Showbiz
Emerging Artists to Watch Out For in 2023
Few things are quite as exciting as discovering new talent to listen to on repeat, add to your favourite playlists and lean on for emotional support over the course of the year.
For fans of African music on Spotify, 2023 promises another roll call of amazing artists ready to break through to fame and mainstream streaming success.
If anything, African music has consistently unfurled waves of new, fresh talent every year who have propelled the global interest in Afrobeats, Amapiano and its many other sub-genres. 2022 was a breakout year for artists like Buju, Costa Titch and Asake, whose success propelled them into Wrapped top lists at the end of 2022.
And while those talents took their voices to the main stage, a slew of rising stars was also laying the groundwork for their own breakout year. Some of these musicians are primed to release their best music in the coming months. Others have enjoyed early success on Spotify and show many indications of even greater success on the horizon. Others are relatively new elements, developing new takes on familiar sounds that harken towards major shifts in popular music.
Hailing from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with a wide array of styles, cultures and perspectives, these artists are, according to Spotify data, the ones to watch out for in 2023.
At 17, Khaid is a Gen Z starboy in every sense. His debut, With You, was an instant darling, evoking a syrupy teenage love story at its crescendo. As part of a generation of artists first discovered on social media, Khaid’s songs resonate with a core online audience, inspiring many viral challenges. His Afrobeats inspirations come to the fore on songs like Akpako, but Khaid also shows his emo-trap side on Ski, a fave among young Nigerians in 2022.
Known for his producer tag, MAD!, the young producer is behind some of Afrobeats’ biggest songs. A long-term friendship with CKay birthed the global smash Love, Nwantiti, now certified double platinum in the United States. 2022 showcased a new pace to Tempoe’s hit churning powers; he produced Joeboy’s viral hit, Alcohol and performed in Soweto, the global sensation by Spotify RADAR alumnus, Victony. With over a hundred million Spotify streams under his name, Tempoe is primed to deliver more hits this year.
First introduced to fans for his dance skills, Poco Lee has since applied his skill set to crafting some of the biggest street pop hits of 2022. Poco Lee has built a huge fanbase by backing some of the most interesting emerging talent – including Bella Shmurda and HotKid. Whether it’s his ear for a future hit or his ability to put the right creatives in the same space, Poco Lee has blessed hit records like Otilo and YARD. Wherever Afrobeats goes this year, you’ll find Poco Lee cooking close by.
Bayanni has hit 2023 running. The newest artist from Mavin, the house that produced Rema & Ayra Starr, introduced himself with an eponymous four-track EP in September 2022. Ta Ta Ta has risen on the shoulders of a viral social media challenge to become almost inescapable. And it has not stopped there, finding its way into the dressing rooms of Manchester City, where Algerian footballer, Riyad Mahrez, chose the song to celebrate a stellar performance.
With just one release under his name, Brume is still a mysterious entity to some. His song, Workaholic isn’t. Released in 2021, the unassuming hustler’s anthem extols the virtues of perseverance and hard work as the young singer pursues his own holy grail. Brume first drew attention with occasional freestyles on social media before Workaholic, and as 2023 kicks off, ears are perked for what new music Brume has to offer.
Formerly known as YusufKanbai, YKB is an eclectic artist on many Ones to Watch lists. He’s released a number of cult favourites over the years and built a steady community while winning The One, a competition by online publisher Clout Nigeria. YKB levelled up with 2021’s Before I Blow, spinning fan favourites like Practice Patience and Oshofree. He’s converted even more fans with 2022’s San Siro, a football-themed love story that has many convinced it’s YKB time.
Kaestyle boasts a certain dexterity with words and narratives that, aligned with soothing melodies, has eased him into the libraries of many music fans. The singer‘s debut EP, Kae’s Study shows his ability to play in different lanes, offering drill on Moving Mad and some groovy Afropop on Blessings. His collaboration with Victony, True Love, is an early fan pick, and fans will be eager to stream more easy hits from Kaestyle.
Here below is the list of other emerging artists on the continent.
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GHANA EMERGING ARTISTS |
KENYA, TANZANIA & UGANDA EMERGING ARTISTS |
SOUTH AFRICA EMERGING ARTISTS |
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A new kind of story is unfolding on Africa Magic Showcase, and it’s one that feels all too familiar.
Dividends, a gripping Nigerian dramedy, dives into the emotional and financial fallout of a failed Ponzi scheme, placing everyday realities at the centre of its storytelling.
