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International Women's Day: 10 Artists For Your Playlists

Check out these up-and-coming artists from around the world for International Women's Day.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, BET is proud to shine a light on 10 extraordinary female artists from around the globe. From the vibrant beats of Africa to the sultry sounds of South America and the far-reaching melodies of Asia, we're showcasing the power and diversity of hip-hop and R&B across the diaspora. Join us in discovering these remarkable women, as they boldly pave the way and leave their mark on the music industry.

  • Ayra Starr - Benin Nigeria

    Born in Edo State, Ayra Starr is a Nigerian afrobeats artist you may have heard accompanying Libianca — a second-generation Ghanian from Minneapolis, Minnesota — on her 2022 breakout single "People" (Check on Me).

    While only 20, Starr has been a singer, songwriter and model coming up in the ranks since the age of 18. Check out her debut self-titled EP and the deluxe version latest offering, 19 and Dangerous, to see what she has to offer.

  • Sista Afia - Ghana

    Sista Afia is a Ghanaian artist not new to the limelight, with her first hits “Kro Kro No” and ​​“Jeje” dating more than eight years back.

    Being that Afia’s first studio album, Queen Solomon, wasn’t released until 2018, fans have yet seen all that the R&B artist has to offer. Check out her newest single, “Carry Go”, which was released this year.

  • PinkPantheress

    Public consciousness couldn’t hide from this 21-year-old UK singer if it tried, as her single, “Boys a liar Pt.2” featuring Ice Spice has been dominating charts, streaming and TikTok for most of 2023.

    Born to a Kenyan mother and an English father, PinkPanthress’ alternative sound is a fresh deviation from the 808’s dominating hip-hop, which makes sense being that she grew up as lead singer of a My Chemical Romance cover band.

  • Scuti - South London

    • Hailing from Southeast London, the way Scuti has been able to incorporate her influences of Travis Scott and Young Thug into her rendition of grime, UK drill and trap has made her and her sound a hot commodity since she stepped onto the scene in 2019.

    While her biggest hit to date, “Skoowup”, came in 2019, she has all but scratched the surface. She released the popular single “Huh” and an EP This is Skoo in 2020. Make sure you check out her latest Intoxication, which came out in 2022.

  • Nicki Nicole - Argentina

    This 22-year-old Argentine rapper and singer has accomplished a lot since emerging on the scene in 2019. She’s already amassed three Argentinian Top 10 singles, and millions of YouTube streams and has earned a Latin Grammy nomination in 2020. 

    From freestyle battles at the age of 17 to uploading music on Youtube to only 30 subscribers, Nicki is a true come-up story. Watch her perform a medley of "Wapo Traketero" and "No Toque Mi Naik" with special guest Lunay for The Tonight Show.

  • Goyo - Colombia

    One-third of ChocQuibTown, which also includes her brother, Slow, and her husband, Tostao, Goyo is considered one of Colombia's most prominent  Afro-Colombian rappers.

    Blending in variations of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with pop melodies and rap, she and her band offer a variety of salsa unlike anyone has ever heard. Check out their song “Pa Olvidarte” featuring Zion & Lennox and Farruko as well as Becky G on “Que Me Baile.”

  • Shenseea - Jamaica

    Shenseea is a Dancehall artist from Jamaica whose debut album ALPHA was one of the best-received projects of 2022.

    Although she came onto the scene as early as 2016, with Vybz Kartel's song "Loodi", it wasn't until “ShengYang Anthem” in 2018 and “Blessed” featuring Tyga in 2019, that she gained commercial success.

  • Koffee - Jamaica

    Koffee is another Jamaican artist who has not slowed down since her 2017 tribute to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, “Legend”, went viral after he reposted it onto his Instagram.

    Two years later, she delivered what some are calling one of the best Reggae projects ofin the last decade with her EP Rapture, which won Best Reggae Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. Check out her sophomore effort, Gifted (2022) to see what she’s up to now.

  • Danupha “Minnie” Kanateerakul - Thailand

    If you don’t know who  Danupha “Minnie” Kanateerakul, aka Milli, is, it’s time you get familiar. Not only is she the first Thai solo artist to take the stage at Coachella, but the 19-year-old rapper is considered the “the rap queen of Thailand” after her debut Thai rap song, “พักก่อน” (Pakkorn / You Need to Calm Down)” went viral back in 2020.

    Make sure you check out her debut album, Babb Bum Bum, which features the sass and flair that catapulted her to fame.

  • CL - South Korea

    Born Lee Chae-rin, CL, is a K-pop rapper from Seoul, South Korea, who first got her start in music as a member of the k-pop band 2ne1. She would go on to launch her solo career in 2016, declaring herself as “The baddest female” in Korea, eventually crossing over the U.S.

    Although her career has not fully materialized the way she’d hoped since launching her solo career, CL is still putting on Korean rap. Her latest album, Alpha (2021), has a lead single, “Spicy” that shows off her rapping skills.

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