Every year, MBA for Africa sets out to do one thing: develop homegrown talent into world-class acts. Through the 2024/25 Talent Development Program, they’ve worked closely with five emerging artists to bring bold, original music projects to life. Meet the artists shaping the next wave of African sound.
BlvckRue
BlvckRue, born Obasaderaye Mercy Ogheneruona, is a 22-year-old Nigerian Afro-Fusion artist; blending RnB, Neo-Soul, and Afrobeat into a distinctive sound. Growing up across Delta, Edo, and Lagos state, her music reflects her diverse influences, weaving themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery. As a singer, songwriter, producer, and sound engineer, BlvckRue takes full control of her creative process, ensuring her work remains authentic and deeply personal.
Her EP, “No Rain, No Flower”, is a powerful reflection on growth and transformation. Just as flowers need rain to bloom, the project explores how challenges shape personal evolution. Through soulful melodies and introspective lyrics, she takes listeners on a journey from struggle to self-empowerment.
BlvckRue’s ability to merge genres, craft authentic narratives, and master her sound makes her an artist to watch. As she continues to push creative boundaries, her music stands as a bold statement of resilience and innovation in the Afro-Fusion scene.
Nissi Rayn
Nissi Rayn is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and co-producer with a fresh, soulful sound that is capturing hearts. Growing up with a passion for melodies and rhythms, she has been steadily building her signature style by blending Afro-soul, R&B, and alternative influences. Her music reflects a deep connection to her roots while also embracing contemporary sounds.
Her songs are rich in storytelling, exploring themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery. As a co-producer, Nissi takes an active role in shaping her tracks, ensuring that each release remains authentic and true to her artistic vision. This hands-on approach has allowed her to maintain creative control and deliver music that resonates with a growing audience.
Her latest single, “Judgement”, offers a thoughtful take on the struggle for external validation. In the song, Nissi challenges the pressures of societal expectations and reminds listeners that self-worth comes from within. By addressing the need to protect one’s energy and focus on inner strength, she encourages her audience to prioritize self-respect over the opinions of others.
EMLY
With a voice as soulful as her storytelling, EMLY is emerging as a distinct force in contemporary music. Born Emly Nwankwo in Port Harcourt and raised in Lagos, her sound is a reflection of her diverse journey, one that spans Nigeria, Ghana, and France. Rooted in R&B and Afrobeats but reaching beyond genre boundaries, she crafts music that blends jazz, reggae, and Latin influences into something uniquely her own.
EMLY approaches her artistry with both technical precision and raw emotion. Her influences, Nina Simone, Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Jorja Smith shine through in her deeply introspective songwriting and rich, expressive vocals. She channels her emotions into music that is smooth, bold, and undeniably personal, inviting listeners into her world with a quiet confidence that leaves a lasting impression.
Her debut EP, “POV”, marks a pivotal moment in her evolution, offering more than just songs; it’s a self-exploration set to music. Straying from conventional love themes, POV is a deeply personal reflection on life, growth, and identity. With each release, EMLY continues to redefine what it means to be an artist in the Afrobeats landscape, fearlessly authentic, refreshingly original, and unwaveringly true to her mantra: Stay Truthful.
Pappybryce
Pappybryce is an artist who refuses to be confined by genre. His music, an ever-evolving blend of rap, hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeat, defies easy categorization and reflects the multifaceted experiences of a young creative navigating the world on his own terms. From the cadence of his flow to the vulnerability in his lyrics, every song is a statement, a testament to both his versatility and his vision.
His latest project, “PappyBryce Is The Name”, is a reflection of who he is and who he is becoming. It is an audacious yet grounded body of work, part coming-of-age and part declaration. The EP explores themes of identity, ambition, loss, resilience, and the chaos of being a young artist in a rapidly changing world. Each track is layered with meaning, and together they form a cohesive narrative of growth, grit, and grace.
In a world where artists are often pushed to fit a mold, Pappybryce is carving out his own lane. He is not chasing trends. He is building a legacy, track by track, lyric by lyric. With every release, he sharpens his voice and expands his reach, proving he is not just another emerging name on the scene. He is one of the ones to watch.
Roner
Abuja-based Afro-soul artist Roner has spent the past few years carving out a space for himself with a sound that blends introspection with rhythmic depth. With the support of his mother and an evolving passion for music, Roner continued to refine his craft, releasing a string of singles before unveiling his debut album, “Teen Spirit” (2021). His sophomore project, “Hometown” (2024), marked a new chapter, one that showcases a more self-assured and sonically rich approach to Afro-soul.
His highly anticipated EP, RONER, marks an exciting evolution in his artistic journey. He offers listeners a collection of tracks that delve into themes of love, loss, and personal growth. The project showcases Roner’s ability to blend retro R&B elements with contemporary Afrobeats, resulting in a nostalgic and fresh sound.
Mellow yet confident, Roner thrives in intimate performance spaces, favoring deep connections with his audience over spectacle. His music, influenced by the likes of Khalid, Tay Iwar, and Odeal, contribute to his genre-bending aesthetic and his willingness to explore new creative territories. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Roner’s focus remains on creating music that is both personal and relatable. His commitment to authenticity and his innovative approach to blending genres ensure that his music will continue to resonate with audiences in Nigeria and beyond.
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