Premiered on March 30, 2026, Dividends airs Mondays to Wednesdays at 8:30 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (GOtv Channel 8), and is also available for streaming on DStv and GOtv Stream, making it easily accessible for viewers to follow every twist as it unfolds.
At the heart of the series is “The Golden Bars,” a too-good-to-be-true investment scheme that ultimately collapses, leaving devastation in its wake. What follows is a layered narrative that tracks the lives of three strangers brought together by shared loss of money, stability, and, in many ways, identity.
Through its characters, Dividends explores themes that resonate deeply within the Nigerian context: the lure of quick wealth, the pressure to succeed, and the quiet resilience required to rebuild when everything falls apart. It’s a story that doesn’t just entertain, it reflects.
Leading the story is Riyo David as Isa, alongside a dynamic cast including Ronnie Dikko, Omattuteejames, Cassiee_jae, Floydigbo, and Koko_ashley, each bringing depth to a narrative shaped by ambition, desperation, and consequence.
Blending drama, suspense, and social commentary, Dividends sparks conversation. As the series unfolds, viewers can expect to be drawn into a world where choices carry weight, and every decision has a ripple effect.
For audiences looking for something both engaging and thought-provoking, Dividends fast becoming one to watch.
To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
User-generated content (UGC) continues to shape how brands connect with audiences across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. However, producing consistent and authentic content at scale often requires significant time, budget, and coordination with creators. This is where an AI UGC video generator becomes a practical solution.
These tools allow marketers and creators to generate UGC-style videos using AI avatars, prompts, or templates—reducing reliance on traditional production workflows. Below are five of the best AI UGC video generator platforms in 2026, with Pollo AI leading the list for its ad-focused capabilities.
1. Pollo AI
Pollo AI is a specialized AI UGC video generator built for creating high-volume, user-generated style ads with minimal effort. It allows users to generate videos by adding a product link, uploading images, or simply describing the ad. There is also an option to upload a reference ad, making it easier to recreate successful formats or adapt viral video styles for new campaigns.
The platform supports a wide range of formats, including UGC ads, explainer videos, story videos, news-style clips, and music videos. It also enables users to clone video ads or replicate viral content patterns, which is useful for rapid creative testing. This flexibility helps teams produce multiple variations quickly without rebuilding content from scratch.
A key strength of Pollo AI is its lifelike AI avatars with accurate lip-syncing. These avatars simulate real creators, offering diverse demographics and natural delivery styles that make videos feel more authentic. Combined with built-in voiceovers and background music, users can easily produce polished UGC-style ads without hiring actors or influencers.
The workflow is straightforward: upload a presenter image, input a script, adjust video settings, and generate the final output in minutes. Many teams adopt solutions like AI UGC video generator with Pollo AI tools to scale campaigns efficiently while maintaining control over messaging and creative direction.
Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator
- Generate ads from product links, images, or prompts
- Clone viral videos and replicate ad formats
- Lifelike avatars with realistic lip-sync
- Multiple formats including UGC ads and story videos
- Built-in voiceovers and music customization
Best Use Cases
Pollo AI is well-suited for performance marketing, especially for brands running paid campaigns on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. It works well for rapid A/B testing, influencer-style ads, personalized campaign creatives, and even as a YouTube outro maker to create engaging endings for video content.
2. Pika AI
Pika AI is a creative-focused AI UGC video generator that emphasizes visual storytelling and stylization. It allows users to turn simple prompts into short, engaging video clips, often with dynamic motion and artistic effects that resemble user-generated edits seen on social platforms.
The platform is designed for speed and experimentation. Users can quickly generate multiple variations of a concept, making it easier to test different creative directions. While the output may lean more toward stylized visuals than hyper-realistic UGC, it can still capture attention effectively in crowded feeds.
Pika AI also offers intuitive controls for adjusting motion, transitions, and overall tone. This makes it accessible for beginners while still providing enough flexibility for creators who want to explore unique visual styles.
Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator
- Prompt-based video creation
- Strong visual stylization and effects
- Fast rendering for short clips
- Simple and accessible interface
Best Use Cases
Pika AI is suitable for meme videos, creative experiments, and short-form content designed to stand out visually on TikTok and Instagram.
3. Runway
Runway is a more advanced AI UGC video generator that combines AI-powered generation with professional editing tools. It supports text-to-video and image-to-video workflows, along with features like background removal and motion tracking.
