Afrobeats, in all its glory, has a transnational musical effect and is the driving force behind so many genres of music, including both urban and country music. Locally, there is a glut of emerging lyrical gladiators who are set to redefine and reshape the landscape of the music genre, which has had an impact for decades, from its roots in Nigeria to its dominance in the global music industry. In no particular order, Ripples Nigeria presents 10 burgeoning musical acts that are set to reshape the Afrobeats scene in 2025.
QING MADI
Fast-rising Nigerian female singer, songwriter, and dancer Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, popularly known as Qing Madi, sauntered into the consciousness of music lovers on the local scene with her 2022 hit single ‘See Finish’.
The talented singer, who was born and raised in Benin City by her mother and her siblings , later gained widespread attention when she collaborated with husky-voiced vocalist BNXN (formerly Buju) on her follow-up single, ‘Ole’.
The song reached number 12 on the TurnTable Top 100 and appeared on other Apple Music charts. “Ole” debuted on the Official Afrobeats Chart and peaked in August at number 16.
Qing Madi, who cites Kendrick Lamar as her musical influence, joined OdumoduBlvck, Bloody Civilian, and Tyla in being welcomed into Apple Music’s Rising Class of 2024 in January 2024.
Ever since, Qing Madi has been slowly but surely making a name for herself in the ever-competitive music industry in Nigeria, and the year 2025 promises to experience more of her energetic performances on stage and catchy Afrobeats tunes.
YARDEN
Yarden, whose real name is Okereke Blessed Jordan (from Abia State but raised in Lagos), is a fast-rising Nigerian musician who was raised in a home that valued entertainment and music, with his passion for music blossoming at a young age.
The musician has painstakingly carved out a space for himself in the music world, drawing heavily from historical masterpieces to develop his own new-generation sound that sets him apart sonically.
Music enthusiasts describe Yarden’s songs as “split” because they contain both light and dark, joy and sorrow, and these emotional pairings are present in all of his releases.
This fact is demonstrated by the 20-year-old who is signed onto the Etins Record Limited stable, as his viral hits, including “Wetin” and “Busy Body,” have been nothing short of incredible.
LLONA
Burgeoning Nigerian singer and songwriter Michael Ajuma Attah, better known by his stage name Llona, draws inspiration from renowned singers such as Olamide.
While he was growing up in Kano State, Northern Nigerian culture had a big impact on the authenticity of his sound and his reflective lyrics about mental health.
Acclaimed for his debut album “Homeless,” which reached number eleven on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 Albums TurnTable charts, Llona creates a distinctive and lively musical tapestry by fusing a variety of styles, including dancehall, R&B, and contemporary Afrobeats.
The relative fame of Llona, who ventured into music professionally in the year 2019, skyrocketed following the release of smashing hit single ‘HBP’ and the remix of the same song featuring Bella Shmurda.
The year 2025 is expected to be a breakout year for Llona, whose sensational songs tell honest and poignant tales based on resilience and personal struggles.
NEZABOY
Born on the 14th of February 2002, Temple Progress Nebu, aka Nezaboy, has recorded no fewer than 300 unreleased songs after penning a record deal with JTUNESWORLDWIDE in 2019.
The allure of the highly rated musician’s songs is evident, as he can create a variety of musical genres employing different languages from around the globe.
Currently, Nezaboy, who released his first single “Boogie Man” in 2021, is the face of Talent Rivers, a JTUNESWORLDWIDE-affiliated talent-hunting company.
Feelers say he is seeking to gain more attention in 2025 following the release of past works titled ‘Wagwan Teelan’ (double single compilation) released in 2022 and BADDERZONE, which all dropped in 2023.
READ ALSO: 2021 IN REVIEW: 21 artistes who refined Afrobeats last year
BIG BOI TEE
David Azuma Joseph, professionally known in music circles as Big Boi Tee, is a talented Afrobeat singer and songwriter who is yet to be signed to any known record label.
BIG BOI TEE has received over a million streams across all streaming platforms and has been included on numerous top playlists on various platforms worldwide.
