Apple Music’s Latest Africa Rising Recipient Is Future Rap Superstar Usimamane

Apple Music today announced the latest featured artist in its Africa Rising artist development program is South African up-and-coming rapper, Usimamane (real name Omuhle Simamane).

“As the Apple Music Africa Rising artist for November, I feel incredibly honoured,” he tells Apple Music. “This recognition not only validates my journey as an artist but also gives me the opportunity to share my music and the stories of my culture with a wider audience. It motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds.”

Born and raised in the bustling township of Umlazi in Durban, Usimamane drew inspiration from culturally relevant rappers like Drake and 50 Cent, to the pioneering sound of iconic South African singer Brenda Fassie and kwaito group Boom Shaka, to help nurture his burgeoning passion for performance and now, he has emerged as the leader of a new school of South African rappers.

With a unique fusion of Rap, Trap, and R&B all underpinning his dynamic flow, Usimamane is intent on his music conveying hope, joy, and inspiration, while inspiring listeners from all corners of the globe. Strongly influenced by Young Thug, Meek Mill, Gunna, and Nasty C, Usimamane’s single “Check” (2024) catapulted him into the spotlight, ultimately going 3x platinum.

On his debut album 20th: Days Before Maud (2024), available to stream on Apple Music, the rapper salutes the hustle and embraces hope alongside an all-star supporting cast of features that includes K.O, Sjava, Tellaman, YoungstaCPT, and more. The album also achieved multiple impressive feats, including reaching #1 on Apple Music’s Top Album and Hip-Hop Album Charts in the first week of its release.

The latest music from Usimamane along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist. Discover Africa Rising here: applemusic.com/africarising

Apple Music’s Africa Rising is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing, and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars. Africa Rising alumni to date include Omah Lay, Manu Worldstar, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, and Nikita Kering. Africa Rising sees Apple Music select six artists every year who each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform, including a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1. Nadeska has also launched a new weekly Africa Rising feature on her show highlighting the hottest new artists on the continent.

Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host LootLove, which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Cassper Nyovest, Mr Eazi, Patoranking, Rayvanny, Kiddominant, Mayorkun, Fireboy DML, Adekunle Gold, Master KG, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, Nikita Kering, Buju, FAVE, Nomfundo Moh, and Moliy.

Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter Tems as its Up Next artist in 2021, Nigerian Afropop star Rema in 2020, Grammy Award-winning Afrofusion superstar Burna Boy in 2019, and Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi as the first recipient in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.