10 Women In African Hip-Hop You Should Know: SGaWD, Nadai Nakai, Sho Madjozi & More
African music has never been more celebrated on the world stage; what used to be a distant influence is now a driving force in today’s global sound.
From the commanding energy of Afrobeats to the rolling grooves of amapiano, the continent’s sounds have been enchanting distant audiences, inspiring collaborations with world-renowned talents, and influencing the direction of popular music worldwide. The Recording Academy’s introduction of the Best African Music Performance Category in 2023 signalled a new era of recognition — one that acknowledges the artistry, innovation and cultural impact of African creators.
Behind this growing momentum is a network of African women — executives, journalists, producers, and visionaries — whose work often unfolds out of the spotlight, but fuels the industry’s most defining moments. They manage careers, design strategies, build platforms, and advocate for representation, shaping the path for both emerging talents and established icons. This list spotlights 13 women whose influence is felt from Lagos to Los Angeles, Johannesburg to London, and everywhere African music thrives.
Niniola
Nigerian singer/songwriter and Recording Academy member Niniola has maintained a strong independent career across multiple releases. Her 2017 debut album This Is Me and sophomore project Colours and Sounds (2020) showcased her versatility, blending deep house rhythms with soulful storytelling. Niniola also collaborates with global heavyweights, including DJ Snake and South Africa’s DJ Fresh, and was a composer on Beyoncé’s GRAMMY-nominated The Lion King: The Gift.
This recognition affirmed her songwriting prowess alongside her reputation as a flamboyant performer. She has received multiple honors — from AFRIMA and Soundcity MVP awards, to MTV Base and Headies nominations — cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential female artists.
Beyond the stage, Niniola is also the founder of the Niniola Apata Foundation, which focuses on education and empowerment initiatives in Nigeria. With her artistry, business acumen, and advocacy, she continues to push African music forward, using her Recording Academy platform to amplify African voices and sounds to a global audience.
Melissa Kariuki
Kenyan tech entrepreneur Melissa Kariuki has been invited to the Recording Academy’s 2025 New Member Class. Previously at Google and Meta, she is now the founder and CEO of Whip Music, a web3 music tech platform that helps propel African artists into global view. Whip Music has powered over 200 campaigns across Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and the U.S., promoting artists like CKay, Ayra Starr, Fave, The Cavemen, and David Guetta.
Through Whip Music, Kariuki has applied AI and data-driven marketing in practical ways. For instance, using automated audience analysis to expand CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” across East Africa, and helping tailor TikTok strategies for emerging Afropop artists.
Nikki Laoye
Nigerian singer/songwriter Nikki Laoye may be best known for gospel-pop hits like “Only You” and “Never Felt This Way Before,” but she is also a cultural ambassador and advocate for African music. Throughout her career, Laoye has worked with international acts such as Kirk Franklin and Israel Houghton, participated in artist mentorship programs, and charity-driven performances across continents.
Nikki Laoye is also part of the Recording Academy’s 2025 New Member Class, marking another milestone in her two-decade career. Her addition to the Academy voting membership positions her to champion more African representation in global music spaces.
Beyond her artistry, Laoye is also a humanitarian. Her Angel 4 Life Foundation supports visually impaired and physically challenged youth through scholarships, mobility aids, and mentorship programs, while also creating platforms for them to showcase their artistic talents.
Camille Storm
Kenyan music executive Camille Storm has made significant contributions to the growth and development of the African music industry across the continent. Her expertise in media and entertainment has allowed her to foster collaboration and create new opportunities for artists in Africa and its diasporas.
Camille Storm’s journey began as a freelance journalist. Her passion for music and journalism eventually led to the founding of Camille & Co., a boutique agency and indie label that has worked with heavyweights like Mavin Records, Mayorkun, and Chocolate City Entertainment. Recognizing a lack of distribution infrastructure in East Africa, she launched C&C Distro to bridge that gap directly with global platforms, securing access for independent African artists to Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Audiomack, Tidal, and YouTube Music.
Osagie Osarenkhoe
Osagie Osarenkhoe first explored her passion for music by researching and analyzing the industry from cybercafes in Lagos. Today, she is the Director of African Operations at global music distribution powerhouse ONErpm, leading teams in Lagos, Abidjan, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Johannesburg.
Osagie is a driving force in Nigeria’s music industry. Her leadership and vision at ONErpm has been instrumental in developing artists’ reach, contributing to the growth and success of African music on the world stage. To wit, ONErpm’s portfolio includes GRAMMY-winning artists such as Wizkid, as well as Reekado Banks, Bella Shmurda, Reminisce, Kel, Runtown, Peruzzi, and Zlatan.
Temi Adeniji
Nigerian executive Temi Adeniji began her executive career as the Director of International Strategy and Operations at Warner Music Group, before quickly ascending the ranks. Adeniji soon took on roles as Vice President and Senior Vice President and, in 2021, she was appointed Managing Director of Warner Music Africa and Senior Vice President, leading the strategy team for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Adeniji’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, with Billboard recognizing her influence and achievements by including her in its prestigious 2024 International Power Players List. Her academic background, with degrees from Princeton University, Columbia Law School, and University College London, further highlights her commitment to excellence and knowledge in the field.
