Discover: Audiomack Keep the Beat Going 2024 artists
This month, the music streaming platform and discovery app Audiomack launched its Keep the Beat Going 2024 campaign.
The programme, which aims to introduce talented African musicians on the brink of a global breakthrough to an international audience, features 12 artists from four countries – Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania.
They are Qing Madi, Muyeez and Majeed from Nigeria, Lasmid, OliveTheBoy and Reggie from Ghana, Marioo, D Voice and Platform from Tanzania, and Nkosazana Daughter, Tyler ICU and Yumbs from South Africa. They were selected by the Audiomack team for their hit-making abilities and undeniable star power.
Through the campaign, these music-makers will connect with new fans worldwide through placements on Audiomack playlists, editorial and social support across all of the streaming platform’s formats and channels, and billboard advertising in Times Square and Harlem, New York City.
Launched in 2022,, the inaugural Keep the Beat Going campaign featured artists who have since made a name for themselves on the international music scene, including Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Rema, Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo.
As the new campaign kicks off, Music In Africa takes a closer look at the members of the Keep the Beat Going 2024 class.
Nigeria
Qing Madi
Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Qing Madi rose to public acclaim last year after her standout collaboration with BNXN on the single ‘Olé’. At only 18, the singer followed up ‘Olé’’s success with her self-titled debut EP, which spawned the runaway hit ‘American Love’, and ‘Vision’, the R&B offering currently racking up streaming numbers following a recently released remix featuring American artist Chlöe Bailey.
“My music is the freedom to express myself without limitation – the voice for the people,” Qing Madi says.
Muyeez
First discovered freestyling on Instagram, 16-year-old Muyeez exploded onto the scene in April as the youngest member of his new Vibez Inc collective with his debut single ‘Instagram’ featuring Seyi Vibez. His three EPs, all released this year, have topped the Nigerian charts, an impressive feat for the Lagos-born teenager. He has gone on to drop three EPs all of which have debuted at No 1 on Audiomack.
“I think my music is an experience; an uplifting and energising one. I like the melodies to flow through me and make the listener feel something,” Muyeez said. “I’m excited to be a part of this. Audiomack is doing a great job by spotlighting artists and being a bridge between Artists and their fans.”
Majeeed
Having established himself as a prolific songwriter working with artists such as Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shay and Zuchu, Lagos-born Majeeed came to the fore in his own right with his breakthrough single ‘Yawa No Dey End’ in early 2022. The success built anticipation for his sophomore EP, Cheers to Life, which went on to accumulate more than 25 million streams on Audiomack, earmarking Majeeed as a talent on the cusp of stardom in his native Nigeria. Majeed describes his music as an expression of my reality blending of soul, dancehall and Afropop. “I can call my sound Afro-reality.”
South Africa
Nkosazana Daughter
Born Nkosazana Nolwazi Kimberly Nzama on 6 October 2000, Nkosazana Daughter, is a South African singer and songwriter. Nkosazana gained recognition after she released her 14-track debut album, Uthingo Le Nkosazana, that featured top South African artists such as DJ Maphorisa, Makhadzi, Master KG, Kabza de Small, Tyler ICU, Major League DJz, Young Jonn, Chronical Deep, and others, in June 2023. The album debuted at No 1 in South Africa on Audiomack.
“First, I must say It’s a privilege to be recognised as a promising artist in South Africa, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Keep the Beat Going campaign,” Nkosazana said. “I must say, to be able to share my message and perspective with a wider audience through this campaign is a dream come true. I hope that my involvement will inspire others to pursue their passions and use their creativity to make a positive impact in the world.”
Yumbs
Born Ayanda Oratile Yumba, Yumbs has gained recognition as one of the artists who have pushed amapiano locally and internationally. Yumbs first made a name for himself by co-producing Musa Keys’ ‘Vula Mlomo’. Since then he has gone on to produce and work alongside artists such as Kelvin Momo, Bien, Major League DJz, DJ Maphorisa, Blxckie and Joe Boy, among others. In May, Yumbs signed a record deal with Warner Music Africa.
“I am so excited to be part of the Keep the Beat Going campaign and would like to thank Audiomack for making this possible for me,” Yumbs said. “Audiomack is doing an amazing job of connecting audiences with African music. This is a huge step forward for African music worldwide.”
Tyler ICU
South African music producer and DJ Tyler ICU, real name Austin Baloyi, is currently dominating the amapiano scene with back-to-back hits. His single ‘Mnike’ is a smash hit, was certified platinum in South Africa and peaked at No 1 on the Audiomack charts. “I feel honoured to have been featured on such a global platform, enabling me to reach out to my fans on a broader scale,” Tyler ICU said.
Ghana
Lasmid
Lasmid rose to public acclaim in his native Ghana as Charger, the rapping winner of the MTN Hitmaker Season 8 in 2019. However, it’s through singing that the Takoradi-born artist would find his greatest success. In 2022, Lasmid showed the world his pop star potential with the infectious ‘Friday Night’. The success of the single spawned a stream of Ghanaian hit releases such as ‘Running’, ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Puul’, in addition to his standout feature on JZyNo’s ‘Butta My Bread’. In March he signed with Nigerian powerhouse label Dapper Music & Entertainment.
“My music is spiritual, it is a divine food that calms the soul and I’m always inspired by how I was brought up and the things I have experienced throughout my life,” Lasmid says.
Reggie
A founding member of the genre-defining Asakaa Boys drill collective, Reggie’s sonic experimentations led to his breakout lead single ‘Oh Ma Linda’ in April 2023, which earned him a nod for best Hiplife song at the Ghanaian Music Awards 2024. Following up with ‘Sa Me’, another high-powered hit in collaboration with the Asakaa Boys, Reggie’s brand of Asakaa has positioned the Kumasi-born rapper at the forefront of West African hip hop in 2024.
“I get my inspiration from the street and my lifestyle,” Reggie said. “I mostly tell real-life stories in my music and the Keep the Beat Going campaign will help me reach a lot of fans worldwide.”
OliveTheboy
Joel Ofori Bonsu, known by the stage name OliveTheBoy is a Ghanaian Afrobeats singer and songwriter. He is currently signed to Sony Music’s Columbia Records through its subsidiary Bu Vision Entertainment. His debut EP Avana released in May 2023 features the single ‘Goodsin’ which became the most streamed Ghanaian song in first half of 2023 peaking at No 1 on the Audiomack charts in Ghana.
Tanzania
Platform
As one of Tanzania’s brightest up-and-coming talents, Platform, real name Suleman Salim Gao, first savoured success with ‘Fall’, his collaborative single with Marioo. He followed it up with the ‘Ananipenda’, which earned millions of streams on Audiomack. Platform’s budding career began in 2015 when he started writing, and recording with various artists and producers. In 2020, he released his first song ‘Chuki’.
Marioo
Omary Ally Mwanga, known professionally as Marioo, is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is known for his hits such as ‘Bia Tamu’, ‘Mama Amina’, ‘Dear Ex’, ‘Raha’, ‘Mi Amor’, and ‘Naogopa’, songs that have made him a household name in Tanzania. He released his debut album The Kid You Know in December 2022.
D Voice
D Voice, real name Abdul Hamis Mtambo, is a Tanzanian music artist born on 10 October 2004 in Temeke, Dar es Salaam. The artist known for his melodic singing style is signed to Diamond Platnumz’s WCB Wasafi records. D Voice’s first EP dubbed Swahili Kid peaked at No 1 on the Audiomack charts in Tanzania and Kenya making him one of the fastest-rising artists in East Africa. In January D Voice was named Audiomack’s African Artists to watch in 2024.
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