Top African Female Singers in 2025: Icons & Rising Stars

Africa has long been the heartbeat of global music, giving the world rhythms, melodies, and soul like no other. Today, a new generation of African female singers is shining brighter than ever, blending tradition and innovation to honor their roots while pushing the boundaries of sound.

From stirring ballads that touch the soul to infectious beats that make the world dance, these singers command global stages and reshape the music industry.

Let’s explore their incredible journeys, chart-topping hits, and global impact to flame African music into the future.

List of African Female Singers

10: Angélique Kidjo

Date of Birth: July 14, 1960, Ouidah, French Dahomey (now Benin)

Best Songs:

• Batonga
• Agolo
• Wombo Lombo
• Mama Africa

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• Polar Music Prize
• MOBO Award

Career Journey of Angélique Kidjo:

Angélique Kidjo began performing at age six with her mother’s theatre group. As a teenager, she found success with her cover of Les Trois Z on national radio.

She moved to Paris in 1983, where she studied jazz at CIM and held various jobs. Her early solo work in Paris and performances with the band Pili Pili helped her build a strong musical foundation.

Breakthrough of Angélique Kidjo:

Kidjo’s breakthrough came in the late 1980s when her solo album Parakou gained attention, leading to her signing with Island Records in 1991. This deal enabled her to expand her global reach and produce several influential albums that blended traditional African sounds with international styles.

Singing Style of Angélique Kidjo:

Her singing blends Afrobeat, funk, jazz, and traditional Beninese music. She uses the Zilin vocal technique and sings in five languages: Fon, Yoruba, Gen, French, and English.

Her work is renowned for its strong rhythm, expressive delivery, and cultural richness, often blending global genres while remaining rooted in African traditions.

Recent Song of Angélique Kidjo:

​In 2025, she became a celebrated figure among top African female artists and has continued to enrich the global music scene with several notable releases, including “Police” and “On Sera là”.

9: Aṣa

Date of Birth: September 17, 1982, Paris, France

Best Songs:

• Eyé Adaba
• Be My Man
• Dead Again
• The Beginning
• Good Thing

Accolades:

• Prix Constantin Prize
• French Constantin Award

Career Journey of Asa:

Born in Paris to Nigerian parents, Asa moved back to Nigeria at age two and grew up in Lagos. At 20, she returned to Paris to study jazz at IMFP, where her instructors advised her to pursue a music career directly.

Her journey began when she met her manager, Janet Nwose, who introduced her to producer Cobhams Asuquo, leading to her debut album, Asa (2004), which gained massive attention and success.

Breakthrough of Asa:

Her second album, Beautiful Imperfection (2010), blends pop, soul, and reggae, which explores themes of humor and love. Influenced by her father’s record collection, her sound is shaped by artists like Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley (one of the top Jamaican singers).

Singing Style of Asa:

Asa’s music blends soul, jazz, and folk, using English and Yoruba. Her voice is soft yet commanding, and her songs often explore personal and social themes with emotional clarity.

Recent Song of Asa:

In 2024, she released her album ODO, which continues her signature blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics, further solidifying her place among the top African female artists.

8: Qing Madi

Date of Birth: July 1, 2006, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria

Best Songs:

• See Finish
• Ole
• Why
• American Love

Career Journey of Qing Madi:

Raised in Benin City, Qing Madi began performing as a child in school events and church choirs. She entered music in 2022 with her debut single, See Finish, which gained popularity on TikTok. This viral success introduced her to the Nigerian music scene and recognition from major platforms.

Breakthrough of Qing Madi:

Her big moment came in 2023 with Ole, featuring Bnxn, which ranked high on the Nigeria and Uganda Apple Music charts and entered the UK Official Afrobeats Chart.

Singing Style of Qing Madi:

Qing Madi’s music blends Afrobeat, pop, soul, and R&B genres. She delivers expressive vocals with a modern yet emotional tone. Skilled in vocals, piano, keyboard, and drum machine, she uses her talent to craft relatable lyrics and melodies.

Recent Song of Qing Madi

In 2025, she continued her rise among African female singers with several impactful releases like Survivor and Favorite Psycho.