Throughout her career, Temi Adeniji has remained steadfast in her mission to amplify African music and promote its global reach. Her quiet yet impactful work continues to foster a more inclusive and diverse environment throughout the music industry.
Grace Ladoja
British-Nigerian music executive Grace Ladoja MBE is dedicated to supporting and uplifting youth culture through her various ventures.
She is the co-founder of multi-platform culture studio Metallic Inc. and also manages the careers of renowned artists such as Skepta and Sarz. She also founded Our Homecoming, an annual festival in Lagos that aims to expand global views on African innovation and revive festival culture by connecting the African diaspora.
Ladoja’s multi-faceted career has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition from Forbes and an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) honor.
Ebi Sampson
Hailing from Nigeria, Ebi Sampson‘s career spans industries and projects. While working in fashion PR in London, Sampson spearheaded notable collaborations, such as Skepta x Nasir Mazhar, A$AP Ferg x Astid Andersen, and Places + Faces’ first exhibition.
Building upon those experiences, Sampson co-founded music PR and consultancy AUGUST Agency. She then took her expertise to Atlantic Records, where she managed the PR campaigns for artists such as Meek Mill, Kojo Funds, Janelle Monáe, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
Through her diverse background and keen understanding of both music and fashion, Sampson has become a respected figure in the industry, adept at navigating the ever-changing landscape and driving successful campaigns for the artists she represents.
Heran Mamo
Heran Mamo is a highly accomplished Ethiopian American music journalist, currently serving as a Senior Afrobeats (African music) writer at Billboard. The Portland, Oregon native is dedicated to promoting authentic and diverse storytelling about Black music, striving to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities within the industry.
At Billboard, she has penned cover stories on The Weeknd, Burna Boy, SZA, Ice Spice, Metro Boomin, PartyNextDoor, and Tyla, and her legal reporting on the Tory Lanez assault trial earned her appearances on notable platforms like Discovery Plus, NPR, “Good Morning America,” CBS News, and “Entertainment Tonight.”
Heran’s achievements have earned her recognition as a #GRAMMYsNextGen Executive Ambassador in 2024 and the Amplifier of the Year award at Amplify Africa’s Afro Ball Gala.
Mankaprr Conteh
Journalist, multimedia producer and creative director Mankaprr Conteh has done significant coverage of African music. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone (where she is a staff writer), Essence, Pitchfork and Vogue, helping increase visibility of artists such as Rema, Burna Boy, and Tems.
Mankaprr has also written in-depth reports on various aspects of the music industry, including the rise of Afrobeats and the achievements of female artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Janelle Monáe. Her dedication to shining a light on Black artistry and activism make her an invaluable voice in the world of music journalism.
Nnamani Grace Odi
Nnamani Grace Odi, often referred to as Grandi, is a music executive, critic, scriptwriter, and director. Alongside her brother Johnel, she co-founded Nnamani Music Group (NMG), an independent music company and label aimed at supporting African music, artists, and producers. The company provides distribution, marketing and strategic guidance to independent artists and rights owners, expanding opportunities for African artists to license their music internationally and secure more equitable agreements.
Odi began her entrepreneurial journey at a young age, penning movie scripts for film companies. She has since expanded her creative endeavors, working with renowned writers like Kingsley Ogoro, Dickson Ekhaguere and collaborating with film industry pioneers including such as Nigerian director Obi Emelonye. Odi’s written work is celebrated for its honesty, rationality, and unconventional thinking.
Binetou Sylla
Binetou Sylla is a trailblazer in the African music industry, holding multiple leadership roles in both independent and major record labels. As the director of the historic Syllart Records and Def Jam Africa, she has played a pivotal role in promoting contemporary African music on the continent and the global stage.
Sylla’s expertise in the field is rooted in her family’s deep ties to the industry. Her late father, Senegalese producer Ibrahima Sory Sylla, founded Syllart Records, which boasts the largest African music catalog in the world. Building on her father’s legacy, Binetou has continued to innovate and champion African artists, working with the likes of Ismael Lo, Salif Keïta, Empire Bakuba, and more.
In her role at Def Jam Africa, Binetou partnered with Universal Music France, leveraging her extensive experience to foster growth for African music within French-speaking markets. Driven by a passion for economic independence, collective engagement, and Pan-Africanist ideals, Binetou remains committed to celebrating Black and African cultures, heritage, and innovation.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, a seasoned Franco-Rwandan media executive, has made a significant impact in the African music industry as the managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify. She is dedicated to amplifying African voices, promoting Afrobeats (Africa’s largest music genre), and fostering the continent’s creator economy.
With a rich background in tech and media at companies like Facebook, Disney, Viacom, Thomson Reuters, and at Spotify, Muhutu-Remy has spearheaded initiatives such as expanding Afrobeats playlists into global markets, forging partnerships with local telecom providers to make streaming more accessible, and launching programs that spotlight emerging African artists to millions of new listeners. As a former journalist, she is passionate about telling compelling stories and elevating Africa’s voice on the global stage.
