Angelique on the cover of FORBES Africa’s Top Titans Of African Music issue

The music emanating out of africa today is record-breaking in every sense. 

With the new sounds, there have been new pathways to success for african artists. These creators have taken everything from amapiano to afrobeats and told the african growth story, in decibels that have made the world sit up. Even as more grammy awards find a home on the continent, these top 20 musical artists are on track to deliver more. Together they say that the future of the african music industry is big, bright and bountiful.

The winner of five Grammys with 14 albums to her name, Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today. Time Magazine has called her “Africa’s premier diva” and she has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. She recently released Queen of Sheba – it’s on Spotify – with Ibrahim Maalouf from Lebanon. In an exclusive interview with FORBES AFRICA from Paris, Kidjo says she is right now, in a moment where “things are blooming in her inspiration zone”. She talks about life, work, and the road ahead for her – and African music.