The musician, who was formerly known as T Sharp but later got the name BIG BOI TEE from the street and lovers of music, has dropped several music projects in the past, including Love, Space & Time EP, ‘Flamers,’ and ‘Chibuburu Oma,’ all in 2023.
The independent artiste, who understands there are challenges to pushing his music to a larger audience, is currently on his first album titled ‘AETERNUM’ ahead of the New Year.
TML VIBEZ
Nigerian singer and songwriter Timileyin Sulaimon, aka TML Vibez, born in 2000, is a fast-rising Nigerian music act known for his unique sound and lyrical depth.
His extraordinary talent is slowly drawing attention to him, and his unique style and catchy melodies have helped him establish a reputation in the music business.
Even though TML Vibez is a relatively new artiste on the music scene, his career has been distinguished by remarkable accomplishments and a rising fan base.
With his debut effort, “Timileyin EP,” which is full of contagious energy and genre-bending sounds, TML Vibez, who is now signed to Seyi Vibez’s record label “Vibez Incorporation,” is sure to rule the music charts in 2025.
RAEBEL
20-year-old Ademuyiwa Oluwatobi Christiana, popularly known as Raebel, is a rising artist in Nigeria’s thriving music scene, with a focus on dancehall and reggae.
Her fascinating freestyle performances initially drew notice, which resulted in fetching her a record deal with Konvest Music and a collaboration on a well-known song.
Raebel is renowned for her natural talent to create original songs that combine elements of reggae/dancehall, alternative R&B, Neo-soul, and traditional Nigerian flavor.
Her biggest single of 2022, “Miniskirt,” started out as a freestyle and turned into a blockbuster hit record after she collaborated with Timbun, who produced the track.
She followed up with the release of ‘Kash and Karry’ and other songs in the year 2023, even as feelers say she is gearing up to etch her pride of place on the music scene after teaming up with video director TG Omori, who now doubles as her creative director.
YEMZZY
Fast-rising Nigerian Afro-pop musician Adeola Adeyemi Olamide, widely known as Yemzzy, is progressively getting noticed with his songs, which are considered soulful and socially conscious.
Known for his inspirational lyrics and style, Yemzzy is regarded as a rising voice for young activism and has demonstrated that he is quickly becoming one of the new kids on the block in the music industry.
He veered into the music scene with his debut single titled ‘Only One; in 2022 and has gone on to establish his place on the music scene with the release of his EP titled ‘Son of Moses’.
Yemzzy endeared himself into the hearts of staunch music lovers when he dropped a conscious single titled ‘Tire’ which was dedicated to the youths who protested during #EndSars demonstrations.
The musician is currently reveling in his latest project dubbed “Vibes B4 Sun Dawn” EP, which will serve as the bedrock of other songs that will be released in 2025.
FAVE
Sensational Nigerian singer Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, popularly known as Fave, has a rising following throughout Africa and beyond due to her seductive vocals and distinctive blend of Afropop and alté elements.
After releasing her first single, “M.O.M.M.S,” in 2019, Fave—whose musical journey started in the church when she was six years old—was inspired to pursue a career in music, and she has never looked back ever since.
Her breakthrough smash hit single “Baby Riddim” showcased her smooth voice and infectious energy, while her recent EP Riddim 5 solidified her as an artist to watch.
Fave is looking forward to carving a desired niche for herself in 2025 with the release of her second EP, Dutty Love, which was released on November 7 after almost a year in the works.
SANTI
Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu, better known by his stage name Santi, is a Nigerian alternative rapper and singer who blends various musical styles to create his sound.
He got interested in music at a young age after listening to his father’s old records, and he began performing at the age of ten before entering the music industry professionally at sixteen.
Since pursuing a music career, Santi has played a significant role in the alté movement, and his creative take on Afropop has enabled him to establish a distinct identity.
In 2025, his two experimentally styled albums, “Mandy” and “The Jungle,” which combine Afropop, R&B, and electronic sounds, are expected to push boundaries.