for NO11.
AR4
A lot of singers these days survive the knife of public doubt when they have achieved significant online buzz or streaming figures. However, a talent like Araoluwa Giwa-Osagie, professionally known as AR4, stands out for two reasons: sheer talent and the scarcity of female breakout stars in Afrobeats. Everyone’s looking for the next Ayra Starr or Tems, and so Ar4’s distinct rapper-singer persona continues to surface as one of the best gems from Afrobeats’ new school.
As an indie act, she’s released some intriguing singles, including No Be Lie, Dedicated, and 10 Toes, among others, that showcase her storytelling, feel-good harmonies, and exciting flows in full view. If there are any strong contenders for new female breakouts in Afrobeats, Ar4 ranks as number one.
CUPIDSZN
Joining the vanguard of romance crooners, CupidSZN, born Stevenson Njoku, rose up to mainstream prominence in 2024 with his charismatic Afro-pop song, Ifeoma. The record opened him up to fame across social media and music circles, and shortly after, Mavin Records came calling. With a big budget label backing, his fruit of labour is finally ripening in 2026, as his latest record, Myth-Era, introduces his versatile love-themed soundscape to wider audiences.
6UFF
After nearly six years in the underground scene, Afrobeats act 6uff, born Okwudili Okoli, finally hit a breakthrough last year with his gritty Afro Pop fusion dubbed, Idi Amin. The song’s TikTok-viral hook, ‘Nack am with uppercut…’ and its feel-good groove introduced millions of new listeners to 6uff’s edgy and uplifting artistry.
With millions of streams, industry co-signs, and social media virality on his side, 6uff is presently riding the wave of this momentum towards countrywide popularity. He also released a 10-track EP, Menace II Society, which paints a broader picture of his eclectic, machismo-themed pop artistry. A rave of the moment, he’s poised to hit a big break in 2026.
WAVESTAR
After his COVID-era freestyles first announced him widely on social media, Trap Hop artiste Wave$tar (born Praise Okechukwu) returned to the mainstream radar last year, after appearing on Mavo’s Escaladizzy breakout hit. The song instantly drew more attention towards his catalogue, introducing fans to his moody emo-Trap and rap fusion. His 2024 $tarlife: The Mixtape is a good place to start in discovering why this young, unsigned rap head from Lagos stands a chance at mainstream fame in 2026.
TUFF KING
One of the fastest-rising artistes from Nigeria’s South Eastern Hip Hop scene, Tuff King (born King David Israel) captured wide attention late last year with his metal-leaning, psychodramatic, gritty Igbo drill song, Nkemakonam. With nearly three million streams on Spotify, the Enugu-based rapper, signed to Black Pen Sheep label, is one of the most exciting rappers from Nigeria’s South East; his storytelling, cinematic compositions, and outstanding performances are some highlights from his artistry.
A great starting point in exploring Tuff King would be his 2024 EP, Black Sheepizen. Evidently, with stars like Phyno and Jeriq leading the South East’s Hip Hop revolution in Nigeria, prominent underground stars now have a better chance at mainstream success. So, from Nigeria’s East Coast, Tuff King is definitely up next.
OG ABBAH
Perhaps the biggest breakout from Nigeria’s northern music scene, OG Abbah hit mainstream Afrobeats circles last year, with his Hausapiano bop titled, Wayyo Allah Na. The song became an instant TikTok hit, opening fans into his jivey world of log drums and Hausa bars. His follow-up seven-track EP, Malafa, houses guest features from industry heavyweights including Ice Prince, Magnito, Zerrydl, Teee Dollar, and DJ Neptune.
AGUERO BANKS
Another champion of the Nigerian East Coast, Aguero Banks, has been on the rise for a couple of years, alongside other Eastern heavyweights like Jeriq and Highstar Lavista. His hip-hop prodigy became more popular in 2024, following his debut record, The Hero, which features superstars like Phyno, Reekado Banks, Jeriq, and King Perryy. The Enugu-born drill fusionist is notable for his gritty flows, storytelling, and stage energy, and he’s one of the fastest-growing artists in the South East’s new class of Hip Hop mavericks.
RUMERH
In January 2024, Nigerian female rapper Rumerh emerged winner of the Nasboi x Wande Coal TikTok open verse challenge for the song, Umbrella. She began garnering critical acclaim for her fierce hip-hop flows and storytelling. Born Umasa’u Muhammad, the Northern Nigerian musician is one of the few female rappers racing to the top from Nigeria’s northern climes. Her most popular releases include Streibullet, Yar Kwaita, and Beauty Sleep.
