Over the past year, African music—particularly in Nigeria—has seen a blossoming of the underground as mainstream hits appear to have reached a plateau. Artists like Mavo and Zaylevelten, alongside a growing wave of acts drawing from hip-hop, drill, Punk rap, and hardcore rap, have risen without the backing of major label machinery. At the same time, the scene has seen a notable rise in female producers, with collectives forming and initiatives emerging to support the movement, whose growing presence is helping to redefine both the sound and the culture around it.  There is evidently a shift in how audiences are engaging with music, as listeners are increasingly drawn to sounds that feel spontaneous and unfiltered.

In response to this movement, we’re turning the spotlight toward a group thats often overlooked  yet central to shaping these sounds: producers, as we annually do. Their influence is foundational, driving how the music is felt and received. With that in mind and as this year comes to a close, we’ve compiled a list of eight promising African producers to keep an eye on in 2026.

Gbots

Music producer and founder of WeAreProduchers, an all-female producer collective, and one of the first producers selected for Nigeria’s first-ever Tems-powered Leading Vibe Initiative. Her catalogue includes collaborations with Olamide and CKay—credits that, while notable, are secondary to the significance of what she’s building. By establishing one of the first all-female producer collectives in Nigeria, Gbots is actively creating space, support, and visibility for women in an industry that has long overlooked them. Beyond her work behind the boards, it’s through her vision and leadership that she’s poised to make a lasting impact on the industry.

Topsy 

Topsy is more than a producer, a multidisciplinary creative operating at the centre of the Nigerian underground and its diaspora. Recognisable by his producer tag, “Topsy, you did it again,” he has produced much of punk-rap artist Luwa.mp4’s catalogue, one of the fastest-rising voices in Nigeria’s underground,  alongside work for a growing list of underground artists.

A member of the CYK (Cyber Youth Kin) collective, Topsy exists within a network of artists, designers, and digitally raised youth shaping a new generation of creative expression. 

Trijay

Having begun his producer journey in 2020, amid the rapid emergence of Nigerian creative collectives, Trijay (Jonny-Joe Jesse), an MBA for Africa programme graduate, is an Afrobeats producer and mixing engineer, notably responsible for the mixing and mastering of the Cosamote Collective’s inaugural album, Files, this year.

Kleros

Doubling up as a DJ, Kleros is a versatile producer. Alongside a growing catalogue of Nigerian artists working across Afrobeats, R&B, and Hip-Hop, she represents a clear new wave of women taking charge in the industry. Her 2025 credits, amongst others, include “Typesh*t” by goodgirlla X mavo, and co-production on the Martell x Afrobeats campaign.

Tenski

Tenski (aka Zaylvelten) made a mainstream splash in 2025 with tracks like “Watching Me” and “Maye,” locking down the streets with his sound. However, behind the hype, Tenski is a skilled producer, known for the producer tag “Tenski Save Me” you may have heard in many of his tracks. With numerous hits self-produced, he adds another layer to

Johnson ip

Founder of the 44dB Collective and a multi-genre producer, with credits spanning PsychoYP to Gabzy. His production range and depth mirror that of the greats, and he’s on a clear trajectory to cement his place, with multiple standout records and a deep catalogue to show for it.

Akaani

Yusuf Akaani (Akaani!!!) is building a career on versatility and genre-blending. Since emerging on the scene, he has worked on a wide range of tracks spanning Afrobeats and Hip-Hop.

Some of his production credits include, among many others, Otega, Portable, Femzy Jay, Abuga, Bamidola, Creen Ceaser, Fimi, Tiwi, Emaxee, Droxx, Cosamote, and more—showcasing his adaptability and range.

Wana

A notable part of the new wave of Afropop in Nigeria, Wana has contributed to a number of the fastest-rising records of the past year. From Mavo’s “Kilogram” to Firsklaz’s “Lili.” His work has also appeared across today’s mainstream catalogue, including mixing and mastering credits on records such as “Escaladizzy” and “Money Constant.”