A new generation of Nigerian musicians is remapping the sound, feel, and direction of Afrobeats. Produced in the internet era, raised on YouTube freestyles and TikTok challenges, they are not waiting for permission to change the game. They are changing it live, creating a global sound in ambition but local in slang, rhythms, and storytelling. Their words vacillate between pain and enjoyment, love and hustle, sorrow and tender flexing. They are the Gen Z generation breaking the moment and the future of Afrobeats.
At the forefront is Rema. Since the success of “Dumebi” in 2019, he has been determined to defy classification. He calls his sound Afrorave, a blend of Afrobeats, trap rhythms, Indian melodies, and pop, and it succeeds. His debut album Rave & Roses and its deluxe version were global smashes, with “Calm Down” and its Selena Gomez remix dominating charts from continent to continent. Rema doesn’t just write catchy hooks—he builds worlds. His style is cinematic, his fashion defiant, and his lyrics spunky and spiritual. He is half seer, half pop star, and fully Gen Z.
Ayra Starr, born in 2002, is just as fearless. Her lead single “Away” laid the groundwork for a sultry yet confident voice, and her debut album 19 & Dangerous established her as the artist to watch. Singles like “Bloody Samaritan” and Grammy-nominated “Rush” established her as a style icon and feminist voice in Afrobeats swagger. With her fearless style and cheeky lines, Ayra sings to women who know their worth, fight for their space, and party it all away. She’s not just on the ride—she’s making her own.
Another voice that remains loud is Omah Lay. His is a less hectic, more introspective sound. Since “Bad Influence” and “You” launched him into prominence amid the pandemic, he has played music laden with pain and vulnerability. On his debut album Boy Alone, Omah Lay opened up about mental health, loneliness, and emotional scars in a way few male artists in the genre have dared to. Tracks like “Understand,” “I’m a Mess,” and “Soso” connected with listeners who are tired of fake smiles and empty flexes. He gave sadness a place in Afrobeats—and it stuck.
BNXN, formerly Buju, has established himself with his full-bodied vocals and melody talent. On solo songs or collaborations with Burna Boy, Zlatan, or Ruger, he’s a hook master. BNXN is a songwriter, however, and his lyrics carry a more introspective emotional flavour. Songs like “Outside,” “Italy,” and “In My Mind” demonstrate that he’s not only here for streams—he’s looking to leave an imprint.
Ruger, recognisable at once by his eye patch and showy gait, is the wild card. His sound is playful, sexy, and provocative, performed in a mix of dancehall rhythm and Yoruba street jargon. “Bounce” and “Girlfriend” are club favourites, and his debut album RU The World cemented him as someone who knows how to push buttons—and attract followers.
Victony, who survived a near-death car accident, infuses his work with a more introspective mood. From “Soweto” to “Jolene,” his songs blend sadness with bounce, happiness with sorrow. He sings like someone aware of how short life is and how stunningly gorgeous it can be. That makes his melodies stick in the hearts of his listeners longer.
Fave blew up with “Baby Riddim,” a sensual, mid-tempo track that brought out her unique vocals. She has been consistent since then, with tracks that walk the line between love, heartbreak, and womanhood, striking a balance of confidence and vulnerability. Her bars are sharp, her production adventurous, and her star rising with every single.
Qing Madi, who is straight out of high school, is the youngest of the breakout stars. She was introduced to a broad public audience through her “See Finish,” but “Ole,” which she does with BNXN, cemented her promise. With a delicate, otherworldly singing voice and introspective lyricism, she has the potential to become a career-defining voice in the future.
Shallipopi, or Presido La Pluto, brings street music to the web. His slang-laced, witty rhymes on tracks like “Elon Musk” and “Obapluto” were in-your-face local and astoundingly viral. His record label, Plutomania Records, already featured stars like Famous Pluto, which means he’s not just an artist—he’s a phenomenon.
Seyi Vibez is one of those street poets who gained entrance into mainstream success. His heart-on-his-sleeve storytelling, spiritual content, and rough vocals appeal to average Nigerians. Through tracks like “Billion Dollar Baby” and “Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come,” he has continued to prove that vulnerability and street cred are not mutually exclusive.
Bayanni and Magixx, known to us under the Mavin Records imprint, add finesse and versatility. Bayanni goes for suave vocals and mid-tempo grooves, whereas Magixx tests the limits of genre, ranging from afro-pop to alté and even Afro-soul. “Popcorn” is enough to make them remain a part of the conversation, and their best is yet to come.
Bloody Civilian, one of alté’s few oddities, weaves experimental soundscapes with raw vocals addressing gender, rage, and defiance. While she tapped into global ears on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, that was more feature fodder.
Taves, Chella, and Famous Pluto round out the quartet. They’re the raw, uncut core of Gen Z’s talent—unsigned or newly signed, building their bases of fans from scratch, and looking for viral singles in the whirlwind of online culture. Their art is infused with ambition, wit, and a need to be heard.
Together, these artists are the future of Afrobeats and its present. Their sound diversity, place of origin, and message make this moment so exciting. They sing Yoruba, Pidgin, and English. They sing from the street, the soft life, the wounded, and the recovered. Through them, Afrobeats evolve not as a single sound but as a multigenerational voice with multiple accents.
