Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, is a Nigerian-French singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for her soulful blend of pop, jazz, and indie pop. Born in Paris and raised in Nigeria, she was greatly influenced by her father’s extensive music collection, which included legends like Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin. At 18, she secretly enrolled in Peter King’s School of Music, mastering the guitar within six months.
Asa’s musical journey took a pivotal turn when she met producer Cobhams Asuquo, who helped her find her distinctive sound, blending English and Yoruba lyrics. Her debut album Asa (2007), featuring the hit singles “Eyé Adaba” and “Jailer,” gained international recognition, particularly in France, where it won her the prestigious Prix Constantin in 2008. Her second album, Beautiful Imperfection (2010), further cemented her status, reaching number 14 in France and earning her a nomination for Female Artiste of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique awards.
Her third album, Bed of Stone (2014), continued to showcase her evocative storytelling and introspective lyrics. Asa has collaborated with global stars like Akon, John Legend, Beyoncé, and Snoop Dogg, and her music remains a powerful voice for soulful Afro-inspired sounds across the globe. Asa is a true queen of Afrobeats, fusing diverse influences to create timeless music.
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a singer, songwriter, and record producer who has risen to global prominence as one of the leading queens of Afrobeats. Her breakthrough came in 2020 when she was featured on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence,” which soared to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a remix featuring Justin Bieber. She continued to make waves with a feature on Drake’s “Fountains” and her debut EP For Broken Ears (2020), followed by If Orange Was a Place (2021) after signing with RCA Records.
In 2022, Tems made history as the first African artiste to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to Future’s single “Wait for U,” which sampled her song “Higher” and featured both Drake and Tems. Her contribution earned her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. She also contributed to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, covering Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” and co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination and a Grammy Award.
Tems’ debut studio album Born in the Wild (2024) received critical acclaim and charted in the top 30 across the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK. Throughout her career, she has amassed numerous accolades, including a Grammy, Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, and four BET Awards, cementing her status as a global Afrobeats icon and a driving force in the genre’s worldwide rise.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, professionally known as Ayra Starr, is an Afropop and R&B sensation rapidly rising as one of the queens of Afrobeats. Ayra Starr’s journey to stardom began in early 2021 with the release of her eponymous debut EP, which featured the hit single “Away.” The song spent two weeks at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart and reached number 17 on the Billboard Top Triller Global chart. This success set the stage for her debut album 19 & Dangerous (2021), which received critical acclaim and produced the chart-topping single “Bloody Samaritan,” making her the first female artist to top the Nigerian charts with a solo song.
Ayra’s rise continued internationally in 2022 with the release of “Rush,” a global hit that charted in several countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the UK, where it peaked at number 24. She made history by becoming the youngest African female artiste to surpass 100 million views on a single video within just five months.
Known for her unique sound, which she describes as Afrosoul, Ayra draws influence from classic Yoruba and Beninese music as well as modern Nigerian artistes like 2Face and Wande Coal. In 2024, she further cemented her place in Afrobeats history with the release of her second album The Year I Turned 21. This album made her the first Nigerian female artiste to debut on the US Billboard 200 chart at number 195.
Ayra Starr’s bold and innovative approach to music continues to elevate her as one of Afrobeats’ most prominent and exciting voices.
Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni the Entertainer, is a singer, songwriter, and one of the reigning queens of Afrobeats. Known for her distinctive voice, vibrant personality, and genre-blending style, Teni has captivated audiences across Africa and beyond. She officially launched her music career in 2016 with the release of her debut single “Amen” under Shizzi’s Magic Fingers Records, but her career truly took off after signing with Dr. Dolor Entertainment in 2017.
Teni gained widespread recognition with her hit single “Fargin,” which resonated with listeners through its relatable lyrics and her soulful delivery. Her breakout year came in 2018 with a string of hits, including “Askamaya,” “Case,” and the heartfelt “Uyo Meyo.” “Case” became an anthem in Nigeria, solidifying her status as one of the most promising talents in the Afrobeats scene. She won multiple awards in 2018, including Rookie of the Year at The Headies and Best New Artiste at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
Teni’s authenticity, ability to tell stories through her music, and infectious energy have earned her widespread acclaim and a dedicated fan base. In recognition of her contributions to Nigerian music and culture, she was conferred the Nigerian National Award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 2022. As one of the most beloved and influential figures in Afrobeats, Teni continues to shape the sound and spirit of African music.
