AMM Top 16 Central African Artists of 2016

16. Laurette La Pearl – Congo

She is fondly referred to as the female version of Fally Ipupa especially in Anglophone terms and that alone speaks volumes of the talents of this petite beauty. The Congolese music queen Laurette La Pearl has earned AFRIMMA nominations in successive years , 2015 and 2016 and has maintained stranglehold at the top of the Congolese music industry when it comes to female stars.

15. Kyaku kyadaff – Angola

Angolan star Kyaku Kyadaff comes in at number 15 topping the year with an AFRIMMA nomination. Kyaku has maintained a staedy growth since rising to the scene in Angola and his talent is drawing acclaim on the continent.

14. Charlotte Dipanda – Cameroon

Repping 237 Charlotte Dipanda is undoubtedly one of the top female musicians from the Central African region. She sept the top local awards and this ultimately eraned her international mentions including AFRIMMA 2016. Charlotte comes in at number 14 for her consistency and relevance.

13. Loko – Cameroon

Cameroon once again provides us with number 13 in the shape of crown prince of 237 Loko, the smooth voiced singer has serenaded the aears of many in the Central African region and his part on the monster hit ‘Bounce’ by Sanley Enow ft Loko and Aka has earned him critical acclaim across the continent. Loko was nominated in AFRIMMA 2016 Best New Act category.

12 . Yuri Da Cunha – Angola

Angolan star Yuri da Cunha comes in at number 12 after an impressive year of tours and sold out performances. Although his local dominance waned a little, he more than made up of for it by extending his international fan base capitalizing on his impressive win as AFRIMMA 2015 Best Male Central Africa.

11. Reniss – Cameroon

Cameroon’s young femme hitmaker Reniss makes the shortlist at number 11 becoming the second female from Cameroon. Reniss is a singer and songwriter from Mankon, Cameroon, who grew up in Douala. Reniss has developed a style that combines pop music, traditional African styles, and subject matter that connects with people across cultures. The New Bell Music singer no doubts had an impressive year.

10. Daphne – Cameroon

Daphne props up the list at number 10 after winning AFRIMMA Best Femlae Central Africa 2016 following an impressive year in the Cameroon music industry. Daphne followed up on her staedy rise the year prio to cause major scare as she ruffled establish order in the year 2016.

9. Magasco – Cameroon

Cameroon gets another representative at number 9 in the form ‘Wule Bang Bang’ crooner Magasco who became a fixture on Central African airwaves. This feat also earned him international recognition as he emerged in the Best male Central Africa category of AFRIMMA 2016. He embarked on a successful European tour and further extended his fan base.

8.Fabregas – Congo

Congolese sensation Fabregas breaks the Cameroonian monopoly at number 8 after mainating his status as a top drawer in Congolese music. Fabregas has in a little time risen to become one of the most sought after performers in tye Central African country as well as other Francophone speaking countries.

7. Ferre Golla – Congo

Congolese exponent Ferre Golla comes in at number 7 with his energetic and fascinating performances still a fixture on Central African music and party scene. Ferre Golla also bagged a nomination in the Best Male Central Africa category of AFRIMMA 2016 cementing his place as one of the best voices from Central Africa.

6. Jovi – Cameroon

Foremost Cameroonian rapper, lyricist and word play exponent Jovi le Mosnter comes in at number 6, the highly prolific rapper/ producer churns out music material like air. Despite a relatively quiet year it is testament to his ability to still retain massaive appeal. In a year where he exhibited his prducer self more and allowed other acts on the New Music label to flourish, Jovi deserves our nod at number 6.

5. Franko – Cameroon

‘Coller Le Petite’ crooner Franko enjoyed an impressive run in 2016 after his song went viral and grabbed enormous Youtube views. ‘Coller Le Petite’ became a continental sensation and no party was complete without playing it. Franko earned MTV awards nomination as well as AFRIMMA in a year that saw him establish as one of the premium acts from Central Africa.

4. Stanley Enow – Cameroon

Fire spitting rapper and Motherlan soldier Stanley Enow makes it back to back Cameroon at numbers 4 and 5 after continuing his regional dominance as well charting new frontiers. The year in review saw Stanley Enow collaborate with West Africa, South Africa, East Africa as well as North Africa as his stock continued to rise. Stanley Enow has proved over the years that he is not a flash in the pan and the Bayangi boy is here to stay.

3. Fally Ipupa – Congo

Can Central African music be discussed without the name Fally Ipupa propping up? I bet you my bottom dollar that is a no. Congolese legend Fally Ipupa is the epitome of consistency and dominance and years after his emergence he is still the yard stick of success for many up and coming as well established artist in that region. Fally Ipupa is one of the few Central African artists with genuine international recognition and would not be out of place in any of the top 3 positions.

2. C4 Pedro- Angola

Angolan maestro trumps the cards at number 2 after an brilliant music year that culminated in him winning AFRIMMA 2016 Best Male Central Africa. C4 Pedro shut down concert venues from Lisbon to Luanda and has fast emereghed as one of the most popular Angolan music stars. Couple with MTV award nomination as well as other local gongs, C4 Pedro is indisputably one of the top acts o the Central African music csape in 2016

1. MHD – Guinea/Senegal

Mohamed Sylla, better known by his stage name MHD is a French basedrapper from the 19th arrondissement of Paris. The gifted wordsmith is the precursor of “Afro Trap”, a mixture of African music and Trap music in a francophone way that has gotten the Francophone spell bound.MHD whose epnymously named EP was release in April this year is mixture of Guinea and Senegal and is without a doubt one of the top Central African artist at the moment with record numbers he has been pulling.