Read Also: Top 15 Famous Korean Singers

7: Tiwa Savage

Date of Birth: February 5, 1980, Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria

Best Songs:

• Kele Kele Love
• Love Me (3x)
• Without My Heart
• All Over
• Koroba

Accolades:

• MTV Europe Music Award
• AFRIMA Award
• Nigeria Entertainment Award
• MTV Africa Music Award

Career Journey of Tiwa Savage:

Tiwa Savage began her music career in London by doing backup vocals for artists like George Michael and Mary J. Blige. She studied music at Berklee College and signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009.

In 2012, she returned to Nigeria, signed with Mavin Records, and featured on their debut compilation project, which helped launch her career locally.

Breakthrough of Tiwa Savage:

Her debut album, Once Upon a Time (2013), introduced her to the Nigerian music scene and gained widespread popularity through multiple hit singles, Kele Kele Love and Love Me (3x).

In 2019, she signed a global deal with Universal Music Group, boosting her global presence as one of the top African female singers.

Singing Style of Tiwa Savage:

Savage is a multi-talented artist who sings in English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin, blending Afrobeat, R&B, Afropop, pop, and hip-hop. She’s known for mixing soulful vocals with rhythmic Nigerian sounds, and her music often reflects confidence, love, and empowerment.

Recent Song of Tiwa Savage:

Her most recent release is the single You4Me, which marks a return to her R&B roots, blending sensual melodies with Afro-pop rhythms. She also collaborated with British R&B artist Craig David on the song Commitment, further boosting her presence in music.

6: Simi

Date of Birth: April 19, 1988, Ojuelegba, Lagos, Nigeria

Best Songs:

• Tiff
• Jamb Question
• Simisola

Accolades:

• The Headies
• Nigeria Entertainment Award
• City People Entertainment Award
• Nigerian Teen Choice Award
• NET Honour

Career Journey of Simi:

Simi began as a church choir member, wrote her first song at age 10, and stepped into the professional scene with her gospel album Ogaju in 2008. Her turning point came with the Restless EP in 2014, leading to a record deal with X3M Music.

Breakthrough of Simi:

She rose to fame after the success of Tiff in 2014, which received positive reviews from music critics. In 2017, Simi released her second studio album, Simisola, showcasing her mix of contemporary R&B, world music, alt-rock, pop, and Jùjú.

Singing Style of Simi:

Simi’s music combines R&B, soul, and Afropop with clear vocals and relatable lyrics. Her versatility and lyrical depth have made her a notable voice in Nigeria’s contemporary music.

Recent Song of Simi:

In 2025, she released her album, Lost and Found, a blend of Afro-pop and contemporary R&B, gaining acclaim for its hit singles like Men Are Crazy and All I Want.

Read More: Top 10 African Male Singers

5: Tems

Date of Birth: June 11, 1995, Lagos, Nigeria

Best Songs:

• Essence
• Try Me
• Free Mind
• Damages

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• BET Award
• Soul Train Music Awards
• Billboard Women in Music Award
• NAACP Image Award

Career Journey of Tems:

Tems began her journey by leaving her digital marketing job in 2018 to pursue music full-time. She taught herself how to produce music and released her first single, Mr Rebel (2018).

Breakthrough of Tems:

Her track Try Me (2019) gained attention, followed by Damages (2020), which topped the Nigerian charts. She rose internationally after being featured on Wizkid’s Essence (2020) and Drake’s Fountains (2021).

In 2022, her vocals on Future’s Wait for U made her the first African artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Singing Style of Tems:

She blends Afrobeats, soul, R&B, and alternative sounds. Her rich, husky tone and ability to deliver emotionally heavy lyrics set her apart. She often uses falsetto and draws from profound personal experiences, making her music intimate yet relatable.

Recent Song of Tems:

In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album, Born in the Wild, which includes the song Love Me JeJe.

Furthermore, in 2025, she made history as the first African woman to hold part ownership in a Major League Soccer team by joining the San Diego FC ownership group, further cementing her legacy among the top African female artists.

4: Ayra Starr

Date of Birth: June 14, 2002, Cotonou, Benin

Best Songs:

• Away
• Sability
• Rush

Accolades:

• Headies Award
• Net Honours
• TurnTable Music Award

Career Journey of Ayra Starr:

Ayra Starr’s career began in her early teens when she initially gained attention with cover songs posted on social media. After being discovered by Mavin Records’ Don Jazzy in 2019, she was signed and quickly released her debut self-titled EP in 2020, which marked a meteoric rise in the Nigerian music industry.

