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Writer's pictureAkachi Mbakwe

Ones To Watch Vol. 9

Here are 6 up-and-coming artists you need to add to your playlist. Listen to the Ones To Watch playlist here.



Jabu Graybeal - WAY WAY BACK 

Singer-songwriter Jabu Graybeal is one to have on your R&B radar. On WAY WAY BACK he interpolates a classic, Steve Wonder - Love’s In Need of Today, letting the choir vocals ring throughout the song. His staccato, quippy flow sits perfectly on top of the trap beat as he talks about love, heartbreak and self-discovery. 





Hanai - Lfta 

Drawing on inspiration from The Fugees, John Mayor and Coldplay, Hanai gives you a classic love song on Lfta. The song is less than 90 seconds long so it’s one you keep on loop for a while. And even after the 5th listen, you play it again because it’s just that good. 




Manny Wellz - Magic

Meet Manny Wellz, a Nigerian-born, Maryland-based multi-instrumentalist. He creates magic on Magic. Using influences from Afrobeats and R&B, he creates a unique and genre-bending sound on his single. 




Keys The Prince - Oya Now 

Meet West-London rapper Keys The Prince. He’s an artist who flows effortlessly on any sound and genre; incorporating gospel on songs like The Gift, 90s R&B on Party and drawing on the melodies and syncopation of African Praise that shaped his childhood on E Se, Part 2. Oya Now is the perfect blend of Fuji and Afroswing that just makes you want to dance. 





Yarden - Busy Body

Nigerian native Yarden burst onto the scene at 19-years old with singles She Don't Love Me and Message After The Beep, landing himself a deal with Etins Record Label. He cites Travis Scott and The Weeknd as some of his inspirations behind his surly, ambient take on Afrobeats. His recently dropped EP The One Who Descends has been well received with tracks Wait and Time standing out from the rest.





Nissi - Higher

2023 was a breakout year for creative entrepreneur and musical artist, Nissi. She came off a stellar summer tour with stops in London, New York, BergenFest in Norway and Afronation in Portugal, to a sophomore EP release in October. UNBOXED is a colourful afro-fusion project merging traditional Afrobeats with contemporary pop elements and Caribbean sounds. 













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