The platform is particularly useful for users who want greater control over the final output. Instead of relying solely on automation, creators can refine details and adjust elements throughout the editing process. This balance between AI assistance and manual control makes Runway versatile across different skill levels.
While it may have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools, Runway delivers high-quality results suitable for more polished UGC-style content.
Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator
- Text-to-video and image-to-video generation
- Advanced editing tools and controls
- High-quality output
- Flexible workflow for creators
Best Use Cases
Runway is ideal for branded campaigns, product videos, and UGC-style content that requires additional editing and refinement.
4. HeyGen
HeyGen is an avatar-driven AI UGC video generator focused on creating talking-head style videos. It allows users to input scripts and generate videos featuring realistic AI presenters with natural lip-sync and expressions.
The platform supports multiple languages and voice options, making it suitable for global marketing campaigns. Its structured workflow ensures consistent results, which is useful for businesses that need uniform messaging across multiple videos.
Although it is less flexible in terms of creative formats compared to other tools, HeyGen excels in producing clear, human-like communication in video form.
Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator
- Realistic AI avatars with lip-sync
- Script-based video generation
- Multi-language support
- Consistent output quality
Best Use Cases
HeyGen works well for explainer videos, product introductions, and localized marketing content that requires a human presence.
5. CapCut AI
CapCut AI is a widely used AI UGC video generator that combines AI features with traditional video editing tools. It offers capabilities such as auto-captioning, background removal, and template-based editing tailored for social media content.
The platform is especially accessible, making it a popular choice for beginners and casual creators. Its templates are often aligned with trending formats, helping users quickly produce videos that match current content styles.
CapCut AI also integrates smoothly with social media workflows, allowing users to edit and publish content efficiently without switching tools.
Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator
- Easy-to-use interface
- AI-powered editing tools
- Pre-built templates for trends
- Social media integration
Best Use Cases
CapCut AI is best for quick content creation, including TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and short-form clips that follow trending formats.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right AI UGC video generator depends on the user’s goals. Pollo AI is particularly strong for scalable ad production and campaign testing, while Pika AI focuses on creativity and visual experimentation. Runway offers advanced control, HeyGen specializes in avatar-based communication, and CapCut AI provides accessibility for everyday content creation.
As demand for UGC-style videos continues to grow, these tools offer practical ways to produce engaging content efficiently while adapting to different creative and marketing needs.
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 12 is here, and beyond the glitz and glamour, fans across Africa have a powerful role to play, deciding who takes home some of the biggest awards of the night.
With 11 out of 32 categories open to public voting, this is your chance to support your favourite actors, filmmakers, and content creators.
Voting officially opened on March 29, 2026, and runs until April 26, 2026, ahead of the awards ceremony on May 9, 2026.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you cast your votes.
Step 1: Visit the Official Voting Platforms
Go to the official Africa Magic voting platform via: The Africa Magic website: www.africamagic.tv/amvca and the MyDStv or MyGOtv mobile app.
Once there, click on the “Vote” section to begin.
Step 2: Register an Account
If you’re a first-time user, create an account by providing:
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Full name
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Year of birth
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Gender
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Country/location
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Mobile number (in international format)
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Password
You’ll receive a verification code (OTP) via SMS or WhatsApp. Enter it to activate your account.
And if you’re already registered? Simply log in.
Step 3: Log In
Use your:
Registered mobile number
Password
Step 4: Choose Your Favourite Nominees
Browse through the voting categories and select your preferred nominees.
Public voting categories include:
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Best Digital Content Creator
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Best Short Film
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Best Scripted M-Net Original
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Best Unscripted M-Net Original
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Best Indigenous M-Net Original
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Best Indigenous Language Film (West, East, South, North & Central Africa)
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Best Movie
Step 5: Allocate Your Votes
You can cast up to 100 votes per platform.
Distribute your votes across multiple nominees or go all-in on your top favourites, it’s your call.
Step 6: Submit Your Vote
Click “Vote” to submit, and your votes will be counted immediately.
Important Things to Remember
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Voting is free (data charges may apply)
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Only selected categories are open to public voting
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Voting closes on April 26, 2026
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Late votes will not be counted
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is more than just an awards show; it’s a celebration of African storytelling shaped by both industry experts and fans like you.
So don’t just watch, vote, support your favourites, and be part of the moment.
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