Breakthrough of Ayra Starr:

Her breakout hit, Away (2021) from her debut EP, became an instant favorite across the African continent. The song’s success catapulted her into mainstream recognition, and her debut album 19 & Dangerous in 2021 solidified her status as an Afropop powerhouse.

Singing Type of Ayra Starr:

She blends Afrobeat, pop, and R&B with a bold and captivating voice. Her music often features strong, confident lyrics, which, alongside her distinct sound, have resonated with a global audience, setting her apart in the Afropop scene.

Recent Song of Ayra Starr:

In 2024, Ayra Starr’s song “Rush” became a viral hit, reaching international streaming platforms. Furthermore, her song All the Love (2025) blends R&B and Afrobeats elements, further elevating her status as one of the top artists in African music.

Read More: Top 10 Richest Female Singers

3: Tyla

Date of Birth: January 30, 2002, Johannesburg, South Africa

Best Songs:

• Getting Late
• Girl Next Door
• Truth or Dare
• Been Thinking

Accolades:

• 3Music Award
• BET Award
• Billboard Music Award
• Grammy Award
• MTV Europe Music Award

Career Journey of Tyla:

Tyla began her music career in her early teens, performing in her community and honing her skills in various genres. In her final year of high school, she started posting original songs and covers on Instagram. She made her major debut with Getting Late (2019), which showcased her unique blend of Afrobeat and pop.

Breakthrough of Tyla:

Her breakthrough came in 2023 with the hit single Water, which charted in the top 10 across several countries, including South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom, firmly establishing her as a prominent star in the Afrobeats scene.

Singing Type of Tyla:

Her vocals are characterized by smooth, melodic tones and catchy hooks. She fuses Afrobeat with pop and R&B, making her sound both modern and distinctly African, appealing to a broad international audience.

Recent Song of Tyla:

In 2025, she released PUSH 2 START, featuring Sean Paul, and blends energetic tracks, blending Afropop and dancehall. She also debuted at the Coachella Music Festival, performing a rendition of “Show Me Love” that captivated audiences with her dynamic stage presence.

2: Libianca

Date of Birth: July 23, 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

Best Songs:

• People
• Level
• My Place
• Revenge
• Thank You

Career Journey of Libianca:

Libianca grew up in Bamenda, Cameroon, began singing in gospel choirs and learned guitar at boarding school. In 2021, she competed on the American TV show The Voice and reached the top 20 under Blake Shelton. Her appearance led to a deal with 5K Records and RCA in 2022, setting the stage for her music career.

Breakthrough of Libianca:

Libianca’s breakthrough came in 2022 with the release of People, a deeply personal song inspired by her experience with cyclothymia.

The song reached number two on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart, number one in the UK Afrobeats chart, and number two on the UK Official Chart, garnering significant social media attention.

Singing Type of Libianca:

Libianca blends Afrobeats, R&B, and Afro-soul with influences from Cameroonian and Nigerian music. She creates a soulful mix connecting mental health themes with African rhythms, making her style bold and relatable.

Recent Song of Libianca:

In 2025, she released the song Up or Down, a dynamic collaboration with international stars DeJ Loaf and Runtown, further cementing her position as an emerging female African singer.

1: Amaarae

Date of Birth: July 4, 1994, Bronx, New York, U.S

Best Songs:

• Fluid
• Sad Girlz Luv Money (Remix with Kali Uchis)
• The Angel You Don’t Know
• Fountain Baby

Career Journey of Amaarae:

Amaarae grew up between Accra and Atlanta and started writing songs at the age of 13. She took up internships and music training while studying English literature. After returning to Ghana in 2017, she released her debut EP, Passionfruit Summers, under Golden Child LLC.

Breakthrough of Amaarae:

Her breakthrough came in 2020 with The Angel You Don’t Know, which earned international praise and industry recognition. The 2021 remix of “Sad Girlz Luv Money” further propelled her into the global spotlight, primarily through TikTok and chart success.

In 2023, she released her critically acclaimed second album, Fountain Baby, solidifying her status as one of the standout African female singers.

Singing Style of Amaarae:

Amaarae blends pop, R&B, afro beats, and alté, creating a unique sound known for its genre-bending layers. Her vocals are often airy and experimental, reflecting her artistic boldness and fluid expression of identity, which adds depth to her style and persona.

Recent Song of Amaarae:

Continuing to push creative boundaries, she performed at Coachella in 2025, where she wowed audiences with unreleased tracks and officially announced her upcoming album, Black Star.

Read More: Top 15 Richest African Singers