AFRIMA UNVEILS SEVEN EMERGING ARTISTES AS AFRICA’S NEXT MUSIC STARS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), has unveiled seven emerging artistes selected to represent the next generation of African music talent.
The unveiling took place during the AFRIMA Diamond Party and Prize Presentation held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Voyage Lagos, marking the official launch of the artistes into the continent’s music industry through AFRIMA’s Talent Discovery and Promotion initiative.
The selected artistes Ellacentric, Black Astro, Yamayeh Vibez, Mayowa Afolabi, DELLFIRE, El Nayaan and Blinkz Baba collectively known as the AFRIMA Diamonds, emerged from a continent-wide talent search that attracted entries from aspiring musicians across Africa.
Addressing guests at the event, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, charged the young artistes to seize the opportunity and position themselves as leading voices in African music over the next few years.
According to Dada, the seven talents were chosen based on exceptional ability, dedication and their potential to shape the future of the continent’s entertainment industry.
“You are not here by accident. You were selected because of your talent, passion and potential to become stars not only across Africa but globally. The opportunity is here, the platform is here and the spotlight is on you. The next move belongs to you,” he said.
Dada stressed that AFRIMA’s mission extends beyond recognising established acts, noting that the platform remains committed to discovering and nurturing globally competitive African talent.
He further highlighted the growing economic potential of Africa’s creative industry, particularly among young people, describing content creation as a major driver of future growth.
“The world is moving towards a content creation economy. Music, digital media, fashion and entertainment continue to create opportunities and value. Our culture remains one of Africa’s strongest competitive advantages,” he said.
The seven artistes secured their spots following a rigorous selection process conducted by AFRIMA’s International Jury and were later introduced to audiences through performances at the AFRIMA Music Village during the ninth edition of the awards.
At the celebration event, the artistes delivered live performances that drew praise from guests and offered a glimpse into what organisers described as Africa’s next wave of music stars.
Speaking on behalf of the selected talents, Black Astro described the recognition as a major turning point in his career.
“This opportunity has changed everything for me. AFRIMA has given us visibility, confidence and access to opportunities that can shape our future. We are ready to show the world what we can do,” he said.
Mayowa Afolabi also described the recognition as a dream fulfilled, while Ellacentric expressed gratitude for the opportunity and encouraged perseverance among emerging creatives.
As part of the rewards package, the AFRIMA Diamonds will participate in the Showbiz 101 Workshop and Music Creation Camp organised by bridgeAFRIC, where they will receive mentorship and collaborate with established music producers and artistes across the continent.
Presenting musical equipment to the artistes, Bolaji Onisiwo of New Media Technologies Nigeria encouraged them to continue developing their craft and use the opportunity responsibly.
The event attracted key figures from Africa’s entertainment and creative sectors, including media personalities, music executives, brand leaders and industry stakeholders.
With the official unveiling complete, attention now turns to the seven AFRIMA Diamonds as they begin their journey toward becoming Africa’s next generation of music stars.
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