Ossi Grace Is Apple Music’s Latest Africa Rising Star

Today, Apple Music revealed Ossi Grace, one of Nigeria’s most thrilling emerging talents, as the newest artist chosen for its Africa Rising artist development initiative.

Grace told Apple Music, “Putting my art out there is the most vulnerable act I’ve ever taken, and being honored by Apple Music for sharing my life’s stories has left me speechless. I’m deeply thankful and eager for my music to reach people worldwide.”

With her debut record, In A Hopeless Place, Ossi Grace establishes herself as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and forward‑thinking artists in recent times, and her ascent is sure to keep accelerating.

She is frequently compared to Tracy Chapman, thanks to her raw vocal delivery and remarkable skill for intimate storytelling.

“Nigeria, for many of us, often feels like a hopeless place,” she says to Apple Music. “The fight to obtain even the most basic necessities, from electricity to feeding a family, is relentless. We spend most of our time hoping for improvement, and when we finally find something good, we cling to it as tightly as possible.”

Driven by a steadfast spirit to capture the hope that persists in her homeland, Ossi Grace celebrates the beauty and joy of Nigerian identity — resilience forged through hardship that empowers her to love profoundly on her debut album.

Ossi Grace’s newest tracks, together with those of Africa’s most exciting emerging artists, can now be found on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.

Apple Music’s Africa Rising is a dedicated artist development program paired with a companion playlist, designed to discover, showcase, and elevate emerging talent while spotlighting the next wave of African superstars. Alumni to date include Omah Lay, Manu Worldstar, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, and Nikita Kering. Each year, Apple Music selects six artists who receive at least two months of editorial backing across the platform, featuring a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1. Nadeska has also introduced a new weekly Africa Rising segment on her show, spotlighting the continent’s hottest new talent.

Africa Rising is among several Apple Music initiatives dedicated to elevating African talent globally. Apple Music 1 hosts Africa Now Radio, hosted by Nandi Madida, which has conducted interviews with many of the continent’s top artists, including 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 chose Nigerian Afrobeats artist Tems as its Up Next act in 2021, Nigerian Afropop star Rema in 2020, Grammy‑winning Afrofusion icon Burna Boy in 2019, and Nigerian singer‑entrepreneur Mr Eazi as the inaugural recipient in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s worldwide emerging artist program.