With her short but emotionally intense projects, Nigeria’s Kold AF has built a credible backlog of music.

Photo from “365 - Official Music Video,” Kold AF, YouTube.

Let’s be frank, there has never been a period in African music when women weren’t creating groundbreaking work. It’s quite unfortunate and detrimental that contributions of our women greats over the eras have tended to be glossed over, but thankfully this fault of perspective is being corrected in recent times.

A mention of the biggest artists today cannot be complete without the likes of Tems, Ayra Starr, Amaaraeand Tyla. With these four entering global conversations for their cultural currency as much as their musical ability, it’s obvious that the story of modern Afrobeats will not be written without its women.

Beyond the A-listers, there’s no shortage of great women musicians — fromFAVE toMoonchild Sanelly, Gyakieand Libianca — making waves across the continent. Yet, African women musicians are not slowing down. With impressive urgency and agility, we’re witnessing a golden age for the African woman artist, and in celebration of Women’s Month, we’re highlighting 10 artists on the rise whom we’re tipping to make their big break soon.