Kenyan singer Njerae is East Africa’s rep for Apple Music’s Africa Rising 2025
The artiste development programme, which started in 2020, showcases the best and most exciting emerging acts across Africa, exposing their music to new markets and giving their voice new ears
After Nikita Kering in 2021, Indie Afro-soul singer Njerae has become the second East African artiste to represent Kenya and East Africa as Apple Music’s Africa Rising stars.
The recognition came shortly after releasing her new single Beg For It, a love ballad that’s already receiving massive support from fans across the region.
Other recipients in the class of 2025 include Nigerian Afrobeats artist and producer Kaestyle, South African singer-songwriter Lusanda, Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Fola and rising Ghanaian beatmaker AratheJay.
The artiste development programme, which started in 2020, showcases the best and most exciting emerging acts across Africa, exposing their music to new markets and giving their voice new ears.
Says Njerae: “I am deeply honoured to be selected for the Africa Rising Class of ’25 and get the chance to represent Kenya and East Africa at large. I am very excited for global audiences to listen to my music, as I believe this is a pivotal moment for the creative community in Kenya. Shout out to Apple Music for believing in me and supporting my journey.”
The singer has received great praise from key industry players for her outstanding work as a musician.
She was ranked among the hottest breakout artistes of 2024 by Hot-list Africa, with her chart-topping single Aki Sioni ranked 10th in the Apple Music’s Apple Music Top 100 (Kenya).
Her album Unintentional remains in the Apple Music Kenya Top 50 albums, two years after it was released.
Also in 2024, Njerae scooped the Album of the Year award for Unintentional at the inaugural edition of Radio TV 254’s Online Awards.
