Top 10 artist discoveries from Pulse Playlists 2022

Curated weekly, the playlist highlights ten new songs from artists from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and other countries to help music consumers and industry stakeholders discover new artists.

These are the top ten artists discovered this year, thanks to the Pulse Future Sounds Playlist 2022:

El Prince, a Nigerian singer-songwriter born Prince Adieze, graced the cover of our playlist in November. He is a multi-talented artist known for blending sound elements with afrobeats to create something unique.

In an interview with Pulse Nigeria, he claims that music is more. He described it as a freedom bolt, a means of communication with oneself and the rest of the world.

‘Funke,’ a groovy song by El Prince about a stripper in Lagos, is one of those songs that, if given the proper attention, could have nine lives.

Jimohsoundz is a talented music producer, sound engineer, and A/R executive, who collaborated with Loyz and Susss on ‘Body‘ and ‘Your Love,’ respectively.

Aside from releasing great singles this year, he also produced Bella Shmurda’s ‘Hypertension‘ album and Odumodublvck’s hit single ‘Picanto.’

Anendlessocean is this year’s golden discovery. Just when you thought you’d seen everything gospel music had to offer, he comes in and changes everything.

His song ‘Nazarene‘ was on our playlist and is still one of the best songs we discovered this year. It’s a groovy afro-fusion song with pop, amapiano, and afrobeats elements. A fantastic talent!

Kemuel, real name Kemuel Emmanuel, is a Rivers State-born Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Port Harcourt, he began his musical journey at the age of 17 when he joined the church choir and began playing the piano, bass guitar, and drums.

We discovered his new project ‘Escape’ in 2022 and couldn’t get enough of ‘Away,’ the first song on the project. The intro is ‘beachy,’ with excellent moody chords and lovely vocals screaming ‘Away.’

T Dollar is a Nigerian Afrobeat singer whose sound got our attention in 2022. His single ‘Rise‘ was one of our anthems this year. The music desk at Pulse Nigeria was literally praying to the jam.

Winifred Ohili Adanu, also known as Winny, is a rising Nigerian singer who recently released her debut single, ‘Pretty,’ a magnificent R&B jam.

‘Pretty‘ is music inspired by the thoughts of a young woman in her prime. In the song, Winny says words of self-validation in both Pidgin and English.

In the accompanying music video, shot against a minimalist backdrop, the singer immerses herself in solitude.

We discovered Ghanaian star AratheJay earlier this year on ‘Gone,’ a song he collaborated on with fellow countryman Chu Guapo.

The pop single, a mix of afrobeats and hip-hop over a progressive trap beat, is easily one of the year’s best songs.

As if that wasn’t enough, AratheJay recently collaborated with King Promise on a 5-Star Remix of his single ‘Sankofa,’ another standout track.

Charleslyn Rosebeth Charles, professionally known as Majesty Lyn, was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria. She is the epitome of an artist, who pushes all boundaries.

‘Things on Things,’ her new project, is layered with Reggae, R&B, Alté (Alternative), and Afrobeats sounds. ‘Tenderly,’ from the project, is a force to be reckoned with.

Onose Emmanuella Bagudu, better known as Layzee Ella, is Nigeria’s next superstar. She is an exciting rapper, singer, and songwriter hoping to seize Afrobeat’s promise of prosperity with both hands.

Layzee Ella released ‘Hypnotized,’ a groovy tune with exceptional melodies, from her ‘Feel Everything’ EP.

We discovered Kid Alpha and his hit single ‘Colours‘ this year. The 22-year-old rising UK-based Afrobeat artist, born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in London since the age of eleven, has had a meteoric rise in his music career.

His status and outlet have grown dramatically in the UK and internationally since the release of his debut single ‘Price Tag’ in June 2020. He is now regarded as one of the world’s best and fastest-rising Afrobeats artists.