MTV Base releases list of artists to watch in 2017

Titled ‘Ones to Watch for 2017’, the list was compiled by MTV Base music and talent experts across the continent. It is made up of established and upcoming artists and is based on the channel’s assessment of the artists’ current and future potential. Aspects such as sales performance, active release schedule, popularity, radio and video airplay as well as style were part of the assessment.

“Ones to Watch is our annual curated list of artists who we anticipate great things for in the coming year,” Monde Twala, BET vice-president: youth and music, said.

“It’s awesome to see how far the artists on 2016’s list have come and how much the support we provide has helped these artists build their careers both locally and across the continent.”

According to MTV Base, the channel aims to support the Ones to Watch artists throughout the year by building profiles, play-listing music and supporting their video releases. The channel also aims to involve these artists on its events and gigs. 

Below is the list of artists:

• Edmasia (Angola)
• Nero Americano (Angola)
• Locko (Cameroon)
• Minks (Cameroon)
• Ezi Emela (England/Nigeria)
• Hiro (France/DRC)
• Boboh (Ghana)
• Capasta (Ghana)
• Eugy (Ghana)
• Teephlow (Ghana)
• Triggmatic (Ghana)
• Wondaboy (Ghana)
• Band BeCa (Kenya)
• Everlast (Kenya)
• Kaligraph Jones (Kenya)
• Timmy Dat (Kenya)
• Videz And Shiv (Kenya)
• Willy Paul (Kenya)
• Filomena Maricoa (Mozambique)
• Laylizzy (Mozambique)
• Dremo (Nigeria)
• Grey C  (Nigeria)
• Jilex Anderson (Nigeria)
• Lola Rae (Nigeria)
• Mayorkun (Nigeria)
• Mr.Eazi (Nigeria)
• Ric HasSouth Africani (Nigeria)
• Terry Apala (Nigeria)
• Wale Turner (Nigeria)
• Wurld (Nigeria)/(South Africa)
• Amanda Black (South Africa)
• A Reece (South Africa)
• Bhizer (South Africa)
• Distruction Boyz (South Africa)
• DJ Fortee (South Africa)
• DJ Mdix (South Africa)
• Easy Freak (South Africa)
• Frank Casino (South Africa)
• Gemini Major (Malawi)
• King Monada (South Africa)
• KLY (South Africa)
• Nadia Nakai (Zimbabwe)
• Sjava (South Africa)
• Tellaman (South Africa)
• Tshego (South Africa)
• Yung Swiss (South Africa)
• Apple Gule (Swaziland/ South Africa)
• Ben Pol (Tanzania)
• Billnas (Tanzania)
• Harmonize (Tanzania)
• Rayvann (Tanzania)
• Ruby (Tanzania)
• Ceaserous (Uganda)
• Lydia Jasmine (Uganda)
• Ykee Benda (Uganda)