Apple Music Unveils Africa Rising: Class of 2026 – Six New Voices Shaping the Continent's Sound

Apple Music has officially announced the roster for its Africa Rising: Class of 2026 initiative, a crucial program dedicated to elevating and amplifying emerging talent across the African music landscape. This year’s cohort features six distinct artists hailing from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. This selection is more than just a list of names; it offers a snapshot of how Africa is currently dictating the global musical pace, spanning genres from Amapiano and Afro-house to Afropop and alternative hip-hop.

The Africa Rising program functions less as a mere trend acknowledgement and more as a deliberate mechanism for shaping future artistic trajectories. Apple Music provides these musicians with essential editorial backing, interview opportunities, and a platform that ensures their music reaches a global audience, establishing their sound as the new standard for contemporary global pop music.

Meet the Class of 2026

The selected artists represent a rich tapestry of regional sounds and ambitions:

• Ciza (South Africa) — Delivers Afropop and Afro-soul infused with Amapiano undertones. His track “Isaka” has already demonstrated significant cross-border streaming success, and his debut album, “Ciza’s Palace,” is slated for release in the first quarter of 2026.
• Damie (Nigeria) — A DJ and producer whose sonic signature he describes as a spiritually profound convergence of Afro-house and techno aesthetics, viewing his music as an immersive experience.
• ru. (Nigeria, Abuja) — Focuses on Afropop driven by narrative prowess. His vocal delivery captures attention not through sheer volume, but through compelling storytelling and depth.
• tg.blk (Kenya) — Specializes in self-produced alternative hip-hop, banking on a consistent release schedule of tracks and videos throughout 2026.
• Gonaboy (Ghana) — Fuses the high energy of Highlife music with hip-hop elements, grounding his sound in local heritage while presenting it with a global stage readiness.
• Khid Ceejay (Nigeria) — Represents the newer wave of emotionally resonant pop music, blending Afrobeats with modern pop melodic sensibilities.

These featured talents will be prominently showcased on Africa Now Radio, Apple Music’s flagship show hosted by Nandi Madida. This initiative builds upon the foundation laid by the Africa Now playlist, vividly illustrating the continent’s ongoing musical evolution. The narrative shows genres blending fluidly, with the center of gravity increasingly shifting toward Africa—not as a source of exotic novelty, but as the wellspring of the future sound.

This latest announcement injects six fresh, vital frequencies into the global soundscape. It serves as a powerful reminder that music originates from lived experience rather than solely from industry machinery. Africa is positioned here not as a distant destination, but as the primary engine driving the world’s rhythm. It is a space where dance and devotion remain closely intertwined, where the beat carries inherent meaning, and the melody conveys inherent dignity. Consequently, the collective sound of the Earth gains increased momentum, authenticity, and sheer presence.