8 East African Rising Artists To Watch Out For In 2023 | SEE FULL LIST

2023 is poised to be one of the most significant years in the East African music industry which is defined by new sounds, fresh acts and new musical trends driven by the Internet. Read through to know the 8 rising artists in East Africa to watch out for as they are expected to make waves in 2023 : 

2022 introduced us to new talents. The past year saw Abigail Chams assisting Harmonize in Leave Me Alone, Phina winning the Tanzanian Music Awards and Kusah taking over East Africa with his critically acclaimed Romantic EP. What about this year? What rising artists are we expecting, to break boundaries and push the East African music industry to the stratosphere? 

Read Our Full List Of The Rising Artists To Watch Out For In East Africa In 2023:

Yammi 

This January Nandy decided to add another female warrior to the Bongo Fleva battlefield named Yammi.  Despite her short tenure in the East African music arena, Yammi has already proven to be Bongo Fleva’s next prodigy.

Her debut single Namchukia racked up 1 Million views on Youtube in just 2 days and in it, Yammi brought to the table the coastal Baibuda sound that is rare to find. 

READ ALSO: Tanzania's Yammi Is About To Work With Mavin's Ayra Starr | SEE DETAILS

Yammi’s international music journey is expected to kick off soon as she has so far hinted at a possible collaboration with Nigeria’s Ayra Starr. 

Vijana Barubaru  

The Kenyan boy band made up of Spike Mshahiri and Tuku Kanta is having its moment in the sun. The secret behind its success lies in their relatable lyrics and sweet melodies.  

In 2022 the two talents from Mathare slums made headlines with their love ballad Sasa Hivi which prompted Tanzania’s Nandy to hype in the refix. In 2023 a lot is expected from Vijana Barubaru as their journey of becoming the next Sauti Sol, takes off. 

Vanillah 

We all love Vanillah’s songwriting mastery and after feasting on his Listen To Me EP it seems fans are still craving for new music from the Kings Music signee.  

READ ALSO: 5 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About The New Kings Music Signee, Vanillah | SEE DETAILS

This year we can’t wait to get more collaborations from the Mwanza-born and raised singer and specifically his long-awaited collaboration with his boss, Ali Kiba. 

Kontawa 

After running the East African streets with Champion and its accompanying remix in late 2022, Kontawa continued to make a name for himself by hopping and collaborating with other Tanzanian artists such as Kayumba, Haitham Kim and Tunda Man. 

READ ALSO: Harmonize Confirms Anjella's Exit From Konde Gang In 'Champion Remix' | LISTEN

His latest release titled Sikuachi featuring is expected to once again prove that Kontawa is one of Bongo Hip hop’s most expensive assets. 

Liam Voice 

Liam Voice represents the new wave of Uganda's Generation Z and from his music style to his celebrity luxurious lifestyle, it is without a doubt that Liam Voice is soon going to be the new face of Ugandan Music. 

His 2021 hit titled Omwoyo may is meant to splash tears from your eyes while 2022 the sweet melodies found in his 2022 hit Olwanye are just another proof that Liam Voice is a legend in the making and that he is here to stay. 

Micky Singer 

A lot is expected from Micky Singer this year from his collaboration with Gigy Money, Kings Music signee Tommy Flavour and other unknown projects meant to elevate his music career. 

In 2022, Micky established his name with Wanijue and Sitaki Ndoa, the two songs that made him drive fans crazy on the Fiesta stage and made him prominent enough to be invited to Audiomack’s Skyline series where he appeared in Episode number 7. 

Bosco Tones 

Bosco Tones is another rising artist to watch in East Africa. The Kigoma born and raised who first landed in Dar Es Salaam in 2018 is one of the most versatile artists that Tanzania is blessed with and the only way to prove that is by listening to his SIRI EP released in 2022 that saw Bosco Tones exploring Bongo Fleva, R&B and Reggae in the 5 track project. 

READ ALSO: Tanzania's Bosco Tones Gives Us A Breath Of Fresh Air In His New EP Titled "Siri" | LISTEN

 In 2022 Bosco Tones is likely to get the recognition he deserves as he drops the music videos which will be more of a marketing tool for his SIRI EP. 

Kinoti 

In an industry saturated with bustling foreign sounds like Bongo Fleva, Amapiano and Afrobeats, Kinoti’s music acts as a breath of fresh air to many Kenyan music lovers and for 2023 Kinoti is definitely on our radar of rising artists to watch in East African.

Kinoti’s latest EP titled Green Room released in December 2022 has made him a household name in Kenya and beyond, and as fans continue to feast on his music, a lot is expected from him in 2023.